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We have much to be concerned about at the federal level, but today I want to focus on advocacy for our Washington State Aging Network. While the 2025 state legislative session officially convened on January 13, the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging (W4A) began preparing our advocates for the session last Fall. On October 16, 2024, W4A hosted a virtual gathering of advocates in collaboration with the Washington State Council on Aging to discuss our legislative priorities. This year, W4A’s major focus is on Area Agency on Aging (AAA) nutrition funding to maintain current levels of home-delivered and community meal services. The need is great, so the request is large. Governor Inslee included $28 million in state funds in his budget, but $35.4 million is needed to sustain current levels of service. Our advocates and allies will carry this message to their legislative visits during W4A’s advocacy days the week of February 3.  

In addition to W4A’s primary focus, our advocates will support a variety of other funding requests this legislative session that benefit our community members. In conjunction with the Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC), W4A will be advocating for funding to sustain a third Dementia Resource Catalyst pilot operated through the Olympic Area Agency on Aging (O3A). Ongoing state funding has been provided for two AAAs (Northwest Regional Council and Aging and Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington) that originated the pilots. When the third pilot was added, the legislature failed to make that funding ongoing. W4A, the DAC and the Alzheimer’s Association will be asking for $750,000 for the biennium of (ongoing) funding to maintain the successes already achieved. 

During this legislative session, W4A will also support the important work of our state partner, the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA). Funding is needed to continue building the infrastructure and service network for the new WA Cares benefit that becomes available in July 2026. ALTSA is also requesting funding for staffing to lead the work around the state’s Multisector Plan on Aging. As is true every legislative session, W4A will coordinate closely with AARP Washington, the Washington State Senior Citizens’ Lobby and many other advocacy organizations around our shared priorities. 

W4A also supports the advocacy of our local AAA Advisory Councils. Their members participate in our W4A Advocacy Days, while also educating legislators on issues of critical importance to the communities they serve. I so appreciate all the work they have done over the years to support the Aging Network. I look forward to working with all of them again this session. If you aren’t already connected with a local AAA, please consider reaching out to find out more about how you can become an Aging Network advocate. I will be happy to connect you with your local AAA. Our advocacy days are just around the corner, but there is still time to test the waters by participating in Senior Lobby Day on February 20. We can always use more advocates! 


Contributor Cathy Knight is State Director for the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging (W4A). Learn more at AgingWashington.org.

 

 

 

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