Who We Are -- Area Agencies on Aging were established by a federal law called the Older Americans Act. We are one of thirteen (13) Area Agencies in Illinois.

Our Mission – We promote the well-being of senior adults by assisting them to maintain their independence in the community.

Who We Serve – We serve senior adults, family caregivers of seniors, and grandparents raising grandchildren living in the southernmost thirteen counties of Illinois.

Our Goals and Objectives –

1. Funding Services – We administer federal and state funding which supports the programs and services provided through county senior centers and regional service agencies which serve senior adults in southernmost Illinois, only. Nearly all of the services we sponsor are without charge, although there may be a voluntary suggested donation. Use this link to view the services we fund.
2. Planning – We develop an Area Plan every three years with information gathered from senior adults, community leaders, and service agencies. Our Plan describes the programs and services we intend to fund within our area.
3. Development – We create new programs and refine existing programs and services to meet the needs of senior adults.
4. Coordination – We foster connections between the aging network and other agencies to order to improve senior adults' access to services. Our staff are involved in many activities such as serving on various Boards and Councils which make policy that affects older adults, providing information and technical assistance to organizations, surveying older adults in the area to find out their needs, and developing new programs or funding sources.
5. Advocacy – We promote the interests of senior adults by advocating for improved policies for new and existing programs.
6. Senior Employment – We assist individuals aged 55 and older with information about training and employment opportunities.
7. Information - We publish information for social service agencies including our Resource Guide on Aging of aging services and providers of senior services, and are available to discuss services with other agencies and the media. We respond to requests from older persons for information and make referrals. We develop volunteer opportunities for older adults especially with agencies which serve younger generations.
8. Special Projects - We have been working on special demonstration projects which help to meet the needs of senior adults.

Our Legal Purpose --

1. To serve as an advocate by representing the interests of older persons.
2. To conduct, coordinate, and implement social service programs for persons sixty (60) years of age and older in the southernmost thirteen counties in Illinois.
3. To improve the quality of life for older people in southern Illinois by determining their needs, providing a mechanism to determine and establish priorities, and coordinating the development of service programs designed to meet such needs.
4. To receive funds from the Illinois Department on Aging, from all governmental agencies, and from non-governmental sources necessary to implement the purposes of the agency.
5. To make grants and execute contracts for the operation of service projects.
6. To monitor, evaluate and require reports and accountings by recipients of grants and by contractors.
7. To own, or otherwise acquire, use, convey, or otherwise dispose of, or to deal in real and personal property, or any interest therein, necessary to effectuate the purposes of the agency.