The public is welcome to give input on the 2018-2021 Area Agency On Aging Area Plan, during a public hearing on Sept. 8, 2017 at 11:00 am at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, 61 Medford Street, 2nd Floor, Somerville, MA.
As a part of SCES’s federal designation as the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the cities of Cambridge and Somerville, an Area Plan is developed every four years and updated annually to prioritize and administer funds made available by the Older Americans Act of 1965. As such, we are part of a network of AAA’s across the state and country, which were established is a key component of Older Americans Act programming. The Older Americans Act was enacted to address a set of far reaching objectives related to the health and well-being of older Americans. It sought to establish a framework for the delivery of community based services which could work to achieve the Act’s objectives. However, the available funds for programs and services have always fallen short of the vision. Amendments in 1972 led to the development of the national nutrition program. In 1973, as appropriations increased dramatically, states were required establish planning and service areas and to set up AAA’s within those areas.
The AAA is mandated to address the needs and concerns of older people in the planning and service area. The three main responsibilities of the AAA are to 1) to advocate for older people in the service area, 2) to identify the needs of the elderly in the area and develop a multi-year plan to address those needs, 3) administer OAA funds that are available to use to implement the plan.
The needs assessment process includes surveys of elders and service providers, assessment of internal data, and public forums. The results of the assessment are incorporated in the plan. The plan establishes objectives which are then implemented by the AAA and are reflected in the awards given to the sub-grantees. Title III-B of the OAA stipulates several priority areas for funding however: 1-access (transportation and case management) 2-in-home services 3-legal assistance. The plan is reviewed by the advisory council and approved by the SCES Board of Directors.
Administration of the OAA Title III grants is carried out through sub-grants amounting approximately $74,750 allocated to 6 agencies in the current fiscal year. The OAA stipulates we focus our energies and funds towards those with greatest social and economic needs.
For more information contact Area Planner Donald Donato by emailing ddonato@eldercare.org
