How Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging Can Help

Northeastern Illinois Agency on Aging is dedicated to encouraging a sense of community and belonging among older adults and plans to offer grants to community centers to address senior’s basic needs, access to resources, and staying connected to the community.  Beginning with fiscal year 2010 (October 1, 2009) Community Connection Center grants can be used to support center programming and for evidence based programs.

The Agency on Aging combines certain services authorized by the Older Americans Act into a “Community Connections Center” cluster (see Funded Services).  Qualified centers may apply for any of the services as defined by this cluster.  Since these Agency on Aging funds are limited, centers are expected to evidence significant local support for center programs from non-Agency on Aging sources.  Centers maximizing cooperative working relationships with the Agency on Aging funded services in the county are highly encouraged.  A local non-federal match of 15% is also required for any Agency on Aging funded service.

The Agency on Aging is using dimensions of wellness as a basis for program funding: Nutritional, Emotional, Environmental, Intellectual, Occupational, Physical, and Social Wellness.

The Agency on Aging envisions the development of attractive older American community centers as a continuation of the Agency on Aging’s Livable Communities for All Ages initiative.  Thus, each center is expected to have a community impact and a focus on community change (organizations, partnerships, agencies, neighborhood groups and individuals who work tirelessly, passionately and collaboratively to make their community a better place in which to live, work and raise a family).  The Agency on Aging will expect OAA service funding to result not only in consumer outcomes, but also community outcomes.