TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act

Bill: 116-s-2179
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-18
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Age discrimination

Aging

Congressional oversight

Crime victims

Disability and health-based discrimination

Europe

Family services

Food assistance and relief

Germany

Government information and archives

Health programs administration and funding

Health promotion and preventive care

Human rights

Mental health

Nutrition and diet

Performance measurement

Poverty and welfare assistance

Religion

Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination

Social security and elderly assistance

State and local government operations

Transportation costs

War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
Latest action: action_date: 2019-07-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-07-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Trauma-Informed Modernization of Eldercare for Holocaust Survivors Act or the TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act</b></p> <p>This bill includes matters concerning Holocaust survivors in federal grants and programs that serve older adults.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill includes an individual's status as a Holocaust survivor within the scope of the <i>greatest social needs</i> for purposes of such programs. Under current law, these programs must target populations with the greatest economic and social needs. </p> <p>Additionally, among other activities, the Administration on Aging must establish a national center to provide resources, training, and technical assistance related to delivering services to older individuals who experience the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma. In addition, the administration may designate within it a person responsible for implementing and coordinating services for individuals who are Holocaust survivors.</p>

tv_txt: II 116th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2179 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 18, 2019 Mr. Cardin (for himself, Mr. Cramer , and Ms. Rosen ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Older Americans Act of 1965 to provide social service agencies with the resources to provide services to meet the urgent needs of Holocaust survivors to age in place with dignity, comfort, security, and quality of life.

1. Short title (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Trauma-Informed Modernization of Eldercare for Holocaust Survivors Act or the TIME for Holocaust Survivors Act . (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Purposes. Title I—Responding to the Needs of Holocaust Survivors Subtitle A—Definitions, Grants for State and Community Programs, and Other Programs Sec. 101. Definitions. Sec. 102. Organization. Sec. 103. Area plans. Sec. 104. State plans. Sec. 105. Consumer contributions. Sec. 106. National Family Caregiver Support Program authorized. Sec. 107. Prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Subtitle B—Functions Within Administration for Community Living To Assist Holocaust Survivors Sec. 111. Designation of individual within the Administration. Sec. 112. Annual report to Congress. Sec. 113. National Resource Center for Older Individuals Experiencing the Long-Term and Adverse Consequences of Trauma. Sec. 114. Definitions. Title II—Nutrition Services for Older Individuals Sec. 201. Nutrition services. Title III—Transportation Sec. 301. Transportation services and resources. 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) During the Holocaust, which took place from 1933 through 1945, an estimated 6,000,000 Jews, as well as millions of victims from other targeted groups, were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. (2) More than 200,000 Jews fleeing from Nazi-occupied territory found refuge in the United States from 1933 through 1945, and approximately 137,000 additional Jewish refugees settled in the United States from 1945 through 1952. (3) Hundreds of thousands of additional Jewish refugees continued to immigrate to the United States from Europe and countries of the former Soviet Union during the subsequent decades. (4) The number of Holocaust survivors living in the United States at the end of 2018 was approximately 80,000 individuals, down from an estimated 127,000 in 2010. (5) Every Holocaust survivor is now at least 74 years old, most are in at least their mid-to-late eighties, and many are in their nineties and beyond. (6) One-third of all Holocaust survivors in the United States live at or below the official poverty threshold (as defined by the Bureau of the Census), including more than half of the Holocaust survivors who emigrated from the countries of the former Soviet Union. (7) Holocaust survivors continue to live with the unique mental and physical scars of the unconscionable trauma caused by the Holocaust, and while institutionalized settings are beneficial for some, certain aspects of institutionalization may have particularly adverse effects on Holocaust survivors. (8) For many Holocaust survivors, institutionalized settings produce sights, sounds, smells, emotions, and routines that can induce panic, anxiety, and re-traumatization as a result of experiences from the Holocaust. (9) Holocaust survivors are more economically and socially vulnerable, report poorer health and more health problems, and have greater social service needs, than other older individuals. (10) In comparison to most other older individuals, low-income Holocaust survivors are more reliant on social service programs that provide services such as personal care, provision of home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, counseling, and mental health support to promote health and quality of life. (11) Community organizations serving Holocaust survivors report that approximately one-quarter of Holocaust survivors live alone, and living alone is a risk factor for hospitalization and nursing home admission, poverty, falls, depression, poor nutrition, social isolation, and loneliness, which have been associated with poor health outcomes and an increased risk of death. (12) Community organizations serving Holocaust survivors report that transportation is vital to help Holocaust survivors attend medical appointments, shop and purchase necessary items, visit family and friends, and participate in cultural, recreational, or social events, such as congregate meals or religious services. (13) As the general population of older individuals increases in the United States and many public or philanthropic resources remain constant, providers serving Holocaust survivors need additional capacity to cover needed services. (14) The Administration for Community Living in the Department of Health and Human Services serves as the Federal agency responsible for increasing access to community supports for, focusing attention and resources on the unique needs of, older individuals and individuals with disabilities across their lifespans. (15) The mission of the Administration for Community Living is to maximize the independence, well-being, and health of older individuals, individuals with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. (16) The Administration for Community Living in 2017 issued guidance entitled ACL Guidance for Outreach and Providing Services for Holocaust Survivors in accordance with a requirement of the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016 which states that the Assistant Secretary for Aging shall issue guidance to States, that shall be applicable to States, area agencies on aging, and providers of services for older individuals, with respect to serving Holocaust survivors, including guidance on promising practices for conducting outreach to that population. . (17) Many social service agencies that receive funding under the Older Americans Act of 1965 for home-delivered or congregate meals serve diverse seniors, including Holocaust survivors, with specialized dietary needs based on religious, cultural, or ethnic requirements, and the necessary special meals often cost more than other meals. 3. Purposes The purposes of this Act are— (1) to include older individuals who are Holocaust survivors in the list of groups that receive preference, as specified in section 305(a)(2)(E) of the Older Americans Act of 1965, for services provided under that Act; (2) to require the designation within the Administration for Community Living of an individual to have responsibility for the provision of services to older individuals who are Holocaust survivors; (3) to promote technical assistance and training for agencies that serve older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma; (4) to ensure that the providers of nutrition services through the Older Americans Act of 1965 can meet the special health-related or other dietary needs of program participants; and (5) to help meet the urgent transportation needs of Holocaust survivors. I Responding to the Needs of Holocaust Survivors A Definitions, Grants for State and Community Programs, and Other Programs 101. Definitions Section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3002 ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (24)— (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking and ; (B) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (D) status as a Holocaust survivor. ; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (26) through (40) and paragraphs (41) through (54) as paragraphs (27) through (41) and paragraphs (43) through (56), respectively; (3) by inserting after paragraph (25) the following: (26) The term Holocaust survivor means an individual who— (A) (i) lived in a country in a year not earlier than 1933 and not later than 1945 under a Nazi regime, under Nazi occupation, or under the control of Nazi collaborators; or (ii) fled from a country in a year described in clause (i) under a Nazi regime, under Nazi occupation, or under the control of Nazi collaborators; (B) was persecuted in a year described in clause (i) on the basis of race, religion, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, ethnicity, or other basis; and (C) was a member of a group that was persecuted by the Nazis. ; and (4) by inserting after paragraph (41) the following: (42) The term person-centered, trauma-informed , used with respect to care, means care provided through an aging program, policy, or procedure, that uses a holistic approach to service provision that promotes the dignity, strength, and empowerment of trauma victims by incorporating knowledge about the role of trauma in trauma victims’ lives. . 102. Organization Section 305(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3025(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)(E), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, each place it appears; and (2) in paragraph (2)(E), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, . 103. Area plans Section 306 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3026 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, each place it appears; (B) in paragraph (4)— (i) in subparagraph (A)— (I) in clause (i)(I)(bb), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, ; and (II) in clause (ii), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, each place it appears; (ii) in subparagraph (B)(i)— (I) in subclause (VI), by striking and at the end; and (II) by inserting after subclause (VII) the following: (VIII) older individuals who are Holocaust survivors; and ; and (iii) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking subclauses (I) through (VI) and inserting subclauses (I) through (VIII) ; and (C) in paragraph (7)(B)(iii), by inserting , in particular, older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after placement ; and (2) in subsection (b)(2)(B), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after areas, . 104. State plans Section 307(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3027(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, ; (2) in paragraph (16)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) in clause (v), by striking and at the end; and (ii) by adding at the end the following: (vii) older individuals who are Holocaust survivors; and ; and (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking clauses (i) through (vi) and inserting clauses (i) through (vii) ; and (3) in paragraph (28)(B)(ii), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after areas, . 105. Consumer contributions Section 315 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3030c–2 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (c)(2), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, ; and (2) in subsection (d), by inserting older individuals who are Holocaust survivors, after proficiency, . 106. National Family Caregiver Support Program authorized Section 373(c)(2)(A) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3030s–1(c)(2)(A) ) is amended by striking individuals) and inserting individuals and older individuals who are Holocaust survivors) . 107. Prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation Section 721(b)(13) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3058i(b)(13) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by striking or at the end; (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (D) older individuals who are Holocaust survivors. . B Functions Within Administration for Community Living To Assist Holocaust Survivors 111. Designation of individual within the Administration The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living is authorized to designate, within the Administration for Community Living, a person who has specialized training, background, or experience with Holocaust survivor issues— (1) to have responsibility within the Administration for Community Living for implementing and coordinating services for older individuals who are Holocaust survivors; and (2) to serve as a liaison on those issues, and the provision of services for those individuals, with other relevant agencies of the Federal Government. 112. Annual report to Congress The Administrator, with assistance from the individual designated under section 111, shall prepare and submit to Congress an annual report on— (1) the status and needs, including the priority areas of concern, of older individuals who are Holocaust survivors; and (2) how the aging network is identifying and serving older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma and how agencies within the aging network are promoting and advancing person-centered, trauma-informed care to older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma. 113. National Resource Center for Older Individuals Experiencing the Long-Term and Adverse Consequences of Trauma (a) Program authorized (1) Center The Administrator shall establish and operate a National Resource Center on Innovative Services and Supports for Older Individuals Experiencing the Long-Term and Adverse Consequences of Trauma (referred to in this section as the Center ). (2) Functions The Center shall— (A) provide training and technical assistance to agencies in the aging network delivering services to older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma; (B) share best practices with the aging network; and (C) make subgrants to the agencies best positioned to advance and improve the delivery of services for older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma. (b) Assistance To carry out subsection (a), the Administrator shall make grants to or enter into contracts with one or more nonprofit organization that are experienced— (1) in providing person-centered, trauma-informed care; and (2) in providing support and technical assistance on a nationwide basis to agencies within the aging network that offer services to older individuals experiencing the long-term and adverse consequences of trauma. 114. Definitions In this subtitle: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Administration for Community Living. (2) Other terms The terms Holocaust survivor , older individual , and person-centered, trauma-informed have the meanings given the terms in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3002 ). II Nutrition Services for Older Individuals 201. Nutrition services (a) In general Section 339(2) of the Older Americans Act of 1065 ( 42 U.S.C. 3030g–21(2) ) is amended— (1) in subparagraph (A), by amending clause (iii) to read as follows: (iii) to the maximum extent practicable, are adjusted and appropriately funded to meet any special health-related dietary needs, and other dietary needs of program participants (including needs based on religious, cultural, or ethnic requirements) if for the special health-related or other dietary needs involved there is sufficient demand in a community to warrant special meals; ; (2) in subparagraph (K), by striking , and and inserting a comma; (3) in subparagraph (L), by striking the period and inserting , and ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (M) encourages and educates individuals utilizing methodology that promotes person-centered, trauma-informed care who distribute nutrition services under subpart 2 to engage in conversation with homebound older individuals and to be aware of the warning signs of medical emergencies, injury, or abuse in order to reduce isolation and promote well-being. . III Transportation 301. Transportation services and resources Section 411(a) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3032(a) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating paragraph (14) as paragraph (15); (2) in paragraph (13), by striking ; and and inserting a semicolon; and (3) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following: (14) conducting programs that enable the mobility and self-sufficiency of older individuals with greatest economic need and older individuals with greatest social need by providing transportation services and resources; and .