DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 22-99
TO	:	ALL STATE WORKFORCE LIAISONS ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES ALL ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER SYSTEM LEADS
FROM	:	LENITA JACOBS-SIMMONS Deputy Assistant Secretary
SUBJECT	:	Older Americans Month

1. PURPOSE: To announce that the month of May is Older Americans Month and to encourage WIA partners to take advantage of this opportunity to continue forging partnerships that actively promote initiatives focused on securing access to employment for older workers. The focus on older Americans during the month of May can provide numerous possibilities for broadening investments in the continued hiring and employment of mature, experienced workers.

2. REFERENCES: None.

3. BACKGROUND: Older Americans Month has traditionally been designated as the month of May. During this month Americans celebrate the many accomplishments of mature persons in all fields.

   Older Americans Month was first proclaimed Senior Citizens Month by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Later, May was officially designated Older Americans Month by President Jimmy Carter. For more than 30 years, the Administration on Aging (AoA) has taken the lead in our Nation's celebration of the accomplishments of mature persons. This is the fourth year in which ETA has joined with AoA to co-sponsor a special month of celebration.

   This year President Clinton signed a Presidential proclamation on May 2 proclaiming May 2000 to be Older Americans Month. It can be found at www.whitehouse.gov. A copy of the proclamation is attached to this TEIN.

4. ACTIONS REQUIRED: WIA partners are encouraged to:

   1. Distribute copies of the attached Proclamation to their local offices;

   2. Promote efforts to educate employers on the benefits of hiring, retraining and retaining mature workers;

   3. Undertake efforts to recognize the contributions made by mature workers, and to facilitate and promote their continued participation in the workforce; e.g., through job fairs, Older Worker luncheons, newspaper releases, and radio and TV broadcasts emphasizing the contributions of successful mature workers;

   4. Coordinate with other WIA partners, in particular local operators of Senior Community Service Employment Program projects to further community efforts to recognize, promote and celebrate mature workers in the States and local communities; and

   5. Share examples of products developed and successful experiences which may be helpful to others in the future.

5. INQUIRIES: Questions should be directed to your ETA Regional Office; or to Karen Davis at 202-219-5904 x115 or E-mail: kadavis@doleta.gov.

6. ATTACHMENT: Presidential Proclamation: Older Americans Month