L’ITALIEN ANNOUNCES STATE GRANT TO SUPPORT METHUEN COUNCIL ON AGING
BOSTON – State Representative Barbara L’Italien (D-Andover) announced today the Methuen Council on Aging (COA) has received a Formula Grant through the Executive Office of Elder Affairs for fiscal year 2006.
The Methuen COA will receive $48,181 to coordinate bilingual outreach, volunteer, and social services. The funds will provide for mental health support, transportation, and dues. Also, the funds will pay for conference / meeting attendance and volunteer recognition. It is the responsibility of the COA to advocate for the health, economic, social and cultural needs of older adults, while encouraging maximum independence. The caring staff of the Methuen senior center has been central in fostering a sense of community among the town’s elderly population and is crucial to the center’s continued success.
“The Methuen Senior Center provides a welcoming environment for socialization, education, health monitoring and advocacy. I am pleased that they are receiving this State grant as they have been stretched in a time of state, federal and local budget cutbacks,” remarked L’Italien. “Congratulations and keep up your exemplary service to Methuen.”
Formula grants from the state to communities are calculated based on a municipality’s population over age 60. Each COA determines its own priorities for expenditures from a broad range of eligible costs established by Elder Affairs. The FY06 budget included a total of $7 million to provide COA programs with a funding increase of $500,000 over last fiscal year.
