Ark Valley Helping Hands, a program that supports older adults in aging safely and independently at home, is transitioning its operations from Chaffee County Public Health to the Central Colorado Area Agency on Aging.
The change comes as aging-related programs face increasing funding challenges at the county, state and federal levels. Officials say the move is intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program while maintaining the services local residents rely on.
Chaffee County Public Health Director Andrea Carlstrom said in a press release that the decision was made with the program’s future in mind.
“Given current funding realities, this transition represents a thoughtful and responsible decision to safeguard the program’s future with an organization dedicated to serving older adults,” Carlstrom said. “While it is difficult to step back from a program we care deeply about, we are confident that placing Ark Valley Helping Hands with a trusted aging-services partner will sustain its impact for years to come.”
According to the release, community members and volunteers should expect little change in the program’s day-to-day operations.
“Older adult community members and volunteers can expect the same trusted programming they’ve relied upon, now under a new infrastructure,” the release stated.
