Senior issues newsletter, 2020 January

January Newsletter | Gcoa

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January Newsletter | Gcoa
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GCOA's Senior Issues Newsletter

Senior Issues Newsletter January 2020
HAPPY NEW YEAR and
Welcome to the 2020 Legislative Session
The Georgia General Assembly starts in a few short days on Monday, January 13th. You can read about our 2020 CO-AGE Priorities and find links to additional information below. Aging advocates have worked hard over the last 9 months to decide the issues and develop strategy. This is when the rubber meets the road! Starting this month we will add weekly editions of the newsletter. Also, be on the lookout for our action alerts. Remember, just three clicks and you can contact your legislators at critical moments in the process.

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1/8/2020, 4:44 PM

January Newsletter | Gcoa

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The 2020 Legislative session will begin on January 13. Our 2020 CO-AGE Priorities are:
BUDGET: *NEW* Behavioral Health and Housing LEGISLATIVE: Options for Senior Living LEGISLATIVE: Personal Care Home Requirements LEGISLATIVE: *NEW* Georgia Older Adult Transportation
Senior Week Fast Approaching
Senior Week 2020: February 12th and 13th Have you reserved your spot for Senior Week 2020? The two-day event will be held at the Sloppy Floyd building in Atlanta across the street from the Capitol. You and your seniors will enjoy:
A panoramic view of the Capitol, downtown Atlanta, midtown and as far north as Buckhead

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1/8/2020, 4:44 PM

January Newsletter | Gcoa

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Speakers who will discuss services and resources available to older adults Visits with legislators Several Aging Service vendors Presentations A SIT DOWN LUNCH!!! SEATS ARE LIMITED to 300 people per day. Make your reservations today with Eric Ryan!
Thank You to our Senior Week Sponsors

Area Agency on Aging Spotlight

Taking Elder Abuse Seriously 2019 Award Winners
Left to Right in Photo: Brittany Pasley, Awards Chairperson, Angela Chavous, MC, Amanda Pennington - Attorney of the Year, Becky Jenkins - received Impact Award for her son, winner, Mike Patton,

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1/8/2020, 4:44 PM

January Newsletter | Gcoa

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Mary Stewart - Inspiration Award and Kathy Floyd, Executive Director - GCOA.
The CSRA Area Agency on Aging provides a wide variety of services in thirteen counties and 40+ cities. Their mission is to assist older adults, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers to maintain dignity and independence in their communities.
On December 12, 2019, CSRA hosted their "Taking Elder Abuse Seriously (TEAS)" awards recognition and Holiday Celebration. Aging services professionals, representatives of area organizations, law enforcement, and members of the CAVE task force gathered to celebrate and recognize individuals who have demonstrated dedication to preventing elder abuse.
The keynote speaker for this event was GCOA's very own Executive Director, Kathy Floyd. Floyd discussed the impact that CO-AGE has had on passing legislation affecting older Georgians and the influence that the local CAVE task force has had statewide. CAVE (Crimes Against the Vulnerable and Elderly) was the first multi-disciplinary team formed in Georgia to look at incidents of abuse and neglect of at-risk adults in the Augusta judicial circuit. Local Representatives Wayne Howard
and Gloria Frazier spoke about their commitment to always support Augusta area seniors and their issues at the state capitol.
The CSRA AAA supports the CO-AGE 2020 priorities and plans to bring a large group of Augusta advocates to attend Senior Week at the Capitol on February 12.
"I value my CO-AGE membership and appreciate the opportunity to work with dedicated and talented advocates to improve the quality of life for Older Georgians. CO-AGE provides quality advocacy,

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1/8/2020, 4:44 PM

January Newsletter | Gcoa

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leadership and research support on issues statewide and coordinates an organized process to adopt budget and legislative priorities for a focused approach by all advocates. "
-- Jeanette Cummings, Central Savannah River Area Agency on Aging
Action Alert Stats
Our Personal Care Home alert has reached 106 legislators with 235 emails sent!
Our Senior Transportation alert has reached 45 total legislators with 132 emails sent!
Contacting your legislators is a key part in advocating for change in the lives of older Georgians. If you would like to have access to our alerts which match you with your local legislators, Join CO-AGE Today!
Engage with CO-AGE
April is just around the corner. Please join us in 2020 to host ENGAGE with CO-AGE April 20th April 24th. Visit www.gcoa.org/engage for more information or contact us. Last year more than 1000 advocates at 32 events across Georgia heard updates from the legislative session on issues affecting older Georgians. The meeting in a box gives hosts all the tools they need from a script and videos to handouts. Contact Eric Ryan to host an event today!

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