ETCOG Welcomes Colleen Halliburton to Oversee Area Agency on Aging Senior Programs and Services

Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • April 12, 2022

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is pleased to announce the appointment of Colleen Halliburton to its management team as the Director of the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA). In this position, Halliburton will oversee developing and maintaining a comprehensive, coordinated human service delivery system for nutrition and support services for seniors in ETCOG's fourteen-county region.


Halliburton brings over 20 years of experience serving seniors in various positions. Prior to accepting this position, Halliburton was Director of the Community Services Division at the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, which included the Area Agency on Aging, 2-1-1 Area Information Center, the Community Services Block Grant, Lighthouse Weatherization Program, and the Coalition for the Homeless of Southeast Texas. She also currently serves as the President of the Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging.


"I am excited and pleased to welcome Ms. Halliburton to the ETCOG Team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and real-life experience to the Director position that will allow her to build on the East Texas AAA's current successes! Her passion for serving seniors is both evident and contagious! I look forward to serving alongside her and the entire ETCOG AAA Team!" said ETCOG Executive Director David Cleveland.
 
"It is an honor to join the ETCOG team and the outstanding professionals at the East Texas Area Agency on Aging," said Colleen Halliburton. "Caring for our elders can be a challenge, especially when we don't know what to do. At the AAA, we want to help all generations of caregivers through their challenges so they may also experience the sweet gifts of serving their loved ones." 


The AAA of East Texas is part of a nationwide network coordinating supportive services for seniors as mandated by the Older Americans Act of 1965 and its subsequent amendments. Its programs are tailored to meet the social, nutritional, educational, and logistical needs of residents aged 60 years and older, caregivers, or individuals receiving Medicare, regardless of age. The AAA serves as the region's leader in advocating and providing a variety of services, such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, housing repair, and advocating through the Ombudsman program for people in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

People raising hands in a bright community hall with colorful tablecloths and folding chairs

Marshall-Harrison County Health District to Host “Navigating Aging” Class

By Marshall - Harrison County Health Department • July 13, 2026
The Marshall-Harrison County Health District invites community members to attend the next Building Healthy Futures class, Navigating Aging, on Thursday, July 30, at 1:00 p.m. at the Harrison County AgriLife Extension Office (2005 Warren Drive, Marshall, Texas). Presented by the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas, this free educational class is designed to introduce older adults, caregivers, and family members to valuable programs and resources that support healthy, independent living. Participants will learn about the Area Agency on Aging's evidence-based intervention programs, which are designed to promote wellness, prevent falls, manage chronic health conditions, and improve overall quality of life. Attendees will also enjoy a nutritious snack provided during the class. In addition to the presentation, the Area Agency on Aging will conduct a brief community survey to gather input on the types of aging-related classes and services residents would like to see offered in Marshall and Harrison County. Community feedback will help shape future educational opportunities to better meet local needs. "Building Healthy Futures is about connecting our community with trusted resources that support health and well-being at every stage of life," said Jennifer Hancock, Executive Director of the Marshall-Harrison County Health District. "We're excited to partner with the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas to learn more about the classes and services they offer." The class is free and open to the public. Registration is recommended by visiting mhchd.org or by contacting the Marshall-Harrison County Health District at 903-938-8338.

Older Americans Month Celebrated Across East Texas

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • June 3, 2026
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme was “Champion Your Health.” In recognition of the month, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas hosted three community events in Jacksonville, Marshall, and Athens, bringing together older adults, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and community partners to celebrate healthy aging and support older adults’ independence. More than 420 people attended the three events, where they received information and heard from experts on senior services, exercise programs, fraud and scams, and ways to take an active role in managing their health. Activities included on-site health screenings, evidence-based activity demonstrations, a Dementia Live demonstration, and the TxDOT Car Fit Program for Seniors. At some events, local officials also read proclamations recognizing May as Older Americans Month, including Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, who presented the proclamation in Jacksonville. “We encourage older East Texans and their caregivers to connect with our agency to learn more about the resources and services available to help them live independently and remain active in their communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Special thanks to all event partners, sponsors, volunteers, AAA staff, and participants who helped make these Older Americans Month events a success!
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