THE OFFICE ON AGING

COMMISSION ON AGING

Chairperson: Margaret C. Schweinhaut, 1983

Appointed members: Edmund G. Beacham, 1983;
Dana G. Cable, 1983; Reverend Msgr. Leo J.
Coady, 1983; Viola M. Gardner, 1983; Rena Z.
Greenblatt, 1983; Betty K. Hamburger, 1983;
William E. Henry, 1983; Alexander W.
Kramer, 1983; Pauline H. Menes, 1983; Edwin
Robertson, 1983; John H. Shope, 1983; Rose
Sullivan, 1983.

THE OFFICE ON AGING

Matthew L. Tayback, Sc.D., State Director on
Aging

Harry F. Walker, Deputy Director
James F. Chmelik, Assistant Director

Room 1004
301 West Preston Street
Baltimore 21201 Telephone: 383-5064

The Office on Aging was established by Chap-
ter 261, Acts of 1975, as an independent agency
to administer, consolidate, and coordinate State-
wide programs and activities to meet the needs of
older Marylanders. Its predecessor agency was
the State Coordinating Commission on the Prob-
lems of the Aging created by Chapter 1, Acts of
1959. The name of this agency was changed to
the Commission on the Aging by Chapter 595,
Acts of 1971. In 1974, by Executive Order, the
Governor established the Governor's Coordinat-
ing Office on Problems of the Aging. The cre-
ation of the Office on Aging as a cabinet-level
agency resulted in the merger of the Commission
on the Aging staff with the Governor's Coordi-
nating Office on Problems of the Aging. The
Commission on Aging was reassigned as both an
advisory and policy-making board to the State
Director on Aging.

The State Director on Aging is appointed by
and responsible to the Governor. The State Di-
rector's actions are subject to the advice, counsel,
or approval of the Commission on Aging.

By Chapter 101, Acts of 1982, the State Direc-
tor on Aging chairs the Interagency Committee
on Aging Services to evaluate the service needs of
elderly persons in the State, and establish priori-
ties for meeting these needs. The same law autho-
rizes the State Director to represent the interests
of the elderly by serving as an advocate at all lev-
els of government.

Independent Agencies/341

The Office on Aging is divided into two func-
tional areas: the Program area headed by the
Deputy Director and the Administration area
headed by the Assistant Director.

The Program area has three divisions: Pro-
grams Management and Coordination, Planning
and Assessment, and Nutrition and Community
Services.

The Program Management and Coordination
Division is responsible for the senior aides pro-
gram, the public guardianship program, the life
support program, legal services development,
transportation, physical fitness and interprogram
coordination.

The Planning and Assessment Division is re-
sponsible for program planning and development,
establishment of program priorities, and assess-
ment of program results. It also assists in prepar-
ing legislation.

The Nutrition and Community Services Divi-
sion is responsible for State-wide direction. It
monitors and technically assists a network of 18
area agencies on aging. These local agencies re-
ceive grants from the Office on Aging to provide
nutrition and community services to older per-
sons in their local areas. The area agencies en-
compass all counties and Baltimore City. Funding
sources for grants include Title III of the Older
Americans Act, Title XX of the Social Security
Act, Section 700 of the Food and Agriculture
Act, and State general funds.

The Program area also includes the activities of
nursing home ombudsman (Chapter 857, Acts of
1975), training, and Gateway I (Chapter 102,
Acts of 1982).

Gateway I is a coordinated State-wide activity
to facilitate access to programs and services for
older persons. A Gateway I project is operated
by an agency in each local jurisdiction or area of
the State as a single point of contact for older
persons seeking services and benefits from public
and private agencies.

GATEWAY I SITES

Allegany County

Cumberland Senior Citizens' Center
19 Frederick St.
Cumberland 21532 Telephone: 724-1141

Anne Arundel County

Arundel Center North
101 Grain Highway, N.W.
Glen Burnie 21061 Telephone: 757-5040