ACL is pleased to join with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health in recognizing May 10–16, as National Women's Health Week. The goal is to empower women to make their health a priority and learn what steps they can take to live healthier lives.

Since 1987, March has been designated Developmental Disabilities Month. This is an opportunity for communities to raise awareness of the many ways people with developmental disabilities contribute to our society. The Administration on Intellectual and Developmental disabilities works to advance the concerns and interests of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through an array of programs funded under the Developmental Disabilities Act.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and April 2 is World Autism Day. Nearly one in 68 children has been identified with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disabilities that impacts multiple life areas, such as social skills, communication skills and behavior. Individuals with ASD may require individualized services and supports to lead self-determined lives in the community.

On Friday, the White House announced the reappointment of members of PCPID. The group serves as 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 findings from each PCPID meeting are included in an annual report to the President.

From L to R: Nora Super, Tina Tchen, Nadina Gracia, Carolyn Colvin, and Kathy Greenlee at the White House, April 24, 2015

Each year, during the month of May, we honor and recognize our older family members, neighbors, and friends for their important service and sacrifice to our country. This year marks an important milestone in the history of how our country supports its older citizens. Since 1965, the Older Americans Act (OAA) has provided programs that allow millions of older Americans to receive the services and supports they need to continue living and thriving in their homes and communities for as long as possible.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) joins President Obama as we recognize May as Older Americans Month. Older Americans Month is celebrated to honor and acknowledge older Americans for the contributions they make to our families, communities and society. Visit the ACL Older Americans Month Webpage to learn more about this observance and to explore ways to make a positive impact in the lives of older adults this May and throughout the year.

Seeking funding for an MLK Day event? The Corporation for National and Community Service is accepting proposals for grants to fund events held on the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Priority will be given to organizations that have plans to ensure people with disabilities are among those serving at their service event. MLK day is a national day of service that reflects the life and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The grant funding will provide more Americans with the opportunity to observe MLK day as not only a federal holiday, but as a day of service.

The importance of rigorous data collection to inform international development programs aimed at empowering women and girls can hardly be overstated. For these efforts to be successful, however, all women and girls, regardless of age or ability, must be included.

On Tuesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell highlighted the importance of addressing racial and ethnic health disparities on the HHS blog. In Minority Health Month: Making Progress on Health Disparities, Secretary Burwell began by noting that April is National Minority Health Month and stating: