March 14, 2006

State policy makers will go on the road to convene seven public input forums designed to form the state’s three-year plan for services for older adults and caregivers in Michigan.

“These local forums present Michigan citizens with a tremendous opportunity to share their ideas about services for older adults and caregivers,” said Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA). “We want to hear directly from the people about what they think should drive the state’s upcoming three-year plan for aging services.”

The purpose of the forums is to obtain public input on the needs of older adults and caregivers. Information gleaned will have a direct effect on the development of the 2007-2009 State Plan for Aging Services. The State Plan is a requirement of the Older Americans Act and is the guiding force for the work of OSA.

Upcoming Forum Dates and Locations:

Friday, March 17, 2006 – Dearborn ACCESS 6451 Schaefer Dearborn, MI 48126

Tuesday, March 21, 2006 – Kalamazoo Senior Services, Inc. 918 Jasper Street Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Wednesday, March 29, 2006 – Flint University of Michigan Flint, Harding Mott University Center 303 E. Kearsley Street Flint, MI 48502

All forums run from 1:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. Future forums will be announced.

Directions are available at www.miseniors.net or by calling the OSA office at (517) 373-8230. Please also contact the OSA office if special accommodations are needed to attend any of the forums listed above. Written comments may be submitted to the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, P.O. Box 30676, Lansing, MI 48909-8176 until May 20, 2006.