About:
The Office on Aging (OoA) is designated to assist the CNMI elderly persons and people with disabilities and to secure equal opportunity to the full and free enjoyment of objectives of the Older Americans Act of 1965 as amended in 2006. The Office on Aging extends services to those elderly known on the islands as Man Amko’ identified as most in need of assistance due to their frail condition, belonging to the low income group, belonging to the minority group, or those who are socially and economically disadvantaged. The OoA provides services such as transportation services, access assistance, and legal services to registered clients in the CNMI. To help meet the nutritional needs of the elderly and people with disabilities, the Office on Aging provides healthy and nutritious meals to eligible clients. Through the National Family Caregiver Support Program under Title III- E, the OoA assists family members caring for individuals who are 60 years of age and older, grandparents and other family members caring for children with developmental disabilities. Services such as respite care, information services, and counseling is being offered to help relieve stress and provide important information and trainings to registered caregivers. The Office on Aging also receives funding through the Department of Labor for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) also known as the Title V program of the Older Americans Act. In order to be eligible for this program an individual must be 55 years and older and must meet the low-income poverty guidelines. This program, through the Office on Aging, yearly provides certain number of jobs depending on the availability of funding for eligible senior citizens throughout the CNMI. This program is designed to aid senior citizens in gaining job skills for employment and allowing each client to be paid federal minimum wage for 20 hours of employment each week. The participants of this program are employed and placed in various host sites within the CNMI government and non-profit agencies. The purpose of the Title V program is to help senior citizens stay financially independent and to eventually place them in unsubsidized employment.
Purpose:
To develop, coordinate, and deliver support services to CNMI elders and to assist the senior citizens in maintaining their independence. It is the program’s responsibility to pro-actively implement a wide range of functions relative to planning and advocating for a system designed to assist older persons to lead meaningful and dignified lives.
Services:
In 1974, the Older Americans Act was extended to the Northern Marianas through the establishment of the Aging Program. The CNMI Office on Aging is tasked to serve and provide needed assistance to all senior citizens and caregivers by administering programs and activities, promoting independent living, building self-esteem, and providing opportunities for seniors to play an active role in the community. The Man Amko’ Centers on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota provide opportunities for socializing, relaxation, and participation in a variety of programs and activities, including congregate and home delivery meals, transportation, and health screenings.