The annual summary of the latest statistics on the older population, A Profile of Older Americans: 2016, is now available. This profile covers 15 topical areas including population, income and poverty, living arrangements, education, health, and caregiving. A description of the highlights of this document is below and the full document is attached. The profile has proven to be a very useful statistical summary in a user friendly format.  =============================================================== Highlights*

Ed Roberts, through his words, actions, and life, continues to demonstrate that the independence, freedom and equality of people with disabilities of every age, race and circumstance—indeed of all people—is interdependent on our vigilance and resilience in working together to achieve these aims. I hope and trust this is a day of celebration, renewal, and commitment.   Here are some websites honoring Ed’s leadership and life that you might want to visit, and encourage others to visit as well: 

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Dear Friends and Colleagues: As you may know, with the upcoming transition my service as Commissioner of the Administration for Disabilities will soon be coming to an end. It has been a true honor to serve at the Administration for Community Living for nearly four years.

The Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended through P.L. 114-144 in 2016, included a provision requiring the Assistant Secretary for Aging to issue guidance to the Aging Services Network on serving Holocaust survivors.

The Georgetown University National Center for Cultural Competence is now accepting applications for its Community of Practice (CoP) on Cultural and Linguistic Competence in Developmental Disabilities. The CoP seeks to transform state/territorial developmental disabilities systems by:

In 2014, regulation was issued by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services which finalized the criteria for home and community-based services (HCBS) for the purposes of Medicaid funding. The criteria require settings receiving HCBS funding to facilitate beneficiary independence and decision-making in defining desired community-based living.

Today we join President Obama and communities around the world in observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The IDPD was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights, and well-being of persons with disabilities.

In a new handbook from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services entitled "Coordination of Benefits and Third Party Liability (COB/TPL) in Medicaid," guidance is provided that services provided under the Older Americans Act are an exception to the "Medicaid is payer of last resort" rule.

November is National Native American Heritage Month and ACL joins the President in honoring the legacy of American Indians and Alaska Natives. According to the U.S. Census, there were more than five million Native Americans living in the United States in 2011. These individuals represent a rich and diverse culture that includes 566 federally-recognized tribes, each with its own traditions, beliefs, and history.