Community Outreach
Advocacy and Educational Programs: Empowering Our Community Advocacy is at the heart of Pima Council on Aging’s mission, supporting both systemic policy changes that benefit all older adults and caregivers, as well as individual advocacy to help navigate complex systems and secure essential resources. In FY23-24, our team worked tirelessly to ensure individuals received personalized support while also amplifying the collective voice of older adults to drive meaningful change at the state and national levels.
INVESTED IN ADVOCACY EFFORTS, primarily supporting individualized guidance and education to help older adults and caregivers access the resources and services they need to thrive.
$ 1,054,786
Never Too Late (NTL): A Trusted Source for Aging Information Our 36-page, bimonthly, full-color newspaper reached 8,500 readers per print issue and an estimated 1,200–1,800 online readers per digital issue. With six issues annually, NTL delivered critical aging services and advocacy resources to over 60,000 combined readers. Copies were strategically placed in libraries, grocery stores, housing facilities, and delivered to Pima Meals on Wheels recipients, ensuring wide access to vital information. Each issue featured timely articles on topics such as Medicare updates, caregiver support, healthy living tips, and opportunities for
Americans Act. These discussions emphasized the importance of sustained funding and support for aging services nationwide. Ombudsman Program: Advocating for Residents in Care Facilities Supported 316 assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, providing residents and families with conflict resolution and advocacy services. • Addressed 1,542 complaints , resolving 1,312 of them to improve living conditions. • Participated in 301 resident council meetings, empowering residents to advocate for themselves without fear of retaliation. • Success Story: Our Ombudsman team facilitated the creation of an independent resident council in one facility, fostering a culture of self-advocacy and mutual support among residents. Education and Community Engagement Through presentations, resource fairs, and events, PCOA engaged directly with 1,300 individuals and reached an additional 10,000 through health fairs and outreach events. These opportunities allowed us to connect with the Pima County community and raise aware- ness about aging services and advocacy.
community engagement. Advocacy Highlights
State-Level Advocacy: Successfully secured $2 million in funding for Arizona’s Area Agencies on Aging, ensuring continued access to essential programs despite challenging state budget conditions. Represented the interests of older adults in legislative discussions, advocating for policy changes that directly impact their lives. National-Level Advocacy: Took Arizona’s concerns to Capitol Hill, leading conversations about the 2024 reauthorization of the Older
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