News
Public Hearing on Intrastate Funding Formula
On Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at approximately 12:00pm VDA will hold a public hearing on an Amendment to Virginia’s State Plan for Aging Services. Please see the May 15 Memo for background information and the amendment.
If you wish to hear and/or make comment at the public hearing, you may do so at the main location or one of ten remote videoconference sites around the Commonwealth. To obtain the address of the remote sites, call Cecily Slasor at (804) 662-9312. Advance registration to make comment is not required.
The central location of the public hearing will be at:
Virginia Department for the Aging
1610 Forest Avenue, Suite 100
Richmond, VA 23229
(TC 5/16/2012)
Senior Connections Honored with 2012 Volunteerism and Community Service Award
Governor Bob McDonnell has announced winners of the 2012 Volunteerism and Community Services Awards. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their extraordinary volunteer efforts that contribute to the life and welfare of citizens throughout the Commonwealth. “This year’s recipients reflect the tremendous difference individuals, families, businesses and non-profits can make in their communities through volunteerism,” said Governor McDonnell. “Each honoree’s contribution began with one word, ‘yes’, and as we recognize their vision and accomplishments, we encourage all Virginians to follow their examples by engaging in their communities.” Among this year's recipients was the Volunteer Money Management Program at Senior Connections, The Capital Area Agency on Aging, winner of the Outstanding Community Organization Award. Read more about the program here.
(JR 5/8/2012)
Commonwealth Council on Aging honors programs for Best Practices
A collaboration that helps older residents in a rural community in southern Virginia Beach prepare themselves to cope with disasters and emergencies won the top 2012 “Best Practices” award from the Commonwealth Council on Aging. VDA Interim Commissioner Jim Rothrock presented the awards at the Innovations in Aging 2012 conference on May 4, 2012. The year’s top award honored the Senior Resource Center’s Emergency Preparedness Plan for southern Virginia Beach. Click to read more about this year’s winners and honorable mentions.
(AJH 5/4/2012)
May is Older Virginians Month
A proclamation by Gov. Bob McDonnell calls on Virginians to honor older adults for weaving their experience, wisdom, understanding and knowledge into the rich fabric of the Commonwealth’s diverse communities. The Governor has designated the month of May as a special time to recognize and encourage Virginia’s older citizens. This year’s theme is “Never Too Old to Play.”
Since 1963, the month of May has been designated by the U.S. Administration on Aging as the time for communities across America to express appreciation to older citizens by celebrating their contributions and achievements.
Take a look at this list of community events celebrating Older Virginians Month in your area, or contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
(AM 4/30/2012)
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Creates Administration for Community Living
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced the creation of the new Administration for Community Living (ACL) within HHS. The ACL will bring together the Administration on Aging (AoA), the Office on Disability (OD) and the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD) into a single agency dedicated to improving the lives of those with functional needs, in one focused and stronger entity. The new CAL will work on increasing access to community supports and achieving greater community participation for people with disabilities and seniors.
The formation of the Administration for Community Living is an organizational change that will maintain the expertise and resources currently situated in the components coming together. The day-to-day management of AoA programs will remain relatively unchanged, with the current program staff retaining their assignments.
The organization will provide general policy coordination while retaining unique programmatic operations specific to each population. Kathy Greenlee, the current Assistant Secretary for Aging, will simultaneously serve as the Administrator of the ACL. Henry Claypool, currently the Director of the OD will become principal deputy administrator of the ACL.
Click here for the HHS Press Release.
Click this link to visit the website for the new Administration for Community Living.
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) applauds the creation of the new agency in this Press Release.
(JR 4/23/2012)
Administration on Aging releases “Profile of Older Americans: 2011”
This annual summary of the latest statistics on the older population covers 15 topical areas including population, income and poverty, living arrangements, education, and health.
The Profile has proven to be a very useful statistical summary in a user friendly format. It can be accessed as a PDF or indexed along with Profiles from past years on the AoA website.
JR (2/21/2012)
Federal Government Announces New Funding to Combat Alzheimer's Disease
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, along with Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee and NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, have announced new efforts to combat Alzheimer’s disease, including the availability of millions of dollars for cutting-edge research, caregiver support, provider education, and public outreach.
Sec. Sebelius noted that the Administration’s plan includes new research dollars for FY12 and FY13. Dr. Collins said these funds will be used to facilitate the development of new approaches to therapy, accelerate plans to test promising theories, and support the exploration of innovative research.
Assistant Secretary Greenlee emphasized the success of the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), noting that 60 percent of family caregivers are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Seventy-seven percent of clients are providing care in a home and community based setting, which might not have been possible without NFCSP services.
To learn more about these initiatives, please see the HHS News Release.
(JR 02/14/2012)
V4A Announces Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol
The Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging (V4A) has announced a website to identify and reduce Medicare / Health Care fraud and abuse. The Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol website provides information and education to older Virginians and caregivers, including how to prevent and report health care fraud and abuse.
JH (1/19/2012)
Virginia Government Reform Initiatives
Included in the government reform initiatives of a Government Reorganization Plan submitted to the 2012 General Assembly was a proposal for the merger of certain entities, including the Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA), and elements of the Department of Social Services (DSS). DRS & VDA will be critical elements of this new agency (tentatively named the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services) effective July 1, 2012; and effective July 1, 2013, the Adult Protective Services unit at DSS will be added. This new agency supports the current mission and helps to build a Commonwealth that offers long term services for Virginians with disabilities and "Vintage Virginians" so they can realize the highest degree of independence possible. Visit Governor McDonnell’s Government Reform & Restructuring Commission website at reform.virginia.gov or do a "find on page" for "aging" on the legislation of SB678.
JR (11/29/2011, DL updated 5/16/2012)
Tuesday Mailings
The Virginia Department for the Aging posts topics of interest weekly to the aging network. You may peruse VDA's Tuesday Mailings on our website.
Dial 2-1-1 for Community Services
2-1-1 is an easy to remember phone number connecting Virginians with free information on available community services. When you dial 2-1-1, a trained professional will listen to your situation and suggest sources of help using one of the largest databases of health and human services in Virginia. During times of disaster, 2-1-1 will also act as an additional source of information for citizens. For more information about 2-1-1 go to www.211virginia.org.
Board, Council and Commission Meeting Announcements
For meeting dates, please visit our Boards page. View directions to VDA. (.pdf)
Submission of News Items for VDA Web Page
If you have items of interest to Virginia's aging population, their families and caregivers, or to individuals who work or volunteer in the aging field, please submit them to VDA's Web Page Designer. Note: Submission of an item does not guarantee that it will be placed on the VDA web page.
Note: Links to web sites produced by organizations other than the Virginia Department for the Aging (VDA) are provided for your convenience. When you select one of these links, you will leave VDA's web site. VDA is not responsible for the content of linked web pages, and does not endorse products or services that may be offered on the linked pages. Also, the privacy policies of these sites may differ from the privacy policy followed by the Department for the Aging. Please report incorrect or outdated links to VDA's Web Designer.
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