SHERMAN, March 11, 2014 – Susan B. Thomas, PhD, Executive Director of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), announced today The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) through the Texoma Senior Citizen Foundation has been awarded $100,000 in grant funding from the Livengood Charitable Trust for needed dental assistance and other services for our Care Coordination Program.

Dr. Thomas said, “This generous grant will provide many low-income seniors with dental care, hearing and eye equipment and services we would not otherwise be able to provide. Federal and state funding for senior programs and services continues to be cut, and the impact of these cuts is more severe in rural areas like Texoma.”

Grayson County has one of the highest per capita elderly populations in the state of Texas. The AAA receives funds from several different funding sources; however as our senior population grows, the need for assistance will continue to exceed the resources available through government grants and allocations.

The Care Coordination Program is a coordinated, community-based home care program administered by case managers who assist elderly citizens of Texoma, so they can maintain their dignity and personal independence. Services are available to persons 60+ years of age. Case managers assess the needs of older individuals in effectively planning, arranging, coordinating and following-up on services. These services are designed to meet identified needs, which are mutually defined by the client, case manager, and where appropriate, a family member or other caregiver.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.