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The NC Aging Services Plan and Local Area Plan

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, through the Division of Aging and Adult Services, is required by NCGS 143B-181.1A and the Older Americans Act to develop a state Aging Services Plan. The intent is to use the plan as a blueprint to guide the development of aging education, services, and policy to further improve the quality of life for seniors and their families. The plan covers a four year period. It defines the issues facing North Carolina seniors and aging baby boomers.

The Division's current plan is titled:
Putting the Pieces Together: Building Livable and Senior Friendly Communities

The main components are:

• Physical and Accessible Environment
• Healthy Aging
• Economic Security
• Technology
• Safety and Security
• Social and Cultural Opportunity
• Access and Choice in Services and Supports
• Public Accountability and Responsiveness

There are fourty objectives for the four year period of 2007-2011.

2007-2011 North Carolina Aging Plan

The state plan then guides the Area Plan on Aging required of each of the seventeen Area Agencies on Aging. The last plan developed by each Area Agency covers the period of July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2008. The plans address the work mandated by requirements of the Older Americans Act. They also incorporate the six areas of Performance Standards for Area Agencies. Those standards address:

• Management and Staffing
• Planning
• Funds Administration and Quality Assurance
• Information Brokerage
• Program and Resource Development
• Advocacy

Each plan describes in detail how the Area Agency will work toward the goals of the state Aging Services Plan and how the Area Agency will meet established performance standards and criteria. The Division of Aging and Adult Services reviews and approves the plans and any annual amendments that an Area Agency may wish to make to respond to current needs. The goal is to have a comprehensive and coordinated statewide system of services and protections and to ensure appropriate and relevant advocacy for older adults.

Triangle J Area Agency on Aging's mission and vision statements work toward and support this goal.

Using the state and regional Area Agency plans, local aging agencies have an understanding of where they should directing their efforts to serve and assist older adults and family caregivers. Some take the initiative and develop written strategic plans to guide the county.

In Region J, Wake County has put their Aging Plan online and have gathered together a group of interested individuals from both the public and private sectors to oversee the implementation and to inform the public. They call this plan the GOLD Coalition (Growing Older, Living with Dignity). For more information, visit their website.

GOLD Coalition of Wake County