About Us

Click the links below to jump down to information on:

Mission & Vision | The Older Americans Act | Legislative Priorities | Elder Affairs Commission | Performance Plan | Performance Report | Strategic Plan |
State Plan | Additional Resources

Mission & Vision

The Mission of the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs is: "To provide advocacy, educational, and prevention services to older Iowans so they can find Iowa a healthy, safe, productive, and enjoyable place to live and work. "

The Vision of the Iowa Department of Elder Affairs is: "Iowa will be a destination for older people where they find a welcoming community that offers ample opportunities to live, work, recreate, learn, and volunteer."

Our Department & The Older Americans Act

The Department of Elder Affairs serves a fast-growing segment of Iowa's population- people 60 years of age and older. DEA has two divisions- Policy & Administration and Elder Rights/Home & Community-Based Services- that work to accomplish the wide-ranging goals of the Older Americans Act.

The Older Americans Act (OAA) was enacted in 1965 to promote the well-being of older persons and help them remain independent in their communities. The U.S. Administration on Aging distributes federal OAA funds to states, which, in turn, designate Area Agencies on Aging (AAA's) that provide information and services to older persons. Title III of the OAA provides funds to help states organize and pay for meals and a broad range of home & community based services through the AAA's and hundreds of service providers throughout the state; this structure is commonly called the "aging network". All persons age 60 and older are eligible to receive services, but states are required to target assistance to persons with the "greatest social or economic need".

Each state is required by the Older Americans Act to have a state unit on aging. The Department of Elder Affairs is Iowa's state unit on aging. DEA's responsibilities as the state unit on aging include:

• Coordinating all state activities related to the purposes of Title III
• Developing a State Plan on Aging
• Serving as an effective and visible advocate for older persons by:
  • Reviewing and commenting upon all state plans, budgets and policies that affect elders.
• Providing technical assistance to any agency, organization, association or individual representing the needs of elders.
• Assuring that preferences for services will be given to older individuals with greatest economic or social needs.
• Assuring that preference for services will be given to low-income minority and rural older adults.

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Our Department works with Congress and Iowa's General Assembly

The Department of Elder Affairs monitors both federal and state legislation impacting the lives of older Iowans.

At the Federal level, the Department is available to work with members of congress, their staff, constituency groups and members of the general public. In some cases, the Department may offer written or oral testimony on proposed legislation.

At the State level, the Department is also available to work with members of Iowa's General Assembly, caucus staff, constituency groups and members of the general public on matters affecting the lives of adults over the age of 60. During the state legislative session, the Department may pre-file bills, work to support, monitor or oppose proposed legislation and provide information and resources to the legislative body. The state legislative web site may be accessed at http://www.legis.state.ia.us

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Elder Affairs Commission

The Elder Affairs Commission is charged with serving as a visible advocate for older Iowans. Seven of its eleven members are appointed by the Governor, and four members are elected officials representing Iowa's General Assembly. Follow the link above for more information on the Elder Affairs Commission.

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Performance Plan

Performance Report

Legal Resources & Iowa Law

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