Regional Organizations Offer
Full Slate of Services

By Zanetta Doyle, Digest Editor

Regional organizations develop and implement programs that directly impact the lives of rural residents and their communities.

A combination of partnerships between communities and regional development organizations, along with support from local and state governments, has resulted in visible strides in rural economic development in the areas of workforce development, assistance to elderly residents, youth-oriented programs, community development, historic preservation and an array of other social service-related initiatives. All of which contribute to human, as well as economic development.

Aging Services a Priority

Quality care for older Americans living in rural areas has been and remains a high concern. There has been increased conversation over the years about how Americans are living longer, and as a result, the US population is getting older. Rural areas are greatly impacted by this trend. In the article Rural Health Issues for the Older Population, author Carolyn C. Rogers revealed that rural areas generally have more older persons in their total population than urban areas. As of 2001, persons 65 and older constituted 20 percent of the US rural population and 15 percent of the urban population. (Rural America, Summer 2002). In addition, the article reported that the older rural population is also more likely to be poor than the urban elderly, which introduces a financial barrier to obtaining adequate health care services. Furthermore, nearly 37 percent of rural elders reported their health as fair or poor, compared with 32 percent of metro elders.

Many factors contribute to the less than quality health care of rural seniors: Inadequate or lack of transportation to visit a health care provider, higher out-of-pocket health expenditures, lack of physicians in rural areas and smaller hospitals. According to Rogers, rural counties without a city of 10,000 had substantially fewer physicians per 100,000 people (80) than those counties with a city of 10,000 or more (147.2).

Regional organizations have long recognized the need for increased quality health care for seniors living in rural communities. NADO’s survey reported that 41 percent of the respondents are involved in or administer aging programs: medication assistance, family caregiving, food banks, senior education and other services.

Caring for the Elderly

The Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments in Winston Salem, North Carolina provides families with relief from their 24-hour caregiving duties through its Family Caregiver Voucher Program. Enrolled caregivers receive payment vouchers for purchasing in-home care, night or weekend respite or adult day-care services. Caregivers receive up to $1,000 in vouchers annually. The council has enrolled 77 caregivers since the program began in January 2002.

Keeping Seniors In the Know

Making sure senior citizens are technology aware is the basis of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Back-to- School Project. The program, administered by the South Plains Association of Governments Area Agency on Aging, in Lubbock, Texas, through school district partnerships, uses high school computer labs, to teach seniors the basics of operating a computer and how to access online medicare/medicaid programs, social security and private healthcare resources.

Expanding and Beautifying

The Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Government’s (COG) Vance County Housing Project in North Carolina, upgraded and expanded an existing senior center, developed 31 elderly apartments and an adult day care and redeveloped a historic school. This project, in which construction costs were $3,250,000, was made possible through a partnership between the COG, county, city, school, aging program entities and a private developer. Funding through a Community Development Block Grant (CDGB) made it possible to remove hazardous material and improve infrastructure.

Economic & Social Development of Communities

In addition to aging programs, the work of regional organizations covers a wide spectrum of service areas. NADO’s 2002 Regional Development Organization Survey reported that 20 percent of the respondents provide various rural housing services including multi-family rental assistance, rural housing preservation, community facility grants and loans and single family loan guarantees. Approximately 68 percent reported that they are involved in or administer Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CDBGs. Forty-four percent reported that they are involved in or administer Health and Human Services Programs.

Whether the project involves renovating abandoned buildings, constructing entire neighborhoods or providing job training, regional organizations’ involvement in these types of activities contribute to the revitalization of rural communities.

Empowering Youth

The Sonoma County Economic Development Board, in Santa Rosa, California and local public/private workforce development organizations, hosts and funds the Sonoma County Youth Business Week. This program introduces teens to the world of employment and entrepreneurship. Young people have the opportunity to interact with local business leaders and educators to learn about operating a business, training opportunities, education and local employment. The program also offers junior college credits and scholarship opportunities.

Discovering Potential

Through the Landscape as Strategy for Development of Bradford Pennsylvania project, the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission provides educational opportunities and community development plans. The project is a partnership between Cornell University and Bradford community leaders. Students have the opportunity to study Bradford’s economic and cultural potentials and recommend land use enhancements. Bradford benefited in receiving cost-free innovative development plans, and students gained experience and earned college credits.

Cleaning Up Communities

The Southern Iowa Council of Government’s Housing Site Improvement Grant Program allows communities to cost- effectively clean up properties and increase tax bases. Cities receive reimbursements of 50 percent for costs incurred in home acquisition, demolition and rebuild preparation costs. Homes are rebuilt within two years and sold to individuals at 110 percent below the median household income level.

For more information contact:

Matthew Dolge or Lucinda Brogden of the Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments at 336/761-2111, or email lbrogden@nwpcog.dst.nc.us

Jerry Casstevens or Pete H. Lara of the South Plains Association of Governments Area Agency on Aging at 806/762-8721, or email plara@spag.org

Neil Mallory or Steve Norwood of the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Government at 252/436-2040, or email snorwood@kerrtarcog.org

Ben Stone, of the Sonoma County Economic Development Board at 707/565-7170, or email bstone@sonoma-county.org

Ronald Kuleck or Erin Dixon of the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission at 814/773-3162, or email edixon@ncentral.com

Tim Ostroski of the Southern Iowa Council of Government at 641/782-8491, or email ostroski@sicog.com

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