Older Americans Act

Summary

Older Americans Act - Title I: Amendments to the Older Americans Act of 1965 - Amends the Older Americans Act of 1965 to require each Federal agency proposing to establish programs and services substantially related to the purposes of such Act to consult with the Administration on Aging prior to the establishment of such programs and services. Establishes in the Executive Office of the President the position of Counselor to the President on Aging to be appointed by the President. Sets forth the duties of the Counselor. Includes among such duties the representation of the interests of older Americans before the departments and agencies of the United States and to the general public. Declares it to be the purpose of Title III of such Act (Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging) to encourage and assist State and local agencies to concentrate resources to serve older persons by entering into new cooperative arrangements in each such State with State and local agencies, and with the providers of social services or nutrition services or multipurpose senior centers, for the planning for the provision of, and for the provision of, social services, nutrition services, or multipurpose senior centers. Declares it further to be the purpose of such Title to combine within a single authorization, the programs of such Title, Title V (Multipurpose Senior Centers), and Title VII (Nutrition Program for the Elderly). Sets forth the definitions used in such Title. Includes within the social services to be provided the services of an Ombudsman at the State level to receive, investigate, and act on complaints by older persons who are residents of nursing homes and to advocate the well-being of such persons. Defines "nutrition services" as any nutrition projects which, five or more days a week, provide at least one meal per day each of which assures a minimum of one-third of the daily recommended dietary allowances. Defines a "multipurpose senior center" as a community facility for the organization and provision of a broad spectrum of social services (including provision of health, social, and educational services and provision of facilities for recreational activities) or nutrition services, or both, for older persons. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 1979 and 1980 for grants approved under such Title. Requires each State, to be eligible to receive a grant under such Title, to designate a State agency as the sole State agency: (1) to develop and administer a State plan formulated pursuant to this Act; and (2) to divide the State into areas and to designate as a planning and service area any unit of general purpose local government which has a population aged 60 or over of 15,000 individuals or more which contains 15 percent or more of the State population aged 60 or over. Requires each such area agency on aging to prepare and develop an area plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Requires each State, in order to be eligible for grants under such Title, to submit to the Commissioner on Aging a State plan. Sets forth specified material to be included in such plan. Authorizes the Commissioner to make grants to develop and operate statewide, regional, metropolitan area, county, city, or community model projects which show promise of expanding or improving social services or nutrition services or otherwise promote the well-being of older persons. Requires the Commissioner in making such grants to give special consideration to projects designed: (1) to assist in meeting the housing needs of older persons; (2) to provide continuing education to older persons; (3) to provide preretirement education information; (4) to provide services to assist in meeting the particular needs of physically and mentally impaired older persons; and (5) to assist older persons to remain within their communities and out of institutions. Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to insure any mortgage for a multipurpose senior center in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Act. Creates a Multipurpose Senior Center Insurance Fund to be used by the Secretary as a revolving fund for carrying out all insurance provisions with respect to such mortgages. Authorizes the Secretary to make annual interest grants to assist nonprofit private agencies in reducing the cost of borrowing from other sources for the acquisition, alteration, or renovation of facilities for multipurpose senior centers. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for each fiscal year prior to 1980 for training, research, and secretarial programs for personnel in the field of aging. Redesignates Title V of the Act "Community Service Employment for Older Americans." States that such Title may be cited as the Older American Community Service Employment Act. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to establish an older American community service employment program to foster and promote useful part-time opportunities in community service activities for unemployed low-income persons who are 55 years old and who have poor employment prospects. States that eligible individuals employed in such projects shall not be considered to be Federal employees. States that in awarding grants or contracts for such projects the Secretary shall give special consideration to national organizations owned or operated by members of minority groups which have a proven ability to provide older persons with employment. Sets forth definitions used in this Title. Title II: White House Conference on Aging - 1981 White House Conference on Aging Act - Declares it the policy of the Congress that the Federal Government should work with the States and citizens to develop recommendations and plans to meet the needs of older persons. Requires that programs developed under this Act place emphasis upon the right of older persons to free choice and self-help in planning their futures. Authorizes the President of the United States to call a White House Conference on Aging in 1981 to develop recommendations for research and action in the field of aging. Requires the Conference to include representatives of Federal, State, and local governments, professional and lay people working in the field of aging including older persons. Directs that a final report of the White House Conference, containing a comprehensive statement of a coherent national policy on aging and the recommendations of such Conference, be submitted to the President and Congress within a specified time. Sets forth the responsibilities and duties of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in administering this Act. Directs the Secretary to establish an advisory committee to the Conference and such other technical committees as may be necessary to carry out such Conference. Title III: Study of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Programs for Older Americans - Directs the Commission on Civil Rights: (1) to undertake a comprehensive study of discrimination based on race or ethnic background in any federally assisted programs and activities which affect older persons; and (2) identify with particularity any such federally assisted program or activity in which evidence is found of persons or organizations who are otherwise qualified being, on the basis of race or ethnic background, excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, refused employment or contracts with, or subject to discrimination under, such program or activity.

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2 official files

• Indefinitely postponed in Senate

  summary · EN · 24 July 1978

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• Introduced in Senate

  summary · EN · 6 April 1978

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