Promoting Volunteerism in Older Americans Act Programs
Each year, more than 10 million people receive services under the Older Americans Act. Delivery of these services largely depends on the efforts of volunteers who:
- Assist at group meal sites and delivering meals to homebound older adults;
- Escort and transport older adults to health care services;
- Repair and weatherize the homes of low-income and frail older adults;
- Counsel in a variety of areas including health, nutrition, legal matters, and financial concerns; and
- Serve as long-term care ombudsmen to help ensure the safety and well-being of residents in nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities.
AoA is working to support the use of volunteers in OAA programs and to provide expanded opportunities for older adults and others to get involved in their communities. Current AoA efforts include coordination with the Corporation for National and Community Service and support for the National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults.
Promoting Civic Engagement for People with Disabilities and Their Families
A number of ACL programs promote civic engagement for people with disabilities:
- Help America Vote Act (HAVA) programs are designed to establish and improve participation in the election process for individuals with the full range of disabilities. HAVA programs, including Protection and Advocacy programs, promote voting accessibility, educate people with disabilities, and protect voting rights.
- State Councils on Developmental Disabilities promote and support advocacy, systems change, and capacity building for people with developmental disabilities and their families. At least 60% of Council members are required to be people with disabilities or their families. Many Councils support programs like Partners in Policymaking that promote civic engagement and work collaboratively with Developmental Disabilities Act partners to promote self-advocacy.
Agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service
The OAA Amendments of 2006 called for AoA to coordinate with the Corporation for National and Community Service to encourage volunteer and civic engagement activities for people of all ages in supportive services and community capacity-building initiatives. ACL and the Corporation for National and Community Service work together to help modernize the way public and nonprofit organizations engage older adults and people with disabilities as volunteers.
Volunteer Community Care Corps
Community Care Corps is an ACL-funded national volunteer program launched by ACL in 2019 to foster innovative local models of nonmedical volunteer assistance to family caregivers, older adults, and adults with disabilities. The Community Care Corps, which is made up of partnership between the Oasis Institute, Caregiver Action Network, USAging, and Altarum, represents a new volunteer-based paradigm for providing various forms of nonmedical assistance.
National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults
AoA supports the National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults located within USAging. The Center works to provide information and resources that can be used to promote the engagement of older adults in communities across the country.
- Resources and Useful Links
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For Professionals
Corporation for National and Community Service – The Corporation is a federal agency that supports service and volunteering. Through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, the Corporation provides opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to address critical community needs.
Volunteering and Civic Life in America – The website provides a comprehensive look at volunteering and civic life in the 50 states and 51 cities across the country. Data includes volunteer rates and rankings, civic engagement trends, and analysis.
Points of Light – National organization dedicated to volunteer service. Through affiliates in 250 cities across more than 30 countries and partnerships with thousands of nonprofits and corporations, Points of Light engages millions of volunteers each year.
Community Care Corps resource library - This online library contains a wide range of practical resources – like fingerprinting, insurance, and background checks-- for building volunteer programs as well as a wealth of insights and lessons learned from over 109 organizations that have received subgrants from Community Care Corps since 2019.
For Consumers
Eldercare Locator – Can help you locate volunteer opportunities in Older Americans Act programs.
Serve.gov – The website is a comprehensive clearinghouse of volunteer opportunities across the country and around the world.
Volunteer Match – Volunteer Match is a national nonprofit that helps individuals find volunteer opportunities by location, interest area, and/or keyword.