In Touch: News from o4a      |      Visit our website:  www.ohioaging.org

Registration for o4a's Annual Conference is Open! 

We’re excited to announce the launch of our new online event registration system. What’s new?

•  Easy account login & password reset process
•  Ability to register multiple attendees at once
•  Streamlined, user-friendly experience

The conference kicks off the morning of Wednesday October 15th with three pre-conference intensive options and continues through Thursday afternoon. We look forward to convening experts in home and community-based services, providers and advocates for the aging network from across the state!

 Check out our full agenda here. First time registrant? Click here to get started.

o4a Launches New, User-Friendly Website

We are excited to announce the launch of the newly redesigned Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) website! The updated site was built with our members, partners, and advocates in mind—making it easier to navigate, more user-friendly, and designed to help you quickly find the information and resources you need. We invite you to explore the new site and discover a streamlined experience that better reflects o4a’s mission of supporting the aging network and older adults across Ohio.

Federal Appropriations Update

Congress is back in session after its August recess. Before the break, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bipartisan Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) spending bill. Most Older Americans Act (OAA) programs were level-funded, and several programs proposed for elimination in the President’s budget received full or partial funding.

In early September, the House Appropriations Committee released its FY 2026 LHHS bill, proposing a 6 percent ($7 billion) reduction from current funding levels. The Labor-HHS Subcommittee has approved the bill and the full House Appropriations Committee marked up the bill September 9.

Click here for USAging's FFY 2026 Appropriation Chart detailing proposed OAA funding levels across the Senate and House bills.

While Congress works to complete appropriations before the fiscal year ends on September 30, a Continuing Resolution (CR) is likely to keep the government funded at current levels past October 1.

There’s still time to contact your federal lawmakers about funding for programs that matter to you. o4a and our AAAs are advocating for protection and increased funding for all OAA programs, with particular focus on:

• Title III-B: Home and Community-Based Supportive Services

• Title III-A: Nutrition and Supportive Services

• Title III-C: Family Caregiver Support

• Title III-E: National Family Caregiver Support Program

Ohio General Assembly Reconvenes, Property Tax Reform Top of Mind

As Ohio legislators return to Columbus, property tax reform is once again in the spotlight. Over the summer, the Ohio House attempted to override one of Governor DeWine’s vetoes on property tax measures—a provision limiting certain local levy types. The Ohio Senate did not act, leaving all 67 of the Governor’s state budget vetoes in place.

Governor DeWine’s Property Tax Commission is continuing its work to develop a comprehensive reform plan by September 30. Meanwhile, members of the General Assembly are proposing bills to adjust the system and provide property tax relief. For changes to take effect next spring, legislation must be passed by the end of 2025.

The push for reform is intensified by a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate property taxes entirely and block future levies. Signature collection is underway for the amendment to potentially appear on the November 2026 ballot.

o4a has joined other statewide associations of local taxing authorities to educate the public on the essential services funded by local levies. In collaboration with the Ohio Association of Senior Centers, o4a is currently developing a resource highlighting how local levies support programs that enable older adults to remain active, engaged, and well in their communities.

AGE Director McElroy Named President of ADvancing States

The Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) Director Ursel McElroy was recently named President of ADvancing States’ Board of Directors. The announcement was made at the national Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference last month. 

In July, Duana Patton, CEO of Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging (Ontario, OH) and o4a Board President, was sworn in as President of USAging’s Board of Directors. 

These national leadership appointments highlight Ohio’s pivotal role in shaping national policy discussions and advancing innovative approaches to aging services.

AGE Holds Virtual Town Hall to develop Ohio’s 2027-2030 State Plan on Aging

This summer, the Ohio Department of Aging (AGE) has held town halls across Ohio to give older Ohioans, caregivers, providers, and others an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions aimed at helping Ohioans live longer, healthier lives with dignity and autonomy. Feedback from these town halls will be used to develop Ohio’s 2027-2030 State Plan on Aging (SPOA).

The final town hall will be held virtually from 10:00am-12:00pm on Friday September 19th. Click the button below to register.

Ohioans can also take the department’s Statewide Needs Assessment Survey to enable the department to better understand what matters most to older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. Feedback from those digital surveys will be used to further bolster the 2027-2030 State Plan on Aging.