Assessment and Evaluation of ACL's American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Programs Older Americans Act Title VI; short title: Assessment and Evaluation of the Title VI Programs).

American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) populations experience significant health and socioeconomic disparities compared to the rest of the U.S. population. The AI/AN population has the highest rate of disabilities and the lowest life expectancy compared to the averages for the overall population. While 18% of the non-Hispanic white population is 65 years or older, just 8% of Native Hawaiians and 10% of the AI/AN population is 65 years or older (AoA, 2015). However, as overall life expectancy increases, the proportion of older AI/AN adults is expected to increase. By 2050, the percentage of non-Hispanic white adults is expected to decrease by 20%, while the population of older minority population adults, including AI/AN/NH, is expected to increase by 110%. For AI/AN populations, this translates to a 93% increase in the number of older adults. In addition, the population aged 75 and older needing long-term care is expected to double by the year 2030. In fiscal year 2023, ACL awarded 290 Title VI three-year grants to tribes/tribal organizations elders for the provision of nutrition and supportive services, and a portion of awardees also received funds for the Native American Caregiver Support Program. The Assessment and Evaluation of the Title VI Programs will examine the effects of the program on: • Older Indians, their families and caregivers • Tribal communities • Intergenerational connections in tribal communities • Management of the Title VI program Additionally, the assessment will examine how using COVID supplemental funds impacted Title VI services provided to older adults. This work will help ACL better understand and document the impact of these funds, how service provision changed over time, and what gaps existed despite the additional funding. The Assessment and Evaluation of the Title VI Programs is authorized under Section 206(a, c) of Title II of the OAA, which directs ACL to “…measure and evaluate the impact of all programs authorized by this Act, their effectiveness in achieving stated goals in general, and in relation to their cost, their impact on related programs, their effectiveness in targeting for services under this Act unserved older individuals with greatest economic need (including low-income minority individuals and older individuals residing in rural areas) and unserved older individuals with greatest social need (including low-income minority individuals and older individuals residing in rural areas), and their structure and mechanisms for delivery of services, including, where appropriate, comparisons with appropriate control groups composed of persons who have not participated in such programs.” Consistent with requirements of the Government Performance Results Modernization Act (GPRMA), ACL’s Administration on Aging (AoA) integrates its strategic priorities and plans with performance measurement criteria. The AoA has three major performance measures: improve program efficiency, improve client outcomes, and improve effective targeting of vulnerable elders. Through program assessments and evaluations, ACL seeks a better understanding of key programs, such as the programs under Title VI of the OAA for AI/AN/NH.

The latest form for Assessment and Evaluation of ACL's American Indian, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiian Programs Older Americans Act Title VI; short title: Assessment and Evaluation of the Title VI Programs). expires 2027-01-31 and can be found here.