In this Policy Round-Up:

ACL has awarded a one-year (September 30, 2024-September 29, 2025) grant of $116,296 to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services Aging and Disability Services Division, which operates as the state unit on aging (SUA), for assisting with the recovery efforts from major disasters declared by the president of the United States.

There is an opportunity to comment on the items that came out of the Summit on Extreme Heat. The White House is requesting feedback on the Community Heat Action Checklist and seeking examples of action items, present and planned, that respond to the Extreme Heat Call to Action.

Today, ACL and our partners in the aging services network join communities across the country in observing Ageism Awareness Day. We honor and celebrate many important observances here at ACL, but this one is especially important to me as assistant secretary for aging. Raising awareness of ageism and stopping its spread is vital to our advocacy efforts, the success of the programs and services we fund, and the health and well-being of all of us. 

As part of our ongoing efforts to support adult protective services (APS), , ACL is launching a new “LIVE with ACL” technical assistance webinar series

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting public comments on its National Disaster Recovery Framework, which explains the federal government’s roles and responsibilities for organizing and deploying disaster recovery assistance. It also enhances effective collaboration among federal agencies; state, local, and territorial governments; and tribal nations, while informing nongovernmental partners.

ACL is pleased to announce new awards for multiple initiatives that support the implementation of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. The strategy was developed by the advisory councils established by the RAISE Family Caregiving Act and the Supporting Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Act and 15 federal agencies, with extensive input from family caregivers, the people they support, and other stakeholders.

This program's purpose is to build research capacity by providing support to highly qualified individuals, including those with disabilities, to research the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities.

ACL’s Commit to Connect initiative, in collaboration with engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, recently added 27 new program examples to the Social Engagement Innovations Hub. With these additions, organizations now have access to more than 100 model social connection programs, services, and interventions from across the country.

Today, the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCIPD) delivered its latest report to President Biden. The report focuses on the opportunities, promising practices, innovative strategies, and policy reforms necessary to strengthen and increase the availability of the HCBS that help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) live and fully participate in their communities.