Initiative will boost advocacy during Older Americans Act reauthorization

Contact:
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

June 18, 2024, Arlington, VA—The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the national voice for every person’s right to age well, has been awarded a $300,000 grant from RRF Foundation for Aging to educate policymakers on equity issues facing older Americans as Congress works to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA).

NCOA will encourage support for the OAA and activate a network of advocates from diverse communities across the country to educate their members of Congress about opportunities and challenges related to reauthorization. The grant will fund the creation of a robust online toolkit and trainings that local advocacy partners can use in their outreach to policymakers.

“NCOA played a key role in the passage of the Older Americans Act in 1965, and we have advocated for the legislation ever since,” said Ramsey Alwin, NCOA President and CEO. “With this year’s reauthorization, we have an important opportunity to make sure the OAA is poised to meet the needs of our nation’s growing and increasingly diverse older adult population."

Now is the time to amplify the stories of those who benefit from OAA programs—as well as those who continue to face challenges due to historic inequities.”

Advocacy will focus on sharing stories from older women, people of color, LGBTQ+, and rural and low-income communities. NCOA plans to engage with legislators during the August 2024 recess as they consider OAA reauthorization.

“RRF Foundation for Aging is proud to support NCOA’s collaborative efforts to make sure our lawmakers know that all older adults deserve equal access to resources that help them age well,” said Mary O’Donnell of RRF Foundation for Aging. “We’re excited to partner with NCOA to make sure that equity in aging is top of mind for Congress.

 

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.