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HomeMy WebLinkAbout20241611.tiffJune 12, 2024 OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-400-4200 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, CO 80632 The Honorable John Hickenlooper U.S Senate B85 Russell Senate Office Washington, DC. 20510 Dear Senator Hickenlooper, On behalf of the Weld County Board of Commissioners and the Weld County Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) in Greeley, Colorado, I am writing in support of achieving a timely bipartisan reauthorization of the Older American's Act (OAA). As you are aware, the OAA is essential to the health and independence of millions of older adults and their caregivers. WCAAA offers a wide range of internal services to help high -risk older adults live independently and with dignity in their homes and their communities. To aid in this mission, there are five core services provided by WCAAA: Caregivers, Elder Rights, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, and Supportive Services. These services are delivered through direct administration or through partnerships with community organizations. Additionally, WCAAA collaborates with local partners to offer specialized services such as case management, Hispanic outreach, home delivered meals, legal services, peer counseling, and transportation. In 2023, Weld County Area Agency on Aging: Served over 125,00 nutritious meals to older adults. Provided over 7,000 hours of respite for family caregivers. • Provided over 5,500 hours of chore services for older adults. • 5,000 older adults attended our wellness classes. • 327 people were assisted with dental, vision, and hearing services. • Over 6,000 hours were provided to older adults who need assistance with homemaker and personal care. • Over 7,000 rides were provided to older adults. • Over 12,000 contacts were made for information and assistance. • Over 600 older adults were assisted with legal assistance. • Over 4,000 older adults received peer counseling. • Over 3,200 older adults received case management and Hispanic outreach. CoMPvet; crx+.onS o6 f iq /2y 2024-1611 OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 9./0-400-4200 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, CO 80632 We hope that you and your colleagues in Congress will continue to support a thoughtful, bipartisan process to renew these essential aging support programs. As the local planning, development, and coordination agency of OAA programs and services in our area, Weld County Area Agency on Aging can provide valuable insights on how the OAA operates at the local level. It is imperative that Congress reauthorize the OAA ensure communities can continue to effectively serve their older adults. Weld County is committed to enabling older adults to maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities. The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act is vital as it funds critical programs for older adults. With this population projected to far exceed any other by 2030, it is essential we continue to care for older adults in communities nationwide. Sincerely, Kevin D. Ross Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners C: Jamie Ulrich, Weld County Director of Human Services Tami Grant, Weld County Deputy Director of Human Services Kelly Morrison, Weld County AAA Division Director June 12, 2024 OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-400-4200 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET P.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, CO 80632 The Honorable Michael Bennet U.S Senate B85 Russell Senate Office Washington, DC. 20510 Dear Senator Bennet, On behalf of the Weld County Board of Commissioners and the Weld County Area Agency on Aging (WCAAA) in Greeley, Colorado, I am writing in support of achieving a timely bipartisan reauthorization of the Older American's Act (OAA). As you are aware, the OAA is essential to the health and independence of millions of older adults and their caregivers. WCAAA offers a wide range of internal services to help high -risk older adults live independently and with dignity in their homes and their communities. To aid in this mission, there are five core services provided by WCAAA: Caregivers, Elder Rights, Health and Wellness, Nutrition, and Supportive Services. These services are delivered through direct administration or through partnerships with community organizations. Additionally, WCAAA collaborates with local partners to offer specialized services such as case management, Hispanic outreach, home delivered meals, legal services, peer counseling, and transportation. In 2023, Weld County Area Agency on Aging: • Served over 125,00 nutritious meals to older adults. • Provided over 7,000 hours of respite for family caregivers. • Provided over 5,500 hours of chore services for older adults. • 5,000 older adults attended our wellness classes. • 327 people were assisted with dental, vision, and hearing services. • Over 6,000 hours were provided to older adults who need assistance with homemaker and personal care. • Over 7,000 rides were provided to older adults. • Over 12,000 contacts were made for information and assistance. • Over 600 older adults were assisted with legal assistance. • Over 4,000 older adults received peer counseling. • Over 3,200 older adults received case management and Hispanic outreach. OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PHONE: 970-400-4200 FAX: 970-336-7233 1150 O STREET F.O. BOX 758 GREELEY, CO 80632 We hope that you and your colleagues in Congress will continue to support a thoughtful, bipartisan process to renew these essential aging support programs. As the local planning, development, and coordination agency of OAA programs and services in our area, Weld County Area Agency on Aging can provide valuable insights on how the OAA operates at the local level. It is imperative that Congress reauthorize the OAA ensure communities can continue to effectively serve their older adults. Weld County is committed to enabling older adults to maintain their health and independence in their homes and communities. The reauthorization of the Older Americans Act is vital as it funds critical programs for older adults. With this population projected to far exceed any other by 2030, it is essential we continue to care for older adults in communities nationwide. Sincerely, Kevin D. Ross Chair, Weld County Board of Commissioners C: Jamie Ulrich, Weld County Director of Human Services Tami Grant, Weld County Deputy Director of Human Services Kelly Morrison, Weld County AAA Division Director Hello