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Region 7 CEO asks county to maintain board representation, outlines aging services
Summary
Dana Alam, new CEO of Region 7 Agency on Aging, briefed the Sand Lake County Board on services the agency passes through to the county (congregate and home-delivered meals, case management, transportation) and urged commissioners to help maintain county representation on Region 7 advisory boards and invite the agency to meetings with state legislators.
Dana Alam, who said she has served as CEO of Region 7 Agency on Aging for about 120 days, introduced herself to the Sand Lake County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 3 and outlined the agency’s role supporting older residents and caregivers.
"We are an area agency on aging, which is a designation from the federal government under the Older Americans Act," Alam said, explaining most of Region 7’s funding comes from state and federal sources and that the agency primarily acts as a pass-through for funds that supplement millage-supported services at the county level. She told commissioners Region 7 pays about $400,000 a year that is routed through the county for services such as congregate and home-delivered meals, case coordination and caregiver support.
Alam said Region 7 serves roughly 50 county residents annually through the My Choice Waiver Program, noting that the program provides about $3,000 per person per year and that she and her staff are advocating to increase slots as the senior population grows. She asked commissioners to keep county seats on Region 7’s board of directors and advisory council filled to preserve local advocacy and requested invitations to events where state legislators are present to support funding efforts.
Alam emphasized the demographic pressures facing the county: "It's a quarter of your population [65-plus]," she said, noting the county’s share of residents 65 and older is higher than statewide averages and that the trend places extra strain on emergency services, health care and caregiver workforces.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions and were directed to staff contacts (Miss Lee and Mr. Walters were identified as county representatives on Region 7 councils during the presentation). The board received Alam’s handout on Region 7’s advocacy platforms and encouraged continued communication between the agency and county officials.
No formal action was taken; Alam’s presentation was informational and the board moved on to routine reports.
