FY 2018 Application Portal Open; Application Deadline is October 13

On September 29, President Trump signed an executive order continuing the President's Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) through September 30, 2019. PCPID is a federal advisory committee which promotes policies and initiatives that support independence and lifelong inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in their respective communities. The committee includes representatives from several federal agencies and 18 citizen members.

Recently, ACL issued a series of grants to University Centers of Excellence on Developmental Disabilities to continue to promote diversity and cultural competence across the developmental disabilities network. The National Training Initiative grants will fund partnerships with minority-serving institutions (MSIs), a diversity and inclusion training program, and 12 diversity and inclusion fellowships.

The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Innovation (CMMI) is looking to revamp its priorities for the new administration and has issued an informal Request for Information seeking YOUR input. They intend to chart “a new direction to promote patient-centered care and test market-driven reforms that empower beneficiaries as consumers, provide price transparency, increase choices and competition to drive quality, reduce costs, and improve outcomes. “

The Administration on Aging (AoA) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL) commissioned a supplemental issue of Generations through its National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center (NADRC) in an effort to advance the establishment and enhancement of dementia-capable home and community-based systems. It is titled Supporting People with Dementia and Their Caregivers in the Community. The Generations supplement is comprised of 18 articles authored by experts in a broad range of dementia care and advocacy topics.

Profiles for ACL’s 2017 Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) grantees are now available on our

ACL recently awarded grants totaling nearly $3 million to 14 states to support caregivers by strengthening lifespan respite care programs. These programs seek to improve the well-being of families by coordinating existing respite systems, providing education and training opportunities, and expanding respite services.

Chronic conditions, such as arthritis, diabetes, and heart, lung, or brain diseases, are a part of most Americans’ lives. People with chronic conditions, as well as their caregivers, live with and adapt to the presence of these diseases.

Hurricane Harvey has been devastating for many communities in Texas and Louisiana, impacting people of all ages and abilities. As emergency response rescue efforts continue and recovery efforts begin, understanding and accommodating the unique circumstances faced by older adults and people with disabilities will be critical.

People are coming together to help survivors of Hurricane Harvey in many ways. This support shows the positive side of people helping other people. Our networks are working hard to take care of each other. Americans are supporting those who are in need – they are doing so selflessly and with good intentions. First responders, the military, and regular citizens are working tirelessly to help our aging and disability communities with their needs.