AAA Director Awarded National Violence Prevention Award
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • August 30, 2021
Congratulations, Bettye Mitchell, Director of the Area Agency on Aging
The East Texas Council of Governments is pleased to announce the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence
(NPEIV) has selected our Director of the Area Agency on Aging, Bettye Mitchell, to receive the Paul Fink Interpersonal Violence Prevention Award.
Each year, the NPEIV seeks to honor and recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to our understanding of how multiple forms of violence are related and the importance of addressing them through developing and implementing an integrated violence prevention approach. Bettye is recognized as one of those who influence positive change in the field of interpersonal violence prevention.
This award was named to honor the work of the late Paul Fink, a longtime Clinical Psychiatry News Columnist, and Editorial Adviser, and a key leader in the field of psychiatry, working to prevent child abuse and trauma.
"Bettye has done an outstanding job leading our Aging team since her arrival here at ETCOG. She selflessly gives her time to the aging community and continues her advocacy as a voice for seniors in our area. I am glad to see NPEIV agrees with what we have known for quite some time: Bettye is one of the very best leaders in the entire nation. We are blessed to have her here in East Texas!" said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland.
Bettye has championed the plight of vulnerable communities for over 40 years throughout her career and personal advocacy efforts. She began her career with the Texas Department of Human Services, transferring to one of the first Adult Protective Services units in the early 1980s and becoming the Regional Director of the Austin Region. Bettye also served as Deputy Commissioner for Long Term Care for the Department of Human Services.
Bettye joined ETCOG in April 2012 and has continued to find ways to improve the lives of persons growing older and with disabilities.
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging (ETAAA), a program of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), is inviting the public to review and comment on our 2027 to 2029 Area Plan. ETAAA serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area 4, a fourteen-county region in East Texas. The Area Plan outlines our strategy to strengthen the Aging Services Network and address the needs of people age 60 and older, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. It also guides how we plan, coordinate, and oversee services supported by the Older Americans Act and other state and local initiatives. Our mission is to serve as the region’s leader in advocating for and delivering services that enable older adults to live independently, with dignity and purpose, in their homes and communities. Our vision, “Age Well, Live Well, ” reflects a person-centered approach focused on better choices, improved health, and access to nutritious food. We call it “Serving One Senior at a Time.” The 2027–2029 Area Plan is guided by a needs assessment incorporating data, service trends, and stakeholder input. Key priority needs include access to home- and community-based services, caregiver support, transportation, nutrition and food security, social isolation, healthcare access and chronic disease management, and improved service coordination and system navigation. How to share your input Public comments will be accepted through April 26, 2026 . Submit comments by mail or email: Mail: Area Agency on Aging, 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 Email: Colleen.Halliburton@etcog.org
