The Older American Act (OAA) requires that community stakeholders play a strong role in administering the OAA activities in each region.  Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging (AAAA) ensures this through membership from each county in our region on our Advisory Committee on Aging (ACA).  This group advises the work of the AAAA and recommends funding, targeting and strategic action to the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) board and commission.  

The ACA has broad representation from aging consumers, advocacy groups, faith communities, volunteer organizations, educational institutions, and county government, to name a few. One-half of the committee must be age 60+. Terms are for 3 years and members may serve two consecutive terms. 

The purpose of the Advisory Committee on Aging (ACA): 

• Represent the views of older adults. 
• Conduct public hearings. 
• Review and recommend local proposals for funding under the Older Americans Act. 
• Review and comment on policy. 
• Advise and assist AAAA staff in planning.

Minnesota Board on Aging Guideline – No officer, employee, owner, or director of an organization that receives Older Americans Act funds from an Area Agency on Aging shall participate as a director or staff for that Area Agency on Aging, nor on an advisory committee to Area Agencies on Aging. 

To ensure equity in distribution, the AAAA uses a Review Task Force (RTF) comprised of community volunteers representing each county in the region.  These volunteers read, review and score all applications and present their recommendations to the ACA.  Once the ACA has approved funding amounts and heard recommendations, a full slate of funding awards is recommended to the ARDC Board for final approval.  AAAA strives to work with these committees to distribute funding in each county reflective of the Intrastate Funding Formula and the regional demographics of each county.