Columbus: Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging to Transition to Regional Model
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~ Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Bernita Reese have announced that the Central Ohio Agency on Aging (COAAA) will be transitioning to a stand-alone Regional Council of Governments by 2026. This move is aimed at improving services for older adults and individuals with disabilities in the eight-county region, expanding service models, and launching innovative programs to meet emerging community needs.

According to Mayor Ginther, collaboration across municipal boundaries is crucial in serving the needs of Central Ohio residents. He believes that this transition will allow COAAA to fulfill its mission of supporting people as they navigate the experience of aging or disability.

COAAA was established in 1974 within the Department of Recreation and Parks with only 10 employees. Today, it has grown to over 400 case managers, healthcare providers, and staff who serve more than 14,000 older adults annually in Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties. A strategic plan developed in 2024 revealed that transitioning to a regional government entity governance model would be the best way for COAAA to manage its migration to the MyCare Next Generation service model mandated by the Ohio Department of Medicaid. This move will allow COAAA to adopt best practices from other Area Agencies on Aging in Ohio, meet new state and federal requirements, and ensure operational sustainability. Additionally, it will enable COAAA to increase services, improve partnerships with regional stakeholders, and better prepare for future needs of older adults and people with disabilities while maintaining public accountability and transparency.

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Katie White, COAAA Administrator who will become Executive Director of the new organization in 2026 expressed her gratitude towards Mayor Ginther, Columbus City Council and Director Reese for their ongoing commitment towards older adults and people with disabilities in Columbus. She also assured that there will be no disruption to services or contracts during this transition.

In 2024 alone, COAAA made over 47,000 home visits to seniors in Central Ohio, provided support to more than 500 recently discharged hospital patients with in-home care to prevent accidents and re-admission, educated and informed over 10,000 residents and caregivers through seminars and events, and provided referrals to community resources such as affordable housing, transportation, and caregiver support to more than 37,000 residents.

Fran Ryan, Founder of the Senior Services Roundtable of Columbus and Franklin County also expressed her strong support for this decision. She believes that COAAA's services are a lifeline for seniors in the community and this transition will only enhance their impact in Columbus, Franklin County, and the entire Central Ohio region.

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The creation of the new Regional Council of Governments that will assume COAAA's roles and responsibilities for the Central Ohio region will be spearheaded by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) over the coming months. COAAA aims to complete this transition by the first quarter of 2026.

This news has been tagged as "Media Releases" by officials.

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