Clinton County Elderly Services Program:

• Helps seniors remain independent in their homes

• Provides Meals on Wheels, transportation, wheelchair ramps, housekeeping help and other basic services
• Is for seniors of modest means who do not qualify for state and federal help, but also cannot afford to hire help on their own
• Helps families who are caring for their older loved ones

Clinton ESP:
Is a win-win for seniors and taxpayers – The program costs an average $318 per month, per client. If that same person were in a nursing home and on Medicaid, it would cost taxpayers about 12 times that much – more than $4,000 per month.

Is well managed and mission-driven: Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio administers the program and brings in federal funds that help support it; Clinton County Community Action, Inc. provides screening and care management. A citizens group advises the program.

Serves a real and growing need: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of Clinton County has only increased by 3.7 percent from 2000 to 2010, while the population for people age 65 and older has increased by 15 percent.

Clinton County cares about its older citizens. Voters have supported the Senior Services Levy since it began in 1998.

What does Clinton County ESP provide?:

• 41,180 home delivered meals
• 4,694 hours of personal care (help with bathing and dressing)
• 21,076 hours of homemaking help
• 386 hours of respite for family caregivers
• 1,774 trips for medical appointments
• 3,241 months of emergency response system rentals
• 76 home modifications and repairs
• Case management for 544 clients
• Responded to more than 600 requests for information and referrals

Administration and service delivery:

• Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio (COA) administers the program via a contract with Clinton County Commissioners. COA is designated by the state of Ohio as the Area Agency on Aging for five counties, including Clinton  County. 
• Clinton County Community Action, Inc. provides assessment,intake and care management.
  

Facts about the senior services tax levy:

• Local tax dollars cover 85 percent of the cost of the program. Additional funding comes from federal and state sources via COA, client donations and co-payments 
• Voters have approved the levy since it first appeared on the ballot in 1998.  The most recent levy - 1.5-mills - was approved by voters in 2007. 
  
• The renewal of the 1.5 mill levy will generate $1,245,743 annually. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $47.20 annually or $3.93 a month.