Building a Better Community: State of the Agency and Budget Hearing Summary of Testimony and Responses
June 10, 2026
Glenn D. Bryan, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) Board Chair, welcomed attendees to PCA’s Building a Better Community: State of the Agengy and Budget Hearing. Reflecting on the significant advances made in recent years, he credited both PCA staff and the Board of Directors for their contributions and recognized the leadership of Dr. Najja R. Orr, DBA, FCPP, PCA President and CEO, in guiding the agency’s transformation into PCA 2.0. He asked everyone to observe a moment of silence in memory of Lynn Harris, a former member of the Board of Directors and longstanding advocate for older Philadelphians. Before concluding, he spoke about PCA’s continued efforts to diversify revenue and promote inclusivity and encouraged the audience to stay engaged throughout the program.
Dr. Orr opened his remarks by thanking everyone for joining the event to discuss organizational updates, priorities for the coming fiscal year, and the projected Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budget. Looking ahead to the next 50 years, he stressed that the agency strives to be the national benchmark for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). He also pointed to the continued growth of older Philadelphians and the need for a more sustainable system to support them. He turned to Chief Operating Officer, Laura Weinbaum, who provided an overview of PCA programs and services.
In discussing PCA programs and services, Ms. Weinbaum highlighted their impact on older adults, adults living with disabilities, and caregivers during Fiscal Year 2026. Program representatives – Nolan Lawrence, Director of the Helpline; Jen Norman, Assistant Director of Older Adult Protective Services; Cheryl Clark, Director of the Caregiver Support Program; Mark Mayers, Director of Facility Operations and Housing Programs; Tae Oh, Planning Analyst; and Wanda Mitchell, Director of Community Engagement – also presented several innovative initiatives introduced in Fiscal Year 2026 to address changing and diverse needs. These initiatives include the Benefits Enrollment Program, the Caregiver Navigation Program, the Victim Support Program, the Helping Seniors Stay Cool at Home Project, the Housing Sustainability Program, the Ring Community Program, the Community Café, and the Reimagination of Senior Centers Project.
Shifting to PCA’s advocacy work, Dr. Orr discussed important updates from both federal and state governments that could impact the aging network and the agency. At the federal level, updates included the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act of 2025 introduced in the Senate, restructuring within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the potential impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act on older Pennsylvanians. He also noted the President’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which maintains level funding for core OAA programs while proposing cuts or eliminations to other federal programs that play an essential role in supporting older adults.
At the state level, key elements of the Governor’s budget proposal included increased funding for PENNCARE, which provides essential services to support older Pennsylvanians through AAAs. He also highlighted continued investment in the modernization of PA Link as part of the Aging Our Way, PA strategy, as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA)’s Comprehensive Aging Performance Evaluation (CAPE) initiative, designed to increase transparency and support continuous improvement across all AAAs. Additional updates included investments in data systems and evaluation, expanded support for Medical Assistance – Community HealthChoices (CHC), and updates to the Older Adult Protective Services Act (OAPSA).
He described how PCA continues to advocate on behalf of older Philadelphians and their caregivers by working in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging (P4A), a statewide association of Area Agencies on Aging in Pennsylvania, and USAging, the national association representing the network of Area Agencies on Aging, keeping strong lines of communications with legislators, as well as by hosting the Annual Legislative Breakfast and managing the Ombudsman program. Jennifer Russell, Executive Administrator of Planning, then presented Make Your Voices Heard, highlighting PCA’s commitment to shaping the next fifty years by listening directly to community members invested in aging in Philadelphia. Participants include caregivers, Philadelphians of all ages, and community partners. She noted that PCA conducted 51 listening sessions from September 2025 through December 2025 and collected over 800 survey responses. Key themes identified included safety, eligibility and service navigation, transportation, affordability, home repairs and modifications, communications and outreach, and health and wellness.
Dr. Orr touched on recent organizational infrastructure improvements, including upgrades to IT systems and equipment, the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, and enhancements to Helpline call operations, aimed at streamlining processes and improving the customer service experience. Looking ahead to Fiscal Year 2027, he noted his new role as Board Chair of the American Society on Aging (ASA), as well as ongoing efforts to diversify revenue, such as advocating for taxation of skill games. He also emphasized the growing importance of partnerships in strengthening services for older adults and caregivers, pointing to upcoming cross-sector partnership opportunities such as the Dom Care Program and the Engaging in Aging Expo. Ms. Weinbaum then provided an update on Home@642, a proposed affordable senior housing community.
Lastly, Dr. Orr reviewed key points for Fiscal Year 2027 financials, describing the current period as one of the most challenging times he has seen in the aging network. He noted that PCA is currently operating under a placeholder budget as the funding is yet to be confirmed by the state. He also explained that PCA, like all AAAs, is mandated to allocate a minimum of 60 percent of its budget to Long-Term Care programming, leaving the remaining 40 percent to address all other program and service needs. Given these constraints, he underscored the importance of advancing resource diversification efforts to strengthen long-term sustainability.
Testimonies
Reneé Cunningham (comments read by David Griffith)
Executive Director, Center in the Park
President, Board of Directors, PA Association of Senior Centers (PASC) Southeast Region
Member, Mayor’s Commission on Aging
Ms. Reneé Cunningham’s testimony began by thanking PCA’s staff, Board, and Advisory Committee for receiving her testimony with openness each year. She noted that the draft Fiscal Year 2027 budget appears identical to the version presented in the previous fiscal year, suggesting it may be a placeholder budget. While this limits detailed feedback, she saw it as an opportunity to offer input that could meaningfully influence the final budget.
She raised concerns about the complexity of the current budgeting process for PCA contracts, describing it as overly burdensome and resource-intensive for the Center in the Park (CIP). She urged PCA to streamline the Program and Funding Plan requirements. In addition, she commented on the operational challenges resulting from changes to the role of transportation coordination at senior centers and called for additional support from PCA or increased funding to address the issue.
Finally, she encouraged PCA to invest in renewing the regional license for the BetterAge program and to adopt findings from the Reframing Communications about Senior Centers project to enhance engagement, increase senior center utilization, and challenge ageist beliefs.
She thanked PCA for the partnership and expressed her interest in ongoing dialogue.
Response: PCA thanks Ms. Cunningham for her testimony and for her continued advocacy on behalf of older Philadelphians and recognizes Center in the Park’s leadership in ensuring that senior community centers serve as focal points where older adults can connect with their communities and access key services and support.
As noted, the draft Fiscal Year 2027 budget is currently a placeholder, pending final allocations from the Commonwealth. PCA welcomes continued discussions on funding for senior center services and remains committed, as it has in the past, to supporting grants or other funding sources that help sustain these services. The budgeting process and the updated transportation coordination responsibilities are intended to ensure good stewardship of resources and continued access to high-quality services for older adults. However, PCA acknowledges the concerns raised and will closely evaluate them, in collaboration with SEPTA, to identify opportunities to streamline processes. The agency also looks forward to exploring the opportunities she highlighted and thanks Ms. Cunningham for her ongoing support and partnership.
Kimberly Beatty | Center Manager and Program Coordinator, St. Edmond Senior Community Center
Ms. Beatty described the St. Edmond Senior Community Center as a place that helps older adults stay connected, feel supported, and maintain dignity through a wide range of programs and activities. The senior community center plays a key role in reducing isolation and creating a strong sense of community. She underscored the importance of continued support and investment in senior centers to provide adequate support to their older community members. She concluded by thanking PCA for the opportunity to share her center’s work and for its commitment to building stronger, healthier communities.
Response: PCA values its relationship with St. Edmond Senior Community Center and thanks Ms. Beatty for her genuine care and dedication to the older adults she serves, as reflected in her testimony. The agency also recognizes that senior centers are of paramount importance in supporting older adults, helping them remain independent, participate in their communities, and age with dignity. PCA is committed to listening and learning how it can best support the senior center network in meeting the evolving needs of their members.
Ed Miller | Elder Initiative Program Manager, William Way LGBT Community Center
Mr. Miller began his testimony by highlighting the longstanding partnership between PCA and William Way. He emphasized PCA’s strong commitment to inclusion, its culture of acceptance, and the visibility of LGBTQ+ older adults in its communications. He noted the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ older adults including higher rates of loneliness and social isolation, housing instability, poverty, health disparities, and systemic discrimination, underscoring the need for visible, culturally affirming resources for future generations. He described the programs of the Elder Initiative, which focus on social engagement, healthy aging, and advocacy and highlighted the work of the PCA LGBTQ+ Advisory Council. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of honoring the contributions of LGBTQ+ older adults and encouraged continued support through efforts that reduce social isolation and improve access to inclusive services across Philadelphia for all.
Response: PCA takes great pride in its partnership with William Way LGBT Community Center and appreciates its tireless efforts to support LGBTQ+ older adults in navigating complex challenges and enriching their lives. PCA reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the voices of LGBTQ+ older adults guide its work and are meaningfully represented in its strategic planning, as reflected in the establishment of the PCA LGBTQ+ Advisory Council. PCA looks forward to continuing to strengthen this partnership.
Q&A with Dr. Orr
During the Q&A session, Ms. Crystal Tann-Roberts asked whether she could share the support letter for PCA’s affordable housing project, Home@642, with her church community. Dr. Orr thanked her for her willingness to engage others in supporting the initiative and encouraged the attendees to share information about Home@642 within their networks to help build broader community support. Ms. Tann-Roberts also inquired about the distribution of Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) produce vouchers. Mr. Nolan Lawrence, Director of the Helpline, clarified that individuals may submit up to four proxy forms to obtain vouchers on behalf of others.
Ms. Kate Baumgardner of Catholic Charities of Philadelphia emphasized the need for additional solutions to support senior centers in distributing SFMNP produce vouchers. In response, Ms. Kimberly Beatty of St. Edmond Senior Community Center highlighted her center’s outreach efforts, such as partnering with local churches to expand voucher distribution within the community.
Dr. Orr concluded the session by thanking the attendees, and the Building a Better Community: State of the Agency and Budget Hearing was adjourned.
