Central Massachusetts Agency On Aging
THE MISSION OF CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS AGENCY ON AGING
TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR AREA SENIORS AND CAREGIVERS, THE CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS AGENCY ON AGING WILL PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, RESOURCES, COORDINATION OF SERVICES AND ADVOCACY.
This means that the Agency on Aging will continually assess the changing needs of elders and caregivers, and that we, along with others in the aging network, will strive to provide leadership in addressing those needs. We shall proactively carry out a wide range of functions, including planning, funding, monitoring and evaluation, promotion of interagency linkages, information sharing, professional education, technical assistance and advocacy -- all designed to lead to the development of a comprehensive and coordinated community-based system serving each city and town in our planning and service area. This service system shall assist older persons in leading independent, meaningful and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.
Description:
SeniorConnection - Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging (CMAA) is a 30-year-old private, non-profit corporation that works to Help You At The Crossroads of Elder Care. CMAA plans, funds and monitors over 2.5 million dollars of Federal funds under the Older Americans Act for programs serving the needs of elders and caregivers in the 61 cities/towns in Central Massachusetts. People who help elders continue to live independently at home can download The Caregivers' Guide, Caregiver organizers and search the Guide to Elder Services database of more than 1,800 agencies, programs and services in Central Massachusetts. CMAA is a member of the Family Caregiver Support Program of Central Massachusetts and is a member site for SHINE. Information and Referral (SeniorConnection) directs elders and caregivers to services in our planning and service area. Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging accepts donations.
History:
HISTORY
The Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging (CMAA), formerly Region II Area Agency on Aging, was incorporated in September, 1974, in Holden, Mass. An eleven member Board of Directors was formed with individuals from throughout the region. Shortly after the Board was in place, they formed an Advisory Council, which consisted of thirty-four people drawn from consumers, providers and Councils on Aging. The original staff consisted of four persons who managed a budget of $450,000, which covered administration and grants for community-based elder support services.
In 1976, the Agency began administering a Title V, Senior Aide program, which places 38 elder enrollees in various community work settings. The affiliation with this program ended in 2002. In 1977, the Agency gained responsibility for three Nutrition Projects; the overall budget had reached $1.5 million. In 1980, the Advisory Council was sub-divided into three sub-area advisory councils (SAAC’s) in North, Central and South County. In 1983, the Board increased to seventeen members, adding two seats from each of the three SAAC’s.
An Information and Referral (I&R) service was established at the Agency in 1985. In 1987, the State began supplementing the Agency’s federal funds, which had started leveling off in the early ‘80’s; this State supplement ($100,000) ceased in 1990.
The Board of Directors, now with 17 members, changed the Agency’s name in 1989 to more accurately reflect our planning and service area of sixty-one communities in Central Massachusetts. The Agency moved to its current location in West Boylston in 1990. The annual budget is approximately $2.9 million; the staff numbers eleven (8 full time, 3 part time). In 1996, the Advisory Council was reestablished as a single body, and now includes up to 45 members.
In the late 1990's, Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging inaugurated a presence on the world wide web with the SeniorConnection website. Filled with information about the Agency and its Title III grants, it also includes an interactive database of over 1700 programs and services throughout central Massachusetts. In 2002, SeniorConnection was enhanced to include the Connection for Caregivers, a fully interactive website providing information in multiple formats, including a 24/7 peer support group and a monthly live support group.
The Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging is the largest, both geographically (1,500 square miles) and numerically (128,000 elders) of the twenty-three area agencies on aging (AAA) in the Commonwealth. Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging works with three independent aging services access points (or ASAPs, once known as home care corporations) as well as sixty-one Councils on Aging and dozens of human service providers to build the capacity of the entire elder service system.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (508) 852-5425
Address:
 |
360 West Boylston StreetWest Boylston, MA 01583(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.SeniorConnection.org
Directions:
|
Directions to Central Massachusetts Agency on Aging
FROM WEST:
Take I-90 (Mass Pike) to Auburn (exit 10). Take I-290 east to exit 19/20 (I-190). Take I-190 north to exit 4 (W. Boylston). When you get to the bottom of the exit. . . (more)
Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: N/A
Nearest Bus Stop: In Front of Building, 1 minute minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| What is the type of the agency? |
|
501(c)(3)
|
| Does the agency conduct CORI checks? |
|
Yes
|
| Last updated on July 17, 2009 |
