_edited_edited.png)
American Samoa Government - PR001-05232026
Posted: May 23, 2026
Home and Community-Based Services Commission Convenes its Inaugural Meeting
UTULEI, American Samoa – The newly established Home and Community‑Based Services Commission held its inaugural meeting on Friday morning May 22nd, at the Office of Samoan Affairs, marking a significant step toward strengthening healthcare access and support for the people of American Samoa, especially the territory’s growing elderly population. The meeting led by Commissioner Abigail Porter, who opened the session with remarks highlighting the Commission’s purpose, gathering of government agencies, private sector partners, and nonprofit organizations in a shared mission to expand community‑based care.
Commissioner Porter’s welcome was followed by Governor Pulaali‘i, who addressed the board with encouragement and a clear message of confidence. He emphasized the importance of collaboration and innovation as the Commission begins its work, noting that the decisions made today will shape the future of care for generations to come. The Governor congratulated each board member individually and wished them success as they embark on this important responsibility.
Following the Governor’s remarks, members introduced themselves and shared their affiliations. The Commission’s diverse representation, spanning ASG agencies, private industry, and nonprofit organizations, reflects a broad coalition committed to improving the quality of life for residents who rely on home and community‑based services.
A central topic of discussion was exploring the financial part such as funding available, the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program, a federal initiative designed to help individuals transition from institutional care back into their homes and communities. Members were informed of how MFP funding could support the Commission’s long‑term goals, expand services, and strengthen the
territory’s capacity to care for its most vulnerable populations. The meeting concluded with a prayer, closing on a hopeful note that the collective expertise and dedication of the Commission will lead to meaningful progress for the people of American Samoa.
###
Ulua’i Fonotaga a le Komisi Fou mo Auaunaga i Aiga ma Nu’u
UTULEI, Amerika Samoa – Na fa’ataunu’uina i le aso 22 o Me, 2026 le ulua’i fonotaga o le Komisi fou o Auaunaga i Aiga ma Nu'u i le Ofisa o Mata’upu tau Samoa, ua fa’ailogaina ai se tulaga aga’i luma o le fa’amalosia o avanoa mo le soifua maloloina, ma le lagolagoina o tagata o Amerika Samoa, aemaise nai tagata matutua o le tatou Teritori.
Na amatalia le fonotaga i le itula e 10:00 i le taeao, na ta’ita’ia e le Ta’ita’ifono a le Komisi ia Abigail Porter, o ia sa tuvaoina le fa’amoemoe ma fa’ailoa le mafua’aga o le Komisi. Na aofia ai ofisa o le Mālō, o pisinisi tuma’oti, ma fa’apotopotoga tuma’oti e fa’asoa i le va’aiga mamao auā le fa’alauteleina o le tausiga mo le atunu’u.
Ina ua mae’a le saunoaga a le Ta’ita’ifono ia Porter, ona tanoa lea o le ali’i Kovana ia Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula ma le agaga fa’afetai, ma fa’asoa i se fe’au manino. Na ia saunoa fa’amamafa i le tauā o le galulue so’oso’otau’au a’o amatalia galuega a le Komisi. Ua fa’ailo o le fa’ai’uga ua faia, o le a fa’atulaga ai le tulaga o le tausiga i le lumana’i. Na momoli fa’amanuiaga a le Kovana mo le Komisi filifilia, ma ana faamanuiaga mo lo latou vala’auina.
Ina ua mae’a le saunoaga a le Kovana, ona fa’alauiloa lea o suafa o sui o le Komiti e i latou lava, ma fa’ailoa o latou agava’a. O fa’asoa ese’ese a le Komisi, fesoasoani a le Malo, o kamupani tuma’oti, ma faapotopotoga tuma’oti, e atagia lo latou galulue fa’atasi ma fa’aleleia le soifua o tagata ta’itot’atasi, o aiga, o afio’aga, ma fa’alapotopotoga i o latou auaunaga.
O le mata’upu autu na talanoaina o le fa’amalamalamaina o tamaoaiga, fa’apei o alagatupe avanoa, o le porokalama o le Money Follows the Person (MFP), o fuafuaga fa’a-Feterale e fesoasoani mo tagata ta’ito’atasi ma tausiga o faapotopotoga ma aiga. Na fa’alauiloa sui o le Komisi i se taumafaiga auā le fa’aaogaina le alagatupe o le MFP e lagolagoina fuafuaga mamao a le Komisi i se taimi umi, fa’alautele o auaunaga, ma ia gafatia ma fa’amalosia e le Teritori le tausiga o ona tagata lima vaivai.
Na fa’ai’uina lenei fonotaga i le tatalo, e talosia ai le ta’ita’iga a le Komisi ina ia manuia ai tagata o Amerika Samoa.
###