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What's New 
National Woody Cooper Conference, June 6-9, 2008
June 6-9, 2008
Hilton Garden Inn on NW Meridian, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Deadline for registration 4-15-08
Why:	To increase ability of Foster Grandaprents in meeting needs of children
	To share experiences
	To make new friends
Cost:  $250 per person double room
            $375 for single room
            $150 for day registration - no breakfast
for more info contact:Mynan Hutto (Local Arrangements chair), 921 Maple, Duncan, OK  73533
580-255-3222
mynan@cableone.net
or
Paul Cotten, National Coordinator
498 Tuscan Ave., Hattiesburg, MS  39401
601-318-6416
pcotten@wmcarey.edu

 

Good news! The Older Americans Act (HR 6197) was signed by President George W. Bush into law at 10:42 am, October 17, 2006.

President Signs Bipartisan Legislation to Renew, Reform Programs for Older Americans!
 Measure also Includes Provisions to Evaluate and Improve Federal Youth Serving Programs
 
House Committee on Education and the Workforce News Update http://edworkforce.house.gov
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. -  (October 17, 2006) U.S. House Education & the Workforce Committee leaders today applauded the enactment of key legislation to reauthorize and strengthen services offered under the Older Americans Act, the chief federal law governing the organization and delivery of a number of services for older Americans.  The Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006 (H.R. 6197) was signed into law by President Bush earlier today, after the measure was passed without opposition by both the House and Senate last month.
 
Established in the 1960s primarily to govern social services for seniors, programs under the Older Americans Act have transformed into the first stop for seniors and their families to identify home- and community-based long term care options, as well as programs and services for which they may be eligible.  
 
"I'm so pleased that we can continue to deliver on our promise to seniors," said Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH), Chairman of the Select Education Subcommittee and author of the legislation. "Our bipartisan legislation renews and improves the programs that seniors use every day."
 
H.R. 6197 promotes the key principles of President Bush's Choices for Independence plan, which emphasizes consumer choice, access to reliable information, and health promotion.  It would support community-based efforts to assist low-income and limited-English speaking populations with enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug program and launch Aging and Disabilities Resource Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico to create a single point of access to the range of services available to seniors, including the new Medicare prescription drug program.
 
"I congratulate Representative Tiberi for spearheading the bipartisan effort to send this important measure to the President," said Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA), Chairman of the House Education & the Workforce Committee.  "Our nation's senior population is growing at a record pace, and ensuring the long-term fiscal stability of programs on which they depend is a top priority.  Congress has demonstrated a bipartisan commitment to improving services upon which older Americans rely, and this reauthorization will strengthen these programs so millions more can benefit from them for years to come." 

Specifically, the Older Americans Act Amendments of 2006:

  • Promotes consumer choice, as well as home- and community-based supports to help older individuals avoid institutional care;
  • Strengthens health and nutrition programs while ensuring that no state loses funds to operate these programs; 
  • Improves educational and volunteer services; 
  • Encourages wealthier seniors to pay for many of their program benefits, maximizing the taxpayer investment for low-income seniors;
  • Increases federal, state, and local coordination; and 
  • Reforms employment-based training for older Americans.

Also included in H.R. 6197 was language from the Tom Osborne Federal Youth Coordination Act.  Authored by Education & the Workforce Committee Member Tom Osborne (R-NE), the measure will evaluate, coordinate, and improve federal youth serving programs.  Within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, would establish the Federal Youth Development Council.  The Council will be charged with:

  • Ensuring communication among federal agencies with programs serving youth;
  • Recommending ways to coordinate and improve these youth serving programs; and
  • Identifying areas of overlap or duplication and recommending ways to improve program efficiency.
More information on Education & the Workforce Committee efforts to strengthen the Older Americans Act is available at: http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/education/oa/oa.htm.

 

Annual Red Rose Tea Day!

Held Each September         

 

Red Rose Tea Day Facts:

 

What:    Red Rose Tea Day (National Foster Grandparents Day)

 

When:   Friday September 7, 2007 (always the Friday after Labor Day and before Grandparents Day)

 

Time:     10:00 AM your local time.  Please take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to stop and take a minute wherever you are to join thousands of supporters and friends of Foster Grandparents in drinking a cup of tea in recognition of their services to individuals, families and communities.

 

Why:     To celebrate a national day of recognition for your Foster Grandparents!  Traditionally, we use a red rose and/or Red Rose tea bag. The red rose is a symbol of the love and nurturing our Foster Grandparents give so willingly to our children who have special and/or exceptional needs.  It also represents the roses we would love to give each and every one of our Foster Grandparents to recognize the wonderful work they do with their children.

 

The History of Red Rose Tea Day:

 

The inaugural Red Rose Tea Day was held Friday September 8, 1995, as part of the 30th Anniversary celebration of the Foster Grandparent Program.  Roses were shipped to Washington DC from a local grower in Michigan, and NAFGPD Board members then assembled and delivered boxes of 30 red roses and one yellow rose to members of Congress and supporters of the program (30 red roses to celebrate our 30 year anniversary and 1 yellow rose for hope for a successful future).  On that same day, local programs across the nation gave red roses to their Foster Grandparents and used Red Rose Tea to toast the Foster Grandparents and their efforts.  Tea was originally used because the tea bag is easy to mail to local media, officials/community leaders, etc. 

 

Suggestions for Your Red Rose Tea Day:

 

What you can do:


*  First off, you need the tea!  Go to your local grocery store.  There is actually a brand called Red Rose Tea (English tea, regular and decaf).  Search to see if you can find a store near you at www.redrosetea.com.  You can also use other websites to order tea by doing a www.google.com search.


*  You can use another beverage to toast, such as root beer floats, hot chocolate, coffee, whatever your area prefers!


*  Congress is in recess that week due to Labor Day.  See if you can get your Senator or Representative to come and toast the Foster Grandparents!


*  Have your local mayor make a proclamation that this is Foster Grandparents Day. It can be specially written and framed (usually you have to write it for them) and the mayor can come and present it.


*  Set up an Open House at your office or local gathering spot.  Invite your Foster Grandparents, Advisory Council members, local, state and national officials. 


*  Send a letter to your sites with a Red Rose tea bag inside encouraging them to take a minute that day and celebrate with their Foster Grandparent. Some sites have thrown their own appreciation party for their foster grandparents!


*  Check with your local florist.  Are they willing to donate a Red Rose for each foster grandparent??  Or maybe at cost?


*  Need mugs to do the toast? Check the NAFGPD website at www.nafgpd.org (or call 407-298-4180) for mugs you can purchase at a low cost.  In addition, Brucelli Advertising has a couple of mugs.  Their number is (570) 344-6623 and website is www.brucelli.com.


*  What if you can't do it on that date?  Do it on your in-service date if you need to.  Serve a "Tea Room" meal - chicken salad, croissany, etc.) and do your toast together.  (And then encourage them to do their toast wherever they are on that Friday)


*  Need stationery that has roses on it for a special letterhead?  Try Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or another local store that has stationery.  You can also make your own stationery using clipart roses.


*  Poetry or short readings can add to the ambience of the tea event.  Local celebrities could be asked to do the readings!


*  Take advantage of local or state attractions - a Community College play.......charter a bus to your state capital.......historical sites.....tea rooms.....shopping..........a park or garden. Check with your Chamber of Commerce or state website for ideas.


*  Go to second hand stores or garage sales for one of a kind tea cups, mugs, or ice cream glasses.  These can be wrapped and presented to each Foster Grandparent.


*  Read them the history of the Foster Grandparent Program.


*  Put floating red rose candles in a tea cup as table decorations.


*  Have a tea party with a different site each year. Foster Grandparents, children and site staff can have tea cups and treats, and then present the Foster Grandparents with a red rose.

 

Below are links to sample letters, poems and quotes that can be used for Red Rose Tea Day.

 

Click here for a sample letter to officials. 

 

Click here for a sample letter to volunteer sites.

  

Click here for sample poems and quotes for the volunteers.    
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