About the Alaska Commission on Aging
The
Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA) advocates
for state policy, public and private partnerships,
state/federal projects and citizen involvement that assists each
of us to age successfully in our homes, in our communities or as
near as possible to our communities and families.
The ACoA collaborates with the
Division
of Senior and Disabilities Services, the Department, provider agencies
and the public to develop the Alaska's State Plan for Services
and the Intra-state funding formula to allocate pass-thru grant
funds received from the U.S. Administration on Aging. The ACoA
also collaborates with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
for project and program development, and makes funding recommendations
as required by Alaska Statutes.
Our work involves
planning, advocacy, and interagency collaboration on issues and state
and federal services affecting older Alaskans. The Commission was
established under
AS
44.21.200
in 1982. Effective July 1, 2003 and per AS 47.45.200,
the Commission is now housed in the Alaska
Department of Health, Boards and Commissions
under the Commissioner's Office.
Mission
The mission of the Alaska Commission on Aging is to ensure the dignity and independence of all older Alaskans, and to assist them to lead useful and meaningful lives through planning, advocacy, education, and interagency cooperation.
Guiding Principles
-
The commission has identified eight guiding principles
that provide a philosophical frame of reference for all of the
Commission’s
work:
Quality of Life
-
Seniors will live with dignity and respect and
have an opportunity to receive services to promote and enhance
their physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health.
-
Seniors will attain and maintain personal and financial independence
at the highest level for as long as possible.
-
Seniors will be able to age in place, remain safe in their
own homes, chosen communities or regions of the state in the
least restrictive setting possible.
-
Seniors will remain connected as valued members of their families
and communities with opportunities for maximum mutual benefit
and harmony between generations.
Services
-
Services will provide satisfaction
to seniors and caregivers, and demonstrate positive outcomes
in the lives of seniors.
-
Services to seniors will be provided in as culturally
relevant a manner as possible.
-
Services will be planned and provided in consideration,
collaboration, and coordination with other groups and organizations
in order to make maximum use of existing resources while ensuring
that seniors receive the range of services they need.
-
Service providers will receive adequate training
and professional development to ensure competent delivery of
services to seniors.
Focus and Scope
-
Helping seniors and younger Alaskans to achieve
economic well-being as they age.
- Strengthening support to caregivers.
-
Striving to assure consistently high quality
services.
-
Expanding the availability of appropriate support
services to older rural Alaskans.
-
Assisting grantees and communities to prevent elder
abuse and promote the wellbeing of vulnerable Alaskans.
-
Promoting public awareness and action to achieve
constructive public policy regarding issues that affect Alaskan
seniors.
-
Working to improve health care and health care systems
for elderly Alaskan.
-
Participating in workforce projects for development
and training of direct service and healthcare professions.
For more information, please see the
Alaska
Commission on Aging State Plan for Services.
