Amador County – Area 12 Agency on Aging is getting a new executive director beginning in October, while Supervisors are still looking to add to its advisory committee.
Outgoing Executive Director Linda Zach, who is retiring at the end of September, said: “It’s been a good run, we’ve gotten a lot accomplished.” But she is looking forward to more free time. Her replacement is new Executive Director Pauline White, with whom Zach has been working to ease the transition.
Zach said California Department of Aging distributes all of the budget for Area 12 Agency on the Aging. The CDA provides a little bit of funding for Area 12’s nutrition programs, but the rest of the money comes through the federal government, and the Older Americans Act of 1965.
The Older Americans Act comes up for reauthorization periodically, Zach said, and it is currently up for reconsideration and reauthorization. She said: “I’m not too sure it’ll get passed this year.”
The funds go to numerous Area 12 programs, including Meals on Wheels, and seed money for transportation, chore, homemaker and personal care services. She said there is a very small legal care program, and also nutrition and family caregiver support services. “We do have a minor home repair program,” which has a cap on the amount spent on each repair project.
Area 12 covers five counties of Amador, Alpine, Calaveras, Mariposa, and Tuolumne counties, though Alpine is not a member of the Governing Board or Advisory Council. Zach said they work with Laurie Web and Amador Senior Services, through Common Ground Senior Services, in Amador County.
The agency’s goal is to keep seniors in their homes and living independently as long as possible. They offer a pretty broad range of services funded through the Older Californians Act, and a number of programs under that umbrella. All of that funding has been eliminated, Zach said. It remains in California law, and the hope is that it will come back, but the funding was removed two years ago in September, 2009.
Those interested in serving on the Advisory Council may obtain an application by calling the Amador County Board of Supervisors or visiting the Amador County website.
Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
