NASUAD Celebrates National Volunteer Week
April 8, 2011
The National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) is celebrating National Volunteer Week next week, April 10-16, 2011. In 2009, volunteers provided 8.1 billion hours of service, a value of approximately $169 billion. Volunteers provide services that may not otherwise be offered. The Aging Network benefits greatly from the work of volunteers, young and old, who serve older Americans across the county. Volunteering is a crucial element of most state agencies, and requires great dedication on the part of the director, state employees, and the volunteers themselves.
NASUAD is pleased to be promoting volunteerism in several ways. As a partner in a grant from the Administration on Aging (AoA) for a project called “Engaging Volunteers in the Aging Network: A National Resource Center,” NASUAD is involved in improving the capacity of the Aging Network to support, utilize, and expand the use of volunteers. NASUAD also supports several programs that rely heavily on volunteers, including Long-Term Care Ombudsman, State Health Insurance Programs (SHIP), and Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC). NASUAD also provides technical assistance to states with the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). SCSEP provides opportunities for older adults to participate in community service and promotes civic engagement as an option for older adults desiring employment.
Assistant Secretary for Aging, Kathy Greenlee, issued a statement on National Volunteer Week, in which she highlighted the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. In her statement, the Assistant Secretary pointed out that these volunteers serve long-term care residents throughout the country, visiting nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other similar settings to ensure that often isolated residents are safe, supported, and well cared for. She commended these volunteers for resolving conflicts, solve problems, and act as advocates for this population.
President Obama released a proclamation of National Volunteer Week, which also highlighted the work of volunteers who care for older Americans.