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AGING <br />AGING <br />Program Description <br />The Hawaii County Office of Aging was authorized in 1966 and is an Area Agency on <br />Aging (AAA). As an AAA, the Office of Aging is required to prepare and submit for <br />funding an Area Plan on Aging. The Area Plan describes the manner in which this office <br />develops its service delivery system for older persons on the Big Island. Through an <br />approved Area Plan, the Office of Aging obtains federal and state funds through the State <br />Executive Office on Aging. <br />Funds obtained for services are contracted to various providers in the community that <br />have shown the ability and willingness to deliver quality programs. AAAs are not <br />permitted to provide services directly. Most of the funding for the Office of Aging's <br />administrative expenses are provided by the County of Hawaii. <br />The Office of Aging has a total staff of twelve: an Executive on Aging, five Aging <br />Program Planners, an Accountant, a Computer Programmer/Analyst, a Data Processing <br />Clerk, and three Information and Assistance Clerks. Additionally, the Aging and <br />Disability Resource Center (ADRC) has one contractual position: an Aging and <br />Disability Specialist II. <br />A Committee on Aging, appointed by the Mayor, advises the Office of Aging in its <br />planning responsibilities. The majority of its members is over the age of 60 and <br />represents every major district of Hawaii County. <br />Specific functions of the Office of Aging include: <br />1. To continuously assess the needs of older persons in Hawaii County and develop <br />programs aimed at meeting these needs; <br />2. To monitor, evaluate, and comment on policies, programs, hearings, and <br />community actions which affect older persons; <br />3. To represent the interests of older persons to public officials and public and private <br />agencies; <br />4. To develop and maintain a public awareness program for older persons; <br />5. To maintain data on the profile and needs of older persons in Hawaii County and <br />have this information available for other organizations and the general public; <br />6. To coordinate planning with other agencies and organizations to promote new or <br />expanded benefits and opportunities for older persons; <br />7. To manage an Aging and Disability Resource Center to provide access to and <br />information on available long term care options for seniors and individuals with <br />physical disabilities; <br />2 <br />