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.

ACL has awarded two grants totaling $485,558 to assist with recovery efforts in Texas and Florida following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission received $300,000, and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs received $185,558. Both are one-year grants.

President Trump issued the following statement on Sunday, October 1, 2017.

Every October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) offers an opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for 2017 is "Inclusion Drives Innovation."

On Sunday, we will join communities around the world in observing the International Day of Older Persons. October 1 was designated by the United Nations in 1990 to recognize the vital contributions of older people globally and to encourage member nations to thoughtfully address their increasingly aging populations.

On Sunday, we will join communities around the world in observing the International Day of Older Persons.

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 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has provided a draft of its FY 2018 – 2022 Strategic Plan for comments. The draft is a part of the strategic planning process under the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010 and gives agency stakeholders an opportunity to provide comments on the plan. The strategic planning consultation process is an opportunity to refine and strengthen the HHS Strategic Plan FY 2018 – 2022. Comments may be provided for each goal and objective. Please submit your comments by October 26, 2017.

Edwin Walker (left), Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, participates in Politico's panel discussion on Aging in America.  

According to the National Institutes of Health, pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined. It is a leading cause of disability and a major contributor to health care costs. The diversity of pain conditions requires a diversity of research and treatment approaches.