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AGING <br /> AGING <br /> Program Description <br /> The Hawai`i County Office.of Aging (HCOA) was authorized in 1966 and is an Area <br /> Agency on Aging(AAA). As an AAA,the Office of Aging is required to prepare and <br /> submit for funding an Area Plan on Aging. The Area Plan describes the manner in which <br /> this office develops its service delivery system for older persons on the Big Island. <br /> Through an approved Area Plan, the Office of Aging obtains federal and state funds <br /> through the State 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 Hawai`i. <br /> The Office of Aging falls organizationally under the Mayor's office headed by an <br /> Executive on Aging. HCOA has an East and West Hawai`i office and is working to have <br /> outreach satellite offices in South and North Hawai`i. HCOA is staffed by an Executive <br /> on Aging, three Aging Program Planners,two Access Managers, five Aging and <br /> Disability Specialists, an Administrative Services Assistant, a Computer <br /> Programmer/Analyst, an Assistant Analyst, and three Information and Assistance Clerks. <br /> The Mayor of Hawaii County and HCOA have established two advisory councils,the <br /> Committee of Aging and the Committee on People with Disabilities. The Committee on <br /> Aging serves as an advisory council to advise HCOA on the development and <br /> administration of the Area Plan, conducts public hearings,represents the interests of older <br /> persons and receive and comment on all community policies,programs and actions which <br /> affect older persons of Hawai`i County. <br /> HCOA also spearheads the Mayor's Committee on People with Disabilities which <br /> purpose is to advise the Mayor on all matters related to persons with disabilities. As its' <br /> primary goal,the committee reviews and recommends actions and provides guidelines to <br /> improve the quality of life for all people with disabilities. This is a new function for <br /> HCOA and attributes to the goal of having a fully staffed and operating ADRC which <br /> provides information, assistance and referral services to people with disabilities who are <br /> looking for long-term services and supports. As its' primary goal, the committee reviews <br /> and recommends actions and provides guidelines to improve the quality of life for all <br /> people with disabilities. <br /> 2 <br />