Senior Lounge & Boutique, 125 N Washington St, Sonora, CA 95370, US

About Area 12 Agency Profile The Area 12 Agency on Aging, established as a five county Joint Powers Agency in 1988, provides services to approximately 11, 000 older adults. It is part of an aging network which includes 33 Area Agencies on Aging statewide and over 675 nationwide. The A12AA is responsible for providing funds, through an impartial request for proposal process, to community senior service providers who exhibit a high standard of program excellence. As an advocate for older adults, the Area 12 Agency on Aging strives to ensure opportunities for independence and the highest possible quality of life are available to all Area 12 residents 60 years and older. The effectiveness of this agency lies in the knowledge, advice and enthusiastic support provided by the senior community. The A12AA Advisory Council consists of 30 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors in each county, who contribute many volunteer hours serving on community and task forces, visiting grantee agencies in an effort to learn first hand what services are being provided, and working closely with the Area Agency on Aging Director and staff on matters of senior legislation, local program funding distribution and the agency's overall direction and goals. The Council is strengthened by the diversity of its membership. All five counties are represented, thus broadening the Council's capacity to serve and benefit the entire senior population of Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa and Tuolumne Counties Advisory Council members discuss senior issues, plan and recommend agency direction and educate the community through monthly meetings and public hearings. The federal Older Americans Act ( OAA ) was enacted by Congress in 1965 to establish mandates for the provisions and funding of services to the 60-plus population. The Administration on Aging ( AoA ) through state units on aging is responsible for distributing funds and monitoring OAA mandates.