Board approves $1.75 million in one‑year in‑home services contracts for Area Agency on Aging

Johnson County authorized term and supply contracts with multiple vendors to provide in‑home services through the Area Agency on Aging (AAoA) for an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,750,000 for the one‑year term beginning Dec. 1, 2025.

Tim Wolf, director of Aging and Human Services, said the contracts cover a range of in‑home assistance — including personal care, bathing assistance, attendant care, respite and medication management — intended to help older adults remain in their homes and avoid long‑term placements. Wolf said 25 firms reviewed the IFB and 16 responded; the county has re‑awarded to all responsive bidders in recent years because no single vendor can provide all services across the county.

Board members asked about provider monitoring and client recourse. Wolf said providers conduct background checks on employees, the county’s business operations team performs annual audits that include employee‑file review, staff maintain relationships with clients and can reassign providers when issues arise, and quarterly provider meetings surface systemic concerns. "If a client or a resident is having an issue with a provider, they will notify us immediately," Wolf said.

Chairman Kelly highlighted the program’s stated impact in the briefing packet, saying it will serve roughly 640 clients a year and noted the fiscal case for in‑home services: "A nursing facility cost for a Medicaid bed per client is $96,000 a year. And for this service, the annual cost is $2,734. That's a cost avoidance of $93,266 per client," Kelly said.

Staff described the funding mix supporting the contracts: the Older Americans Act (about $232,000), the Kansas Senior Care Act (about $983,000) and county allocations including Age‑in‑Place/agent care funding (about $535,000) that together make up the $1.75 million authorization.

Commissioner Burke moved to authorize contracts to the named vendors for an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,750,000; Commissioner Hanslick seconded. Roll call was 6–0 in favor.