Senior Connection

Jan 25, 2010

Early Good News for OAA III B and Caregiver Funding

Early Indicators of President’s FY 2011 Budget Begin to Appear

On a fittingly spring-like day in Washington, some excellent news sprouted up from news reports of the President’s State of the Union address, which is set for this Wednesday evening. As part of a larger set of initiatives designed to help middle-class Americans, the White House will champion increases in existing programs that help older adults and their family caregivers.

While this will not be official until the President’s FY 2011 budget is released the first week in February, n4a believes that the budget will contain a total of $102.5 million in increases for three critical federal programs: $50 million for Title III-B, Supportive Services, of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and $52.5 million for OAA Title III-E, the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP), and the Lifespan Respite program, currently administered by the Administration on Aging. It is not yet clear how the funds for NFCSP and Lifespan Respite will be divided. These increases would represent a major increase for NFCSP and a 13.5 percent increase for III-B over FY 2010 funding levels. It is also a major victory for n4a’s advocates who have been pressing for OAA increases, most particularly Title III-B, for years.

References to this caregiving/aging initiative may be included in the President’s State of the Union address on January 27, so stay tuned.

To read the White House’s press release: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-and-vice-president-biden-preview-initiatives-middle-class-families
To read the White House fact sheet, which provides more detail on the proposed initiatives:
www.whitehouse.gov

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THE MISSION OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS AGENCY
ON AGING

To Enhance The Quality Of Life For Area Seniors And Their Caregivers, The Central Massachusetts Agency On Aging Will Provide Leadership, Information And Resources, Coordination Of Services And Advocacy.