Council on Older Persons (COOP)
The Council On Older Persons (COOP)
The Council On Older Persons (COOP) is an advisory committee of The Center for Community Solutions, COOP’s mission is to promote a better understanding of aging and address the issues and concerns of older persons in Greater Cleveland through citizen-led needs assessment, policy development, community education, and advocacy. COOP’s members include leaders in the aging network who come together to develop strategies, lead advocacy efforts, and implement solutions.
Health, Human Services, and Aging Committee Meetings (HHSA)
The Health, Human Services, and Aging Committee reviews and makes recommendations on legislation concerning the various county social services agencies, including Department of Job & Family Services, the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board, and Senior and Adult Services.
History of COOP
The Council on Older Persons (COOP) was established as a committee of the Federation for Community Planning (now CCS) around 1940. Its purpose was to study the field of the care of the aged and to make recommendations for improvements of programs for older people, analyze available resources, and be influential in meeting the needs of the aged.
By-Laws
The Council on Older Persons (COOP) serves as an advisory committee for The Center for Community Solutions and as a resource to support communities, organizations, and institutions to promote the well‐being of older adults through education, awareness, and advocacy. Read the COOP By-Laws.
Accomplishments
In its nearly 70 years, COOP has been instrumental in the development of many significant programs and laws for older people, both locally and nationally. A few of them are: The PASSPORT program; the Ohio Guardianship Law; the Ohio Adult Protective Services Law; the Cuyahoga County Department of Senior and Adult Services; and the OPTIONS Program.
Issues
COOP’s focus is centered on issues and programs that affect the well-being of all older persons. These include the range of choices for long-term care and adult protective services. COOP is also identifying and studying concerns of older persons that can be addressed through public policy; recommending action strategies to impact these issues; and implementing the strategies approved by COOP members.
Principles
COOP adopted principles which are non-partisan and contain broad statements that can be applied over time. The principles provide a framework to guide direct or indirect contact with federal, state, and local legislators as well as other entities that influence public and social policy associated with older person and those who are disabled.
COOP Members
- Wendy Albin Sattin, Executive Director, Community Partnership on Aging
- Camille Ali, MA, CDP, Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
- Susan Althans, Director of Philanthropy/Board Secretary, The McGregor Foundation
- Heidi L. Barham, Manager of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Hospice of the Western Reserve
- Dr. E. Douglas Beach, Chief Executive Officer, Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
- Orion H. Bell IV, President/CEO, The Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
- Michael Billnitzer, Executive Director, Empowering and Strengthening Ohio’s People (ESOP)|Vice President – Benjamin Rose (BRIA)
- Marsha Blanks, MSW, LSW, CAOIP, Consultant and Community Volunteer
- Dionne C. Broadus, J.D., Vice President, Judson Foundation
- DeNeitra Brown, MSSA, IConnect Director, Greater Cleveland Neighborhood Centers Association
- Beverly Charles, Community Volunteer
- Nate Cyrill, Program Director, Long Term Care Ombudsman – 10A
- Kendra Daniel, MGS, JD, Vice President of Quality and Compliance | Director of Guardianship Services, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
- Jeanna Davis, MSSA, President & CEO, Fairhill Partners
- Milica Djordjevic, MSSA, Service Coordinator, Westerly Apartments
- Dr. Robert Eckardt, Consultant & Community Volunteer
- Joan Englund, Executive Director, Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC)
- Jill Frankel, Director, Solon Department of Senior Services
- Antoinette Gelsomino, Director of Human Services, City of Lakewood
- Donisha Greene, BA, Liaison & Field Rep., Marcia L. Fudge Field Office
- Kathleen Hallissey, Program Director, Leadership Development, The Cleveland Foundation
- Carolyn Harmon Still, PhD, CNP, MSM, AGPCNP, BC, CCRP, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, CWRU
- Jamie Hasenohrl, Assistant Director of Human Services, Maple Heights Office on Aging
- Yvette Hasan, LSW, City of Solon
- Constance “Connie” Hill-Johnson, Managing Director, Visiting Angels
- Vanessa Jackson, Coordinator, Seniors on the Move Program, May Dugan Center
- Laura Kleinman, Executive Director, Senior Transportation Connection
- Emily Marie Lockshine, MPA, Director of the Office for Older Adults/Senior Center Director, City of North Ridgeville
- Debra Mardenborough-White, MSW, CCHW, SC, Kingsbury Tower/Millennia Housing
- Mary McNamara, LISW- S, Director, City of Cleveland Department of Aging
- Simone R. McNitt, SHRM-CP; Director of Encore Engagement, Fairhill Partners
- Ann Nguyen, PhD, MSW, LMSW, Assistant Professor, MSASS, CWRU
- Rev. Lorenzo Norris, President/CEO, Cleveland Clergy Alliance/Pastor of Concord Baptist Church
- Natasha Pietrocola, Interim-Administrator, Division of Senior & Adult Services (DSAS)
- Beth Septer, LHNA, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Menorah Park
- Michelle Simko, Project Director, AARP Senior Community Service Employment Program
- April Vince, Program Manager, CDC Overdose Data to Action, Cuyahoga County Board of Health
- Lisa Weitzman, LISW-S, WeCare Manager of Business Development, The Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
- Danny R. Williams, JD, MNO, LNHA, President & CEO, Eliza Bryant Village
- Victoria Winbush, Ph.D., MSSA, MPH, Cleveland State University
- Siyue Xu, LSW, Medical Social Worker, University Hospitals
To learn more about our work, please feel welcome to contact William Tarter, Jr., wtarter@CommunitySolutions.com.