You asked for examples of elderly services specifically for Latino seniors in Connecticut and other states.

CONNECTICUT

Below we identify several programs in Connecticut aimed specifically at Latino (Hispanic) seniors; most are local, not statewide, but Latino seniors are eligible for all the state's elderly programs to the same extent as other seniors. The federal Older Americans Act requires Area Agency on Aging programs to target their services at seniors who are in the most economic or social need, which often includes Latino seniors. Consequently, they provide grants to at least some of the programs listed below, according to Pam Giannini, director of the state Department of Social Services' (DSS) Bureau of Aging, Community, and Social Work.

These programs include:

1. Casa Otonal is a nonprofit entity that consists of senior housing, a senior center, housing for grandparents who have custody of their grandchildren. It also provides companion and homemaker, information and assistance, benefits counseling, translation, and other social and support services to traditionally underserved Latino elders in New Haven, East Haven, Hamden, and West Haven. It is designated a nutrition site under the Older Americans Act.

2. Hispanic Senior Center is located on Park Street in Hartford. It is administered by Catholic Family Charities. In the Greater Hartford area Catholic Charities also provides services to Hispanic elderly in the form of counseling, assistance and translation services.

3. The city of Bridgeport provides Hispanic outreach (assisting Hispanic seniors in accessing services).

4. There is a Hispanic Senior Center (designed to serve Hispanic elderly) in Bridgeport.

5. The City of Stamford funds Hispanic outreach, a service that incorporates counseling for Hispanic and low income seniors at two senior centers.

6. The South Norwalk Senior Center provides transportation, social support, and translation services for Latino and minority seniors as well as being a nutrition site.

7. Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc. , a nonprofit agency, provides in-home assistance to Hispanic elders.

This information was provided to us by Giannini of DSS and Fernando Betancourt, executive director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.

OLR Report 2006-R-0559 describes statewide programs for seniors.

OTHER STATES

We have requested information on other states from the National Conference of State Legislatures and will inform you of its response as soon as we receive it.

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