Area Plan
A roadmap for service priorities and community investments
The State of Indiana requires each of its 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to complete an Area Plan on a biennial basis to ensure that limited public funds allocated by the Older Americans Act and state budget are used to meet priority services. The Area Plan serves as a roadmap for community investments, helps establish service priorities, and increases coordination and collaboration with other organizations.
FY26-27 Area Plan
In assessing needs for the FY26-27 area plan (linked below), CICOA is conducting an area-wide public hearing on May 12, 2025 to solicit public comment regarding community priorities. Comments and feedback may also be submitted via the online form below. CICOA also considered data from the census as well as input from stakeholder meetings held during its recent strategic planning process.
Priority needs in the next area plan are:
- Services for Older Adults with Greatest Economic and Social Need: includes home and community-based services, transportation assistance, caregiver support, and nutrition programs
- Improving Service Access and Quality: reducing wait lists, enhancing caregiver education, and ensuring that services are culturally competent
- Advocacy and Awareness: advocating for polices that improve the social safety net for older adults.
These priority needs guide our Board, Advisory Council and staff as we evaluate and fund programs, and as we work with other interested community stakeholders on ways to help make Central Indiana a place where all flourish.
FY24-25 Area Plan
Per the Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended, each AAA must develop and prepare an Area Plan with adjustments made as necessary on an annual basis. The Plan update and extension serves as the basis of agreement between the DA and the AAA and is a requirement to maintain AAA designation. The Plan must outline and include certain assurances and provisions regarding services and recipients of services funded with Older Americans Act funds and all other funding sources.
In addition to outlining the goals and objective related to older residents, their families and caregivers, the Area Plan serves multiple purposes:
- Documenting tangible outcomes planned and achieved as a result of long-term care reform efforts;
- Translating activities, data and outcomes into proven best practices, which can be used to leverage additional funding in some cases;
- Providing a blueprint for coordination and advocacy activities our agency will undertake to meet the need of older adults, including integrating health and social services delivery systems; and
- Building capacity for long-term care efforts throughout our area
CICOA's current Area Plan allows for an extension of the 2022-2023 Plan and covers October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025.