COUNCIL ON AGING OF SOUTHWESTERN OHIO
Independence. Resources. Quality of Life.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) aims to address the challenges faced by older adults in Southwestern Ohio, including issues related to healthcare access, transportation, nutrition and in-home care services. COA's primary goal is to enhance the quality of life for older adults, promote independence, and reduce inequalities in aging populations.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Area Agency on Aging Services
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging serving individuals across a multi-county region. Our core service area includes Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. We are responsible for planning, coordinating and administrating local, state and federally-funded programs and services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. We promote choice, independence, dignity, and well-being through a range of services that help people remain in their homes for as long as possible.
PASSPORT
PASSPORT is a Medicaid-funded program designed to help older adults with disabilities receive care and support in their home, rather than in a nursing facility. PASSPORT offers a range of supportive services, including housekeeping, personal care, respite care, nursing services, assistance with out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, transitional care, transportation, meals and self-directed care. To qualify for PASSPORT, individuals must be aged 60 or older, low income (Medicaid eligible), require a nursing home level of care (help with at least two Activities of Daily Living and three Instrumental Activities of Daily Living), and should not be eligible for MyCare Ohio. Specific eligibility for particular services is determined through an in-home assessment conducted by a care manager.
Elderly Services Program
The Elderly Services Program (ESP) helps eligible older adults remain independent in their homes by providing services such as personal care, housekeeping, meals, transportation, and more. ESP expands care older adults may already receive from family and friends and prevents unnecessary nursing home placement. COA administers the Elderly Services Program in Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties. Clients who are financially able may be asked to help pay for the cost of their care. Eligibility for the program starts at age 60 (depending on the home county of residence). Individuals must also require help with certain activities of daily living and must not be ineligible for services through another payer such as Medicaid, Medicare, insurance or hospice.
Caregiver Education and Support
Council on Aging's Caregiver Education and Support Program provides free support and connection to resources for family or volunteer caregivers. In certain circumstances, the program can even provide overnight care so caregivers can take a break. The program aims to alleviate caregiver stress and burden, reduce the risk of caregiver injuries, boost caregiver confidence and knowledge, and assist caregivers in achieving a balance between their personal lives and caregiving responsibilities. This support includes consultation by a specialist who will assess the caregiver, introduce relevant resources, make referrals, and provide educational materials. Other resources may also be available. To qualify, the caregiver or care recipient must be at least 60 years old and the caregiver must live in Butler, Clermont,Clinton, Hamilton or Warren counties. There is no age requirement for family caregivers who provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Council on Aging is the region's “front door” to information and resources for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers, and professionals working in the fields of aging and disability services. Individuals can contact Council on Aging's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for unbiased answers, information and advice regarding: housing and nursing homes, financial assistance, Medicare and other benefits, resources for people with disabilities or mental health needs, and caregiver assistance. Assessors in ADRC also provide long-term care consultations to help families evaluate their long-term care options and costs. Council on Aging's call center and website are the initial points of contact.
Assisted Living Waiver
Ohio’s Assisted Living Waiver Program is a long-term care option that combines a homelike setting with personal support services. It’s an alternative for people who need more care than PASSPORT (Medicaid-funded in-home care), but not a nursing home. Privacy and independence are key features of the Assisted Living Waiver. Facilities provide private, single-occupancy apartments with a private bathroom and space for socialization. In addition to private living space, two types of services are provided: 1) assisted living services and 2) community transition services. Clients also have a care manager from Council on Aging.
Eligibility: Age 21 or older; Medicaid eligible (low-income) and able to pay room and board; in need of skilled or intermediate care (help with at least 2 activities of daily living and 3 instrumental activities of daily living); must receive care in an approved assisted living facility.
MyCare Ohio
MyCare Ohio provides coordinated care for Ohioans who are eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, including people with disabilities, older adults, and individuals who receive behavioral health services. An approved managed-care health plan coordinates members’ medical, behavioral, and long-term care needs. MyCare Ohio offers: care management, including in-home visits; all standard Medicare and Medicaid benefits (with option to opt-out of Medicare portion), including doctor and hospital visits, mental health services and
long-term care services provided in nursing or assisted living facilities or in the home.
To be eligible for the Medicaid portion of MyCare Ohio, individuals must be 18 years or older, reside in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, or Warren counties, and be eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
FastTrack Home
FastTrack Home provides older adults with quick access to in-home care services when they are leaving a participating hospital or nursing home. These temporary in-home services support recovery and help prevent unnecessary return visits to the hospital or nursing home. Services such as homemaking, home-delivered meals and medical transportation are set up before individuals return home and remain in place for up to 60 days to help in recovery and prevent unnecessary hospital or nursing home readmissions. Before FastTrack Home services end, individuals are evaluated for ongoing care through the Elderly Services Program (ESP). Eligibility: Starts at age 60 (county-dependent); resident of Butler, Clinton, Hamilton, or Warren counties; be a patient discharging from a hospital or nursing home; be in need of help with activities of daily living; be able to be cared for safely in a home (versus in a nursing home); agree to home visits from a care manager.
Specialized Recovery Services Program
The Specialized Recovery Services Program offers targeted support for adults with severe and persistent mental illness, specific chronic health conditions, or those actively on a transplant waiting list. Eligible participants receive full Medicaid coverage and access services like Recovery Management for tailored care plans, Individual Placement and Support (IPS) for employment assistance, and Peer Support from those with similar experiences. To qualify, individuals must be 21 or older, meet income requirements, have a severe and persistent mental illness diagnosis, be on a transplant waiting list or a previous recipient, or have specified chronic conditions. They should need help with medical appointments and daily living tasks, meet disability criteria (exceptions for certain cases), and not reside in a nursing facility or hospital.
Health and Wellness Programs
Council on Aging offers a variety of free health and wellness programs designed with older adults and caregivers in mind. Programs are available at convenient community locations (some are available virtually) and offer fun, peer-supported and/or evidence-based opportunities to learn strategies for living life to its fullest, such as: managing chronic health conditions including heart disease, diabetes, COPD; healthy eating; managing frustration, fatigue and isolation; exercising for strength and flexibility; improving communication with family, friends and doctors; preventing falls and improving balance; caregiver support; setting goals, and more. Programs are offered at a variety of community-based locations and are open and free to older adults, people with disabilities, and their caregivers in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Warren counties.
Where we work
Awards
C-Suite Award for CEO of a Large Non-Profit Organization 2021
Cincinnati Business Courier
Clinton County Community Champions (C4) Award 2021
Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce
Inspire Healthcare Award 2021
The Health Collaborative
Agency of the Year, Region 6 2021
National Association of Social Workers, Ohio Chapter
Innovation Award, Disaster Preparedness 2021
Alliance of Information and Referral Systems
Project of the Year 2023
The Association for Professionals in Aging
VUCA Leadership 2023
Leadership Council for Nonprofits
North Star Leadership 2022
55 North "Hyde Park Center for Older Adults"
Outstanding Area Agencies on Aging Partnership of the Year 2022
Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (O4A)
Forty Under 40 2022
Cincinnati Business Courier
Medical Mutual Aging and Disability Innovation 2022
Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (O4A)
Practitioner of the Year for Vice President of Program Operations 2022
Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education (OAGE)
Association of Professionals in Aging 2020 Hero Award 2020
Tristate chapter of the Association for Professionals in Aging (APA)
Clinton County Community Champions (C4) Award 2020
Wilmington-Clinton County Chamber of Commerce
Outstanding Area Agencies on Aging Partnership of the Year 2020
Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (O4A)
Inspire Healthcare Award 2017
The Health Collaborative
C-Suite Award for Vice President of People Services 2017
Venue Magazine and Lead Magazine
External reviews

Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of phone calls/inquiries
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of clients served
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of meals served or provided
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of older adults who participated in Health and Wellness workshops.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities as well as their families and their caregivers. COA's primary goal is to promote independence, dignity, and well-being among older adults. COA strives to achieve this by providing a wide range of services and support, including assistance with healthcare navigation, transportation, in-home care services, and nutrition assistance. COA also focuses on advocating for policies that benefit older adults and caregivers, and ensure their voices are heard in the community. COA's overarching aim is to ensure all older adults, regardless of socioeconomic status, have the opportunity to live independently in their chosen environment. Through collaboration, education and community engagement, COA empowers older adults and caregivers, promoting a vibrant, inclusive society that values and respects its older members.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) has developed a comprehensive set of strategies to achieve its goals outlined its 2022-2025 strategic plan. These strategies encompass four key areas:
A. Needs of the Future -Targeted Populations: COA is focused on improving the quality of care for older adults. Focus areas within this strategy include enhancing the home care workforce; improving transportation; and reducing social isolation.
B. Increase Community and Legislative Awareness: COA is working to build partnerships and increase community awareness. Building advocates and maintaining strong relationships with elected officials are key components of this strategy.
C. Strengthen and Position the Organization: This strategy is focused on building a strong organization that is ready to meet the needs of the community it serves. Focus areas within this strategy include improvements to the organization's "front door;" diversifying the management team; enhancing employee engagement; promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging; continuous innovation; and ensuring staff have access to tools, technology, and professional growth opportunities.
D. Enhance and Diversify Programs and Funding: Through a wholly-owned non-profit subsidiary, home52, COA develops and offers innovative community intervention, care management, transportation and other solutions
to prospective partners across a variety of health care sectors. Together, Council on Aging and home52 are experts at helping individuals, families and caregivers manage medical and long-term care needs. Together, home52 and Council on Aging help partners overcome challenges that adversely impact health outcomes, independence and quality of life. COA and home52 create solutions that can be customized for any complex population or need. Leveraging a broad provider network, and as a key partner in the region’s health care network, COA has the knowledge and resources to develop innovative solutions that make a real, lasting impact.
These strategies reflect COA's commitment to adapt, innovate, and collaborate to meet the evolving needs of older adults and the community it serves, ensuring a positive impact on the aging population.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) operates with a comprehensive array of capabilities designed to fulfill its mission of enhancing the lives of older adults, promoting their independence, and mitigating inequalities within aging populations.
1. Comprehensive Service Portfolio: COA offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to specific needs of older adults, caregivers and individuals with disabilities. This includes healthcare navigation, facilitating transportation, organizing nutrition programs, facilitating in-home care services, and offering caregiver support. This diverse array of services ensures that older adults have unfettered access to vital resources that bolster their well-being and preserve their independence.
2. Advocacy Expertise: COA possesses considerable expertise in advocacy, operating across multiple levels of government. Leveraging this expertise, COA champions policies and programs that benefit older adults, ensuring that the voices and needs of older adults are represented in decision-making processes. This dedicated advocacy work is instrumental in minimizing disparities and elevating the overall quality of life for older adults in the region.
3. Community Engagement: COA actively engages with the community through various initiatives, such as events, workshops, and educational programs. These endeavors cultivate a sense of belonging and inclusivity among older adults, creating a nurturing environment that champions their well-being.
4. Collaborative Networks: COA has cultivated valuable partnerships with healthcare providers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community stakeholders. These partnerships enable COA to offer a holistic and coordinated approach to addressing the multifaceted needs of older adults. Through collaboration, COA harnesses resources and expertise to serve the best interests of older adults effectively.
5. Technology Integration: COA enthusiastically embraces technology to enhance service delivery. This includes the adoption of telehealth solutions, online resources and digital communication channels to facilitate older adults' access to information and support. This approach is particularly beneficial in healthcare navigation and remote services.
7. Public Awareness Initiatives: COA conducts public awareness campaigns to educate the community about the unique challenges older adults encounter and to promote access to programs, services and resources. These campaigns play a vital role in educating the community about the variety of programs and services availble to older adults and caregivers.
8. Evaluation and Feedback Loop: COA maintains an ongoing feedback loop with older adults and caregivers, systematically assessing the impact of programs and services. This iterative process allows COA to make the necessary adjustments and improvements to better cater to the evolving needs of the aging population over time.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
COUNCIL ON AGING OF SOUTHWESTERN OHIO
Board of directorsas of 11/02/2023
Karen Brown
Clermont County
Karen Brown
Clermont County
Karen Bankston
Hamilton County
Leonard Wagers
Butler County
Cathy Crain
Hamilton County
Sarah Boehle
Clinton County
Kay Bolden
Butler County
Valarie Boykins
Hamilton County
Mike Carroll
Warren County
James Cowan
Hamilton County
Angela Curl
Butler County
Matthew Durban
Hamilton County
Linda Holmes
Butler County
Eyad Musallam
Hamilton County
Jane Ripberger
Hamilton County
Carl Stich
Hamilton County
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes