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Area agency reports No Wrong Door award; local Department on Aging readies fundraiser and senior programming
Summary
The local area agency (WellWise services) reported a new statewide No Wrong Door grant award and said its director will retire in April; the Department on Aging previewed a Soup’s On for Seniors fundraiser, senior activities and rising contingency planning for potential federal funding changes.
Representatives from the local area agency and the Jackson Department on Aging updated commissioners on aging services funding and programming.
WellWise Services—presenting an annual contractor report—said it recently received a statewide No Wrong Door grant via MDHHS that will fund a centralized access point for options counseling and SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) services. WellWise said final budgets arrived last week and that the start date for the program will depend on state readiness reviews; the agency added that it will participate in a statewide awareness campaign tied to the effort.
WellWise also noted contingency planning in the face of federal funding uncertainty, particularly possible changes to Older Americans Act appropriations; contractors were asked to prepare contingencies and prioritize programs based on a community-needs survey scheduled for the fall.
WellWise’s long-serving director said she plans to retire in April; the agency indicated a successor candidate had been identified but that contract and technicalities remained under discussion.
The Jackson Department on Aging previewed its Soup’s On for Seniors fundraiser scheduled for the following day, said it had received dozens of donated auction items and described planned entertainment and live-auction packages. The department said proceeds were expected to support senior services but did not specify a final revenue estimate in the meeting packet.
The Department on Aging also reviewed ongoing senior programming, including cardio drumming, volunteer-driven trivia events and a planned senior prom in May. Staff reported strong community engagement and volunteer support for programming and fundraising.
Commissioners received the reports.
