Introduction
Dear AAA Directors:
Late last year, n4a began the process of developing recommendations for the 2011 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) with a Board strategic planning session to generate broad themes and issues for discussion.
What We’ve Done So Far
This winter, n4a provided testimony at the U.S. Administration on Aging’s (AoA) listening sessions in Dallas, Washington, DC, and San Francisco, and hosted Dinner Caucuses with AAAs the night before each session. The caucuses allowed us to get direct feedback from and have dynamic conversations with AAA directors and other representatives on the themes outlined in our Visioning Guide.
What We Ask You To Do Today
But you don’t have to travel to get involved! Without leaving your desk, you can weigh in on the development of n4a’s reauthorization recommendations by taking 20-25 minutes to complete n4a’s survey on reauthorization.
This survey provides a quick and easy way to share your vision for the future of aging services and supports, and will greatly inform n4a’s reauthorization efforts. Fill it out today on your own, or feel free to consult your staff, colleagues, advisory boards and others in the next few weeks before completing the survey.
The deadline for completing the survey is May 28, 2010.
What Else is Ahead
If you could not participate in the AoA listening sessions or n4a caucuses, there are more opportunities to get involved just ahead!
• On April 20, n4a will host a mini-forum on reauthorization at our annual Aging Policy Briefing, with a keynote by Assistant Secretary on Aging Kathy Greenlee.
• July 18-21, St. Louis, MO. Major reauthorization work will advance during n4a’s annual conference, as we gather as a community to discuss the top issues and to provide feedback on n4a’s draft recommendations.
• n4a is also co-hosting several regional OAA events: A May 27 Livable Communities Forum in Atlanta, GA and a June 10 HCBS Forum in Washington State.
In the fall, n4a will publish our official OAA reauthorization recommendations and begin to work with advocates and congressional champions to build momentum for 2011.
For more information on n4a’s OAA reauthorization campaign, please visit our campaign page: http://www.n4a.org/advocacy/campaigns/OAAreauth2011/
We look forward to hearing your initial thoughts about OAA and where it needs to go in order to better meet the needs of those you serve, as well as working with you over the longer term to effect needed changes to the Act.