General Information
Advisory Council members are community and leadership volunteers who represent the perspectives and needs of older adults in their counties. Members advise the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging regarding development of plans, budgets, and programming. The council is comprised of 32 individuals from eight central Ohio counties (Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union). Advisory Council meetings are open to the public.
2023 Meeting Schedule
Advisory Council Responsibilities
The COAAA Council fosters a partnership of older adults and representatives from community agencies and local governments.
Responsibilities of the Advisory Council are to:
- Advise COAAA on the development and administration of the Strategic Area Plan, interests of older adults and community policies, programs and actions which affect older adults and individuals with disabilities.
- Participate in periodic public hearings concerning COAAA's Strategic Area Plan.
- Advise and assist COAAA with leadership and advocacy on behalf of all older adults and individuals with disabilities within the agency’s geographic area (Planning and Service Area 6).
- Serve as a liaison between COAAA and local offices on aging, public officials and service providers, in order to disseminate information on the needs of older adults and individuals with disabilities and to help coordinate local, state and federal programs.
- Advise and assist in the pooling of untapped resources of public and private agencies in order to strengthen or initiate new services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
- Advise the Ohio Department of Aging, through COAAA, regarding special projects and statewide programs that affect Planning and Service Area 6.
To fulfill these responsibilities, members of the Advisory Council need to:
- Become familiar with the needs and challenges of older adults and individuals with disabilities in their respective counties
- Be aware of programs currently serving older adults and individuals with disabilities in their counties
- Regularly attend Advisory Council and other county meetings specific to older adults and individuals with disabilities
- Report to community group leaders on business discussed at Advisory Council meetings
- Report to the Advisory Council regarding county concerns
- Gather and distribute information as requested
- Become familiar with funding process sources and requirements and identify appropriate services for funding
- Understand the funding profile of current services for older adults and individuals with disabilities in their counties
Representatives (2023)
Three members per county may serve a maximum of two 3-year terms each. Each county also has an alternate and a county commissioners' designee.
2023 Chair: Anna Tobin
2023 Vice Chair: Holly Cottrill
Delaware County
Aric Arnett
William Brown
Carol Ventresca
Alternate: (Vacancy)
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Fara Waugh
Fairfield County
Anna Tobin
Anita Zielinski-Bean
Wally Ziolo
Alternate: Sharon Waldo
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Melanie Culbertson
Fayette County
Lori Bach
Beth McCane
Holly Romine
Cheryl Royster
Alternate: (Vacancy)
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Bambi Baughn
Franklin County
Abha Jindal
Janeece Keyes-Shanklin
Gayle Wanamaker
Alternate: Beth Simon
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: David W. Paul
Licking County
Betsy McPherson
Peggy Qualls
Aleesa Womer
Alternate: Tammy Kean
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Melissa Owens
Madison County
Chuck Gehring
Karen Wiser
Megan Witteman
Alternate: (Vacancy)
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Misty Bradley
Pickaway County
John Ankrom
Channin Carmean
Tom Scherer
Alternate: Connie Kelly
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Bonnie Lowery Vallette
Union County
Holly Novak
Valerie Tracey
(Vacancy)
Alternate: (Vacancy)
Ex Officio: County Commissioners
Commissioner's Designee: Janell Alexander