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Call for issues

Call for Legislative Issues:
April 14 –
May 10, 2025

Each year, the Georgia Council on Aging (GCOA) invites submissions from CO-AGE voting members—individuals or organizations with active memberships—to propose priority issues for the upcoming legislative session. Your submissions are crucial for identifying and addressing challenges impacting older adults across Georgia.

 

Many past submissions have successfully influenced legislative action, leading directly to improvements in senior care and support statewide.

Submission Details: We understand your submission might not be fully developed; however, please provide sufficient research and data to enable our staff and Legislative Committee to finalize the proposal by the January session. If additional research is necessary and cannot be completed in time, your issue may be deferred for future consideration.

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GCOA staff and Council members are here to support you. If your idea requires additional expertise or information, we strongly recommend collaborating with relevant organizations or experts to strengthen your submission.

For Assistance: Contact Ashley Burton at 404-281-0430 with any questions.

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Senior Man Working from Home

Your submission must include:

· A clear description of the problem and proposed solution

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· Explanation of how legislative action would address the issue

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· Supporting research, data, or evidence

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· Reference to the affected Georgia statute, if applicable

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· Contact details of additional groups that may offer support

Download the printable form or use the digital form below to submit your issue.

For advice/technical assistance contact Ashley Burton at: 

404-281-0430 or gcoastaff23@gmail.com

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Please send your completed issue summary by mail to: 

Georgia Council on Aging

47 Trinity Ave. 1st Floor Atlanta, GA 30334

or by email to: gcostaff@GMAIL.COM

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*Please include any additional or supporting documentation with your submission form.

Digital Form to Submit Your Issue

 Call for Issues 

Now is the time for CO-AGE members to submit ideas for the 2026 Issue Priorities!  Evaluate your potential issue by reviewing this Priorities Setting Checklist. 

Does your issue: 

If the answer is “yes” to both of these questions, then your issue may be eligible to become one of the 2026 CO-AGE Priorities! For an issue to be voted on, it must be

  • submitted on time

  • impact seniors to be a

  • statewide issue and

  • be solvable by legislative changes, and

  • all questions must be answered.

Here’s what you need to submit: 

If your submission meets the above criteria, GCOA will make it part of the issue summaries. If it lacks enough research to prevent completion prior to January, your issue will be tabled and you will be notified that it needs further research or expertise input. All accepted issues will be presented to CO-AGE members at the Annual CO-AGE Meeting on July 14, 2025. Members will then vote to determine the CO-AGE priorities.

CO-AGE ISSUE SUBMISSION FORM 

The Coalition of Advocates for Georgia’s Elderly votes on policy issues each summer. This form is to help you propose an issue. For an issue to be voted on, it must be submitted on time, impact seniors, be a statewide issue, and be solvable by policy changes, and the submission form complete.

Example: Create a state digital equity plan to close the Digital Divide for Georgia's Seniors.

Submitted by:

Does your issue fall into one of the following categories?

Example: A strategic plan could be a concrete way to close the digital divide for older Georgians. So much of Georgia's economic development is geared towards younger people. A modern space that older adults could call their own to specifically learn about technology could help bring older Georgians into the fold.

Example: Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) is a Brooklyn based organization that helps seniors harness the power of technology no matter their SES, geography, educational background or age. OATS formally teamed up with AARP and the Humana Foundation to further pursue its mission.

Example: Pew Research Study- "Digitally ready" Americans (those confident in their digital skills and ability to find trustworthy information online) tend to be disproportionately under the age of 65. Older groups make up a larger share of those who are described as "digitally unprepared". AARP Study- 73% of participants over 65 said that they usually need help with set up and learning new devices.

Example: Legislation could make digital literacy for seniors more of a priority state wide, allotting funding and creating initiatives to strategically close the digital divide for older adults. Since there is talk of this at the federal level, GA can position itself to have a plan in place so that if the law is passed at the federal level, the state can hit the ground running to further achieve its goals.

Example: Georgia's main digital inclusion effort is through the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the Georgia Broadband Program, which focuses on GA internet access for COVID-19. The focus seems to be more on working age Georgians.

  • Senior Planet

  • Aging Connected

  • AARP

  • The National Digital

  • Inclusion Alliance

  • Oasis Institute

  • Skillful Senior

  • Goodwill

  • Meganga

Example: Legislation has been proposed, the Digital Equity Act, but not passed at the federal level to address this issue.

  • State funding for facilities and equipment.

  • Participant self-efficacy.

  • Sufficient staff to teach.

REMEMBER ISSUE SUMMARIES SHOULD BE POSTMARKED BY MAY 10, 2025! 

© 2025 Georgia Council on Aging

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