Specifications include, but are not limited to:. The North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging (NCTAAA) is a program of the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG). It is a regional organization that plans, coordinates and delivers services for persons age 60 and over and their family caregivers. The NCTAAA serves residents of the 14 counties surrounding the Dallas/Fort Worth area. These counties are: Collin, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, and Wise. Part of a national network created by the 1973 amendments to the Older Americans Act, it is one of 28 Area Agencies on Aging in the State of Texas. Its primary funding source is Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC), which monitors NCTCOG for compliance with the Older Americans Act, the Texas Administrative Code, and other governing documents. The NCTAAA administers nutrition programs that include both home-delivered meals that are delivered to participants’ homes and congregate meals that are served at senior centers, senior residential communities, and other community centers. Due to funding limitations, its practice has been to fund congregate meals only, to the exclusion of activities that may be essential in terms of maximizing older adults’ participation in the congregate meal program. The NCTAAA recognizes the vital importance of meaningful activities as incentives to participation in congregate meal programs and wishes to make available small grants for Senior Center Operations. As the region deals with a pandemic that has shuttered senior centers—and plans for safe re-opening—it’s likely that quality programming will assume even greater importance as older adults weigh costs and benefits associated with re-engaging in social interactions. Should older adults not feel safe in participating in live events, senior centers will be challenged to develop new remote delivery methods for their programs. Per HHSC Service Definitions, Senior Center Operations are defined as “the operation of community facilities where older people meet together to pursue mutual interests, receive services and take part in activities which will enhance their quality of life, support their independence, and encourage their continued involvement in and with the community.” The NCTAAA’s primary interest is in funding innovative programs that are provided to congregate meal participants, and funds awarded through this solicitation may be used for expenses that include, but are not limited to, professional services, program materials, and outreach. “Innovative programs” may include educational, recreational, social, and fitness programs that are made available to congregate meal participants for the first time, as well as existing programs that are enhanced or expanded (e.g., marketed to new audiences). Contact Information Website: https://www.nctcog.org/aging-services/subrecipient-and-contractor-opportunities
