Donna Sampson, the new CEO?of the Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging talks with the Rev. LaVern Seth during an open house for Sampson at the Toledo Healthy Lifestyles Center on Monday, Jan. 23. Chronicle photos/John Speer

“Help people maintain their independence,” Donna Sampson, chief operating officer of the Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging and Bob Lincoln, CEO of the County Social Services agency emphasize as their central theme. The message came during an open house recognizing Sampson at the Toledo Healthy Lifestyle Center in the Community Building on Monday, Jan. 23. Sampson was being greeted in her relatively new role as CEO of the 18-county NE13A, a role she has held since October, 2016.

But she’s no stranger to the Agency on Aging, known for some time previously as the Hawkeye Valley Area Agency on Aging. Between the two, Sampson has been employed for the past 23 1 / 2 years.

Sampson and Lincoln said their agencies are somewhat the “pioneers” in a joint effort to make residents aware of their services and how it can aid them.

While County Social Services includes 22 north Iowa counties and the NE13A serves 18, the two overlap serving nine counties including Tama.

Sampson and Lincoln said their agencies are currently “cross-training” their personnel so they can respond and direct parties to needs provided by either agency.

Tama County Board members for the Area council on Aging with Deb Peska, service specialist (left) are Fran Wall, Mike Gilchrist and 3rd District Tama County Supervisor Dan Anderson. Other board members include Maxine Boles, Linda Rosenberger and Yvonne Mallory.

They are introducing this new, joint effort to make residents more aware of all their agencies have available to aid them.

Right now a toll free telephone number – 800-866-7887 – operational state-wide as LifeLong Links provides access to a variety of these services and resources available locally. Those answering the LifeLong Links number are being cross-trained as well.

Sampson says while the Area Agency on Aging is primarily known for providing senior meals and meals on wheels it also aims to provide support information and direction to keep people in their own homes. A case management service for seniors age 60 and older is in place.

Meanwhile, County Social Services has much the same goal and provides guidance to services for those disabled, suffering mental illness and those with intellectual / development disabilities.

Sampson said they are also close to having a service in place which will offer counselors one or two days a month at the Healthy Lifestyles Center in Toledo to provide face-to-face assistance.

Donna Sampson with 22-County Social Services CEO?Bob Lincoln. They plan to have their agencies work together to provide information on both agency services.

The County Social Services has five staff members who work out of the former Central Point of Coordination Offices at 211 West State st. in Toledo.

LifeLong Links provides access to local services and resources:

housing health care transportation employment mental health respite food / nutrition education financial assistance adaptive equipment more

Deb Peska, service specialist at the Toledo center, with Donna Sampson NEI3A CEO.