Mayor Ginther and Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Bernita Reese have announced that the Central Ohio Agency on Aging (COAAA) will transition from operating within the City of Columbus’ Department of Recreation and Parks to a stand-alone Regional Council of Governments by 2026.

This new operating model will enable the organization to better serve older adults and individuals with disabilities in the eight-county region, further expand its service models and launch innovative programs to meet emerging community needs.

“Like so many of the opportunities we face, Central Ohio residents are oftentimes best served when we collaborate across municipal boundaries to maximize our reach and resources,” said Mayor Ginther.

“I support this transition so that the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging may further fulfill its mission to inform and support people as they navigate the experience of aging or disability.”

COAAA was founded in 1974 within the Department of Recreation and Parks with 10 employees. Today, more than 400 COAAA case managers, healthcare providers and staff serve more than 14,000 older adults annually in Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union counties. A strategic plan developed 2024 found that the agency could best manage its migration to the MyCare Next Generation service model mandated by the Ohio Department of Medicaid by transitioning to a regional government entity governance model.

By aligning agency operations with peer Area Agencies on Aging in Ohio, the agency will adopt best practices, meet new state and federal requirements, and ensure operational sustainability. In turn, COAAA will increase services, improve partnerships with regional stakeholders and better prepare the region for the future needs of older adults and people with disabilities, all while maintaining public accountability and transparency.

“We are deeply grateful to Mayor Ginther, Columbus City Council and Director Reese for their ongoing commitment to older adults and people with disabilities in Columbus. It is because of their partnership that our organization has grown to serve so many adults across Central Ohio. We will continue to serve the region with no disruption to services, providers or contracts during this transition,” said Katie White, COAAA Administrator, who will become Executive Director of the new organization in 2026.

In 2024, COAAA made more than 47,000 home visits to Central Ohio seniors, supported more than 500 recently discharged hospital patients with in-home care to avoid accidents and re-admission, provided education and information to over 10,000 residents and caregivers through seminars and events, and provided more than 37,000 residents with referrals to community resources such as affordable housing, transportation and caregiver support.

“I am in strong support of this decision. COAAA’s services are a lifeline for seniors in our community, and this will only enhance their impact in Columbus, Franklin County and the entire Central Ohio region,” said Fran Ryan, Founder of the Senior Services Roundtable of Columbus and Franklin County.

Over the coming months, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will spearhead the creation of the new Regional Council of Governments that will assume the roles and responsibilities currently held by COAAA for the Central Ohio region. COAAA aims to complete this transition by the first quarter of 2026.

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