The Older Americans Act (OAA) supports activities that help older adults live independently and remain part of our community. The majority of OAA programs are “core services” authorized by Title III—Grants for State and Community Programs on Aging. For SourcePoint, that grant funding supports Meals on Wheels, volunteer transportation, and caregiver support.
Historically, federal funding for OAA programs has not kept pace with the growing older population. At SourcePoint, for example, we receive just $2.73 per meal, for a maximum of 117,400 meals. When our current cost is $9.41 per meal, and we serve over 275,000 meals each year, you see how quickly we burn through those funds.
Today, that federal funding faces additional threats. Congress has less than two weeks to either pass spending measures to finalize OAA funding for 2024 or pass a continuing resolution to temporarily fund the government at 2023 levels.
Aging services advocates are concerned about several problematic outcomes. These possibly include, in best to worst order, being under another year of 2023 levels and losing the Title III increases proposed by the Senate; an across-the-board cut to all programs in a final bill; or a prolonged shutdown, which would cause major cash flow issues for the aging network within weeks and potentially drive further cuts.
This federal funding is vital to SourcePoint’s core services. As an aging services provider, we want to ensure that members of Congress protect the OAA from any cuts, as well as recognize that funding for aging services needs to be significantly increased on a long-term basis.
You can help! Email or post a short social media message to lawmakers. (See below for examples and local lawmakers’ contact information—be sure to tag them!) Congress members monitor constituent correspondence, and personal messages resonate most. Share why OAA is important to you and to Delaware County.
We must ensure that members of Congress know how important robust federal funding for OAA is to promote the health, well-being, and independence of older adults across the country.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sample Message:
In Delaware County alone, more than 275,000 Meals on Wheels are served each year. We must increase federal funding for #MealsOnWheels because our community’s older adults deserve better. Repost and urge Congress to #SaveLunch. #ProtectOlderAmericansAct
Speaker of the House:
Mike Johnson – Twitter
Senators:
Mitch McConnell – Email – Facebook – Twitter
Chuck Schumer – Email – Facebook – Twitter
Ohio Senators:
Sherrod Brown – Email – Facebook – Twitter
Ohio Representatives: