HELLO, WE ARE THE EAST TEXAS COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
NEWS, EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the vital contributions of older adults in our communities. AAA will host four special events at senior and community centers across East Texas, each focused on the theme of “Flip the Script on Aging,” — encouraging a shift in how society views and talks about aging, prompting individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and embrace the opportunities that come with older age. “Older Americans Month is a powerful opportunity to honor the contributions of older adults and recognize the vital role they play in our communities,” said David Cleveland, Executive Director of ETCOG. “This year’s theme, Flip the Script on Aging, challenges us to move beyond outdated stereotypes and embrace the strength, wisdom, and resilience that come with age. We invite everyone to join us at our regional celebration events as we uplift the voices and experiences of older East Texans.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public, featuring food, fun, door prizes, and information on services available to East Texas seniors: May 7 at the Henderson Community Building, 302 Fair Park, Henderson | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM May 15 at First Methodist Church, 225 Lovers Ln, Athens | 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM May 16 at Jefferson Senior Center, 111 W. Broadway, Jefferson | 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM May 21 at Harrison County AgriLife Extension Office, 2005 Warren Dr, Marshall | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM The AAA is the region's leader in advocating and providing various services, such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and support through the Ombudsman program for people in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Contact the AAA for questions about the events by calling (903) 218-6500.
ETCOG is excited to share progress on the new GoBus Transportation Facility, which is nearing completion and expected to open this summer. This milestone marks a major step forward in supporting our growing fleet and providing more efficient, reliable transit services across our 14-county region.
ETCOG is always looking for ways to add value for our members. In response to growing interest in collaborative purchasing of employee benefits, we’ve partnered with Gallagher to assess the feasibility of a multiple-employer benefits pool for ETCOG members. So far, we’ve hosted two virtual discussions, with several cities and counties participating to learn more about this opportunity. These meetings have generated strong interest from local governments looking for cost-effective and sustainable employee benefits solutions. If your agency is interested, it’s not too late to join the conversation! ETCOG and Gallagher’s team of experts, who have extensive experience building and managing benefits pools across the U.S., are hosting additional virtual sessions to explore: What a benefits pool is The advantages of joining one Potential impacts on leadership and employees Key legislative considerations Steps and timeline for forming a consortium Eligible member governments include Cities, Counties, ISDs, and Special Districts. Don't miss this opportunity to explore cost-saving and efficiency-driven solutions! Upcoming Virtual Meetings: 📅 April 23rd, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM 📅 May 8th, 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM 📅 June 26th, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM To attend, click on the meeting date above you’d like to join to register.
