Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus | City of Columbus website
Mayor Andrew J. Ginther, City of Columbus | City of Columbus website
Mayor Ginther and Columbus Recreation and Parks Director Bernita Reese have announced that the Central Ohio Agency on Aging (COAAA) will transition to a stand-alone Regional Council of Governments by 2026. This change aims to enhance service delivery for older adults and individuals with disabilities across an eight-county region.
“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.”
Established in 1974 within the Department of Recreation and Parks, COAAA now employs over 400 staff who serve more than 14,000 older adults annually in counties including Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway, and Union. A strategic plan from 2024 highlighted that transitioning to a regional government entity would facilitate COAAA's shift to the MyCare Next Generation service model mandated by the Ohio Department of Medicaid. This move aligns COAAA with peer agencies in Ohio to adopt best practices while meeting state and federal requirements.
“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," said Katie White, COAAA Administrator. "We will continue to serve the region with no disruption during this transition.” White is set to become Executive Director of the new organization in 2026.
In 2024 alone, COAAA conducted over 47,000 home visits for seniors in Central Ohio and supported more than 500 recently discharged hospital patients. The agency also provided education through seminars reaching over 10,000 residents and caregivers while offering referrals for community resources like affordable housing.
“I am in strong support of this decision," said Fran Ryan from the Senior Services Roundtable of Columbus and Franklin County. "COAAA’s services are a lifeline for seniors in our community."
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) will lead efforts to establish this new governance structure aimed at completing by early 2026.
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