Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging (ASA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will conduct the first in a series of National Town Hall Meetings in 2003 at the National Adult Day Services Association’s (NADSA) First Annual Conference to hear from older people, families and caregivers, along with members of the Aging Network, on the critical issues around aging and long-term care. Key areas of discussion at the meeting include:

• What can the Aging Services Network do to empower older people and their families to make informed decisions about their care options.
  
• How to build upon the initial success of the National Family Caregiver Support Program and expand access to information, make services more consumer-friendly, and allow caregivers more choices?
  
• What innovations are occurring at the state and local level related to access and service delivery that could serve as models for other states and communities across the country?

Following the Town Hall Meeting, the NADSA Awards Committee and the NADSA Board of Directors will present the 2003 Senator John Heinz Memorial Award to Assistant Secretary Carbonell. This is in recognition of her longstanding commitment to adult day services (ADS) and her considerable national contribution to the field.

The Senator John Heinz Memorial Award is presented annually to an individual or organization to recognize outstanding contributions to the field of adult day services. NADSA is the leading voice of the rapidly growing adult day service industry in the United States, and the national focal point for adult day services providers. Before his death in 1991, Senator Heinz was regarded as a champion for the elderly.

The award will be presented at the 1st Annual Conference of the NADSA, on January 31, 2002 in Miami, Florida.
Conference Highlights:

When: Friday, January 31, 2002
Town Hall Meeting: 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Media Opportunities: 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Annual Awards Luncheon: 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Where: Wyndham Miami Beach Resort
4833 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, Florida

Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 619-0724

###