HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1984 (37)
R~50LUTION TO RECOMMEND MAINTAINING THE INDEPENDENT STATUS OF THE COUNTY OFFICES
ON AGING.
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- WHEREAS, the "Welfare" image of Social Services st'll persists for many
older persons, making them reluctant in coming to a County Aging Program
located within a Human Services Department; and
WHEREAS, many older persons often retain .strong memories of the depression
years when to be "on welfare'' was a humiliating experience for themselves, or
relatives, neighbors, and friends, and their sense of pride in, being self-sufficient
now creates a barrier; and
WHEREAS, the Older Americans Act has only one eligibility criteria--that of
being age b0 and over or the spouse of a person in that group; and
WHEREAS, Social Service Programs generally require a Means Test, and con-
sequently, Federal regulations would prohibit use of Ol~er Americans Act funds
to provide various other Social Services where some test~,.other than age,, is used
to determine eligibility; and
WHEREAS, the advocacy function and responsibility ~f a County Aging Unit is
almost certainly strongly inhibited by location within Human Services Department;
and
WHEREAS, it is difficult, if not impossible, to take a strong advocacy position
on the utilization of Social Service funds for older persons if one is in a depen-
dency relationship with other Social Service providers ~y being located in the same
department; and
WHEREAS, independent County Aging Programs maximize potential to fulfill the
.intent of the Older Americans Act,
- NOW THERE~bRE, BE IT RESOLVED by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors,
meeting in regular session, that the County Board of Supervisors supports the
independence of County Aging Programs as they seek to fulfill the intent of the
Older Americans Act. Independence should in no way preclude coordination with
other services for older persons but wing programs must cooperate f.~rom a position
of strength as equal partners rathe than being in a subordinate role.
I~ted this day of 1g8~ ,
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Supervisor tty Evjen
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