Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties Testifies before U.S. House Subcommittee on Impact of Potential Improvements to Older Americans Act
Reauthorization of 1965 Law Planned for this Year - Listen to the Webcast

Vinsen Faris, executive director of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties, appeared before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Select Education on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, to provide testimony in regards to the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA). Two panels representing federal agencies, senior services organizations, and seniors themselves highlighted the importance of services provided to seniors through the Act. Meals-on-Wheels currently receives pass-through federal monies from the OAA. Congress funds the programs in the Act annually, such as transportation, nutrition such as “Meals on Wheels,” and referral to home care, health and other social services. The Act itself has to be reauthorized periodically, and changes and revisions are usually made each time it is reauthorized.

“Over the past several months, we have been examining the current program, learning about the evolving issues facing older Americans, listening to seniors in their own words, and laying out a plan for strengthening services relied upon by millions of aging Americans each year,” noted Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), chairman of the Select Education Subcommittee.

Faris was asked to testify because of new language being proposed in Title III of the OAA regarding voluntary client donations to meal programs and meal availability options to those not eligible for Title III, such as caregivers.

“I have long been a strong advocate for encouraging client donations. The proposal will enable us to be more effective about bringing services to seniors who need help that might misunderstand that senior meal programs are for low income. We have learned that voluntary contributions are essential to expanding our services, as well as alleviating the ‘welfare’ stigma from the program,” said Faris.

In addition, Faris addressed the prohibiting of fund transfers from Title III-C (funds for senior nutrition programs) to Title III-B (funds for supportive services). In 2004, the state of Texas moved $5.8 million out of nutrition, which is equivalent to at least a million meals to supportive services. This issue is not currently being addressed in this year’s reauthorization.

“I am disappointed that the bill does not address this issue. Don’t get me wrong—all of the services furnished under the Act are important. But, food is essential for life and health. While meal programs have waiting lists, seniors are going without meals. Therefore, this transfer should be prohibited,” stated Faris.

Faris was just one of several persons to participate in the process of this year’s reauthorization of the OAA, and the only meals program representative. The Select Education Subcommittee held field hearings earlier this year in Ohio and Texas to lay groundwork for Tuesday’s hearing and upcoming introduction of legislation to strengthen federal programs impacting seniors. The legislation is expected to: (1) promote home and community-based supports to help older individuals avoid institutional care; (2) strengthen health and nutrition initiatives; (3) improve educational and volunteer services; (4) increase federal, state, and local coordination; and (5) safeguard employment-based training for older Americans.

“It is quite an honor for Meals-on-Wheels to be asked to address the U.S. House Subcommittee on Select Education. I really think it is recognition of the good work we do here in Ellis and Johnson Counties,” added Faris.

Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties is a community-based, not-for-profit organization that serves needy elderly and disabled persons throughout Johnson and Ellis Counties. Founded in 1976, the organization currently serves over 1,600 homebound persons per year in a two-county service area. Meals-on-Wheels provides home-delivered meals, transportation services, caregiver education, and information & assistance support to families with needy elderly and disabled family members. For more information, contact Meals-on-Wheels at 817-558-2840 or 972-351-9943, or online at www.servingthechildrenofyesterday.org. For additional information about Tuesday’s hearing, visit the Committee on Education and the Workforce website at http://edworkforce.house.gov.

Panel testifies before U.S. House Subcommittee on Select Education.

Left to Right: Andre Bauer, South Carolina Lieutenant Governor; Vinsen Faris, Executive Director of Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson & Ellis Counties, Texas; Ling Cheung, President of Chinese American Senior Services Association, Maryland; Richard Browdie, President & CEO of Benjamin Rose Institute, Cleveland, Ohio.

Panel I Josefina Carbonell Assistant Secretary for Aging Department of Health and Human Services Washington, D.C. Mason Bishop Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment Training Administration Department of Labor Washington, D.C.

Panel II The Honorable Andre Bauer Lieutenant Governor State of South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina Richard Browdie President and CEO Benjamin Rose Institute Cleveland, Ohio Ling Cheung President Chinese American Senior Services Association Montgomery County, MD Vinsen Faris Executive Director Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties Cleburne, Texas