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Council on Aging director says seniors’ services are at capacity, asks parish for funding
Summary
Charlene Rodriguez, executive director of the Food Sprits Ranch Council on Aging, told the council the agency is nearly relocated but facing waiting lists and paused programs; she credited a $10,000 foundation grant and a $175,000 legislative grant and requested additional local funding.
Charlene Rodriguez, executive director of the Food Sprits Ranch Council on Aging, told the Lafourche Parish Council on Jan. 13 that the organization is "99.99% moved" into a new facility but is operating at capacity and has begun a waiting list for seniors seeking services.
Rodriguez said programs including meals-on-wheels are paused because demand exceeds available funding and capacity. She thanked the Bay Community Foundation for a $10,000 grant to help homebound seniors and said Representative Joe Ozeron secured a $175,000 grant to assist the group's office, equipment and supplies.
Why it matters: Local senior-service providers depend on a mix of foundation, legislative and parish support. When programs are at capacity, residents who rely on in-home services may face delays in receiving meals and other supports.
Council reaction Council members expressed concern. Councilman Lorraine asked whether the meals program and other services were on hold; Rodriguez confirmed "All of them" and said they were at maximum capacity. Lorraine pressed the council to seek additional funding for centers and noted the burden of centers paying their own electric bills.
Next steps Rodriguez supplied meeting agendas and minutes to the council clerk and asked the council to consider additional funding sources. No formal appropriation was made during the Jan. 13 meeting; council members indicated the issue will remain on their radar for budget discussions.
