Legislative Evolution of the Network on Aging


1935 The Social Security Act Becomes Law. Includes old Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind, Aid to the Permanently Disabled, and Aid to Dependent Children.

1950 President Truman initiates the first National Conference on Aging.

1952 First federal dollars appropriated for Social Service Programs for older persons under the Social Security Act.

1956 President Eisenhower creates a Federal Council on Aging.

1961 First White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, D.C.

1962 Legislation introduced to establish as independent U.S. Commission on Aging.

1963 Legislation introduced to create within the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, as agency equal in statute to the Department's other major agencies.

1965 The Older Americans Act is signed into law by President Johnson on July 15, 1965. It established the Administration on Aging within the Department of Health, Education and Welfare and calls for creation of State Units on Aging.

1969 Older Americans Acts Amendments provide grants for area wide model demonstration
Projects as well as the Foster Grandparent and Retired Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP).

1970 Second White House Conference on Aging held in Washington, D.C.

1971 A new Title VII is created under the Older Americans Act authorizing funds for a national nutrition program for the elderly.

1973 Older Americans Act Comprehensive Services Amendments establish Area Agencies on Aging. These amendments add a new Title V which authorizes grants to local community agencies for multipurpose senior centers and create the Community Service Employment grant program for low-income persons age 55 and older, administered by the Department of Labor.

1975 Amendments to the Older Americans Act extends existing programs and establish four
national priority services; transportation, home services, legal and other counseling services, and residential repair and renovation programs.

1977 Amendments to the Older Americans Act requires changes in the Title VII nutrition program primarily related to the availability of surplus commodities through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

1978 Comprehensive Older Americans Act Amendments consolidated the Title III Area Agency on Aging administration and social services, the Title VIII nutrition services, and the Title V multipurpose senior centers, into a new Title III, and added a new Title VI for grants to Indian Tribal Organizations. The old Title V became the Community Service Employment grant for low income persons age 55 and older under the 1978 Amendments.