Advisory Committee on Aging Membership
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 ARDC Advisory Committee on Aging 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:
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Represent the views of older adults.
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Conduct public hearings.
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Review and recommend local proposals for funding under the Older Americans Act.
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Review and comment on policy.
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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 Advisory Committee on Aging (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.
MEET OUR ACA MEMBERS
CHAIR
Ronald Oleheiser
VICE CHAIR
Pamela Franklin
SECRETARY
Jenell Feller
REPRESENTATIVE
Steve Lyons
AIKIN COUNTY
Nancy Stratman
A retired long-term care administrator in the state of MN, Nancy has served in various rural communities and facilities offering of services older adults. She worked with the CMCOA in projects and has an understanding and appreciation of the work that the regional agencies do. Currently she is enrolled in two of the AAA’s evidence-based online courses that were created to build healthy Minnesotans.
CARLTON COUNTY
Emily Fuerste Swanson
Emily is active in her community. She believes arts and culture offer a powerful way to nurture prosperity and progress by building trusting relationships; encouraging curiosity, empathy, tolerance; honoring authentic knowledge of local conditions; and strengthening openness to exploring new solutions. She spent 40+ years in the health and human services sector, principally in executive positions. She is an active volunteer in rural anti-racism efforts and community engaged arts projects, working with Springboard for the Arts. She is the proprietor of Oldenburg House. She understands how to be resolute about balancing grief and gratitude. Emily is committed to being a resourceful and empowered source of positive energy for community-led change.
COOK COUNTY
Pat Eliasen
Pat currently serves as Cook County Sheriff and has the responsibility of delivering public safety services to an aging community. He contributes administrative views and experience to ACA. He understands the history and background of the demographics and economics of northern Minnesota. Pat is a member of the Northern Border Task Force, an official committee of the National Sheriff’s Association, dealing with issues ranging from smuggling to trafficking and collaborating with federally funded Customs and Border Protection Department of Homeland Security. Pat advocates for more effective uses of grant funds, utilization of manpower, and shared intelligence.
Additionally, Pat is a musician and volunteers his talent at all the music events in Cook County. He coaches high school basketball and the high school and middle school football teams.
ITASCA COUNTY
Ronald Oleheiser
Ron has a lot of good experience in the non-profit sector and respects committee work to support and help the overall agency prosper. He is willing to advocate locally, regionally, and state-wide when needed and is willing to assist with organizing a local meeting or event if necessary. He has experience in reviewing grants for funding opportunities through his work as Executive Director at Grace House, Itasca County homeless shelter and the NE Region Continuum of Care review. Ron is concerned to learn that recent data indicates the senior homeless population is on the rise.
Ron served many years, including as chair, coordinating the Senior Day at the Fair in Itasca County. He is a supporter of Senior Day at the State Fair.
KOOCHICHING COUNTY
Jenell Feller
Jenell knows the services that are available in International Falls and Koochiching County. She is familiar with housing, transportation, employment, and mental health services as well as being knowledgeable about the legal system and crime victim advocacy. She is the Executive Director of Friends Against Abuse. Jenell serves on the Good Samaritan Advisory Council and the Community Café Advisory Council. She has extensive experience working with adults with cognitive delays and mental illness.
She is enthusiastic, creative, knowledgeable, and good at problem solving. And acknowledges she will be eligible for older adult services soon.
Susan Fraik
Sue is a retired MN Office of Job Training career counselor. She serves on the Friends Against Abuse board in International Falls and the advisory committee for the Knudson Foundation in Koochiching County. Sue volunteers with both Koochiching Aging and the Northland Foundation Age-to-age project. She is always prepared as she listens to others’ ideas and brings projects forward.
LAKE COUNTY
Steve Waring
Steve has been engaged in aging research for over 25 years, particularly Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias. He participates in local, regional, and national initiatives relevant to aging and dementia, including the NIA AGING Initiative. Currently, Steve is the Principal Scientist at the Essentia Institute of Rural Health and Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota. He provided consulting support to the Victory Foundation for Dementia Friendly Duluth, provides research updates/lectures on a broad range of topics for aging, brain health, and dementia. Over the past 10 years, he has participated in the Duluth Alzheimer’s Walks.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY
Arshia Khan
A professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Arshia research is directed at the emerging field of human-robot interactions and autonomous behavior, specifically in the areas of artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and robotic assistive technology. This research offers promising solutions to chronic neurodegenerative problems such as dementia. She is currently studying the deployment of humanoid robots in nursing homes to improve residents’ quality of life.
Marcia Grahek
Marcia is a retired Registered Nurse supervisor. She provides in-home care and volunteers at various Senior Centers. She helps older adults during doctor visits and serves as Power of Attorney for an elderly female. Marcia has witnessed the vulnerability and the need for assistance of the aging population and has experience dealing with these situations.
Marcia contributes to her community of Hibbing through her volunteer activities at MineView, Public Library, Senior Center, Chamber of Commerce, Public Schools, Winter Frolic, Joint Recreation, All Class Reunion, and the Bob Dylan Project. She is involved with Fundraisers for Causes, the Salvation Army, Project Care, the Food Shelf, as well as local youth sports and church activities.
Pamela Franklin
Pam is the Parish Nurse Coordinator for the Arrowhead Parish Nurse Association for over 20 years. She administers numerous grants that provide tools to other Parish Nurses. She is especially proud of the tools that serve senior needs including Advance Directives, Transitions Coaches, Make it OK, and a Faith-based Dementia Curriculum “Through the Wilderness” by Ann and Bob Simpson. She is a Nursing Supervisor with Heartland PCA. Pam completed the Certificate in Elder Care and Isolation and Loneliness Certification.
Pam volunteers as the Chair of the Logistics Committee for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She serves on the Dementia Conference Planning Committee and the Duluth Advance Care Planning Life Committee. She represents her church on the Ruby’s Pantry /Coppertop Committee – a monthly food access program.
Steve Lyons
A retired administrator, Steve’s approach and values were formed through his years at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and believes in living out those values in his service to others: Hospitality, Community, Respect, Love of Learning, Stewardship. He believes these are universal and all are incredibly important, but especially for all of us as we age and transition and transform in our life path.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY (SOUTH)
Janalee Reineke Lyth
Janalee has a vested interest in the needs of those who are aging with grace, especially being inclusive with whatever changes they may be experiencing physically, mentally, and socially. Quality of life is so critical and making sure that there are resources to support the needs of this population. She is an occupational therapist, most recently working at Essentia Health as an Accessibility Design consultant and ergonomic specialist doing home modifications for the entire population spectrum including the aging population.
Janalee has a broad perspective on the general needs of aging in place and aging with grace. She works to identify current resources that may be opportunities to fill potential “gaps” in services and products.
TRIBAL REPRESENTATIVE
Marie Spry
Marie served on the Elder’s Advisory Board for 17 years, four terms as chair. Presently, she is chair of the State Wisdom Steps board, working with Indian Elder’s program. She is the elected Committee Woman on the Grand Portage Tribal Council serving both as Vice Chair and Acting Chair. She assists a 96-year-old Elder every day with visits, chores, and meal preparation. She provides rides for people that have no cars and shops for groceries for them.