Media Contact: Paula Smith, Communications Manager
(513) 509-9211; psmith@help4seniors.org
BLUE ASH, OHIO, November 5, 2021 –Council on Aging (COA) will host a public hearing to review its plans to utilize American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Older Americans Act (OAA) funds to provide new services and identify innovative opportunities to serve older adults as the country recovers from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
COA is seeking public input to help identify and prioritize how these funds should be utilized. COA would like to provide technology to support Title III-D evidence-based programs for older adults to attend wellness programs from the safety of their homes, add a grocery delivery service, expand the congregate meal program to include restaurants, use technology to expand the workforce that provides home care services, expand transportation options for older adults, and other innovative programs for older adults.
Meeting Details: how to attend
A public hearing will be held at 1pm on November 22, 2021. Interested parties may attend the meeting several ways:
In-person: Council on Aging’s offices at 4601 Malsbary Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (masks will be required)
Online: https://councilonaging.webex.com/councilonaging/j.php?MTID=m6a0bcc1747d418180ded9fc17a0ae763;
- Meeting number: 2346 704 9601;
- Password: u2pTWtnee62
By phone: 1-844-621-3956; Access code: 234 670 49601
Interested parties may view the proposed ARPA priorities and waiver request in advance of the meeting by clicking here.
Comments may also be submitted in writing or electronically. The deadline to submit comments is 1pm, November 22, 2021. Comments may be emailed to Heather Junker at hjunker@help4seniors.org, or mailed to Council on Aging, ATTN: Heather Junker, 4601 Malsbary Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242. Comments sent by mail must be postmarked no later than Nov. 22, 2021.
Background
Council on Aging has identified priority areas for ARPA funding (see above) and has requested a Direct Services Waiver from the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) to provide the administration of Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-D Evidence-Based Health Education Programs. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in April 2021 to find a provider to administer evidence-based health education programs funded by OAA Title III-D, but a qualified vendor was not identified.
COA is holding a public hearing to collect public input to help identify and prioritize how ARPA funds should be utilized. The public hearing is part of the ODA waiver approval process to use technology to support Title III-D evidence-based health education programs.
The initial installment of ARPA funding is approximately $1 million. Additional funding allocations are expected in amounts up to approximately $5 million total.
For more information, contact Heather Junker at (513) 345-3373 or hjunker@help4seniors.org.
About Council on Aging
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. COA promotes choice, independence, dignity and well-being through a range of services that help people remain independent for as long as possible.
COA is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.
Regional Headquarters:
4601 Malsbary Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 | 513-721-1025 | 800-252-0155 | www.help4seniors.org
Clinton County Office:
2333 Rombach Avenue, Wilmington, OH 45177 | 937-449-0642 | 800-252-0155 | www.help4seniors.org
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