- The grants are for a three-year project period, April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2014.
- For those applying for Title VI, Parts A/B funding, you have the option to also apply for Title VI, Part C. However, to apply for Part C, you must apply for both Part A/B and Part C.
The National Resource Center on Native American Aging, at the University of North Dakota, has compiled a current list of Tribal Elder Abuse Codes. They have also added to their web site a listing of elder abuse resources such as fact sheets, organizations and model codes. Please go to the link below to learn more.
Earlier Grant Application Due Date Alert 08-10-2010
AoA announced last week that the new grant applications for the 2011-2014 cycle will be due on November 30, 2010. The notice will be published in the Federal Register in early September. A copy of the Federal Register Notice and Optional Application Guide will be mailed to all current Tribal Officials once published.
While you are waiting for the formal announcement there are a number of requirements that you can be working on:
Get on your Tribal Council agenda to:
1.Secure a resolution allowing you to complete your needs assessments.
2.Secure a resolution(s) approving your application for Title VI funds.
2010 NICOA Conference - September 25-28, Michigan 07-02-2010
Hello Aging Advocates:
The National Indian Council on Aging is gearing up for the only American Indian aging conference in the nation - September 25-28, 2010, in Acme, Michigan. Over 1,100 American Indian Elders, Caregivers, Service providers, Title VI Directors, Tribal leaders, State and Federal representative will come together to share information to benefit aging services in Indian Country. Attached is NICOA's Conference Call to Presenters, Exhibitors, Elders, and Service providers. You are welcome to the share the information within your aging network and local tribal communities. You will find additional information on our website: www.nicoa.org. The deadline for presenters and exhibitors as been extended to July 31, 2010. If you have any questions please contact me. We welcome your participation.
Join us for the National Indian Council on Aging 2010 Biennial Conference, September 25-28, 2010, at the beautiful Grand Traverse Resort, Acme, Michigan. Home of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Conference Theme "Aging in Indian Country: Embracing the Past and Facing the Future."
We Want to Hear Your Stories! 05-24-2010
TO: Title VI Directors
FROM: Virginia Dize, Assistant Director, NCST, and Joshua Shreve, Program Assistant, NCST
The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST) is currently developing a publication about transportation for American Indian elders. We would like very much to reflect in our publication both the issues important to you and the ways in which you confront them each day. The NCST is committed to this information reaching as wide an audience as possible.
We would be grateful to hear any stories and examples of practices you would like to share, especially in the following areas:
·Successes in getting funding to pay for vehicles and services
·Special trips and evening/weekend transportation
·Partnerships with other organizations, especially Indian Health Service, Tribal Transit and Hospitals/medical facilities
·Need for older driver safety programs
·Need for different types of vehicles (especially four wheel drive) and how you funded them
Please contact Joshua Shreve at 202.872.0888 ext. 8899 or by responding to this email, which will be sent along to jshreve@n4a.org
Thank you so much for all that you do. Let the world hear about it!
Pepsi Grant Opportunities 05-19-2010
Pepsi is giving away millions in grants each month to fund great ideas.
Final Fiscal Year 2009 grant awards announced today 04-06-2010
WASHINGTON, April 28, 2009 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced final Fiscal Year 2009 grant awards to 50 state agencies and tribal organizations for the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP).
The SFMNP, which was established in 2001, provides low-income seniors with coupons that can be exchanged for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. The SFMNP is intended to provide fresh, nutritious, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs to low-income seniors and to increase the consumption of agricultural commodities by expanding or aiding in the development of farmers' markets and other outlets.
The SFMNP, reauthorized under the recently-enacted Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (also known as the 2008 Farm Bill), is expected to serve over 900,000 low-income senior citizens nationwide this season through grants to state agencies and Indian Tribal governments. This year, coupons for fresh produce will be accepted by over 16,600 farmers at more than 5,800 markets, roadside stands and CSA programs.
The new Farm Bill provides $20.6 million to operate the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program in 2009. Another $1.7 million is available from SFMNP funds that were unspent in Fiscal Year 2008. Fifty States and Tribal Organizations will receive funding in 2009, including two states that will be operating the program for the first time-Texas and Oklahoma.
National Relief Charitites (NRC) is a nonprofit dedicated to serving Native Americans on remote and poverty-stricken reservations in the Plains and Southwest in order to increase their quality of life. Their mission is “To help Native American people improve the quality of their lives by providing opportunities for them to bring about positive changes in their communities.”
For over 20 years, NRC has worked extremely hard to deliver material aid, educational support, and onsite services that afford immediate relief to those in need. In fact, NRC ensures that needs are met with a “highly effective warehouse and distribution system,“ that has allowed them to truck over 4 million pounds of material aid each year! The goods NRC ships make it directly into the hands of the Native American people who need them the most because NRC is able to distribute to the most remote reservation communities.
Materials donated range from, but are not limited to, food, water, produce; personal hygiene items such as shampoo, toothpaste and soap; household cleaning products, toilet paper, and laundry detergent; linens and blankets; coats and winter clothing; and school supplies, and all shipping costs are covered by NRC. Monetary donations are always welcome, as these donations are used to purchase similar goods.
For more information on how members in your community may benefit or how you can donate to increase the living standard of Native Americans, please visit http://www.nrcprograms.org/.
The National Human Services Assembly: Thursdays at Three Webinars 03-04-2010
Think you already know everything about baby boomers?
In a quandary about how to save money without laying off staff?
Are measurable outcomes another hoop-jumping exercise for you and your program staff?
The National Human Services Assembly recommends the following prescription for these conundrums:
• A series of webinars for you and your network
• National expertise on the changing nature of communities and practice
• Experts coming directly to your laptop
• Savings on travel and its associated hassle factors
Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, today announced that the agency is adding 38 more conditions to its list of Compassionate Allowances. This is the first expansion since the original list of 50 conditions - 25 rare diseases and 25 cancers - was announced in October 2008. The new conditions range from adult brain disorders to rare diseases that primarily affect children. The complete list of the new Compassionate Allowance conditions is attached.
“The addition of these new conditions expands the scope of Compassionate Allowances to a broader subgroup of conditions like early-onset Alzheimer’s disease,” Commissioner Astrue said. “The expansion we are announcing today means tens of thousands of Americans with devastating disabilities will now get approved for benefits in a matter of days rather than months and years.”
Compassionate Allowances are a way of quickly identifying diseases and other medical conditions that clearly qualify for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability benefits. It allows the agency to electronically target and make speedy decisions for the most obviously disabled individuals. In developing the expanded list of conditions, Social Security held public hearings and worked closely with the National Institutes of Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and other groups.
"The diagnosis of Alzheimer's indicates significant cognitive impairment that interferes with daily living activities, including the ability to work," said Harry Johns, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association. "Now, individuals who are dealing with the enormous challenges of Alzheimer's won't also have to endure the financial and emotional toll of a long disability decision process."
“This truly innovative program will provide invaluable assistance and support to patients and families coping with severely disabling rare diseases,” said Peter L. Saltonstall, President and CEO of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). “On behalf of those patients and families, I want to thank Commissioner Astrue and his enthusiastic team for creating and now expanding a program that will have a direct impact on the quality of life of thousands of individuals."
“The initiative not only assists those whose applications are quickly processed, but also assists those whose applications need more time and attention from SSA adjudicators,” said Marty Ford, Co-Chair, Social Security Task Force, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities. “We are pleased to see today's expansion and look forward to working with Commissioner Astrue on further expansion of this decision-making tool and other ways to expedite determinations and decisions for disability claims.”
“We will continue to hold hearings and look for other diseases and conditions that can be added to our list of Compassionate Allowances," Commissioner Astrue said. “There can be no higher priority than getting disability benefits quickly to those Americans with these severe and life-threatening conditions.”
Social Security will begin electronically identifying these 38 new conditions March 1.
FROM: Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs
SUBJECT: Needs Assessment
We are just about to begin the final year of the current Title VI grant period. The Administration on Aging will publish a Federal Register announcement for new Title VI applications in the fall of 2010, with applications being due late December 2010 or early January 2011. Copies of this announcement will be mailed to you once it is published.
This memo is a reminder that a new needs assessment is required as a part of your new application. You may want to consider beginning this process now so you can use the information from your needs assessment in developing your new program objectives. As most of you are aware, the NationalResourceCenter on Native American Aging through the University of North Dakota can help you in conducting the needs assessment and analyzing the results. I urge you to contact them soon in order to schedule your assessment. The contact information is:
Twyla Baker-Demaray
NationalResourceCenter on Native American Aging
Center for Rural Health
University of North DakotaSchool of Medicine and Health Sciences
Older Americans Act is up for Reauthorization in 2011 02-04-2010
ATTENTION:
The Older Americans Act is up for reauthorization in 2011.The Administration on Aging will be holding three Listening Forums and accepting testimony in writing and online from national, state, tribal, regional or local organizations.Please take the time to review the information found on:
American Indians and Alaska Native Elders Fall More 02-02-2010
One in five American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) elders age 65 and older have fallen multiple times in the past year, the highest prevalence of any racial group, according to a new Center fact sheet that provides the first statewide California data on AIAN elder health.
Using data from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS ), the fact sheet looks at a range of issues associated with AIAN elder health, including diabetes, tobacco use and low rates of cancer screening. Among the most surprising findings: 22% of AIAN elders age 65 years and older have had multiple falls in the last year compared with 14% among all other races. Low-income AIAN elders are nearly twice as likely to experience falls, an incident closely correlated with declining overall health.
Although the data do not supply an immediate explanation for the high falls rate, the authors found that only one-quarter to one-third of any racial/ethnic group received a review of their medications by a health care professional following a fall. High rates of falls and other chronic conditions may be exacerbated by AIAN elder's lower-than-average access to health care.
"These findings document the importance of public health and primary care provider vigilance about screening older adults for falls and chronic conditions, and the need to take well-known preventive measures when appropriate," said the fact sheet's co-author, Center Research Scientist Delight Satter.
The fact sheet will be followed in February by a policy brief that further examines AIAN elder health issues.
Are you on facebook? If so, keep up to date on the latest information from University of North Dakota's National Resource Center on Native American Aging by becoming a fan of them on facebook! Click here.
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) 01-13-2010
Check out more information on the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), which serves as a resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder mistreatment.
Our Voices, 1,000 Ways to Fight Abuse in Indian Communities Campaign 01-13-2010
This funding is being provided through a partnership with the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Administration for Native Americans (ANA) through a joint agreement. The purpose of this funding is to combat all types of abuse including: drug, alcohol, domestic, elder, physical, mental, and, also, suicide amongst Native Americans through the development of volunteer programs in Native American communities.
Using established VISTA and Corporation for National and Community Service networks serving Native American communities, grants of $1,000 will be awarded to interested communities.
WELL-Balanced Program Accepting Applications for Pilot Sites 11-13-2009
Please be advised, the Center for Rural Health site has been updated with video clips of the WELL-Balanced training. Please visit http://ruralhealth.und.edu/projects/nrcnaa/
The WELL (Wise Elders Living Longer) Balanced program focuses on assisting native elders within tribal communities. Its goal is to help elders increase their level of exercise.
The WELL-Balanced program relies on volunteers that will train and organize 16 classes over an eight week period. These volunteers will attend a FREE training session on the course and receive a jacket for their participation and dedication to helping out within their communities. To learn more about the program, please click here.
If you are interested in this FREE new program, the program is taking applications for pilot sites. Please contact Jacob Davis, the National Resource Center on Native American Aging Project Coordinator at (701) 777-6780 or jacob.davis@medicine.nodak.edu.
Free Consumer Resources Available from the Federal Trade Commission 07-15-2009
At the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, education is considered a consumer’s first line of defense against fraud and deception in the marketplace. The agency produces practical, objective, actionable and plain language information in English and Spanish to help people avoid rip-offs and exercise their rights.
From sweepstakes scams to online safety and security, telemarketing fraud to travel scams, mortgage foreclosure rescue scams to miracle health claims, or credit reports to bogus cancer cures, the FTC has free articles, brochures, bookmarks, and outreach kits that you can use to help your clients. A full list of resources is at ftc.gov/consumer.
In addition to extensive print information, the FTC gathers its consumer information into one-stop websites. The sites have buttons, videos and other features that are “up for grabs” for your own online resources. Some key topics include:
* Healthcare products and services: Who Cares (ftc.gov/whocares) helps you find reliable sources of information on a variety of health topics, including Medicare fraud, medical ID theft, generic drugs, and assisted living.
* Telemarketing fraud: Who’s Calling? (ftc.gov/phonefraud) provides information about common telemarketing scams and how to avoid them, including credit and loan offers, identity theft, sweepstakes and lotteries, and work-at-home and business opportunities. It also explains and links to the National Do Not Call Registry, where people can register their phone number to limit the telemarketing calls they receive (donotcall.gov).
* Identity theft: Deter, Detect, Defend: Avoid ID Theft (ftc.gov/idtheft) offers detailed information about avoiding identity theft and what to do if personal information is stolen or abused.
* Online safety: OnGuard Online (www.OnGuardOnline.gov) provides practical tips to help guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect personal information. The articles, games, and videos on the site cover 19 topics, including spam scams and online shopping.
All FTC materials are in the public domain: Reprint them, use them as the basis for a presentation, or even co-brand them with your organization’s name and logo. All consumer information from the FTC tells readers to report scams and fraud to the FTC at www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters all complaints it receives into Consumer Sentinel, a secure online database that’s used by thousands of civil and criminal law enforcement authorities to pursue legal action.
To order 50 or more copies of publications, visit the FTC’s Bulk Order site: ftc.gov/bulkorder.
##
Kathy J. Greenlee confirmed as U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging 06-29-2009
The Administration on Aging (AoA) is proud to announce that on Thursday, June 25, 2009, Kathy J. Greenlee was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Department of Health and Human Services. President Barack Obama nominated Ms. Greenlee for the position on May 4, 2009.
Ms. Greenlee served as Kansas' Secretary of Aging, heading a cabinet-level agency whose mission is to promote the security, dignity and independence of Kansas seniors. KDOA is responsible for administration of Older Americans Act programs, distribution of Medicaid long-term care payments and regulation of nursing home licensure and survey processes. Greenlee had previously served as the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Kansas, as well as the state's Assistant Secretary of Aging, with the responsibilities of legislative liaison and chief budget officer.
As Assistant Secretary of Aging, Greenlee served as general counsel at the Kansas Insurance Department (KID). During her tenure at KID, she led the team of regulators who evaluated the proposed sale of Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Kansas. While there, she also oversaw the Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas program, more commonly known as SHICK. That program is now part of the Department on Aging.
Kathy Greenlee recently served on the board of the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA). NASUA represents the nation's 56 officially designated state and territorial agencies on aging.
Ms. Greenlee is a graduate of the University of Kansas with degrees in business administration and law.
Ms. Greenlee has vast experience advancing and promoting the health and independence of older Americans. Please join us in welcoming Kathy Greenlee to Washington.
Vice President Biden Announces Awards of $3 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Support Senior Nutrition Programs in Indian Country 03-19-2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Contact: Office of Media Affairs
Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the Department of Health and Human Services will award $3 million in Recovery Act funding to provide meals to low-income seniors in Indian Country.
“Across the country, older Americans depend on senior centers and home delivery programs for regular, healthy meals. Today, more senior citizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brink of reducing their services or closing down,” said Vice President Biden. “The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced to choose between paying bills and buying food.”
Nationwide, the Recovery Act provides $65 million for congregate nutrition services provided at senior centers and other community sites and $32 million for home delivered nutrition services delivered to frail elders at home. $3 million for Native American nutrition programs will be made available in April. The funding will be awarded to 56 states and territories and 246 tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. States will award the funds to organizations that provide nutrition services in their communities. Funding for nutrition programs for seniors in the Older Americans Act was initially authored and championed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
The Recovery Act funding comes as budget constraints have forced states and tribes to limit community-based services and critical Older Americans Act related services, including home-delivered meals. Across the country, organizations that serve senior citizens have scaled back services and limited the number of meals served per week.
The economic downturn has also made it difficult for many seniors to afford the right foods to keep themselves healthy and active. Additionally, many seniors may be too impaired to prepare nutritious meals for themselves. Without regular nutritious meals, the health of many older Americans declines; they become more susceptible to illness; their ability to manage their chronic diseases is reduced, and they may lose their ability to remain at home, independent in their community.
For more information about senior nutrition programs and to see a state-by-state breakdown of funding for senior nutrition programs, visit www.hhs.gov.
The activities described in this release are being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To track the progress of HHS activities funded through the ARRA, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery. To track all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.
Vice President Biden Announces Release of Nearly $100 Million in Recovery Act Funding to Support Senior Nutrition Programs 03-18-2009
Subject: HHS RELEASE--
Date: March 18, 2009
For Release: Immediately
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
Approximately 14 million meals to be provided through Recovery Act,Funding Will Support Community Programs Struggling to Serve Seniors. Vice President Joe Biden announced today that the Department of Healthand Human Services will award $100 million in Recovery Act funding toprovide meals to tens of thousands of low-income older Americans inneed. The funding is expected to provide nearly 14 million mealsnationwide.
"Across the country, older Americans depend on senior centers and homedelivery programs for regular, healthy meals. Today, more seniorcitizens are in need, but the programs they depend on are on the brinkof reducing their services or closing down," said Vice President Biden.
"The Recovery Act will help ensure older Americans are not forced tochoose between paying bills and buying food."The Recovery Act provides $65 million for congregate nutrition servicesprovided at senior centers and other community sites, $32 million forhome delivered nutrition services delivered to frail elders at home and$3 million for Native American nutrition programs.
The funding will beawarded to 56 states and territories and 246 tribes and Native Hawaiianorganizations. States will award the funds to organizations that providenutrition services in their communities. Funding for nutrition programsfor seniors in the Older Americans Act was initially authored andchampioned by Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
The Recovery Act funding comes as budget constraints have forced statesand tribes to limit community-based services and critical OlderAmericans Act related services, including home-delivered meals. Acrossthe country, organizations that serve senior citizens have scaled backservices and limited the number of meals served per week.
The economic downturn has also made it difficult for many seniors toafford the right foods to keep themselves healthy and active.Additionally, many seniors may be too impaired to prepare nutritiousmeals for themselves. Without regular nutritious meals, the health ofmany older Americans declines; they become more susceptible to illness;their ability to manage their chronic diseases is reduced, and they maylose their ability to remain at home, independent in their community.
For more information about senior nutrition programs and to see astate-by-state breakdown of funding for senior nutrition programs, visitwww.hhs.gov.
The activities described in this release are being funded through theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). To track the progress ofHHS activities funded through the ARRA, visit www.hhs.gov/recovery.
Totrack all federal funds provided through the ARRA, visitwww.recovery.gov.
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials areavailable at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
President Obama signs the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 03-06-2009
The Administration on Aging (AoA) is pleased to report that on February 17, 2009, President Obama signed into law the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The legislation contains key investments that will prevent the loss of health coverage, promote prevention programs and lower health care spending for our nation during these challenging economic times. The legislation includes $100 million for meals and nutrition services for older Americans to help them maintain their health and independence, allocated as follows:
o $65 million for congregate nutrition services
o $32 million for home-delivered nutrition services
o $3 million for Native American nutrition services under Title VI.
These funds will assist communities hit hard by rising food costs at a time when demand for services is increasing due to the economic downturn and the growing number of older adults. AoA is already in the process of doing the necessary work to make these funds available as soon as possible. More information on the allocation of these funds, as well as the reporting requirements related to them, will be forthcoming.
For more information about the ARRA, please visit www.Recovery.gov, the new website that allows taxpayers to see how Americans will be helped by this landmark legislation.
