Karen Hill

Warren County Community Services, Inc.

570 North State Route 741

Lebanon, OH 45036

513-261-2288

karenh@wccsinc.org

December 16, 2005

741 Senior Center Designated Community Focal Point

The 741 Senior Center, a program of Warren County Community Services Inc., has achieved the designation of the Community Focal Point for Aging Services in Warren County. The Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, under the direction of the Ohio Department on Aging and Title III of the Older Americans Act, awarded this designation to the 741 Center on Tuesday, December 20 during the senior lunch program held at the center. The Center was awarded the highest designation, Level III. The 741 Center also was awarded the 2005 Outstanding AAA/Provider Partnership of the Year award at the annual meeting of The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging in September.

This community focal point designation is based on criteria exemplifying a high quality of supportive services to those who come to the senior center as well as to homebound older adults. All WCCS Inc. Aging Programs received a perfect program and unit audit earlier this year. The services offered by WCCS, Inc. to area older adults encompass all the programs and services of the 741 Senior Center including trips, educational and cultural programs, health and wellness screenings and programs, along with many opportunities to learn about benefits and services for older adults and their family members.  The WCCS Inc. senior nutrition program offers an excellent noon time meal, Monday through Friday, at the 741 Center and sites in Mason, Morrow, Lebanon, South Lebanon, Franklin, and Waynesville. These meals meet 1/3 of the recommended daily allowance as defined by the FDA and are available for a suggested donation of only $2.00 for persons 60 and over or their spouses of any age.  In addition, over 500 home delivered meals are prepared fresh Monday through Friday at the 741 Center and delivered to area homebound seniors.

WCCS also provides homemaking, personal care and respite care services, as well as assistance with insurances, Medicare and Medicaid, prescription assistance and help with other paperwork, documents and benefit applications that seniors may have difficulty understanding. WCCS supports seniors through the Weatherization Program that promotes home energy efficiency and the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) that assists with utility and fuel bills. Staff are available to link seniors with home repair programs, food resources and benefits that help seniors maintain independence in their homes. WCCS Inc. houses the Elderly Services Program (ESP) case management and intake and assessment teams for Warren County as well as being one of the providers for the ESP program.  The county Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), with 286 volunteers serving Warren County non profit organizations is also administered by WCCS Inc. The agency manages eight senior housing sites in Warren County serving 362 seniors, with the ninth site opening in Deerfield Township in March 2006. “We have so many opportunities and services available at WCCS for older adults, whether they have an immediate need in any of the service areas or are looking for a place to meet new friends and learn new things,”  states Michelle Carpenter,  741 Senior Center Coordinator.  WCCS Inc., a non profit organization, celebrates their 40th anniversary of “strengthening the fabric of our community” for all Warren County residents in 2006. For more information on the center or any of the services of WCCS Inc. please call 513-695-2239.