Who We Are
About Us
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas is designated by the Texas Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC) to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited-English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas.
As our population ages, it is important to provide support services that enable our seniors to live according to their choice, independently and with dignity. With a new face accompanying this changing population, we constantly look for new and innovative ways to keep up with the fast-paced baby boomers. We encourage and support volunteer and community groups to get involved.
The Area Agency on Aging is a program of the East Texas Council of Governments serving Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties.
Purpose and Mission
Purpose. The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas is an agency mandated under the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended. The Area Agency on Aging is responsible for providing services in the East Texas Region authorized by the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, to qualified older Texans and their family caregivers. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has designated the East Texas Council of Governments as the Area Agency on Aging for State Planning Region 83111. It serves Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Henderson, Marion, Panola, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt, and Wood counties. In addition, the Area Agency on Aging establishes policies, develops procedures, provides technical assistance, and conducts monitoring of programs as may be necessary to ensure compliance with state and federal law and with all terms and conditions of the contract it enters into with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Mission. The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas serves as the region's leader in advocating and providing various services to our senior population. These services are designed to assist older individuals in living independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
AAA Staff
David Cleveland
ETCOG Executive Director /
Interim Aging Director
Beverly J. Brown
Associate Director of Aging Programs
Aging Advisory Committee
The Aging Advisory Committee is organized within the auspices and administration of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), which has been designated by the Governor of the State of Texas as the Area Agency on Aging planning unit for the East Texas State Planning Region. The Aging Advisory Committee is an integral component of the planning and service delivery system for the East Texas region, providing guidance and support to the state of the Area Agency on Aging.
The Committee was created by resolution of ETCOG's Executive Committee as a voluntary, unincorporated association charged with assisting Aging Program personnel in administering the provisions of health and human services under Title III of the Older Americans Act.
Rodney Anderson
Gregg County
Linda Baxter, Chair
Camp County
Bonnie Andrews
Harrison County
Lee Brown
Gregg County
John Cooper
Marion County
Paula Gentry
Upshur County
Dr. Richard Hackney
Cherokee County
Cay House
Rains County
Connie Lovelady
Henderson County
Donna Marler
Panola County
Greg Muckelroy
Gregg County
Dr. Lila Sparkman
Wood County
Valita Francine Waits
Smith County
Rosie Johnson
Smith County
Texas Silver-Haired Legislature
The first Silver-Haired Legislature was organized in 1973 in the State of Missouri. The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature (TSHL) idea was first conceived in 1979. By 1983, the Citizens Advisory Council of the Texas Department on Aging identified the creation of TSHL as one of the council's legislative priorities. The Texas Board passed a resolution to establish the TSHL on Aging in 1984. The 69 Texas Legislature adopted the enabling legislation SCR 37 on April 3, 1985.
The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature is a nonpartisan and nonprofit organization. Funding is managed by the TSHL Foundation. The TSHL is composed of positions for 123 representatives elected by older Texans 60 years of age and older to serve two terms. Four Texas Silver-Haired Legislators represent the East Texas region.
