Ashley Hagen Named Program Developer

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Ashley Hagen

We are pleased to announce Ashley Hagen as MNRAAA’s newest Program Developer. Ashley will work in Blue Earth, Nicollet, Brown, Watonwan, Sibley, Le Sueur, Waseca, Martin and Faribault counties.

Ashley has worked for MNRAAA for the past five years in the Senior LinkAge Line. She has previously held the roles of Case Aide, Information & Assistance Specialist, and, most recently, a Community Living Specialist in the Return to Community Department. Before joining MNRAAA, Ashley worked at Prairie River Home Care as Authorization Specialist and Recruiting Coordinator at assisted living and nursing homes in the Mankato area.

Ashley lives in Eagle Lake and enjoys live music, trying new food places, pickleball, pinball, traveling, and hanging out with friends.

When asked why she accepted the Program Develop position, Ashley stated, “I am excited to bring the experience and knowledge I gained through the Senior LinkAge Line to this new role. This position gives me an opportunity for continued professional growth.”

“MNRAAA is fortunate to have Ashley in this role. Through her time working on the Senior LinkAge Line side, she has seen the gaps in services. Now she can take that information to assist communities in expanding their ability to care for older adults and caregivers.” stated Jason W. Swanson, Executive Director.

Ashley can be reached at ahagen@mnraaa.org or by calling 507-387-1256.

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MNRAAA Executive Director Jason W. Swanson invited to the White House

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The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging (MNRAAA) Executive Director Jason W. Swanson attended the Communities in Action: Building a Better Minnesota event at the White House on March 1.

The White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Office of Public Engagement hosted over 50 state and local elected officials and community leaders across Minnesota. Minnesota was the thirteenth state highlighted in a series of “Communities in Action” events that the White House is hosting with state, local and tribal leaders to demonstrate how the Biden-Harris Administration delivers results for the American people.

During the half-day forum, participants heard from Biden-Harris Administration officials – including Department of Veteran’s Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, Chair of the Council on Economic Quality Brenda Mallory, White House Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu, White House American Rescue Plan Coordinator Gene Sperling, Senior Advisor and Director of Public Engagement Keisha Lance Bottoms, Director of the Domestic Policy Council Susan Rice, and Senior Advisor and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Julie Chavez Rodriguez – about the benefits and impact of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, and the CHIPS and Science Act for working families in Minnesota.

“It was a tremendous honor to attend this event. I was privileged to provide an update on our providers’ work during the pandemic and our continued work to expand our programs as we move away from the pandemic,” stated Swanson.

Swanson also addressed Secretary McDonough, a Minnesota native himself, about the forthcoming Veterans Directed Care program expansion. “MNRAAA has partnered with the Sioux Falls VA since 2008. We are happy to see potential expansion to other areas. It was nice to hear the Secretary’s comments on this important program.”

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz provided video remarks, and White House officials heard from participants on the positive impact of these legislative accomplishments. They also discussed how the Biden-Harris Administration would continue to work with states and local governments, labor leaders, businesses, nonprofits, education, and healthcare leaders to leverage these historic investments to create and expand opportunities for working families.

After the meeting, Swanson and fellow Area Agency on Aging Director, Dawn Simonson, met with staff from the Administration for Community Living (ACL). A discussion was had about continued partnerships and collaboration between the aging and disability divisions.

ACL was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities.

“MNRAAA will continue to partner with ACL to assist older adults to thrive,” stated Swanson.

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MNRAAA Announces New Board of Directors Members

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February 3, 2023 – The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MNRAAA) is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to the Board of Directors: Dianne Crowley and Deborah Rezac.

Dianne Crowley of Slayton recently retired as the Finance Director for the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC). During her tenure at SRDC, Crowley worked closely with the Southwest Area Agency on Aging from its inception and through the transition of Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. into a separate entity. Crowley is familiar with many of the programs of MNRAAA and values them, especially the Senior Linkage Line, as a vital link for seniors and caregivers in the area.  Crowley continues to work with her husband on the family farm. Crowley has been active in numerous organizations in Southwest Minnesota, including Girl Scouts, Hospice of Murray County, 4-H and Lake Wilson Study Club. Crowley is interested in assisting caregivers in finding services for their loved ones.

Deborah Rezac of Mankato is a Sales Associate for Cal-Am Properties. Before moving back to Mankato to serve as a caregiver, Rezac was active in Wisconsin’s aging and diversity professions. As a specialist with the Western Wisconsin Area Agency on Aging, Rezac transitioned to the Diversity Director at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. She remains active in diversity efforts within the Mankato area.

Rezac stated that “I want to serve on this board to continue and expand the services to the most vulnerable, to find new ways to build collaborative systems born out of capacities and assets of each community, county, and tribal sovereign nations within the MNRAAA region.” “(We need) to reach those who are not totally computer orientated and visibly work with people who work better one-on-one” was Crowley’s response to wanting to join the MNRAAA Board.

“Deborah and Dianne have worked professionally and at a volunteer level with the aging and caregiving population. They bring expertise and shared knowledge of how we can work to assist older adults to thrive,” stated Jason W. Swanson, Executive Director of MNRAAA.

“Deborah’s experience working in non-profit organizations focused on older adults will bring invaluable information to MNRAAA,” stated Kandyce Peton, Board Chair for MNRAAA. “Dianne’s financial background will be a nice addition to our board. It will be fun working with both individuals,” continued Peton.

The MNRAAA Board of Directors, which feature professionals from the twenty-seven-county area, ranging from a Director of Nursing Services at an area hospital to a registered dietitian, is a volunteer governing board.

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Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging awards over $5 million in grants

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February 1, 2023 – The Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (MNRAAA) has announced 27 Title III funding awards totaling more than $5 million. The awards are funded under Title III of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

As a state-designated Area Agency on Aging, MNRAAA administers OAA funds and is responsible for the development of a coordinated and comprehensive system of services for older adults and their caregivers in Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Swift, Waseca, Watonwan and Yellow Medicine Counties. To accomplish this, MNRAAA awards Title III OAA funding to agencies and organizations that provide direct services for older people (age 60+) and their caregivers.

Congress passed ARPA in 2021 to support older adults and caregivers that are struggling in the wake of COVID-19. Funding under ARPA follows the guidelines established by the OAA.

“MNRAAA is thrilled to partner with these organizations to continue expanding services to older adults and caregivers in our twenty-seven-county area.” MNRAAA Executive Director Jason W. Swanson stated. “These services are integral in assisting older adults in their communities and as independent as possible.”

The following grants have been awarded for 2023:

Title III-B Supportive Services

  1. Central Community Transit (Kandiyohi, Meeker, and Renville Counties)
    • CCT Senior Transportation Program for Transportation and Assisted Transportation
  2. City of Tyler (Lincoln County, City of Tyler only)
    • Tyler Senior Snow Removal for Chore
  3. City of Worthington/Center for Active Living (Nobles County)
    • The Good Life Project for Education/Training and Health Promotion – Non-Evidence Based
  4. Essential Senior Services (Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, and Rock Counties)
    • Essential Senior Services Chore and Homemaker for Homemaker and Chore
  5. Generations Home Care Services (Sibley, Renville, and McLeod Counties)
    • Generations Homemaker/Assisted Transportation Program for Homemaker and Assisted Transportation
  6. Granite Falls Living at Home/Block Nurse Program (Chippewa and Yellow Medicine Counties)
    • Connections for Better Living for Telephone Reassurance, Visiting, Outreach and Health Promotion – Non-Evidence Based
  7. Interfaith Caregivers (Faribault County)
    • Eldercare Program for Chore, Homemaker, Assisted Transportation, and Transportation
  8. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Sibley, Swift, and Yellow Medicine Counties)
    • LSS Older Adults Supportive Services Program for Counseling, Telephone Reassurance and Visiting
  9. Prairie Five Community Action Council (Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, and Yellow Medicine Counties)
    • Connections on the Prairie for Education/Training and Outreach
  10. Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services (27 counties of MNRAAA service area)
    • Legal Advocacy for Older Persons for Legal Assistance and Legal Education
  11. United Community Action Partnership (Cottonwood, Jackson, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock Counties)
    • Assisting Seniors on the Go for Assisted Transportation
  12. VINE Faith in Action (Blue Earth, Le Sueur, and Nicollet Counties)
    • VINE’s Helping Hands Outreach to Elders from Diverse Cultures for Special Access
  13. Waseca Area Caregiver Services (Waseca County)
    • Caring Hands for Homemaker, Chore, Education/Training and Visiting

Title III-C Congregate Meals and Home Delivered Meals (including Federal Title III-C and other funding)

  1. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (Blue Earth, Brown, Cottonwood, Faribault, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Le Sueur, Lincoln, Lyon, Martin, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties)
    • LSS Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Programs
  2. Prairie Five Community Action Council (Big Stone, Chippewa, Lac qui Parle, Swift, and Yellow Medicine Counties)
    • Prairie Five Congregate and Home Delivered Meals Programs

Title III-D Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Funding Recommendations

  1. A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota (Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock Counties)
    • A.C.E. Evidence-Based Programs for Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs
  2. VINE Faith in Action (Blue Earth, Le Sueur, Nicollet, and Watonwan Counties)
    • Finding a Healthy Way thru VINE’s Evidence-Based Programming for Evidence-Based Health Promotion Programs

Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Services

  1. A.C.E. of Southwest Minnesota (Cottonwood, Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, and Rock Counties)
    • A.C.E. Caregiver Support Services for Respite-In Home, Caregiver Counseling, Support Groups and Training
  2. Bethesda (Kandiyohi and Renville Counties)
    • Connect Caregiver Alliance Network for Caregiver Counseling, Support Groups, Training, Supplemental Services – Chore, Supplemental Services – Homemaker, Supplemental Services – Assisted Transportation, and Supplemental Services – Transportation
  3. Caregiver Response Effort & Service Team (CREST) (Martin County)
    • Care Team Support for Caregiver Support Groups, Counseling, Training, and Respite-In Home
  4. Horn of Africa Aid and Rehabilitation Action Network (HAARAN) (Blue Earth, Nicollet Counties)
    • In-Home Respite for Somali American Caregivers for Caregiver Respite-In Home
  5. Interfaith Caregivers (Faribault County)
    • Caregiver Support and Respite Program for Caregiver Counseling, Training, Respite-In Home, and Respite-Out of Home Day
  6. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota (Big Stone, Brown, Chippewa, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, McLeod, Meeker, Renville, Sibley, Swift, and Yellow Medicine Counties)
    • LSS Caregiver Support and Respite Program for Respite-In Home, Respite-Out of Home Day, Caregiver Counseling, Support Groups and Training
  7. Madison Art Gallery (Lac qui Parle and surrounding communities)
    • Madison Caregiver Support Program for Caregiver Support Groups
  8. VINE Faith in Action (Blue Earth, Le Sueur, and Nicollet Counties)
    • Empowering Caregivers for Caregiver Counseling, Support Groups and Training
  9. Waseca Area Caregiver Services (Waseca County)
    • Caring Hands for Caregivers for Caregiver Counseling, Support Groups, Respite-In Home, and Respite-Out of Home Day
  10. Wellspring Faith in Action (Watonwan County)
    • Family Caregiver Project for Caregiver Support Groups, Training and Respite-In Home
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