HCOA Area Agency on Aging (AAA) 4-year Plan 2023 - 2027

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Introduction A. Orientation to Area Plans on Aging Area Plans on Aging are documents submitted by Area Agencies on Aging (AAA’s) to State Units on Aging in compliance with the Older Americans Act for the receipt of subgrants or contracts from the Older Americans Act Title III grant funds. Area Plans on Aging contain detailed strategies outlining the Area Agency’s plan for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and coordinated system in accordance with all federal and state requirements. This plan covers the period October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2027. This Area Plan is made up of four major parts. Part I provides an overview of the older adult population, needs assessment, current programs, services, and initiatives with the County of Hawaiʻi. Part II describes the context in which programs and services are developed. Part III addresses the goals of the State of Hawaiʻi that align with the 5 ACL Topic areas as mandated by the Administration on Community Living. The Summary of Goals includes the local objectives, strategies, outcomes, and evaluation strategies. Part IV describes the current funding allocations and the funding projections for the planning period. The Appendices provide assurances made by the Hawaiʻi County Oﬃce of Aging and other pertinent information. B. An Overview of the Aging Network The Older Americans Act (OAA), enacted in 1965, created the foundation for a comprehensive system of services and supports that enables millions of older adults in this country to continue to live independently as they age. Today, programs funded by the OAA provide essential services to older adults, targeting those with the greatest economic or social need, particularly low-income and minority persons, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older persons living in rural areas. The programs play a vital role in helping to maintain the health and well-being of millions of seniors and their caregivers, reaching one in five older adults. (“ACL Updates” 10/7/22) The OAA established State and Area Offices on Aging, and a nationwide “Aging Network” was created. The purpose of this “Network” is to assist older adults to meet physical, social, mental health, and other needs to maintain their well-being and independence. The OAA authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 state units on aging, 625 area agencies on aging, nearly 30,000 service providers, and 574 Tribal and Native Hawaiian Organizations. The OAA also includes community service employment for low-income older Americans; training, research, and demonstration activities in the field of aging; and vulnerable elder rights protection activities. The OAA was reauthorized in 2016 and 2020. The 2016 OAA Act included provisions to protect vulnerable elders by strengthening the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program and elder abuse screening and prevention efforts. It also promotes the delivery of evidence- based programs, such as falls prevention and chronic disease self-management programs. The Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 reauthorizes programs for FY 2020 through FY 2024. It includes provisions that aim to remove barriers to the aging network by increasing business acumen and capacity building, provide states and localities with the flexibility of deciding the allocation of National Family Caregiver Services between the populations served, and extends authorization of the RAISE Family Caregiver Act and the Supporting 1