Legacy link, area agency on aging (AAA) projects 275 rsvp volunteers will serve in the georgia mountains rsvp service area, a diverse eleven county region in the north georgia mountains (banks,…

Legacy link, area agency on aging (AAA) projects 275 rsvp volunteers will serve in the georgia mountains rsvp service area, a diverse eleven county region in the north georgia mountains (banks, dawson, forsyth, franklin, hall, habersham, hart, lumpkin, towns, union and white). The service area encompasses over 2600 square miles with 60 municipalities and 70 ZIP codes. Most counties are rural and include two small cities and a suburban metro area. As the area agency on aging, legacy link is an agent to promote and assist the independent living of the region's aging population. The mission of the non-profit agency is to foster an environment which enhances and facilitates independence and quality of life of older individuals. Legacy link provides services, assistance, information, and referrals that enable older adults to "age in place", thus eliminating or postponing the need for more costly assisted living arrangements or nursing homes. The primary focus of the georgia mountains rsvp program is to serve local communities in the healthy futures focus area with activities that support "aging in place" and access to care for older adults and those with disabilities. The activities include delivering food and companionship to homebound individuals, providing respite time for caregivers, and providing health insurance benefit information. Other rsvp volunteer activities will support the other focus areas of veterans and military, disaster services, education, and capacity building. Services will be coordinated through a network of volunteer stations located throughout the eleven county area. At the end of the three year grant period, expected outputs are anticipated to be as follows: 1300 clients served with meal delivery, 100 clients served with companionship, 30 caregivers with respite time, 1000 clients with health benefits assistance and counseling, 20 students with mentors, disaster preparation readiness for 200 seniors, and 300 military members receiving recognition of their service. Program outcomes are expected to be 50 home delivered meal recipients with increased social ties/perceived social support, 15 caregivers with increased social ties/perceived social support and 500 beneficiaries enrolled in health benefits programs. Additional service activities will provide in-kind funding for non-profits, disaster preparedness education, and a variety of local support for community organizations. Over 200 unduplicated volunteers will serve in outcome producing activities which greatly exceeds the grant mandate of 40. Legacy link AAA requests a cncs federal investment of $40,000 which will be supplemented by $19,900 of local dollars which exceeds the required 30 % match.