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.

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Champion Your Health poster with older adult holding a child on a purple background

Area Agency on Aging to Host Three Community Events Celebrating Older Americans Month

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • April 30, 2026

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 – 1:00 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.

A person wearing a light blue shirt uses a laptop while sitting on an orange circular seat.

Seeking Public Comments on 2027-2029 Area Plan

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • March 26, 2026

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