The Area Agency on Aging administered by the manages a number of programs that support care for the region's most vulnerable disabled and elderly population in Jackson and Josephine County.
In the Rogue Valley, and combine to make up one of 16 Area Agencies on Aging in Oregon. These Agencies are required nationwide under the Older Americans Act (OAA), passed in 1965 to make up for the absence of social services available to seniors in need.
Joining the Exchange to discuss the services and the impact of proposed federal funding cuts are two guests:
Jon Pfefferle is the Nutrition Program Director at Food & Friends which operates the only Meals on Wheels program in the Rogue valley ( serving seniors and adults with disabilities), as well as 10 congregate dining sites for seniors. Food & Friends served 260,000 meals in 2024 and are projecting 280,000 for 2025.
Monique Clark is the Supervisor of Senior & Disability Services, which offers a wide array of services and program, such as information and assistance, counseling, advocacy, caregiver support, behavioral health programs and more.
