Today marks an important milestone in our national efforts to enable people with disabilities and older adults to live and fully participate in their communities: the end of the transition period for implementation of the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) settings regulation.

The National Paralysis Resource Center (operated by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation) is hosting a webinar with the Disability EmpowHer Network featuring a panel discussion among two women who are in their 20s and living with paralysis.

CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and Dr. Meena Seshamani, Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare, will host a call to discuss initial guidance detailing the requirements and parameters — including requests for public comment — on key elements of the new Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program for 2026, the first year the negotiated prices will apply.

In this webinar hosted by the ACL-funded National Center on Elder Abuse, panelists will discuss the range and effectiveness of elder justice remedies and interventions, including restorative justice, criminal and civil legal remedies, and best practices in the field.

The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) published a Q&A with ACL Acting Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging Alison Barkoff about the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule in their latest Capstone newsletter.

Commit to Connect is an ACL initiative that aims to increase the availability of evidence-based programs and services that address social isolation and loneliness by better understanding the current impact programs and interventions have on social connection.

The webinar will review Appendix E – Participant Direction in the HCBS Waiver application and how it impacts the quality of services individuals receive. The presentation will cover the components in the waiver that structure how participant-direction, otherwise known as self-direction or consumer direction, will be offered in a state and how stakeholders can have an impact on the application.

This HSRC webinar discussed how state and local systems can develop lasting cross-sector partnerships to increase access to accessible, affordable housing and supportive services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

In celebration of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, the Black Feathers Podcast will be putting on a live show in collaboration with the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD).

Webinar participants will hear stories from several agencies demonstrating real person-centered practice of dignity of risk.