Area Agency on Aging Receives Funding to Expand Services for East Texas Seniors through COVID-19 Pandemic
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • August 5, 2020
Planned Increases Underway for Meal Program, Support Services, and Alzheimer’s Program Support
ETCOG’s
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) program has received a total of $2,695,330 in COVID-19 Families First Coronavirus Response Act Funds. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act, signed into law by President Trump on March 18, 2020, provided the additional funding for the nutrition services programs authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965. The need for these services, particularly home-delivered and packaged meals, has increased as community measures to slow transmission of COVID-19 have closed meal sites and have left many family caregivers unable to assist their older loved ones. A total of $628,039 has been received for the East Texas AAA senior nutrition program and will be expended through our home-delivered and congregate meal programs. The congregate meal program has transitioned to “grab and go” at all meal sites for safety purposes. A total of $2,067,291 was received for other AAA service delivery programs.
“Our leadership has been consulting with staff, community partners, and queried recipients of services during this pandemic to identify the most significant needs for East Texas seniors,” said ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging, Bettye Mitchell. “We are expanding our policies to be more flexible in a COVID-19 environment, and are increasing service capacity to serve more seniors through information and referral services, the senior nutrition program, emergency food relief, public transportation support, and Alzheimer’s services.”
“The East Texas AAA’s CARES Act investment in vital senior support programs and services provides one example of ETCOG’s overarching commitment to help our region’s citizens, and businesses recover from the devastating effects of COVID-19. You can expect to hear more from us soon as we seek additional ways and means to support our jurisdictions and all East Texans,” said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland.
The AAA has comprehensive plans to expend the COVID funds to assist seniors within East Texas through September of 2021. The plan is subject to modification as continual guidance is received from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Plans for expansion of AAA services include, but is not limited to:
- Increasing Case Management
and Caregiver Support
services for clients receiving in-home assistance. These provide up to 12 weeks of services for an average of 8-12 hours per week, depending on the need and programs served.
- Expanding Case Management services to seniors living at home who do not have a caretaker or family member to provide services.
- Expansion of health and wellness education forums to aid in senior diabetes management, chronic pain management, and tai chi to improve balance, stability, pain management and flexibility in older people.
- Providing outreach and awareness of the availability of services to homeless individuals in the region by increasing existing partnerships with the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Highway 80 Rescue Mission, and homeless coalitions.
- Expanding transportation services through increasing sponsored senior trips through ETCOG’s rural transit provider, GoBus, and authorizing more services for special needs populations, including piloting individualized transportation for critical need patients.
- Expanding Alzheimer’s services to programs in Smith, Van Zandt, and Gregg counties by awarding grants to purchase ID bracelets for Project Lifesaver, increasing Respite services for relief to caregivers, supporting educational forums, and authorizing services for Alzheimer’s patients to attend day activity programs.
- Purchasing needed equipment for senior nutrition providers.
- Serving clients who have been on waiting lists for the AAA direct delivery nutrition programs.
- Assisting with purchases for emergency services for seniors in need of food, housing assistance, utilities, medical supplies, medical equipment, etc.
- Partnering with Workforce Solutions East Texas to help promote AAA services to veterans and the senior workforce who have financially been adversely impacted by COVID-19.
Seniors aged 60 or older who are in need of assistance are encouraged to contact the AAA by calling 1-800-442-8845
or visiting our website for more information.
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
