Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-410
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-02-24
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Aging

Appropriations

Cardiovascular and respiratory health

Community life and organization

Department of Health and Human Services

Disability assistance

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Executive agency funding and structure

Infectious and parasitic diseases

Nutrition and diet
Latest action: action_date: 2021-02-24
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-02-24
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2021</b></p> <p>This bill provides FY2021 supplemental appropriations to the Administration for Community Living for various activities to address the health effects of extended social isolation and loneliness among older individuals due to factors such as the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 410 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 24, 2021 Ms. Smith (for herself and Mrs. Gillibrand ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations A BILL Making emergency supplemental appropriations for social isolation services under the Older Americans Act of 1965.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Strengthening Social Connections Act of 2021 . 2. Supplemental appropriations The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021, and for other purposes, namely: Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living aging and disability services programs For an additional amount for Aging and Disability Services Programs , for carrying out the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3001 et seq.) ( OAA ), $104,000,000, to remain available through September 30, 2022, of which— (1) $80,000,000 shall be made available for supportive services under part B of title III of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3030d et seq.), provided that such amount made available under this paragraph shall be made available for prevention and mitigation activities focused on addressing extended social isolation among older individuals, which may include activities for investments in technological equipment and solutions or other strategies aimed at alleviating the negative health effects of social isolation due to long-term stay-at-home recommendations for older individuals for the duration of the coronavirus pandemic; (2) $18,000,000 shall be made available for activities authorized under sections 202(a)(33), 202(b)(11), and 411(a)(18) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3012(a)(33) , 3012(b)(11), and 3032(a)(18)), provided that such amount made available under this paragraph shall be made available for— (A) technical assistance to State agencies, area agencies on aging, aging services and nutrition providers, and other community groups, to reduce the negative health effects of social isolation and loneliness among older individuals by promoting social engagement; and (B) coordinated efforts to prioritize activities that prevent and address social isolation and loneliness among a wide range of older individuals, including activities for strategies that identify best practices, support demonstration of innovative approaches in the aging services network, conduct public education, develop partnerships and collaborations to advance program objectives, or enhance the capacity of the aging network, and other activities as appropriate to mitigate social isolation and loneliness among older individuals; and (3) $6,000,000 shall be made available for aging network support activities, provided that such amount made available under this paragraph shall be used to develop targeted outreach strategies to reach particularly at-risk populations, including— (A) populations targeted under section 306(a)(4)(A)(i)(I) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3026(a)(4)(A)(i)(I) ); and (B) older individuals whose needs were the focus of centers funded under title IV of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 3031 et seq.) for fiscal year 2019: Provided , That, notwithstanding section 304(d)(1)(D) of the OAA ( 42 U.S.C. 3024(d)(1)(D) ) or any other provision in such Act, the requirement for a non-Federal share under such section shall not apply for fiscal year 2021 with respect to services under part B of title III of such Act: Provided further , That the amount appropriated under this heading is designated by Congress as being for an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 ( 2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i) ).