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Reports & ToolkitsAs the nation’s population ages, counties face increasing demand for comprehensive systems of care for older residents. Counties provide critical services to enhance the lives of older adults age 50 and over, from active adult programming and in-home services to hot meals and referral services.County Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Aging Services
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County Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Aging Services
As the nation’s population ages, counties face increasing demand for comprehensive systems of care for older residents. Counties provide critical services to enhance the lives of older adults age 50 and over, from active adult programming and in-home services to hot meals and referral services. Often, aging services fall within the authority of county human services agencies and are supported by local funding streams and federal funding provided by the Older Americans Act. Aging services vary depending on local needs, but often include transportation, nutrition, support for caregivers, recreation, in-home assistance, disease prevention and more. During COVID-19, counties are exploring ways to continue core services and reduce the spread of the coronavirus to this high-risk population. They are also exploring ways to increase communication to older adults and their caregivers during times of isolation.
Lewis County, N.Y.
Lewis County Department of Social Services and Office for the Aging is partnering with the Strong Schools’ Strong Community program to recruit teachers whose schools have closed to volunteer their time to go grocery shopping, make medicine pickups at pharmacies and handle other important errands for older residents.
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Piatt County, Ill.
Piatt County Services for Seniors, a long-running outreach program of the Piatt County Nursing Home, offers a variety of services for elderly residents. During COVID-19, Services for Senior’s shuttle services are being repurposed to bring the elderly supplies. Additionally, Piatt County Public Transportation, Piatt County Services for Seniors and Faith in Action are partnering to deliver groceries on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and items from pharmacies on Tuesdays and Thursdays to older residents.
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Orange County, N.C.
To reduce health risks associated with COVID-19, the Orange County Department on Aging suspended all activities in the county’s two senior centers. Since that time, staff have modified programs and services to support seniors, including recruiting additional volunteers for their Telephone Reassurance Program that provides wellness checks to senior citizens. Staff are also reaching out to isolated individuals through letters, text messages and phone calls, providing DIY Activity, Craft and Fitness packets with meal deliveries and offering virtual fitness classes to elderly populations.
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The health and safety of residents are paramount for counties. County human services staff are on the frontlines providing essential medical, nutrition and financial assistance and economic supports to children, families and older adults at a critical time in our country and helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
As the nation’s population ages, counties face increasing demand for comprehensive systems of care for older residents.2020-05-29Reports & Toolkits2023-04-11
As the nation’s population ages, counties face increasing demand for comprehensive systems of care for older residents. Counties provide critical services to enhance the lives of older adults age 50 and over, from active adult programming and in-home services to hot meals and referral services. Often, aging services fall within the authority of county human services agencies and are supported by local funding streams and federal funding provided by the Older Americans Act. Aging services vary depending on local needs, but often include transportation, nutrition, support for caregivers, recreation, in-home assistance, disease prevention and more. During COVID-19, counties are exploring ways to continue core services and reduce the spread of the coronavirus to this high-risk population. They are also exploring ways to increase communication to older adults and their caregivers during times of isolation.
StandardThe health and safety of residents are paramount for counties. County human services staff are on the frontlines providing essential medical, nutrition and financial assistance and economic supports to children, families and older adults at a critical time in our country and helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

About Ashleigh Holand (Full Bio)
Director, Counties Futures Lab
Ashleigh is the director of the Counties Futures Lab. She oversees the organization’s grant-funded programs that help counties across the country improve community outcomes on key local issues including early childhood development, public health, criminal justice, economic mobility and resilience.More from Ashleigh Holand
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Blog
Changes enacted to federal immigration policies as Title 42 expires
On May 11, “Title 42”, a pandemic-era policy that allowed for the rapid expulsion of asylum seekers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ended. In anticipation of the end of Title 42, several changes to federal immigration processes have been made, which impact county governments. -
Press Release
National Association of Counties Releases Data on Mental Health Crisis
Commission on Mental Health and Wellbeing Advocates for Policy Solutions at White House, on Capitol Hill -
Webinar
Familiar Faces Initiative: Model Jurisdictions for Improving Outcomes through Coordinated Health and Justice Systems
May. 11, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:30 pmIn 2022, NACo relaunched the Familiar Faces Initiative during Mental Health Awareness Month to support counties and cities in better meeting the needs of their familiar faces—individuals with complex health and behavioral health conditions who frequently cycle through jails, homeless shelters, emergency departments and other crisis service -
Blog
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This blog post is sponsored by NACo partner Deterra. Empower Your Community: Enhance Drug Disposal Programs with At-Home Deactivation & Disposal Solutions -
County News
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Counties like Santa Clara County, Calif. have expanded their mental health services offerings for employees. -
County News
County program offers opportunities for developmentally disabled residents
Prince George’s County, Md.’s Project HIRE finds good fits for residents with special needs, enriching county departments and participants’ work experiences.
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Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
June 13, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmEnsuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.06132:00 pm<p>Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.
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Webinar
Prenatal-to-Three Peer Learning Network: How the Social Determinants of Health Impact Families and Children
June 15, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pmEnsuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.06152:00 pm<p>Ensuring that parents and caregivers have access to what they need to raise healthy babies helps build a strong foundation for all future learning and development.
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Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
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Director, Counties Futures Lab(202) 942-4238
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Program Director – Health & Human Services(202) 942-4251
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BlogChanges enacted to federal immigration policies as Title 42 expiresMay. 12, 2023
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Press ReleaseNational Association of Counties Releases Data on Mental Health CrisisMay. 11, 2023
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