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Maryland officials seek to expand Senior Call Check into 'Social Connections' program
Summary
Department of Aging and allied agencies told the Health and Government Operations Committee they want to rebrand and broaden Senior Call Check to allow texts, email, live contacts and accessibility options; funding would come from the Universal Service Trust Fund and would remove a prior 5¢ cap.
Secretary Carmel Roque of the Maryland Department of Aging told the committee House Bill 158 would transform the state’s Senior Call Check safety‑check service into a broader Social Connections program with multiple communication options and expanded accessibility. “The idea is to get away from the idea that it is a call and broaden what this program is for,” Secretary Roque said, describing outreach that found many older adults prefer live calls, text or video.
The bill would authorize the Department of Aging to partner with Telecommunications Access of Maryland…
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