Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging

We are passionate about connecting with social work students and recruiting the best job candidates for various roles at our agency. On Tuesday, COAAA’s HR Team attended Capital University 's Social Work Fall Field Education and Career Fair, where they networked, shared our mission and highlighted the benefits of working at COAAA.

If you missed the hiring fair don’t worry, we still have open positions! Email your resume to [email protected] or apply online: https://bit.ly/48o6wXI

Visit our Indeed profile to view a full list of available positions: https://indeedhi.re/3QvBiH6

National Preparedness Month: Build A Kit

Have you considered the supplies you may need to take care of your kids, older adult relatives, or family members with a disability who may use medical devices after a disaster? It is also important to think about what your pets will need. Visit Ready's Build A Kit page and learn about the basic items we all need to stay safe.

Learn more: https://www.ready.gov/kit

National Senior Center Month — acknowledged every September — spotlights the vital role senior centers play in the health and wellbeing of older adults. Senior centers offer resources and services unique to older adult interests and needs.

Celebrate National Senior Center Month in September September is National Senior Center Month—your opportunity to showcase your senior center and promote a positive image of aging well. Join us as we learn from one another, tell our stories, and raise our senior center voices.

September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Blood transfusions are a vital treatment for people with sickle cell disease and other blood disorders. You can help those in need by making a blood donation!

Tomorrow, we will be hosting a blood drive with American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in our Education Center. Free, convenient parking will be available for all attendees.

To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code: COAAA.

It is always rewarding to connect with people in the community, oftentimes putting a face to a name or individual who has been impacted by our work at COAAA. YoLanda Lewis, Director of Community Engagement and Workplace Wellness, shared the following experience from the 2024 Columbus GospelFest last weekend:

"COAAA staff connected with Bob, a member of the Columbus Coalition for the Homeless. He shared that he emailed our Administration and was pleased with our customer service. Within one hour, Terence, COAAA's Housing Resource Specialist, emailed Bob and agreed to attend a meeting. He also shared that YoLanda responded to his email. To Bob's delight, he was speaking with me. It's nice to meet individuals from the community, as Bob stated, putting a face to the name."

On Tuesday, September 10, we will be hosting a blood drive with American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM in our Education Center. Free, convenient parking will be available for all attendees.

To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code: COAAA.

COAAA is closed Monday, September 2, 2024 to observe Labor Day. We'll reopen on Tuesday at 8 am.

September is National Preparedness Month, a reminder of the importance of having a disaster and emergency plan in place. The 2024 theme is "Start A Conversation," with a special focus on Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. All month-long, we will be sharing important information, tips and resources on how to prepare yourself, families and loved ones for disasters and emergencies.

Learn more: https://www.ready.gov/september

We had an amazing time connecting with people at the Legislative Town Hall & Resource Fair at the Columbus Metropolitan Library on August 27. The event was hosted by State Representative & Assistant Minority Leader Rep. Dontavius L. Jarrells.

Legislators and local, county and state agencies provided support and resources for a variety of needs, including utilities, rent assistance, unemployment and more!

August 29, 2024
Notice of Public Hearing: Title III Waiver Requests

To comply with federal requirements, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA) will hold a public hearing to present the 2024 direct service waivers for public review and comment. COAAA is seeking these waivers from the Ohio Department of Aging so that we may continue to provide select services within the eight-county Planning and Service Area as served by COAAA.

The public hearing will be held on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held by Microsoft Teams. Registration is required: ff3eed4d-5510-4d43-b051-947547396d06@8321f3cb-20dd-49bb-9ed1-2cafc7357e1a." rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/ff3eed4d-5510-4d43-b051-947547396d06@8321f3cb-20dd-49bb-9ed1-2cafc7357e1a.

Waivers proposed are for specific services that can be furnished in a cost effective and consistent manner throughout the eight counties and can be made available by COAAA without the potential for a conflict of interest are as follows:

Volunteer Placement to support the Volunteer Guardian Program being provided through Older Americans Act Title III-B funds in the amount of $150,000.

Housing Assistance Program being provided through Older Americans Act Title III-B funds in the amount of $75,000.

Evidence-based programs, including Chronic Disease Self-Management, Chronic Pain Self-Management, Geri-Fit, and Matter of Balance, being provided through Older Americans Act Title III-D funds and Senior Community Services funds in the amount of $94,459.

The waiver request documents may be reviewed beginning 08/30/2024 at the COAAA office or by written/email request. Written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on 09/09/2024. Mail written comments to Sean Bartlett, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, 3776 S. High St., Columbus OH 43207 or email [email protected]. For further information, please contact Sean Bartlett at [email protected].

COAAA’s partnership with Molina Healthcare of Ohio and Aetna Better Health was featured in Aging and Disability Business Institute, a publication produced by USAging.

The report showcases the Social Drivers of Health Accelerator Program, an effort between COAAA, Molina, and Aetna that strives to close gaps in care, improve health equity, and improve outcomes for older adults. Learn more,

Building Collaborative Contracts with Health Care: Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Molina Healthcare of Ohio and Aetna Better Health - Aging and Disability Business Institute The latest publication, Building Collaborative Contracts with Health Care Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Molina Healthcare of Ohio and Aetna Better Health, from USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute, … Continue reading "Building Collaborative Contracts with Health Care: Central O...

The Ohio Department of Development and Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging will help income-eligible Ohioans stay cool during the hot summer months. The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides eligible Ohioans assistance paying an electric bill or assistance paying for central air conditioning repairs. The program runs from July 1-Sept. 30.

To apply for the program, clients are required to schedule an appointment by calling 800-589-7277. Clients need to bring copies of the following documents to their appointment:

- Copies of their most recent energy bills.
- A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency for all household members.
- Proof of disability (if applicable).
- Physician documentation that cooling assistance is needed for a household member’s health (if there isn’t a household member over the age of 60).

More info, https://bit.ly/3s3qY0z

Extreme heat is making its way through central Ohio over the next couple of days. Be sure to check on older adult neighbors and loved ones during this time. It’s also important to be aware of heat-related symptoms. For more information on that, visit the National Institute on Aging - NIH page, https://bit.ly/3XiZcdy

Do you need help at home? COAAA case managers connect older adults and individuals with disabilities to services that help them live independently and safely in their own homes.

To learn more about COAAA's in-home service programs, and eligibility, visit https://bit.ly/3MeWpLX

You can also rely on COAAA to provide information on additional resources and services outside of COAAA's work, and we can make referrals to those resources.

This week, Tammy, COAAA's Family Caregiver Program Manager, visited Walnut Hill United Methodist Church, where she hosted a workshop on Accessing Aging Services from The Caregiver Toolbox.

Learn more about Accessing Aging Services: https://bit.ly/4dE3lP6

You can request in-person or virtual speakers, presentations and workshops on our website: https://bit.ly/4cbVffp or contact Jane Acri, Community Education Program Manager at [email protected].

It's almost two weeks to go before the deadline to submit photos for the 2025 COAAA Calendar Photo Contest! Thirteen winning photos will be featured, one for the cover and one for each month.

The contest is open to residents 50 years of age and older who live in COAAA’s service area: Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union. Learn more, https://bit.ly/3STg7R9

COAAA’s Summer Spectacular was a success! Last Thursday’s event, which gave COAAA staff a fun, unique, and memorable lunch experience, featured food trucks, ice cream, games, and karaoke. It was made possible through the hard work of COAAA’s Employee Recognition Committee. A good time was had by all!

COAAA staff, family and friends had a great time connecting with the community while supporting African American Men's Wellness Day this past Saturday! We participated in the 5K walk and run and hosted information exhibits at the Senior Pavilion, where we engaged with 550 people! It was great to show support for this health and wellness initiative, while sharing information about our programs and services for older adults and caregivers.

To learn more about the event, visit: https://aawellness.org/columbus-ohio/

In honor of our 50th anniversary, we will continue to offer free Continuing Education workshops for the rest of the calendar year!

For over 30 years, COAAA has demonstrated clinical excellence and a dedication to continuous learning by offering high-quality continuing education workshops that cover a range of relevant topics. Continuing Education workshops provide education credits for social workers, nursing home administrators, counselors, and other aging network professionals. The Ohio Board of Nursing accepts workshops approved by a board or agency that regulates a health care profession or related discipline in Ohio. COAAA is an approved provider for Social Work and Counselor continuing education.
COAAA offers up to 30 different workshops per year, including programs that meet social work ethics and supervision requirements.

Visit our website for more information and to see a full, detailed schedule of workshops: www.coaaa.org/cms/education/

Medicare covers preventive services that can help you stay healthy and catch problems early. Anyone with Medicare can use these services and there is no need to sign up or apply. If you have questions, contact COAAA at 800-589-7277, or Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP), at 800-686-1578.

COAAA, https://bit.ly/3R6B75m

OSHIIP, https://bit.ly/3uiHx6f

Last weekend, we hosted a table at the 2024 Unity Praise and Worship Festival at Mayme Moore Park, where we had the opportunity to share information about our programs and services. The event was sponsored by Bronzeville Push for Peace of Bethany Presbyterian Church.

Did you know: You can request in-person or virtual speakers, information tables, presentations and workshops on our website: https://www.coaaa.org/speaker_form.php

For more information contact Jane Acri, Community Education Program Manager: 614-645-3866 or [email protected].

COAAA's African American Male Wellness Walk Committee put together more than 150 goody bags to give away tomorrow. Stop by the Senior Pavilion where we will be hosting information tables for older adults and caregivers!

For more information: https://aawellness.org/columbus-ohio/.

Great topics were covered at yesterday’s Columbus Metropolitan Club (CMC) forum. The panelists, which included COAAA Director Katie White, discussed program and policy innovation, social connection, foundational services for older adults, retirement considerations, and additional issues related to housing, transportation, and healthcare needs.

COAAA was honored to be with Chanda Wingo, Franklin County Office on Aging; Kalitha Williams, AARP Ohio; and Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, Age Friendly Columbus and Franklin County. Thank you CMC for including us in the conversation! Watch the full forum on YouTube, https://bit.ly/3SCdPWD