Alpine Area Agency on Aging
May is Older Americans Month! Senior Awards Ceremony Held May 6th, 2010
More than 80 people gathered at the Arrabelle at Vail Square Thursday May 6th to celebrate and honor the recipients of the 22nd Annual Senior Awards. Those gathered had an opportunity to hear from Jeremy Bloom, the keynote speaker and founder of the Jeremy Bloom Wish of A Lifetime Foundation, who shared his passion for the mission of the foundation and talked about why it is so important to serve our seniors. Remarks were also made by Char Bloom and Laura Wildt who are on the Board of Directors. Attendees also heard from John Bade-Regional Advisory Council Chairperson, Debera Stewart-Colorado Commission on Aging, Jeff Shroll-NWCCOG Council Vice Chairperson, Todd Hagenbuch-US Senator Bennett's office, Stuart Feinhor-US Congressman Polis' office, and the award presenters.
Award Recipients pictured above (L-R): David Abbott, Nancy Abbott, Harlan Land, Jane Land, Glynn Brooks, Bonnie Jolly representing Tolly Gore, Wendy Petefish, Bud Elliott, Roxanne Smith, Jim Fuxa, John Heir, Lorie Williams, Charles Cook. Not pictured: Buzz Dopkin, Peter Friedrich, Peggy Graybeal, Liz Hamill, Barb Smith, Bob Throm. Pictured below (r to l): Ashley Martin (NWCCOG), Jeremy Bloom, Jean Hammes (NWCCOG).
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Program Overview
The Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 established the Administration on Aging (AoA) at the federal level in the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Act is intended to assist older Americans to live independently and with dignity, in their own communities, by removing barriers and providing continual care for vulnerable older adults. AoA awards funds to the State Units on Aging (Division of Aging and Adult Services in Colorado), based on Census Bureau estimates of the number of people age 60 and over. States are divided into Planning and Services Areas (PSAs), so programs can be effectively developed to meet the unique needs of older adults in each area. Colorado allocates funds to 16 Area Agencies on Aging, which, in turn, fund local service providers - an interconnected stream of funds and programs known as the "aging network". Programs authorized under the OAA are intended to serve all persons over the age of 60, especially those with the greatest social or economic need.
The NWCCOG began sponsorship of the Alpine Area Agency on Aging (Alpine AAA) in 1978. The Alpine AAA is the designated regional planning and service agency for senior services in Eagle, Grand, Jackson, Pitkin, and Summit Counties. The Alpine AAA Regional Advisory Council (RAC), mandated by the OAA, was formed in 1980 and acts as the Alpine AAA's primary advisory and advocacy group. A voluntary group of citizens, the RAC represents all counties within the NWCCOG region. Agencies, service providers, and individuals with expertise in aging interests are recruited as "Optimal Representatives" to the RAC. The RAC meets six times a year. Meetings are open to the public. Funding to the Alpine AAA and program objectives are based on the State Fiscal Year (July - June).
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Senior Services in NWCCOG's Region
Eagle County Aging & Adult Services
Grand County Health & Human Services Directory
Pitkin County Network of Care
Summit County Network of Care