Board approves three older‑adult grants for transportation and meal delivery

Douglas County commissioners on June 24 approved three grant agreements totaling $420,000 to expand older‑adult transportation and meal delivery services, funded from accrued interest on local American Rescue Plan Act funds previously allocated for the county’s older adult initiative.

Jennifer D’Ambrosio, community programs coordinator, told the board that the older‑adult initiative set aside $1.5 million in ARPA interest for competitive grants supporting residents age 60 and older. The three agreements approved were:

- Castle Rock Senior Activity Center: $189,000 to add an estimated 5,109 trips for older adults countywide for door‑to‑door transportation services. - Nourish Meals on Wheels: $100,000 to expand meal delivery, proposed to provide hot meals to 100 clients three times per week, totaling approximately 10,000 meals; the budget includes $32,501 in one‑time costs for expansion and $67,500 for meal preparation and delivery. - Aging Resources of Douglas County: $131,000 to add an estimated 3,541 one‑way trips.

Jennifer D’Ambrosio said the grants were recommended by the older adult executive committee and were approved by the board on May 19 for funding recommendations; the June 24 meeting included the formal grant agreements. An online commenter, Debbie Haney of the Castle Rock Senior Activity Center, thanked the board and said the center recently provided more than 1,100 rides in a month.

Commissioners praised the initiative as responding to transportation and meal‑delivery needs flagged during a recent senior town hall, and the board approved each agreement by voice vote.