Board briefed on Disability, Aging and Veteran Services area plan 2025–2029; vote expected March 18

Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services (DAVES) staff on Tuesday presented a draft Area Plan for 2025–2029 that sets the county’s priorities for services to older adults, veterans and people with disabilities and describes funding sources, performance measures and partner responsibilities.

Rebecca Miller, DAVES supervisor and area agency on aging director, led the presentation and said the plan runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. The Area Plan is prepared under requirements tied to the federal Older Americans Act and the state’s rules for area agencies on aging; staff said it is guided by a community needs assessment, a public comment period and a steering committee.

Why it matters: the Area Plan establishes the county’s strategy for distributing Older Americans Act funds and related state programs, sets priority populations and measurable objectives, and informs the county’s aging-services contracts and the aging-services budget (fund 198). County staff said the plan drives service delivery priorities and the use of federal, state and local match dollars.

Plan highlights - Timeline and scope: plan period July 1, 2025–June 30, 2029; annual updates will be provided to the state and the board. - Focus areas: the plan includes nine focus areas—six prescribed by state guidance plus veterans, social isolation and loneliness, and emergency preparedness. Staff said emergency preparedness was added in recognition of recent wildfires and other emergencies, and that social isolation remains a persistent need after the pandemic. - Priority populations and approach: the plan identifies priority populations with greatest economic and social need and emphasizes partnerships, culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach, and targeting of resources where there are service gaps. - Service design and metrics: staff said the plan emphasizes higher-intensity services for clients already enrolled in case management and increased screening and programs for fall prevention and social isolation. Durable medical equipment and chore services will be tied to enrolled services to improve wraparound outcomes. - Budget and match: staff noted the plan aligns to the aging-services budget (fund 198). Older Americans Act funds require a local match (some titles require 25 percent, others 15 percent), and the plan documents how staff time and in-kind contributions are used to meet match requirements. Staff said detailed budget spreadsheets are available and will be included in the March 18 board package.

Process and public input Miller said the plan was developed over roughly 18 months, including a needs assessment completed in late spring and summer 2024, community engagement and a 30-day public comment period. The plan includes appendices documenting the public process, advisory council structure and updates from the previous planning cycle.

Board discussion and next steps Board members praised the plan’s comprehensiveness and asked staff to present a concise summary for the public. Chair Catherine Harrington requested a presentation tied to the March 18 board vote, saying she wanted the board to be able to explain how federal and state dollars translate into services for residents. Staff said they will return to the board later in March with the plan for formal approval and will make a one- or two-page summary available as well as the full document under “strategic plans” on the county website.

Ending note DAVES staff said they will submit the final plan package and budget details for board review in March and will provide annual updates to the state and the board during the plan period.