It all started in 1965 when Congress enacted the Older Americans Act (OAA). This Act established the federal Administration on Aging and provided for subsequent benefits for older adults. Amendments to the OAA created 650 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the United States.
The Area 1 Agency on Aging (A1AA) was incorporated in 1980 to manage programs under the Older Americans Act in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. Over the years, the Agency has evolved into considerably more.
1981
By July of 1981 the A1AA entered into annual contracts for the provision of senior services.1982
The A1AA convened Adult Day Health Care Planning Councils to work toward establishment of centers. (Currently three Adult Day Health Care centers exist in Humboldt County and one is under discussion in Del Norte County.)1983
The A1AA, in coordination with other organizations, successfully distributed 2,000 smoke alarms to elders.1984
A1AA became the sponsoring agency for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).1985
A1AA administered California's Senior Center Bond Act and provided remodeling funds to local centers.1986
A1AA was designated the lead agency for the SEED Project - a project designed to promote service integration at the local level. The Agency also developed a North Coast Senior Citizens Foundation and created Elder Abuse Task Forces in each County.1987
The Agency formed a Del Norte County Long Term Care Task Force and was instrumental in starting an adult day care program.1988
A1AA staff chaired the Humboldt County Geriatric Mental Health Task Force and developed a plan for improving services.1989
The Agency, working with the Medical Society, created the Redwoods Medicare Assignment Program to assist low income persons in accessing medical care. A1AA also developed a volunteer program within skilled nursing facilities and started a Gent's Cooking Class for widowers.1990
Agency efforts were instrumental in the development of the Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival. A portion of the Festival profits are used to fund senior programs.1991
The Agency expanded its Retired & Senior Volunteer Program to Del Norte County. A1AA was also successful in being designated as one of only three Project CARE programs in the state. As a result, a multi-year effort to design and implement services for frail elders was launched in the Eel River Valley region of Humboldt County.1992
Senior Information and Assistance became a direct service program of the Agency creating an emphasis that continues today with the provision of senior information, caregiver support, assistance in obtaining services, and outreach. The Agency worked with FEMA to assist elders whose homes were damaged in the 1992 earthquakes.1993
Working with Humboldt County Sheriff's Department, the Agency initiated crime prevention and community policing activities.1994
The A1AA, building on our success with RSVP, launched the Volunteer Center of the Redwoods. Today, we actively recruit volunteers age 13 and older to help meet community needs and promote intergenerational community service projects.1995
The Agency produced the first edition of the Senior Resource Directory.1996
The Older California's Act was amended, giving A1AA new responsibilities, including administering several state funded programs for seniors and adults with disabilities. The Agency established an A1AA Endowment Fund.1997
A1AA began direct operation of the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and also started an employer purchased eldercare benefit program.1998
The Agency expanded services in Del Norte County, including creation of a Single Entry Point for easier access.1999
With Humboldt Senior Resource Center, the Agency sponsored an Aging Summit 2000 to begin community planning for the baby boomer population. The California Osteoporosis Prevention & Education (COPE) project was initiated. The Agency also began computerized collection of standardized client data.2000
The Agency received a $1.7 million bequest from the estate of Jacob Czerwieniec. In addition, the Agency started several new programs including Caregiver Support Project, Seniors Farmers' Market Program and the Partner's Project to introduce persons with disabilities to volunteerism.2001
The Agency received two significant grants - one allowed for the development of the Del Norte InfoCenter and the other started an Intergenerational Visiting & You Program. The Older Americans Act was amended to include funding for family caregiver support programs. In addition, the Agency received a state award for innovation in osteoporosis and public health.2002
Internally, the Agency consolidated the provision of caregiver and information services and entered into a contract with Humboldt County Public Authority to provide a caregiver registry. The A1AA also received a $100,000 Congressional appropriation for Adult Day Health Care Center construction.2003
A1AA receives federal funding to establish one of only two Aging & Disability Resource Centers in California.2004
The Agency hosted a community forum with Assembly Woman Patty Berg entitled "Planning for an Aging Population" to help our community look a the impact Baby Boomers will have. A pilot project to increase exercise among seniors by providing pedometers and information about nutrition was also implemented.2005
The Agency continued its work supporting the development of an Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) Center in Del Norte County. With a CDBG grant from the County of Del Norte, the A1AA completed an ADHC planning and operational document for the County.2006
The A1AA Board awarded $75,000 from the Jacob Czerwieniec Endowment Fund to Humboldt Senior Resource Center to support the construction of the New Alzheimer’s Center.Through its HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program), the Agency helped the community coordinate and effectively respond to the Medicare Modernization Act. Well in advance of the implementation date, HICAP worked with community partners to form an implementation planning task force; recruited and trained new volunteer HICAP counselors; actively participated in advocacy at state and national levels; and hosted a Medicare town hall meeting with Assemblywoman Patty Berg.
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