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Harvey County Department on Aging reports increased contacts, rides and grants; outlines services and program growth
Summary
Lona Kelly, director of the Harvey County Department on Aging, reported growth across information/referral contacts, transportation services, evidence-based classes and mill levy grant distribution, and outlined funding sources and program partnerships.
Lona Kelly, director of the Harvey County Department on Aging, presented the department’s 2024 activity report to the Harvey County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 4, saying the office expanded services across information, caregiver support, transportation and outreach.
Kelly reported 4,295 recorded contacts in the department’s information, referral and assistance activities, an increase of 223 over the prior reporting period. The department expanded its Matter of Balance fall-prevention classes and added a stress-busters caregiving class; calls for caregiver assistance rose by 63 and respite hours funded by Older Americans Act grants increased.
Kelly said transportation services included 5,235 rides under general transportation (up roughly 200 rides for 2024) with 359 persons recorded as served in general transportation. The department contracted non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) through Motive Care and reported 890 Motive Care rides in 2024, bringing in about $6,001.33 that offsets some required program match. A local community foundation, the Asbury Park Foundation, provided about $3,147 of rides to 35 people in 2024 for the Find a Way program serving very low-income riders.
On senior center support, Kelly said five senior centers receive mill levy grant funding. Total unduplicated persons served through mill levy grants was 2,746 and total mill levy funds distributed to those centers were $91,082, which Kelly said equates to about $33.17 per older adult served. Farmers market vouchers distributed through the department served more than 150 people and brought approximately $7,500 into local fresh-food purchases during the distribution period.
Kelly also outlined RSVP volunteer figures (AmeriCorps Seniors) with 92 active volunteers and said the department expanded outreach via social media and a department newsletter; the newsletter reached roughly 693 recipients and social posts had a total reach of 12,249 in the prior year. Kelly said Meals on Wheels partners with Newton Medical Center and other grant sources to serve homebound residents.
Commissioners thanked Kelly and noted the breadth of services; no formal action was taken at the meeting on the Department on Aging report.
