HHS Offices Partner to Increase Services for Older Americans and Individuals with Disabilities

November 23, 2021
| Yolanda J. Butler, PhD | Office of Community Services
Caregiver and patient smiling

 

In 2020, 37.2 million Americans  — 11.4 percent of the population — lived in poverty. The numbers are even higher now, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

With an understanding that no one agency can address all of the needs of low-income individuals, families, and communities, two offices at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ are joining forces to address the causes and conditions of poverty in communities, targeting in their alliance older adults and people with disabilities.

The Office of Community Services (within the Administration for Children and Families) and the Administration for Community Living are entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to facilitate the development and enhancement of collaborative activities for grant recipients who provide community-based support.

The federal offices will focus on activities to encourage grantees to collaborate in ways that will increase the opportunities and economic security of individuals and families, as well as revitalize communities, help older adults and people with disabilities live independently and participate fully in their communities.

We recognize that the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Office of Community Services (OCS) are often both working at the intersection of poverty and disability and the intersection of inequities and aging, and that our offices have to work together to make a tangible difference in the lives of older adults and persons with disabilities, particularly those that are low income. In the months to follow, ACL and OCS will issue a joint Dear Colleague Letter and identify ways to “introduce” our various networks and encourage state and local collaboration. While we know that many OCS-funded grantees and ACL-funded grantees already partner in various ways, we are encouraging our networks to find new and re-imagined ways of meeting the needs of older adults and people with disabilities, particularly during the pandemic and recovery from it. We are also encouraging OCS and ACL grantees who have not typically worked together to identify ways to partner to best support these populations, including supporting efforts to advance the use of evidenced-based approaches in our programs and networks.

We are excited to kick off this new partnership in November as it coincides with Native American Heritage Month   and National Family Caregivers Month , two of the populations of Americans included in OCS-ACL’s  broader targeting.

In native communities, seniors, who are referenced as “elders,” are held in the highest regard of respect. They are both integral members of their families and communities; however, according to the National Congress on American Indians (NCAI), Native American elders comprise the most economically disadvantaged group in the nation and are at increasing risk of financial exploitation and neglect.

The collaboration between OCS and ACL is primed to focus attention on tribal elders, as well as other American seniors. 

The OCS and ACL alliance will not only raise awareness about the economic impediments and potential abuse and neglect faced by these populations but will also leverage collective resources to foster positive outcomes for older adults.

We know that older adults and individuals with disabilities who remain in their homes or live with family members have greater health outcomes and live longer and happier lives than those who are institutionalized  (PDF).  

We also know that while the assistance from caregivers allow individuals who are ill, aging, and/or or disabled an opportunity to stay in familiar surroundings and remain a part of their community,” caregivers also need support when taking on and administering this incredible role.

This is another are where the coalition being forged by ACL and OCS can make a meaningful impact on vulnerable individuals and populations.

OCS and ACL will use their respective programs, and associated criteria to enhance support to eligible older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Goals and activities will include

  • Education—Explore opportunities for cross-sharing of knowledge
  • Outreach—Promote the visibility and intersections of programs
  • Program Development—Support efforts to inform and connect networks
  • Evidence-based approaches—Advance the use of evidenced-based approaches
  • Leveraging Funding — Enable networks to leverage funding to best meet client population needs

This November and beyond, OCS and ACL will work collaborate to address the causes of poverty, advance economic opportunity, and center the needs of older Americans, individuals with disabilities, and their loved ones in our collective policy and practice efforts.

We encourage you to join us in these efforts.

For more information about OCS’ programs, please visit www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs. For more information about ACL’s programs, please visit www.acl.gov . Follow ACF and ACL on Twitter and Facebook to remain informed about the activities of this collaboration.

 

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