After more than a year of social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we are more aware than ever before of the strength we draw from the people in our lives. We’ve missed sharing meals and activities at the senior center, easy conversations with a friend who stops by for tea, and casual interaction with staff at a movie theater or grocery store. Study after study shows that this kind of connection is good for our mental and physical health, and we are worse off without it. 

ACL’s Office of Network Advancement is seeking reviewers for the upcoming No Wrong Door Community Infrastructure Grants: Scaling Network Lead Entities grant review. Reviewers should have documented expertise in some or all of the following areas: business acumen, community integrated health network development, network lead entity development and enhancement, and/or health care partnerships to align health care and social services.

By Alison Barkoff, Acting ACL Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging COVID-19 has been devastating for people living in congregate settings, with residents experiencing among the highest rates of infection and comprising nearly one-third of deaths. They have been isolated from friends and families throughout the pandemic, and many who wanted to transition to smaller, safer settings in the community have faced barriers due to COVID-19.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced yesterday that the Office for Civil Rights will interpret and enforce Section 1557 and Title IX’s prohibitions on discrimination based on sex to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and discrimination on the basis of gender identity.

Nominations close Friday, May 14, 2021 Visit the nomination webpage.

The National Paralysis Resource Center will be offering two webinars on reproductive health and aging for women living with paralysis during Women's Health Week in May. See below for more details and registration links. Empowering Women Living with Paralysis: Breaking Barriers to Reproductive Health Rescheduled: Friday, May 14, at 3:00 PM ET

ACL is hosting a second pre-application informational teleconference on Wednesday, May 12, in advance of the application deadline for the Traumatic Brain Injury State Partnership Program grant.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit is a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) program to help families and households struggling to afford internet service during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last fall, ACL launched a prize competition for innovative business models that increase the overall stability of home- and community-based services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by strengthening the direct support professional (DSP) workforce.

ACL’s National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) will be hosting the 2021 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) webinar, "Coming Back Strong After COVID-19: Federal Elder Justice Innovations and Resources."