January Senior Issues Newsletter | www.GCOA.org

2017 Session Begins!
It is finally here! The 2017 General Assembly will convene in less than one week on January 9, 2017. For nearly one year, CO-AGE has been working on the 2017 legislative priorities. Each year, the CO-AGE priority process begins in the spring with the submission of proposals. Then CO-AGE members vote on the priorities. In the months leading up to the session workgroups develop an advocacy plan.
All of this work is so that CO-AGE and the Georgia Council on Aging can begin the legislative session strong. Our collective voice helps advocate for and with aging Georgians. Now, as the session begins, we need you! Your voice matters to your legislators. Over the next three months, you can help by:
Contacting your legislators to let them know you are a constituent and support the CO-AGE priorities. You can download our fact sheets from our website to share with your legislators. Be sure to welcome your new legislators by introducing yourself and letting them know about CO-AGE.
Watch for Action Alerts from GCOA. Throughout the session, we will send important action alerts asking for your help to contact legislators. This will happen when we need your help making sure our priorities continue to move through the General Assembly. Taking action helps us show that you-their constituent-support our work
Share your story with your legislators and us. Have you seen firsthand transportation challenges for seniors? Maybe you know someone who suffered at the hand of elder abuse. These stories help legislators understand the real world impact of their decisions.
CO-AGE's 2017 priorities can have a tremendous impact on the lives of Georgia's seniors, their families, and their communities. Throughout the session, GCOA will be at the Capitol advocating for these priorities and with your help, we will be able to make progress. Look for our weekly recap each Monday morning that will tell you what has happened over the past week and let you know if there are any actions. Be sure to join COAGE so that you will be able to receive our advocacy Action Alerts!
2017 CO-AGE Priorities
BUDGET: HCBS Funding (Perennial) Transportation Funding
LEGISLATIVE: Family Care Act Oral Health Care for Seniors Abuser Registry (Carryover)

January 2016 In This Issue 2017 Session Begins! 2017 Priorities Welcome New Legislators Save the Date ENGAGE with COAGE
Elder Abuse Update
Visit our Elder Abuse webpage for news and updates.
Click here
Quick Links Join CO-AGE GCOA Homepage 2017 Priorities Division of Aging Services
Share your Thoughts
Do you have questions, comments, or ideas for the Senior Issues Newsletter? Email David Coffman by clicking here to send your feedback.
Did You Know?
State and federal legislators use Twitter and Facebook to keep in touch with constituents and update you on their work.
Follow and like your legislators on social media and keep them updated on senior issues.
You can search for #GaPol to find posts!

To see videos and read the summaries of each the issues, click here.

CO-AGE Oral Health Priority Update: Bills Prefiled
Senator Unterman (R-Buford) and Representative Cooper (R-Marietta) along with Senator Seay (D-Riverdale) hosted a press conference December 20, 2016 to announce their prefiled legislation that will improve access to oral health care for seniors in safety-net settings. These bills have been a CO-AGE priority for two years. Look for more information, including links to the prefiled legislation in our weekly update starting January 16.
Welcome New Legislators
GCOA and CO-AGE welcome our new Georgia lawmakers. These new members join their colleagues next week to work for the people of Georgia. Consider reaching out to your new legislators to educate them about aging issues and CO-AGE so that they are able to make informed decisions when voting.
Save the Date

January 19, 2017 Be There 4 Seniors

February 15-16, 2017 GCOA Senior Week at the Capitol

2017 will be a powerful year for older Georgians! Come join us for Be There 4 Seniors! Hundreds of advocates from across the state will convene in the south wing of the state capitol, to reduce the waiting lists, promote independence, support caregivers and protect the vulnerable. Let the legislators hear your voices! For more information email Nancy Pitra.

Senior Week at the State Capitol is an electrifying, annual event where hundreds of advocates from across the state speak out for issues that impact the lives of older Georgians.
Please join us at the Capitol to talk to your legislators and show them that you can make a difference! Email Eric Ryan to register.

Schedule your ENGAGE with CO-AGE Event TODAY!
ENGAGE with CO-AGE is a series of meetings during one week in April. These meetings allow you to host an event to update your community on the past legislative session, CO-AGE's priorities, and help us recruit new COAGE members for the upcoming year.
Last year 22 events were held in 20 cities with almost 700 people attending events during ENGAGE with CO-AGE week. Join us April 17-21, 2017 this year by hosting an ENGAGE with CO-AGE meeting in your location.
We will send you a meeting in a box with all the materials you need to host a successful event including powerpoints, videos, and a script.
Contact Eric Ryan to schedule your ENGAGE with CO-AGE event today.

Partner News

2017 Advocacy Days
GCDD has six Advocacy Days at the Capitol this session: January 18 ,February 1, 7, 23, 28, and March 9. Contact Hanna at 404.657.2124 or email hanna.rosenfeld@gcdd.ga.gov for more information.

Melba's Corner
Two young boys were spending the night at their grandparents. At bedtime, the two boys knelt beside their beds to say their prayers when the youngest one began praying at the top of his lungs.
"I PRAY FOR A BICYCLE...I PRAY FOR A NEW NINTENDO...I PRAY FOR A NEW VCR..."
His older brother leaned over and nudged the younger brother and said, "Why are you shouting your prayers? God isn't deaf." To which the little brother replied, "No, but Gramma is!"

Join CO-AGE Today | Forward to a Friend
Georgia Council on Aging | 404-657-5343 | http://www.gcoa.org 2 Peachtree St. N.W. Suite 32-270 Atlanta, GA 30303
Copyright 2016. All Rights Reserved.