The Johnson County Commission on Aging (COA) is seeking candidates for its annual Leadership in Aging Award, which honors individuals, groups, or organizations making outstanding contributions to the quality of life for older adults and their families in Johnson County.

To request a nomination form, call the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at 913-715-8860 or access the nomination form here.

Nominations must be submitted by Wednesday, Aug. 3, to: Katy Hoffman, c/o Area Agency on Aging, 11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite 1300, Olathe, KS 66061 or via e-mail to HSD-AAAWeb@jocogov.org.

Appointed by the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners, the COA is an advisory body to the AAA and advocates for senior adults in the county.

Human Services is taking a number of precautionary measures to protect our clients, volunteers, and staff as we continue to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19). We are working with Johnson County government to make the best decisions concerning our programs and services. 

Next week, Johnson County Government plans on re-opening government buildings. The re-opening process will phase in services and programs.  Below are the latest program updates: 

Area Agency on Aging (AAA):

IN-PERSON SERVICES: Beginning Wednesday, May 13th, AAA will provide in-person services for walk-in's at the Sunset Office Drive Building for Information & Assistance, Options Counseling, Administrative Case Management, and meal orders for CHAMPSS.

SERVICES AVAILABLE BY PHONE, INTERNET, EMAIL, & TEXT MESSAGES: Information & Assistance will continue to provide services by mail and email. Options Counseling will continue to provide services by e-mail and Zipwhip text. CHAMPSS meal orders will continue to provide services by phone or internet. Administrative Case Management will continue to provide services by email and Zipwhip text. 

SERVICES PROVIDED BY VIDEO CONFERENCE OR PHONE: ADRC will continue waiver assessments remotely via video conference or phone. CARE/Nursing Facility assessments will continue remotely via video conference or phone. AAA will continue to provide assessments and case management for Older American's Act and Senior Care Act services remotely via video conference or phone. 

HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM: The Home Delivered Meal program (Meals on Wheels) will continue to provide weekly frozen meal delivery.

CONGREGATE MEALS: The congregate meals sites are currently closed. 

See Age of Coronavirus: Agencies Scramble to Serve Seniors with comments by AAA Director Dan Goodman  See picture of staff delivering meals.

See Coronavirus Information for Older Adults on the CDC Website
 

Housing Services:

INSPECTIONS: All inspections of resident’s homes on the HOME and Minor Home programs will be suspended until further notice.  Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections of occupied units will also be suspended. The only exception to the inspection rule would be for a move-in inspection of a unit that is unoccupied through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.  Otherwise, inspections will cease until the Federal, State and Local Governments deem the crisis to be mitigated and it is safe to go back into people’s homes for thorough inspections. 

HOUSING SERVICES: Housing programs will remain suspended pending further guidance. Program documents are accepted by USPS, exterior drop box, fax, and email.  Beginning Wednesday, May 13th, a self-service station will be available in the North Central Multi-Service Center lobby. Appropriate forms and self-sealing envelopes will be available at the drop box location inside the building. 

See more from Housing Services in a special COVID-19 Update.

 Outreach Program:

ACCESSIBILITY: In-home visits and homemaker services have been suspended.    

MULTI-SERVICE CENTERS: All Multi-Service Centers client appointments are conducted by phone and email. For those without access to email, required documentation will be exchanged curbside or at reception desks. 

FOOD PANTRY: The North Central Multi-Service Center will suspend all open food pantry hours.  Clients may access the food pantry on an appointment-only basis. To make an appointment, please call 913-715-6653.

CATCH-A-RIDE: Catch A Ride volunteer transportation services are suspended until further notice. 

COURTHOUSE RESOURCE NAVIGATOR: Services will be provided by phone and email. Face to face mediation is suspended until further notice. 

Volunteer Services: 

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT:  Human Services has suspended all volunteer recruitment efforts. We will update our website when volunteer orientations resume. 

VOLUNTEERS: Human Services has suspended the utilization of all departmental volunteers. We will update current volunteers once a date has been established to resume services.