News Update: HSS Delivers Strategic Framework for National Plan on Aging
On May 30, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services, through its Administration for Community Living, released “Aging in the United States: A Strategic Framework for a National Plan on Aging” (pdf)
Via the HHS press release,
“The report lays the groundwork for a coordinated effort – across the private and public sectors and in partnership with older adults, family caregivers, the aging services network, and other stakeholders – to create a national set of recommendations for advancing healthy aging and age-friendly communities that value and truly include older adults. The national plan on aging will advance best practices for service delivery, support development and strengthening of partnerships within and across sectors, identify solutions for removing barriers to health and independence for older adults, and more. Developed by leaders and experts from 16 federal agencies and departments working together through the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities, the report also reflects input from community partners and leaders in the aging services network.”
The Administration for Community Living will be hosting a webinar on June 10th from 2-3 PM EST to provide an overview and share about opportunities to get involved.
Read the Strategic Framework
Read the press release
Register for the webinar
Additionally, on February 28, 2024, Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Casey (D-PA) introduced the Strategic Plan for Aging Act (S.3827). This landmark bill would create a new national grant program under the Older Americans Act (OAA) to incentivize and support states’ efforts to create strategic plans for aging (MPAs).
Specifically, the Strategic Plan for Aging Act would:
Award grants to states, territories, and tribes to create or continue to develop their own Multisector Plan for Aging
Cover a 10-year period
Direct the state, local, nonprofit, and private sectors to collaborate on systems-based solutions that touch all major areas of the aging life experience, such as health care, housing, transportation, consumer affairs, employment, and income security
Provide awardees with resources to coordinate, implement, and evaluate cross-agency and private sector plans to improve the lives of older individuals, including older individuals with a disability
Award up to 65 grants across a 5-year span, up to $500,000 per awardee, depending on the size and need of the state, territory, and tribal organizations involved
In North Carolina, the All Ages, All Stages NC Multisector Plan for Aging, created by Governor Cooper’s May 2, 2023 via Executive Order 280, “established NC’s commitment to building an age-friendly state and called for a government-wide approach to identify solutions that can guide changes at the state level and ensure that North Carolina is ready to meet the needs of its rapidly aging population. “ (NC DHHS)
S.3827 is important since it could would potentially create funding opportunities for states to advance their plans (Aging Plan and Multisector Plan for Aging). But regardless of whether or not S.3827 passes, the introduction of federal legislation supporting MPAs is hailed as an important step in guaranteeing that the entire nation is prepared to care for its growing aging population.
