Commission on Aging seeks one-time ARPA spending and modest inflation funding to sustain meals and caregiver programs

The Idaho Commission on Aging asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 24 to approve a combination of one-time and modest ongoing funding to draw down remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money and cover inflationary increases to services for older Idahoans.

Colin McGurkin, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the commission “implements the Federal Older Americans Act and Idaho Senior Services Act” and that the agency’s network of six local area agencies on aging (AAAs) delivers services such as meals, transportation and caregiver assistance.

The request centers on one-time federal and state spending to use remaining ARPA balances before the federal deadline of Sept. 30, 2025. McGurkin said the commission requested $1.8 million (federal) to use remaining ARPA balances and a separate $500,000 one-time federal appropriation to pay final invoices and draw down remaining ARPA funds. Of that $500,000, $450,000 was described as payments to AAAs for supportive services, meal programs, modernization projects, caregiver assistance, adult protective services and a pilot to expand the public health workforce; the remaining $50,000 would cover staff time and…