News

Council on Aging will present its draft 2027-2030 Strategic Area Plan at a public hearing, 1-2:30 p.m., May 18, 2026.

As the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties, Council on Aging (COA) is charged with helping communities and individuals to plan and prepare for their long-term care needs. The Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965, which established the framework for the nation’s network of AAAs, requires each AAA to prepare a Strategic Area Plan to foster the development of a comprehensive and coordinated service system to meet the needs of older persons in its region.

Over the past year, Council on Aging worked with various partners to complete a comprehensive community needs assessment. The needs assessment included stakeholder interviews, focus groups and an anonymous survey. The purpose of the needs assessment was to gather information and opinions from people in COA’s service area to help inform the organization’s strategic priorities for the next four years. COA is required to submit findings from the needs assessment as part of its Strategic Area Plan to the Ohio Department of Aging by May 22, 2026, but must first hold a public hearing to collect public input on its draft plan.

Meeting Details: How to attend

Interested parties may attend the meeting in person at Council on Aging’s headquarters in Blue Ash:

Council on Aging
Training Rooms A&B
4601 Malsbary Road
Blue Ash, OH 45242

1-2:30 p.m., May 18, 2026

The draft 2027-2030 Strategic Area Plan may be viewed in advance of the meeting.

• Council on Aging’s Draft 2027-2030 Strategic Area Plan (the draft plan will be posted here by April 17, 2026)

Individuals who are unable to attend the public hearing but wish to provide comment on the plan may submit comments in writing or electronically. The deadline to submit comments is May 18, 2026. Comments may be emailed to Shelby Stout at [email protected] or mailed to Council on Aging, ATTN: Shelby Stout, at the address listed above. Comments sent by mail must be postmarked no later than May 18, 2026.

Background

The Older Americans Act (OAA) of 1965 requires each Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to prepare a Strategic Area Plan to foster the development of a comprehensive and coordinated service system to meet the needs of older persons in the Planning and Service Area (PSA). In Ohio, AAAs submit Strategic Area Plans to the Ohio Department of Aging.

The development process and implementation of the Strategic Area Plan helps to establish the AAA as the focal point on aging in each PSA. The goal of the process is to produce a plan that is strategic in nature and considers the aging environment and issues within the PSA. The plan serves as a long-range view of how systems and supports will be developed and aging services strengthened. The plan includes the assurances that are required of all organizations that receive OAA funding.

Annually, each AAA is required to submit an Area Plan Update to the Ohio Department of Aging with its respective components to report on status and plans for the coming year.

About Council on Aging

Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers.  COA promotes choice, independence, dignity and well-being through a range of services that help people remain independent for as long as possible. 

COA is a state-designated Area Agency on Aging serving Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton and Warren counties. One call to COA links people to the wide variety of agencies, information and programs that serve older adults and people with disabilities.

Regional Headquarters:

4601 Malsbary Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 | 513-721-1025 | 800-252-0155 | www.help4seniors.org

Clinton County Office:

2333 Rombach Avenue, Wilmington, OH 45177 | 937-584-7200 | 800-252-0155 | www.help4seniors.org