As an Area Agency on Aging, Council on Aging receives funding from a variety of local, state and federal sources. County tax levies provide about 40 percent of Council on Aging’s funding. Medicaid programs provide another 30 percent. Additional state and federal funds, client contributions, donations and other supports provide the remaining revenue.
For a more detailed look at COA’s funding and expenses, read our annual report.
Federal Funding
The Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA) provides support for a range of programs that offer services and opportunities for older Americans, especially those at risk of losing their independence.
The OAA provides funding for and authorizes a wide array of programs through a national network of organizations, including more than 600 area agencies on aging. Council on Aging is the Area Agency on Aging for southwestern Ohio, including Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties, and is charged with planning, developing and coordinating systems of home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities within this service area.
Council on Aging uses OAA funding to advocate for older adults and help them remain within their own homes and communities. Money goes to senior centers and service organizations that provide services such as transportation, congregate meals, caregiver support, legal help, and wellness education. COA also leverages OAA dollars with state funds and county tax levies to provide home care services to seniors who are not eligible for Medicaid-funded home and community-based care programs.
Medicaid Waivers and State Funding
In our service area, Council on Aging administers or serves in a care coordination capacity for several Ohio Medicaid programs aimed at helping older adults and people with disabilities remain independent in their homes and communities. These programs, including PASSPORT, the Assisted Living Waiver, Ohio Home Care Waiver, MyCare Ohio and Specialized Recovery Services Program, are alternatives to nursing home care.
COA also administers state Alzheimer and Senior Community Service funds which provide services such as caregiver respite/adult day care, personal care, transportation, transitional care and evidence-based wellness programming to older adults and people with disabilities in our region.
Local Government (Tax Levies)
More than 80 percent of Ohio’s 88 counties have levies that benefit seniors. In southwestern Ohio, senior services levies provide funding to help eligible older adults remain independent in their homes. Levies in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties provide most of the funding needed to operate each county’s respective Elderly Services Program. Council on Aging administers these programs, which serve nearly 13,000 older adults. Clermont County has a tax levy and senior services program that is not administered by Council on Aging.