Committee approves Richland County 2025–2027 Aging Plan; plan to add community gardening to meal sites

The Richland County Health & Human Services committee approved a three-year aging plan (2025–2027) that the county must submit to the state to maintain Older Americans Act funding.

HHS Director Patricia summarized plan goals: Title III‑B in‑home services and advocacy training for older adults; Title C nutrition programs with a proposed community-gardening pilot at the Rock Ridge meal site to add fresh fruits and vegetables to congregate and home‑delivered meals (with Rockbridge School students assisting on raised beds); Title III‑D health‑promotion classes in partnership with a longtime recreation partner; and Title III‑E caregiver supports including work toward a volunteer 'friendly caller' service to reduce social isolation.

Patricia said the aging advisory board had approved the plan the previous week and that the county must submit the plan to the state by Nov. 8. Committee members raised concerns about the limited local caregiver workforce and high hourly rates from out‑of‑area providers; Patricia described three agencies that still provide caregiver-type services locally and said the county would pursue partnerships rather than attempting to provide every service directly.

Speaker 2 moved to approve the resolution adopting the plan (resolution 10b24); the committee approved the resolution by voice vote. Patricia noted the budget included in the packet is tentative because official budget numbers will not be available until March of the next year.