The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) will hold a series of meetings to gather input for the State Plan on Aging. PDA developed a discussion guide to help interested persons reflect on key issues that will be raised during the meetings. The guide is available on the PDA web site (www.aging.state.pa.us/aging/lib/aging/080109_discussion_guide_final.pdf) The department has encouraged the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and their constituencies to provide input on behavioral health needs of older adults for this planning cycle. The state plan focuses PDA priorities. It is submitted to the federal Administration on Aging for consideration for funding under the Older Americans Act. This plan will be effective October 1, 2008 – September 30, 2012.
Seven meetings are scheduled across Pennsylvania. There is no charge to attend these meetings, although reservations are suggested through the contact information listed for the location. The meetings are scheduled from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
January
31
Masonic Village at Elizabethtown, Freemasons Cultural (Visitor) Center, One
Masonic Dr, Elizabethtown – Area Agency on Aging (717-299-7979)
February
7
Clarion Holiday Inn, 45 Holiday Inn Rd, Clarion – Area Agency on Aging
(814-226-4640)
February
8
Community College of Allegheny County, North Campus Gymnasium, 8701 Perry
Hwy, Pittsburgh – Area Agency on Aging (412-350-5460 or seniorline@dhs.county.allegheny.pa.us)
February
21
Luzerne County Community College, Main Campus Educational Conference Center,
Building 10 Auditorium, 1333 S. Prospect Street, Nanticoke – Judy McAnnally
(570-822-1159, x2317)
March
14
West Chester University, Sykes Student Union Bldg, Theatre-Ground Level, 110
West Rosedale Ave, West Chester – Lois or Marilynn (610-344-4546)
March
17
Pennsylvania College of Technology, Main Campus, Klump Academic Center Auditorium,
One College Ave, Williamsport – Office of Aging (800-332-8555 or 570-323-3096)
March
28
Lake Raystown Resort, Lodge and Conference Center, 100 Chipmunk Crossing,
Entriken – Penny Clark (814-623-8148 or 800-892-7903)
If an accommodation is required for participation in a session please contact the site two weeks prior to the scheduled session so that arrangements can be made.
Written comments
can be submitted at the meeting or mailed to the Pennsylvania Department of
Aging, Division of Systems Planning and Consultation, 5th Fl, 555 Walnut St,
Harrisburg, PA 17101. Testimony may also be emailed to ra-stateplanonaging@state.pa.us.
More information about the meetings, including announcement flyers in several
languages, is available on the PDA web site (www.aging.state.pa.us).
Address questions about the town meetings to Nicole Hooper at PDA (nhooper@state.pa.us).
