April 14, 2003
For Immediate Release
Contact: AoA Press Office (202) 619-0724

Josefina G. Carbonell, Assistant Secretary for Aging (ASA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will conduct the third in a series of National Town Hall Listening Sessions. This session is being held in conjunction with the Sixth Annual Coordinated Leadership Conference hosted by the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging 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?

A brief media opportunity will be available immediately following the Town Hall Listening Session.

When: Wednesday, April 23, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Where: Hyatt Regency
Royal Ballroom A&B
11999 Harbor Blvd.
Garden Grove, California 92840

Contact: AoA Press Office
(202) 619-0724

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The AoA is a Federal agency dedicated to policy development, planning and the delivery of supportive home and community-based services to older persons and their caregivers through the national aging network of state and local agencies on aging, tribal organizations, service providers and volunteers.