Ohio Department of Aging
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | June 26, 1984 |
| Preceding agencies |
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| Jurisdiction | Ohio |
| Department executive |
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| Website |
www |
The Ohio Department of Aging is the administrative department of the Ohio state government[1] responsible for delivery of services and support that improves and promotes quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers.[2] The director of the department is the chief advisor to the Governor concerning issues affecting older Ohioans and policy changes at the federal Administration on Aging.[3]
History
In 1966, Ohio established the Division of Administration on Aging, the prececesor to the Department of Aging, within the Department of Mental Hygiene and Corrections.[3] On June 26, 1984, the Ohio Commission on Aging attained full departmental status and became the Ohio Department of Aging.[4]
Director
The current director is Stephanie M. Loucka, appointed by Governor John Kasich in August 2016 following the retirement of Bonnie Kantor-Burman. Director Loucka previously served the department as assistant director from 2011-2013. Most recently, Director Loucka served as the chief of staff for the Ohio Department of Administrative Services. She graduated summa cum laude from Otterbein College with a Bachelor of Arts in history and political science. She went on to graduate from the University Of Cincinnati College Of Law and was admitted to the Bar of the State of Ohio.[5]
Mission and Programs
The department's mission is to provide leadership for the delivery of services and supports that improve and promote quality of life and personal choice for older Ohioans, adults with disabilities, their families and their caregivers.[2] Perhaps their best-known program is the popular Golden Buckeye program. The department administers Medicaid waiver programs that allow older adults on Medicaid to receive the care they need in settings other than nursing homes, such as the PASSPORT home care and Assisted Living Waiver programs. They also administer programs funded by the federal Older Americans Act, such as nutrition and transportation services for older adults, healthy lifestyle program, the civic engagement initiative and more.[6]
With a few exceptions, the department does not provide direct services to Ohioans. Rather, services are coordinated and managed by a network of 12 area agencies on aging. The area agencies screen potential clients, recruit service providers and more. The department monitors the area agencies for fiscal and program compliance.[7]
References
- ↑ Ohio Rev. Code § 121.01 et seq.
- 1 2 "About". Ohio Department of Aging. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- 1 2 "History - Ohio Department of Aging". Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- ↑ Ohio Secretary of State Sherrod Brown (1965). The State of Ohio-Official Roster; Federal, State, County Officers, and Departmental Information. State of Ohio. p. 361. Retrieved 2008-12-13.
- ↑ "Director - Ohio Department of Aging". Retrieved 2011-08-23.
- ↑ "services". Ohio Department of Aging. Retrieved 23 August 2011.
- ↑ "areaagencies". Ohio Department of Aging. Retrieved 23 August 2011.