Faith in Action for Cass County was awarded a grant from the Older Americans Act to provide services to older adults living in central Minnesota during 2020, according to a news release.
This grant provides reimbursement for program services, including transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, shopping and errands, chores and homemaker services and accessibility modifications such as wheelchair ramps and railings.
Congress passed the Older Americans Act in 1965 in response to concern by policymakers about a lack of community social services for older persons. The original legislation established authority for grants to states for community planning and social services, research and development projects, and personnel training in the field of aging. The law also established the Administration on Aging to administer the newly created grant programs and to serve as the federal focal point on matters concerning older persons.
Although older individuals may receive services under many other federal programs, the act is considered to be the major vehicle for the organization and delivery of social and nutrition services to this group and their caregivers. It authorizes a wide array of service programs through a national network of 56 state agencies on aging, 629 area agencies on aging, nearly 20,000 service providers, 244 tribal organizations, and two Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 tribes. The Older Americans Act also includes community service employment for low-income older Americans; training, research, and demonstration activities in the field of aging; and vulnerable elder rights protection activities.
Current census data shows that Cass County’s population of people aged 65-plus is at 26% and growing. Local services for seniors are the key to helping people “age in place” in their homes and communities. In 2018, Faith in Action for Cass County served 356 people through their programs and 76% of those were aged 60-plus. Faith in Action volunteers provided rides to appointments, chore services, building ramps, and offering caregiving support. In addition, volunteers drove over 158,870 miles to furnish these essential services to members of our communities.
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Faith in Action for Cass County is supported by state and federal grant funding, as well as local individual, business, civic, and church contributions and fundraisers.
For questions about Faith in Action for Cass County services or volunteer opportunities, call Theresa Eclov at Faith in Action at 218-675-5435.
