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Our mission is to assist the senior
citizens of Jefferson Parish to age with dignity and independence in
the place and manner of their choice.
Quick Links: Purpose -
Donations & Funding - Public
Policy
Who are we?
Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc. (JCOA) is a nonprofit corporation
under Louisiana State Statute (LA R.S. 46:1601 and 46:931) and is tax
exempt per IRS code 501 (c) (3). The board of directors is established
as the authority to operate JCOA in accordance with bylaws and board
policies.
JCOA business is conducted in accordance with state law, its articles
of incorporation, bylaws, board policies and generally accepted
business practices that will accomplish the JCOA mission and goals.
JCOA is the designated Area Agency on Aging for Jefferson Parish. JCOA
is responsible for advocacy and planning a comprehensive and
coordinated variety of services that are available to approximately
80,000 persons age 60+ in Jefferson Parish.
JCOA is managed by a professional staff that is supervised by a twenty
one member volunteer Board of Directors.
Purpose
The purposes of the Council shall be to serve the senior citizens of
the Parish of Jefferson, such as to collect facts and statistics and
make special studies of conditions pertaining to the employment,
financial status, recreation, social adjustment, mental and physical
health and other conditions affecting the aging people in the Parish;
to keep abreast of the latest developments in these fields of activity
throughout the Parish, the State and Nation; to conduct public
meetings; to make recommendations to proper authorities for needed
improvements and additional resources to promote the well-being of
aging people; to implement the recommendations, and to assist and
cooperate with Departments of the State, Parish and Municipal
governments and with other organizations serving the aging people; to
develop, implement and provide services and programs for the aging to
be conducted within the Parish; to administer, conduct and provide
services, activities, programs and financing for the above stipulated
purposes.
Source: Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc.’s By-Laws: Article II-Purpose
What Else Should I Know?
JCOA provides the following services: Information and Assistance,
Transportation, Congregate Meals, Home Delivered Meals, Utility
Assistance, Legal Services, Health Insurance Counseling, Senior
Employment and In-Home Services including Homemaker, Personal Care and
Respite. JCOA operates eleven Multipurpose Senior Centers conveniently
located in communities throughout Jefferson Parish.
In addition, services through our National Family Caregiver Support
Program provide multi-faceted systems of support for caregivers,
regardless of age, who are caring for an older individual. This also
includes service to relative caregivers age 60+ who are caring for
children age 18 or less who have mental disabilities.
For more information and eligibility guidelines about any of our
services, call our Information and Assistance Department at (504)
888-5880 or toll free: (800) 635-1437.
A word about funding…
As the Area Agency on Aging for Jefferson Parish,
JCOA receives much of its funding from the Governor’s Office of Elderly
Affairs (GOEA). These funds are both federal and state appropriations.
The federal funds are primarily those derived from Older Americans Act
(OAA) appropriations through the Administration on Aging (AoA). In
addition JCOA receives funds from the parish and from some
municipalities located in Jefferson Parish. Persons who receive
services provided by JCOA are asked to make contributions towards the
cost of the service that they receive. JCOA does not operate
entitlement programs. Even though JCOA does receive public funds and is
quasi-governmental, it is not part of state or parish government.
Remember JCOA in your planned giving!
The Jefferson Council on Aging is a 501(c) (3)
organization and all donations are tax deductible. Complete the secure
on-line information to make your donation. Your on-line donation is
through a secure site called Pay Pal.
Click Here to Donate Online.
You may also send your tax deductible contribution to:
Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc.
6640 Riverside Drive Suite 140
Metairie, LA 70003
If you do not designate a specific program, your donation will go into
Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc.’s Endowment Fund.
Public Policy Statement
…That, the Board of Directors of the Jefferson Council on Aging, Inc.
…does hereby establish as Public Policy for the Jefferson Council on
Aging, Inc.:
• To provide any assistance possible to senior citizens of the parish
which allows them to age in the location and manner of their own
personal choice, and the efforts of the Jefferson Council on Aging,
Inc. in this regard shall strive to consider and be mindful of the
special needs and concerns of the elderly women, minorities, and rural
citizens within our parish.
• That transportation services for all senior citizens should be
available to meet their needs and concerns.
• That multi-purpose senior centers should provide all possible
assistance, and act as focal points for the actual delivery of health,
social, nutritional, educational, and recreational services needed by
senior citizens.
• That health education and prevention should be fostered through such
means as enhanced public awareness, individual and group participation,
and public and private cooperation.
• That senior citizens in need of special personal services in time of,
or to prevent, personal emergencies, or crisis should be given every
assistance and consideration.
• That assistance and cooperative efforts with civil defense, law
enforcement, and other appropriate emergency and disaster organizations
and services should be fostered, in consideration of the special needs
of the elderly, particularly those who are disabled or home bound.
• That those families which act as caregivers for senior citizens who
live with them should be encouraged and assisted in their endeavors.
• That the efforts of appropriate officials in the areas of crime
prevention and victim assistance should be fostered and assisted with
the compassion and understanding so important to the particular needs
of senior citizens.
• That senior citizens are encouraged to be active and productive
members of their community and their community life.
• That important other needs of the elderly, such as housing,
employment, and recreation and leisure activities, shall be given all
appropriate assistance.
Approved: JCOA Board
November 15, 1984
Resolution #84-056 Ability is
Ageless
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