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   Faith in Action for Cass County was awarded a grant from Older Americans Act (OAA) to provide services to older adults living in Central Minnesota during 2024. 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 (OAA) 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 (AoA) 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, today the OAA 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 2 Native Hawaiian organizations representing 400 Tribes. The OAA 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+ is approaching 30%.  Local services for seniors are the key to helping people “age in place” in their homes and communities. In 2023, Faith in Action for Cass County served 331 people through their programs and 75% of those served were aged 65+. Faith in Action volunteers provided rides to appointments, chore services, building ramps, and offering care giving support. In addition, volunteers drove over 106,725 miles to furnish these essential services to members of our communities. Faith in Action for Cass County is supported partly by state and federal grants, and over 50% of funding comes from local individuals, businesses, civic, and church contributions, and fundraisers. If you have any questions about Faith in Action for Cass County services or volunteer opportunities, please call Theresa Eclov at Faith in Action at 218-675-5435 or visit www.faithinactioncass.com.

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