Tribes need more flexibility and resources under the Older Americans Act, speakers at a forum in California said at a forum.

Title VI addresses American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. The law is up for reauthorization in 2011.

"We've heard so many recurring themes, one of which is clear: We need to increase funding under Title VI,” said Darrick Lam, a regional representative for the Administration on Aging, The Eureka Times-Standard reported.

The United Indian Health Services co-hosted the forum, the only one in the nation to address Title VI of the law. ”I think they heard some things they didn't know,” Charlene Storr of the UIHS told the paper.

One issue for California tribes is their small size. To qualify for certain Title VI programs, they must have at least 50 elders but consolidation is discouraged, one tribal member said.

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Senior Indian needs not met, say forum attendees (The Eureka Times-Standard 9/21)