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Council on Aging wins national award for 513Relief bus; county event set Sept. 24
Summary
The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio told Hamilton County commissioners it has served hundreds of older residents through the county's 513Relief bus and won Inform USA's 2024 Innovation Award; the group and the county will stage a free senior event Sept. 24 in Forest Park.
Susan Burke, chief executive officer of the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, told the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 12 that the agency’s work on the 513Relief bus has helped connect older residents to benefits and services they otherwise would miss. “Since joining the bus in 2023 we’ve been on board for more than 70 stops and have served 535 individuals,” Burke said.
Burke described on-site problem-solving the bus enables: when a regular outreach worker, Marche Watson, spoke with a woman named Bobbie who was facing utility disconnection, staff coordinated with Hamilton County JFS and Duke Energy to cancel the disconnection and signed Bobbie up for $50 in farmers-market coupons through the senior nutrition program. “The 513Relief bus demonstrates a commitment on your part to directly connect with residents … to meet them where they are,” Burke said.
Burke told the commissioners the agency nominated the partnership for Inform USA’s Innovation Award and learned in May that it had won in the Cooperative Relationships category. Burke presented the award to the board; commissioners joined staff for photos and praise.
Commissioners said the bus reaches populations who might not otherwise access services. Commissioner Alicia Reece highlighted the county’s broader role in the effort and said the 513Relief program has helped “over 20,000 citizens” through combined outreach efforts.
Burke also announced a county-focused event on Sept. 24 at Word of Deliverance Church in Forest Park, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., tied to Healthy Aging Month. She said the event will offer free medical services and other resources for older adults. Administrator Jeff Aluotto told a Reassist representative after the presentation that staff would collect procurement contacts so county departments can explore technology partnerships.
The board did not take formal action on the presentation; commissioners asked staff to continue coordinating outreach and to include event and partnership details in follow-up materials.
