Jan 2024 Newsletter

GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter

Senior Issues Newsletter January 2024

HNY

Happy New Year 2024

In this Issue:

GCOA in the Community

MLK Day

Save the Dates

News You Can Use

Wishing you a Happy New Year as we welcome the 2024 Legislative Session! The Georgia General Assembly will be back under the Gold Dome on Monday, January 8th, for the 2024 Legislative Session.

Aging advocates have worked hard over the last four months in the Work Groups, which concluded in December, to prepare this year's priorities and develop innovative strategies to advocate for them. Read about the 2024 CO-AGE Priorities in our virtual brochure HERE.

Starting next week, we will release weekly editions of the newsletter to make sure that our members have the latest updates regarding the legislative session. Also, be on the lookout for our action alerts. Remember, just four clicks and you can contact your legislators at critical moments in the process!

For daily updates on what's happening on Capitol Hill, visit the Georgia General Assembly's website at legis.ga.gov.

CO-AGE Announcements

Join CO-AGE

Registration is now open for Senior Day at the Capitol 2024! This event is free and open to the public but registration is required. Come see the legislative process up close and personal, meet with your legislators, network, and celebrate the 2024 Distinguished Older Georgian with the Georgia Council on Aging! Don't forget to wear your green scarf if you have one.

Anyone interested in advocating with or on behalf of older adults can join CO-AGE. Individual Membership is only $10! Paid members have the distinctive ability to submit and vote on the issues that GCOA and CO-AGE take to the Capitol and reduced rates for CO-AGE events. Join HERE!

If you are already a member, make sure that your list of CO-AGE organizational members is up-to-date. To report changes or updates to your membership, please contact patrice.parker1@gcoa.ga.gov.

Share Your Personal Stories

New year, new stories needed! Budget funding and legislation are greatly influenced by the personal experiences of older Georgians. Legislators want to hear about how you are affected by the budget and current laws of the state. GCOA can't succeed without YOU!!

Please click HERE to see how to submit a personal story.

Stories

GA Division of Aging Services Updates

The Georgia Department of Human Services and the Georgia Department of Community Health Announce $54 Million in New Funding to Support Medicaid Renewal Efforts. Read the press release HERE.

DAS Updates

GCOA in the Community

GCOA Chair and President of Senior Citizens Inc., Patti Lyons, recently celebrated the 64th year of her organization's mission. Senior Citizens Inc. in Savannah is a nonprofit organization committed to helping coastal Georgia seniors age successfully and at home as long as possible.

GCOA staff was at the Capitol throughout the Special Session in December. The Governor paused the busy schedule of meetings to kick off the Holiday season under the Gold Dome with the annual Christmas tree lighting.

GCOA Vice Chair, Dr. Adrienne Mims has been announced as a featured speaker at the Health 2.0 Conference. Dr. Mims is a leading expert dedicated to advancing geriatric care and health equity. Read more about the conference HERE.

GCOA in the Com

Happy Holidays