for all of those groups as well as providing unbiased, reliable information and assistance to individuals with all levels of income. PCOA is a highly visible and trusted source of information where people of all incomes and ages can turn for the full range of long-term support options and smooth access to public long-term support programs and benefits. PCOA continues to network with numerous entities in Pima County that serve both the aging and the disability communities. PCOA consults with other agencies, as appropriate, regarding specific client needs and provides in-services from other agencies to all direct service staff on topics related to aging and disabilities. PCOA also provides consultation and learning opportunities to other agencies throughout Pima County. Staff from PCOA, staff from other aging service providers, and staff from disability service providers serve on several groups and committees together in the community and therefore have regular networking opportunities. Two groups, the Behavioral Health and Aging Council and the Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation Against Elders offer periodic workshops on a variety of topics relevant to both the aging and disability networks that are open to all professionals in the community. PCOA Intake Specialists are certified through the Alliance of Information & Referral Systems (AIRS) with the credential of AIRS CIRS-A/D — Certification for I&R Specialists in Aging/Disabilities. The AIRS Certification Program is based on established standards for the field of information and referral. The program identifies specific competencies and related performance criteria, which describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and work- related behaviors needed by I&R practitioners to successfully execute their duties. The AIRS CIRS-A/D is designed for practitioners who work directly with clients and caregivers within the aging and/or disabilities area and perform the same basic range of skills and tasks as a comprehensive I&R Specialist but who also have a special depth of knowledge related to their core client group.
3. How will the agency ensure that evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention programs (Highest Tier) are implemented in your planning and service areas?
PCOA rolled out in FY 06-07 its first evidence-based health promotion and disease prevention program, and quickly expanded the provision to five programs: A Matter of Balance, Enhance Fitness, Chronic Disease Self-Management (now named Healthy Living with Ongoing Health Conditions), Chronic Pain Self-Management (now named Healthy Living with Chronic Pain) and Diabetes Self-Management (now named Healthy Living with Diabetes). PCOA will continue to utilize Older Americans Act Title III D funds, participant contributions, grants and fundraising to support the five programs. Partnerships have been built with the City of Tucson and Pima County Parks and Recreation, the Pima County Health Department, and community organizations to facilitate the offering of these classes. As stated in the response to question one above, the Vice President of Health & Community Services will work on modernizing and expanding programs in the Healthy Living area and, thus, working to expand and/or add evidence-based approaches to health promotion.
Region II: PCOA
Area Plan 2024-2027
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