National Resource Center on LGBT Aging
The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is the country’s first and only technical assistance resource center aimed at improving the quality of services and supports offered to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) older adults. Established in 2010 through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging provides training, technical assistance and educational resources to aging providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT older adults. The center is led by Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) in collaboration with 18 leading organizations from around the country.
Historical Snapshot
When Congress passed the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1965 to strengthen the services offered to older adults nationwide, it established the Administration on Aging to oversee the funding and programs channeled through the OAA.
Because the Older Americans Act directs the Aging Network to pay particular attention to serving populations with the greatest social need, the Administration on Aging has historically funded organizations to serve as technical assistance resource centers for marginalized communities, including Hispanic/Latino communities, African Americans, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and Native Americans.
In the same vein, when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded its historic grant in February 2010 to establish the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging, it affirmed that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender older adults have unique needs that must be met by providers across the country.
As a sign of the progress our LGBT communities have made in securing support at the federal level, it was a historic high point. But it’s only the beginning.
Milestones
OCTOBER 2009 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces its plans to establish the nation’s first national resource center to assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.
FEBRUARY 2010 HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces that SAGE—in partnership with 10 leading organizations nationwide—had received a $900,000 grant over three years to establish the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. The announcement notes that the resource center will help ensure that LGBT older adults have the necessary and culturally appropriate supports and services to successfully age in place.
OCTOBER 2010 the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging officially launches, unveiling a web site that will serve as a comprehensive clearinghouse of information for aging providers, LGBT organizations and LGBT older adults. The National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is poised to provide more and more training and develop even more tools and resources for aging providers, LGBT organizations, and LGBT older adults in every part of the country.
JULY 2013 SAGE—along with 18 collaborating organizations—received another two year grant to continue, and grow, the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging’s vital work. During this time the Resource Center expanded its library of best practice guides and training opportunities
JULY 2015 the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging was awarded a 5 year grant which culminated by celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Resource Center. The best practice guide, Strengthen Your State and Local Aging Plan was added to the resource center library and work began with the SAGECare to offer a free of charge webinar series to ACL/AoA funded organizations.
JULY 2020 the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging was awarded a three-year grant and expanded to 23 Collaborating Organizations, including national organization serving people with disabilities. The toolkit How to Be an Ally to Transgender Older Adults was released in 2021.