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July 26, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
Thirty years ago today, President George H.W. Bush signed into law a historic piece of civil rights legislation: the Americans with Disabilities Act.
This sweeping law prohibits discrimination by local and state governments, provides standards for privately owned businesses and commercial…
July 2, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
Our Declaration of Independence says,
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
From providing services that make it possible for…
June 22, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
Twenty one years ago today, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Olmstead v L.C. that people with disabilities cannot be unnecessarily segregated into institutions (like nursing homes and other facilities) and must receive services in the most integrated setting possible. Olmstead has…
June 15, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
Today, we commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and affirm the rights and dignity of older adults.
We take this stand for elder justice as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect each of our lives and create new threats and challenges.
We know that strong supports and strong social…
June 12, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
On Wednesday, I had the honor of chairing the first-ever virtual meeting of the Elder Justice Coordinating Council.
The EJCC brings together leaders from across the federal government to address issues of elder justice nationally. Council members include the leaders of federal departments, agencies…
June 3, 2020 | Lance Robertson, ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, and Deborah Cox-Roush, Director, Senior Corps
Throughout its history, our nation has benefited from the countless contributions of its older Americans. We celebrated those contributions throughout May during Older Americans Month, which promoted the theme “Make Your Mark.” Our gratitude will continue for the rest of 2020 and beyond.
The…
May 1, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
(Originally published on the HHS blog.)
Even under the best of circumstances, caregiving can be challenging. For many family caregivers, the routine tasks they perform on behalf of their loved ones are more complex because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only must family caregivers take extra…
April 22, 2020 | By Kathleen Otte, Senior Regional Administrator, Region 2
Kathleen Otte, Senior Regional Administrator, Region 2
The COVID-19 crisis has tested the resilience of social services in many parts of our country. At the same time, it should not be a surprise that across the nation we have come together to support each other and find creative solutions when…
April 7, 2020 | Edwin Walker, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging
A week ago, a bright light went out. I was shocked and profoundly saddened to learn of the death of our dear colleague and friend, Lori Stiegel. I knew Lori for decades, so long that I cannot recall exactly when we met. She was such a presence in my life – and in the lives of so…
March 31, 2020 | Lance Robertson, Former Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging
Louisiana DD Council Chair April Dunn with Gov. John Bel Edwards and his wife, Donna Edwards.
Every year during the month of March, we celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and the many contributions of people with DD and their families to our communities and to our country. This…