Community Office on Aging
The Community Office on Aging plans, advocates, develops and coordinates programs and services for seniors and at-risk adults in Cuyahoga County. This office also links DSAS and other Cuyahoga County agencies serving seniors and the aging network. Key initiatives of this office include:
Advocacy
The Coordinator of Advocacy monitors and evaluates legislation that impacts seniors at local, state, and federal levels. The Coordinator networks with others in the aging network, advocating for legislation to enhance and improve senior services in Cuyahoga County.
The Community Office on Aging intervenes on behalf of seniors in Cuyahoga County through the Advocacy Committee, a subcommittee of the Cuyahoga County Advisory Council on Senior and Adult Services.
The Advocacy Committee's role is to examine policies, legislation, and to promote issues that will impact seniors at the local, state, and federal levels.
Once a position is adopted by the Advisory Council, action is taken to achieve desired goals that include: postcard and letter campaigns targeted to key legislators, advocacy workshops, community forums, and testimony on behalf of seniors at the state capitol in Columbus. Advocacy Committee members staff advocacy tables at health and information fairs to inform seniors on important issues, and to assist them in reaching their state representatives and senators.
Pertinent information is available on the following web sites:
The League of Women Voters - www.lwv.org
Federal Legislation (Library of Congress) - www.loc.gov
State legislation - www.state.oh.us
Two web sites of particular interest to seniors are:
Social Security - www.ssa.gov
Medicare - www.medicare.gov