Legislative Alerts | Massachusetts Councils on Aging

Four Quick Healthy Aging Updates

Aug 12, 2024 | Economic Security & Outreach Blog, Fitness, Healthy Aging, Legislative Alerts, Nutrition

How do you participate in ActiveAgers?

We’re receiving this question often and thrilled to see the interest! If you’re running any physical activity programs through your center, you’re essentially participating. To make it official, submit a summary of your classes with participation numbers (not names). All you need to do is export a report of your physical activity program from the software you’re using (My Senior Center, ServTracker, etc.)

We are collecting your data in two phases so we can hold two raffle drawings this year. Submit your first report by September 15. This report covers January 1 – August 30. See p.4 in the toolkit for more information. Winners will be drawn mid-September.

Remember to share your fitness stories online and use #ActiveAgers so we can easily find everyone across the state!

Contact Tara@mcoaonline.com 413-923-2160 with questions.

Action Alert for OAA Reauthorization Act of 2024!

We have the first reduction in the Older Americans Act nutrition program in years with an $8 million overall cut. Neither the Senate nor the House proposal has restored this cut. Convey your personalized message that cuts hurt! As there is no House bill, ask them to co-sponsor or publicly support S4776.

Use your local media to communicate these messages. Prepare letters to the editor. Issue press releases especially on the impact of cuts and don’t forget social media!
Hold an event. Invite your Congressional members to your organization.
Have your older adults sign a paper plate with messages about how these cuts hurt.

Become a SNAP Community Partner!

If your COA provides SNAP outreach or assistance, you can become a community partner and receive reimbursement for your efforts. If aren’t doing so but are interested, this message is also for you! Monthly SNAP Community Partner webinars are offered through UMass Medical. Contact and answer all your questions. Contact Jayna Mistry at snap@umassmed.edu, 508-856-3139

SNAP Restaurant Meals Program Pilot

There are now fourteen restaurants and food truck statewide accepting SNAP benefits as payment. Six more are becoming certified. Search here to find an establishment near you.

Transportation Call to Action | RTA Advancement bill (S.2277/H.3272)

Jan 5, 2024 | Legislative Alerts, News

The following email is from Alexis Walls, Assistant Campaign Director, Massachusetts Public Health Association. The MCOA Board of Directors has supported the RTA Advancement Bill. There is a link, below, that outlines the importance of this bill to older adults in your communities.

Here’s how you can take action:

Please contact your legislators THIS WEEK and ask them to sign Representative Natalie Blais and Senator Susan Moran’s Dear Colleague Letter urging the Joint Committee on Transportation to move the RTA Advancement bill (S.2277/H.3272) forward in the legislative process.

We know that good public transit means better health for all. In the FY24 budget cycle, state leaders allocated $150 million to bolster transit operations in RTA communities, which agencies have begun to use to address critical gaps in service. Now it is important that we protect this historic level of investment by encouraging legislators to pass the RTA Advancement bill.

Taking action is easy, and your legislators wants to know what you think:

Find your State Senator and State House Representative by following this link: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
Reach out to your legislators and ask them to sign onto Rep. Blais and Sen. Moran’s Dear Colleague letter. While calls have the most impact (see phone script here), emails are great too (see email template here)!
Reach out to 2-3 close friends or colleagues and ask them to take action.
Let us know that you took action by sending me a quick email or by following this link.