HB 2379, Cosponsored by Representatives A. Hernandez, Gress, C. Hernandez, L. Hernandez, Martinez, Pena, Tsosie, and Wilmeth, recognizes the importance of funding the Area Agencies on Aging in FY 2026 at the same level funding in FY 2024. This bill appropriates $5 million to Area Agencies on Aging for Home and Community-Based Services and $5 million to support housing assistance directed by the Area Agencies on Aging.
Home and Community-Based Services
Area Agencies on Aging strive to keep older adults and younger adults with physical disabilities in their homes as they age. It is estimated that 77% of people wish to remain in their own homes for as long as possible. Home and community based services (HCBS) are critical to achieving this goal. HCBS includes adult day health, assistance with bathing and dressing, meal preparation, shopping, bed linen changing, laundry, caregiver respite, and home delivered meals. Area Agencies are extremely grateful for the $2 million of one-time funding appropriated in FY 2025. However, Area Agencies on Aging continue to be underfunded with a waiting list for home and community-based services of 1,847 statewide as of February 2025.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Housing Assistance for Older Adults
In Maricopa County, 50% of single adults who are homeless are 50 and older and half of those are homeless for the first time in their life. As of September 2024, there are 3,192 homeless older adults over 50.
The Area Agency HIP program has been in operation for over 15 months. So far, 730 clients have had 1,114 cases meet the requirements for the program and received an average assistance of $1,747/client. The most common reasons HIP clients sought intervention and assistance are: unexpected expenses like (medical bills, family emergencies, funeral expenses, car/home repairs, and moving expenses); rent increases; low income; and job loss or reduced income. With most HIP clients receiving eviction or utility cut-off notices, clearly the HIP Program is a demonstrated successful homelessness prevention program.
A participant in the Agency’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event.
Letter from the President & CEO
This past year there have been many opportunities to advocate on behalf of the 106,000 clients we served and the programs and funding that impacted their lives.
When there was a proposed freeze to federal funding, we participated in a joint press conference with Representative Greg Stanton, Representative Yassamin Ansari, and Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community. We were able to testify that the freeze of federal funds would significantly impact services for thousands of clients. Thankfully this did not happen, and critical services were maintained, allowing us to help keep people safe in their own homes.
Another chance to advocate came in April when we received a STOP WORK ORDER for our AmeriCorps Caring Circles program which at the time had 30 AmeriCorps Members and 18 volunteers providing social support to over 300 older adults in Maricopa County. These services included friendly visits, and transportation to medical appointments, the pharmacy and grocery stores. We wrote to both of our senators and sent a letter of support to Attorney General Kris Mayes who had already filed a lawsuit against the order. Thankfully the lawsuit was successful and the program was reinstated.
Arizona Department of Health Services – Suicide Prevention
Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS) Department
Expenses
Abuse in Later Life
Administration
Adult Day Health Care
Advocacy
Amazon Ring
AmeriCorps - Caring Circles
Benefits Assistance Program
Care Transitions
Case Management
Community Care Corps
Community Education & Information
Congregate Meals
Domestic Violence - DES
Domestic Violence - DOJ -Transitional Housing
DOVES
elderSHOP
ElderVention
Family Caregiver Support Program
Goods2Home
Health Promotion
HIV Care Directions
Home Delivered Meals
Housing Assistance
Information & Referral
Legal Assistance
Mosaic Refugee Program
Multi Purpose Senior Centers
Ombudsman
Program Development
Respite
SAIL Home Care
Transportation
Vaccination Campaign
Volunteer Management Services
Total Expenses
Our mission is to partner with our community to foster innovative programs and services to enrich the quality of life for older adults, caregivers and underserved populations.
Community Donors
$35,000 +
Arizona Community Foundation
$10,000 - $14,999
City of Goodyear
Sonora Quest Laboratories
The Mary Kay Family Foundation
$5,000 - $ 9,999
AZ Republic/12 News Season for Sharing
Davidson Family Foundation
Lee & Florence Hines Advised Fund
Southwest Gas Corporation Foundation
Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust
$1,000 - $4,999
American Online Giving Foundation
Arizona Correctional & Rehabilitation Facility Florence West
Charities Aid Foundation of America
Ladies Auxiliary of BPOE 2559
Lakeview United Methodist Church
Methodist Men
Schwab Charitable
Spirit of Grace Lutheran Church
Sun Lakes United Methodist Church
Surprise Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary
$500 - $999
Catholic Daughters of the Americas
Congregational Church of Sun City
COSTCO Wholesale
Desert Palms Presbyterian Church-Presbyterian Women
Fry’s Food Store / Kroger Co. Foundation
GBS Arizona, Inc.
Jokake Construction Co.
Lakeview United Methodist Women
Needle Arts Club of Westbrook Village
New Song United Methodist Church
State Employees Charitable Campaign
Stern Brothers & Co.
Up to $499
Arizona Gives
Deborah and Michael Sandhop Trust
Don and Mary Opila Family Trust
General Federation of Women’s Club Peoria-West Valley Woman’s Club
General Federation of Women’s Club - Paradise Valley Womans Club
Intrinsic Wealth Counsel, Inc.
Katherine Taber Trust
Standard Insurance Company
United Methodist Women New Song
Valley of the Sun Homecare
Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center
Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like my home.
People over 60 are now the fastest-growing group among the growing homeless population. Your year-end charitable tax credit donation can make a difference.
Board and Councils
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Luis Cruz, Chair
Peggy Bilsten, Vice-Chair
Debora Norris, Secretary
Tobias Pierce, Treasurer
Mary Lynn Kasunic, President & CEO
Jeannine Berg
Cyndy Gaughan
Kathy Jefferson
Melissa Johnson
Barbara Micheletti
Frank Migali
Phil Pangrazio
Allie Peckham
Lupe Solis
Brianna Steffes
Johannah Uriri-Glover
Julia Wallace
ADVISORY COUNCIL
Roberta Phin, Chair
Theatis McKissack, Vice-Chair
Nancy Bivins
Marge Cook-Dixon
Katherine Emery
Annette Mast
John McGarey
Arky Muscato
Jody Pelusi
Luz Sarmina
DOVES®
Melissa Flint, Chair
Donna Wirtel, Vice-Chair
Sarah Gallimore, Secretary
Mary Lynn Kasunic, President & CEO
Ryan House
John Norris
Stacey Gandy
As a private non-profit, the Area Agency on Aging, Region One is led by a President & CEO, and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. A dedicated volunteer Advisory Council oversees the Area Plan and provides critical input to programs and services.
The DOVES® Board oversees DOVES Inc., a separate non-profit of the Agency.
