WellWise CEO highlights staffing, federal funding and local planning in semiannual report

Carol Lorenz Goings, chief executive officer of WellWise Services, presented the agency’s semiannual report to the Jackson County Human Services Committee and described operations across three counties. "I'm Carol Lorenz Goings, the CEO at Wellwise Services," she said, reporting that the agency has "85 ish employees now throughout the 3 counties, Jackson, Lenawee, and Hillsdale County" and works with more than 80 contracted providers.

Goings outlined recent financial and program milestones: Older Americans Act expenditures in Jackson County through February 2026, a state infrastructure grant that is funding software and building renovations expected to be completed toward June, and a forthcoming multiyear planning process for fiscal years 2027–2029 (the fiscal year runs Oct. 1–Sept. 30). She said the agency received its full-year federal Older Americans Act award and will hold a public hearing on its community needs assessment on May 19 at 10 a.m. in the WellWise office. Goings also listed upcoming events the agency will host or support, including an elder-justice lunch-and-learn on June 4, an annual celebration on June 16 and a Safe Haven benefit on June 24.

Commissioners moved to receive the report and approved it by voice vote. The chair reminded the committee that these recommendations and personnel nominations are forwarded to the full Jackson County Board of Commissioners for final appointment at next Tuesday’s meeting.