top of page

SE4A Legislative Priorities​

Priority 1: Reauthorize and Modernize the Older Americans Act

We endorse the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee's bipartisan legislation, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 (S. 2120), specifically its provisions to:

  • Authorize appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

  • Codify a grab-and-go meals option into law, allowing up to 25 percent of Title III-C1 funds to be used for this purpose with state approval, and permitting distribution of these meals in any community setting.

  • Improve the National Family Caregiver Support Program, including support for respite care through various service models designed to assist family members and other individuals who provide voluntary care to older adults.

 

We further support USAging's recommendations to:

  • Increase annual funding for all titles of the Older Americans Act and provide states and local agencies greater flexibility to allocate funding according to service demand.

  • Unify the two Title III-C funding streams to allow Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to continue innovating and developing new approaches and models within the nutrition program.

 

Priority 2: Increase Appropriations for the Older Americans Act to Serve More Older Adults Who Need Help Aging Well at Home

We concur with USAging that, given the proven value of Older Americans Act programs and the rapidly growing population of older adults who need support to stay healthy and remain in their communities, increased funding for the Older Americans Act is essential.


We further endorse the funding levels proposed in Senate Bill 2120, which would increase authorization levels by nearly 20 percent over the five-year authorization period. We recommend that the House of Representatives consider passing these appropriations tiers, or higher.

 

Priority 3: Strengthen and Support Caregivers by Expanding the Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program

We join USAging in urging Congress to protect and increase appropriations for the Older Americans Act Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program, to ease the burden on caregivers and help prevent unnecessary long term care placement of older adults.

 

​

​The Older Americans Act

​

  • Provides older adults the support they need to live independently, safely, and with dignity in their own homes and remain in their community.

  • Gives seniors, caregivers, and families a ‘one-stop-shop’ to find the help they need through information, access, and eligibility assistance.

  • Helps caregivers and families who are caring for their elderly loved ones by providing essential support including counseling, training, and respite care. Such support helps caregivers continue in their role by alleviating exhaustion and fear.

  • Saves the government and taxpayer’s money. Home and Community-Based Care prevents unnecessary hospitalization and helps seniors avoid or delay the need for institutional care.

​

About SE4A

To achieve its purposes, the Association seeks to accomplish the following objectives:

  • Encourage the development and enhancement of a coordinated and unified network on aging in the Southeast.

  • Advocate actions and education to increase visibility and credibility of the aging network.

  • Provide a unified group of voices to congress, ACL/AoA, the public/private sectors, the National Coalition of Aging Organizations, and other significant groups or individuals in communicating issues on behalf of older Americans.

  • Support and enhance the work of Area Agencies on Aging and their state associations.

  • Design and implement specialized training to strengthen and enhance the Southeast Aging Network.

 

Resources

 

For more information go to www.se4a.org

​

​

Join us on Facebook

  • Facebook
bottom of page