Pennsylvanians who have weathered many a winter are about to receive some added warmth from the state budget, with a significant focus on the needs of older adults and diverse populations. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) hosted a community conversation in North Wales that served to highlight the recent successes integrated into Governor Josh Shapiro's 2025-26 budget.
During the event, PDA Secretary Jason Kavulich put the spotlight on the over $10 million investment aimed at aiding 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in their efforts to supply crucial services such as meals, protective services, and transportation. "This time of year, many of us pause and reflect on what we accomplished and how we improve ourselves in the coming year. Looking back on what the Aging network has achieved since the first days of the Shapiro Administration, there is much to be grateful for," Kavulich said in a statement covered at the gathering.
A solid chunk of the Governor's budget, another $3 million, is earmarked for "Aging Our Way, PA"—the state's 10-year strategic, multi-sector plan that strategizes on meeting the evolving needs of its older citizens. Among the speakers at the roundtable was George Choe, President & CEO of the Jaisohn Center/Philip Jaisohn Memorial Foundation, who shared the platform with the Jaisohn Senior Singers. Also present were Razin Karu, Executive Director of the PA Governor's Commission on AAPI Affairs, and Jennifer Haussler-Barnhart, Administrator at the Montgomery County Area Agency on Aging. Each contributed their perspectives on the strides made to support a demographic whose presence is as foundational to the state as the Liberty Bell.
The full specifics of the conversation and further details on the budget's impact on services for older adults can be found on the state's archive of the event, available for review at https://pacast.com/m?p=28754.
