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1 1 (November 8, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govenjw0001 and id is 1 raw text is: November 8, 2023 Older Americans Act: Summary in Brief Overview The Older Americans Act (OAA; P.L. 89-73, as amended; 42 U.S.C. Ch. 35) supports a wide range of social and health-related services and programs for older adults, including supportive services (i.e., personal care, chore services, and transportation); congregate nutrition services (i.e., meals served at group sites such as senior centers, schools, and senior housing complexes); home-delivered nutrition services (commonly referred to as meals on wheels); family caregiver support; the long-term care ombudsman program; and services to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons. The OAA also provides part-time opportunities in community service for unemployed low-income older adults. These programs and services focus on supporting older Americans to live in their homes and communities. Background and Legislative History The OAA was created in response to concerns by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older adults. Proposals discussed in the early 1960s called for a federal agency in the field of aging to be established in statute, with adequate funding for coordinating federal efforts in aging, including federal grants for community services specifically for older adults. In response, legislation was introduced in Congress to create the Administration on Aging (AOA) and a grants program for social services, research, and training that would benefit older adults. Sponsors of the OAA said the agency would provide resources necessary for public and private social service providers to meet the social service needs of older adults. Since it was enacted in 1965, the OAA has been reauthorized and amended numerous times. Most recently, the 116th Congress extended OAA authorizations of appropriations through FY2024 (P.L. 116-131; Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020). Current Law The OAA statutory language contains the following seven titles, which authorize various programs and activities: Title I, Declaration of Objectives: sets policy objectives and defines terms under the act. Title II, Administration on Aging: establishes administrative functions for the executive branch under AOA headed by the Assistant Secretary for Aging. Title III, Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging: authorizes grants to states and U.S. territories that provide supportive services, nutrition services (home-delivered and congregate nutrition), disease prevention, and family caregiver services and supports for adults aged 60 and older. https://crsrepor Title IV, Activities for Health, Independence, and Longevity: authorizes grants for research, innovation, training, and related projects in the field of aging. * Title V, the Community Service Senior Opportunities Act: authorizes grants to states, U.S. territories, and national organizations to promote part- time opportunities in community service for unemployed low-income older adults aged 55 and older. Title VI, Grants for Native Americans: authorizes grants to tribal organizations for supportive and nutrition services to older Native Americans. Title VII, Vulnerable Elder Rights Protection Activities: authorizes grants to states and U.S. territories for vulnerable elder rights protection activities, including the long-term care ombudsman program. Funding OAA funding is provided in annual appropriations through the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. Total funding was almost $2.4 billion in FY2023 (see Figure 1). Figure I. Older Americans Act, FY2023 Funding Funding as a percentage of OAA total, $2.378 billion Source: CRS Report R43414, Older Americans Act: Overview and Funding. Aging Network Most OAA programs are administered by AOA within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which is an operating agency under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Title V is administered by the Department of Labor's (DOL's) Employment and Training Administration (ETA). In addition to the federal agencies that administer OAA programs and activities (HHS/ACL and DOL/ETA), the OAA establishes a national network of states, tribal organizations, local agencies, service providers .congress.qov Title II: Title VII: Title VI: 21% Title V: Title IV: 5%

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