Awards Recognize National Leadership in Senior Centers

Annual Awards Presented at Largest Yearly Gathering of Aging Professionals

WASHINGTON, April 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) presented its annual leadership awards at the 2012 ASA Aging in America Conference, March 28-April 1, in Washington, DC.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100615/NCOALOGO)

Part of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), NISC is the nation's only organization dedicated to the advancement of senior centers and the professionals who run them. The nation's senior centers are community focal points where older adults come together for services and activities that reflect their experience and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage their involvement.

The distinguished recipients of this year's awards are:

• Pat Branson, executive director of Senior Citizens of Kodiak, and Honorable Mayor of Kodiak, Alaska, received the 2012 Founders Award, which highlights outstanding professional leadership in the senior center field. 
• Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc. received the NISC Research Award recognizing outstanding research in the senior center field that serves as a catalyst for encouraging continued senior center research. The purpose of their study, authored by Igal Jellinek, Manoj Pardasani, Ph.D., LCSW, ACSW, and Bobbie Sackman, MSW, was to examine the impact of senior centers on the lives of their participants, evaluate how senior centers are evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and examine the challenges faced by administrators in meeting the needs of their constituents, their communities, and their funders (public and private). 

In addition to the awards, Carol Reagan, executive director of the Palatine Township Senior Citizens Council, in Palatine, IL was named NISC Chair, having served the previous two years as Chair Elect.   

"Today's senior center leaders are creating innovative programs and positioning their organizations to meet the needs and interests of the baby boom generation," said Jim Firman, president and CEO of NCOA. "We are proud to recognize their accomplishments and salute their leadership on behalf of all older adults across the country."

Full details on NISC can be found at www.ncoa.org/NISC.

About NISC
NCOA's National Institute of Senior Centers supports a national network of over 2,000 senior center professionals dedicated to helping older adults remain active, engaged, and independent in their communities. NISC is setting the standard for the future of senior centers through its national accreditation program, cutting-edge research, promising practices, professional development, and advocacy. For more information, please visit www.ncoa.org/NISC.

About NCOA  
The National Council on Aging is a nonprofit service and advocacy organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCOA is a national voice for millions of older adults—especially those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged—and the community organizations that serve them. It brings together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and government to develop creative solutions that improve the lives of all older adults. NCOA works with thousands of organizations across the country to help seniors find jobs and benefits, improve their health, live independently, and remain active in their communities. For more information, please visit: www.ncoa.org |www.facebook.com/NCOAging | www.twitter.com/NCOAging

SOURCE National Council on Aging