Human Service Newsbytes Update

October 2, 2006

If you are having trouble reading this update, go to http://www.nassembly.org/nassembly/newsbytes/update_100206.htm

Congress Passes Legislation for Youth and Seniors

Congress Passes Federal Youth Coordination Act

Congress passed the Federal Youth Coordination Act (FYCA) in the early hours of September 30, renaming it the Tom Osborne Federal Youth Coordination Act, after its congressional champion.  It now moves to the president for his signature.  This is especially gratifying since FYCA was attached to reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, another important piece of legislation for our sector.

This is no small accomplishment, not only given the paucity of legislation that passed this Congress, but also because what of FYCA will do:  bridge the silos of fragmented policies and programs across twelve federal departments and agencies that administer programs for at-risk youth.  That in and of itself is significant; that the interagency meetings will also include community- and faith-based organizations, and youth is, quite frankly, groundbreaking.

This legislation is significant for the National Collaboration for Youth and its members.  There is no finer example of the National Collaboration for Youth earning its name than the Federal Youth Coordination Act.  The public policy staff of member organizations seized upon the opportunity of the White House Task Force for Disadvantaged Youth to craft legislation that would advance their shared goal – more effective and comprehensive strategies for America's youth.  And Collab members, along with allies they recruited along the way, became one of two driving forces for this bill, the other being the office of Rep. Tom Osborne. 

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the member organizations of the National Collaboration for Youth and the supporters of the bill.  Please take a moment and thank your elected official for passing the bill, and request their continued leadership on youth issues.  CLICK HERE.

Older Americans Act Reauthorized

In a flurry of activity before recessing for midterm elections, the House and Senate both approved the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) by voice vote.  The legislation provides a variety of services to seniors, including Meals on Wheels, health screenings, counseling and support for people who care for elderly relatives, and a community service jobs program run by the Department of Labor. 

OAA also reauthorizes the National Family Caregiver Support Program, which provides vital support to grandparents raising their grandchildren.  The reauthorization lowers the age limit from sixty to fifty-five for grandparents and other relatives raising children to qualify for supportive services, something advocates have been working towards since 2000.  The NFCSP also provides information and assistance such as support groups and respite care to thousands of grandparents and other relatives raising children across the U.S.

New to the Older Americans Act is a provision that authorizes demonstration grants to non-profit organizations to carry out multigenerational and civic engagement activities such as those that connect older and younger people in child care, youth day care, afterschool programs, and library and education assistance programs. The Act also authorizes funding for innovative programs that engage older volunteers providing support to families whose children have special needs, and supports to grandparents and other older relatives and the children in their care.

Reauthorization of the OAA was voted the top priority for America’s seniors from among 73 resolutions presented to the delegates at the 2005 White House Conference on Aging.