Tri-County Office on Aging
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Mission Statement
Our mission is to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of the aging population. Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) was founded as the Area Agency on Aging in 1974 as a Consortium with Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing. As a not-for-profit organization, TCOA helps older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers access programs and benefits, improve their health, and remain active in their communities. Working in partnership with agencies and service providers across the area, TCOA embraces a person-centered philosophy that focuses on how a person wants to live their life while honoring their preferences. At TCOA, we are part of the community. We serve our neighbors, friends and family members every day. To accomplish the agency’s mission, we connect people who need help to service providers, volunteers, donors, businesses and governments throughout Eaton, Clinton and Ingham Counties and the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing. Although TCOA’s Meals on Wheels is our best-known program, our reach goes well beyond providing nourishing meals. Many of our services are provided at no or low-cost, or have fees based on a sliding scale. TCOA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion aligns with the agency’s overall values and mission to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of the aging population. TCOA continues to promote an environment that is supportive and welcoming of its staff, participants, volunteers, and community members!
About This Cause
Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) was founded as the Area Agency on Aging in 1974 as a Consortium with Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties and the cities of Lansing and East Lansing. As a not-for-profit organization, TCOA helps older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers access programs and benefits, improve their health, and remain active in their communities. Working in partnership with agencies and service providers across the area, TCOA embraces a person-centered philosophy that focuses on how a person wants to live their life while honoring their preferences. At TCOA, we are part of the community. We serve our neighbors, friends and family members every day. To accomplish the agency’s mission, we connect people who need help to service providers, volunteers, donors, businesses and governments throughout Eaton, Clinton and Ingham Counties and the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing. Although TCOA’s Meals on Wheels is our best-known program, our reach goes well beyond providing nourishing meals. Many of our services are provided at no or low-cost, or have fees based on a sliding scale. TCOA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion aligns with the agency’s overall values and mission to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of the aging population. TCOA continues to promote an environment that is supportive and welcoming of its staff, participants, volunteers, and community members. Person-Centered Approach Our way of ensuring you live your life your way! The Tri-County Office on Aging embraces the philosophy of Person-Centered Thinking. In the past, Medicaid or other regulatory standards have governed the process of developing care plans for persons requiring long-term care. The Person-Centered Thinking philosophy recognizes that all participants are unique individuals with needs, wants, goals and dreams. Most people want the same things from life – an interesting and meaningful daily life; close relationships with others; opportunities to socialize and enjoy recreation, opportunities to develop talents and abilities; to be a part of and contribute to the community and feel valued and important. The Person-Centered Approach was designed to encourage people working with individuals in Long-Term care situations to view the individual’s needs through their eyes and to honor their preferences, choices, and abilities. Benefits of a Person-Centered Approach Include: Individualized Planning Sessions Increased respect of cultural preferences Gathering together a group of committed allies who support you A focus on what an individual can do, not what they can’t do Additional choices for our MI Choice/Project Choices participants – Traditional service delivery or Self Determination The Person-Centered Approach continues and builds on the strengths of our system: Health and safety are still top priorities Family involvement is essential when it is available Although person-centered services are a new way of thinking it will be achieved within existing resources. It will not require new appropriations nor will it require a reduction in services now being provided. Person Center Services will not resolve all the difficulties an individual may face but it provides new tools and processes for achieving the results an individual and their family want. Consortium Board The TCOA Consortium Board is a cooperative intergovernmental body composed of elected officials (or their designees) including representation from the Lansing Mayor's Office, Lansing and East Lansing City Councils, and the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham County Commissions. Advisory Council Acting in an advisory capacity to the Consortium Board is the Tri-County Office on Aging Advisory Council. At least one-half of the council consists of senior citizens, appointed by their respective units of government. Remaining members represent community agencies. The Consortium Board approves their appointments. This composition offers the perspectives of both seniors and service providers on aging issues. Friends For Independence Coordinating Council The Friends For Independence Coordinating Council (FFI) was formed to help raise local dollars to supplement public funding by planning and organizing annual fundraisers, such as the Dinner and Auction, Meals on Wheels Charity Golf Outing, and direct mail appeals. The Council is a key part of increasing financial support for TCOA. Q=CSI (Quality Equals Choice, Satisfaction and Independence) Members of the CSI group define quality as perceived by the consumer for Project Choices (MI Choice) and the Self Determination Option, in order to provide, assess and increase quality care. Long-Term Care Collaborative (LTC Collaborative) The Long Term Care Collaborative was established to address the long-term needs and preferences of older adults and persons with disabilities. The Collaborative works to increase choices for persons requiring long-term care. Members of the Collaborative are dedicated to serving or advocating for older adults or persons with disabilities. They work together to develop and maintain the services and supports that people want. The Tri-County Long Term Care Collaborative is committed to improving the array of long term care services in the area. Ingham County Elder Services Millage In August 2020, Ingham County voters authorized a county-wide elder services millage of 4 years (2020-2023) to be used for the purpose of authorizing funding to eliminate wait lists and expand critical services for older persons. Those services include: Meals on Wheels, in-home services, chore services, healthy aging and wellness activities, crisis services for immediate needs such as utility and rent assistance, non-covered medical assistance to prevent serious health crises, information and assistance services to support the community with referrals and resource information, and legal services.