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Area Agency on Aging PUBLIC HEARING ONArea Plan FY 2026-2029A public hearing will be held this month to gather input from older adults, caregivers, service providers, and community members across Dekalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties. The meeting will be from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday, June 30, at the North Huntsville Public Library, 3011 Sparkman Drive. “This hearing is a critical part of developing our comprehensive Area Plan for FY 2026-2029, which guides the delivery of coordinated, supportive services, nutrition programs, and senior center activities in our region,” said TARCOG’S Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey. She said feedback gathered during this hearing will help the agency shape programs and services that reflect the real needs of our communities. This meeting is for the entire community, not just those who receive TARCOG services. All voices are welcome, and multiple ways to participate will be provided to ensure accessibility. TARCOG seeks input from:Older adults with limited incomeRural residentsMinority communitiesIndividuals with limited English proficiency For those who can’t attend in person, there are still ways to share your input via: Online or paper comment forms. Click here to complete Needs Survey. Phone calls to 256-830-0818Email to info@tarcog.us Written comments mailed to: TARCOG, PO Box 1087, Huntsville, AL 35807$1.5 million brownfields grant underway in Fort Payne, Gurley and AthensTARCOG appreciates Alabama House of Representatives Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter for highlighting a Fort Payne project that will impact six vacant warehouses over two blocks and three acres along Gault Avenue. The site is the focus of an environmental evaluation to prepare the section of Gault Avenue for redevelopment.  Ledbetter, who was guest speaker at TARCOG’s June Board Meeting and Picnic, announced the $1.5 million grant on Tuesday, June 24, that includes the DeKalb County project, as well as projects in Limestone and Madison counties. The $1.5 million Environmental Protection Agency Brownfield Assessment Grant will be the starting point for the transformation of the selected sites. In the past, the connected warehouses on Gault Avenue in Fort Payne held cotton or machining operations. For years, they have remained vacant and because of potential environmental contamination, the site hasn’t been attractive to developers. This grant will also cover projects for the Singing River Trail in the Town of Gurley and another one in the City of Athens. The grant includes the three cities as coalition partners in this funding opportunity with TARCOG, who helped secure the funding for these important projects. TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gillaim Jordan said the whole purpose of this type of brownfield grant is to take unproductive properties due to real or perceived contamination and make them usable again. This process is the first step toward making these sites attractive to developers again.Read the story

Growing our economy: Sylvania is ready for new business

The Town of Sylvania now has in place a new Zoning Ordinance designed to help guide future development of the municipality. “We want our town to grow,” said Mayor Terry McClendon. “We’re looking to attract anything and everything that’s revenue based.” He called the new Zoning Ordinance a tool to help attract new businesses, especially along Alabama Highway 75). “All the other towns around us have done it and are benefitting and it’s been tried before in our town, but we made history by doing this … and it’s a good thing for our future generations.” TARCOG worked with Mayor McClendon and other town leaders and residents for a year holding meetings and discussions to determine what the town needed and wanted in an ordinance to help spur commercial development along its section of Alabama Highway 75.

TARCOG helped the Town of Sylvania develop a new Zoning Ordinance

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Let’s talk about: Fraud and elder abuse

During June, around the U.S., awareness is placed on Medicare fraud prevention and elder abuse.  At TARCOG, Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said the observances are an opportunity to expand the conversation to include all types of fraud and scams because it is so prevalent among the aging community. “These are all very important topics all year long,” Sheila said. “We try to highlight national observances through community and staff education and awareness, but these are issues that we are constantly tracking and working to let our seniors know what to be mindful of when new scams start showing up because unfortunately, it’s an ongoing crime.” On the front lines to educate and provide tools and tactics to safeguard against becoming a victim is Teresa Hazzard. She is TARCOG’s Senior Medicare Patrol coordinator.  In recent weeks, she’s been upset with herself because for the second year in a row, she’s been targeted by scam artists.

TARCOG staff participates with their hand prints for a special staff training event for World Elder Abuse Awareness.The training was called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action

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Senior Center Spotlight: Martling Friendship Center

There are two important signs outside the Martling Friendship Center. One identifies the building and the other tells you about its focus. When you open the front door, you understand why the “Quilts for Sale” sign out front is so important. The pulpit that served the Ephesus Primitive Baptist Church for years is there, surround by quilts on display. To the left, quilts are on the exercise equipment but can easily be moved to use the treadmill and bicycles. Then to the right, a large bolt of batting is set up. And along one wall is an old church pew filled with quilt tops from people in the community waiting for the ladies at the friendship center to finish the quilts. The quilting frame takes up a large portion of the right side of the room and stays in use daily. “We’re more than just quilting here,” said Joyce Lambert, 81. “But we do a lot of it and enjoy it.”Read more

There’s always a Quilting Bee at the Martling Friendship Center

Employee of the Month: Ruby Banks

Ruby Banks has been named Employee of the Month for June. It’s the second time since TARCOG began the recognition program last year that she’s been honored. She was employee of the month in May of 2024. It’s no surprise because Ruby is one of our “go to” people at TARCOG. She keeps our operations running smoothly whether it’s a computer, phone, printer, or any other number of technical situations. She remains calm no matter the problem and always finds a resolution as quickly as possible. Read more

TARCOG IT Specialist Ruby Banks

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UPDATE ON NEW OFFICE Walls are going up! At this point, we are on schedule at the new space on Corporate Drive with hopes to be in the new building by Spring of 2026! 

MASTERS GAMES REGIONAL COMPETITION Seniors across the TARCOG and NARCOG regions make up District 2 for the Masters Games of Alabama competition. Throughout the month of June, the seniors have been competing to qualify for the state games that will be held Oct. 6-9, in Trussville. The results from the District 2 competitions will be released in early July.

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New legal team in place for aging program at TARCOGMichael Forton, of Legal Services of Alabama addresses the TARCOG Board of Directors in March about how the agency will help TARCOG Region seniors with their needs.TARCOG has a new contract in place for legal services for the aging population in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties. Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said a contract with Legal Services of Alabama went into effect in March following the retirement of the agency’s longtime attorney, LaTanya Rhines in September 2024. The new legal team is here to help with wills, trusts and any other legal matters for those age 60 and older. To access the services, residents may call TARCOG at 256-880-0818 or the Council on Aging in their home county:DeKalb County Council on Aging – 256- 845-8590Jackson County Council on Aging – 256-574-6733Limestone County Council on Aging – 256-233-6412Madison County Council on Aging/STUDIO 60 – 256-880-7080Marshall County Council on Aging – 256-571-7805

Serving People: Have you seen TARCOG lately?

In between visits to client’s homes or nursing homes, helping reduce prescription medication costs, and all of the services TARCOG provides, the staff also spends time on community education through special presentations and participation in health fairs or others community events. “It’s an important part of what we do to make sure people in the communities that we serve know that not only we are here to help but the different ways in which we can help,” said TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey. It’s so important, the agency is giving the outreach efforts a new name, TARCOG Cares. To streamline the process of what the agency participates in there is a new online form that can be filled out to make the request. “In the past, different people throughout the agency have been contacted about different events and we’d like to make the process easier with all of the requests being directed to one person,” Sheila said.

TARCOG at the Jackson County Health Expo in January.

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Let’s talk about: Senior Employment

Meet Michael Leslie. Or, you may call him “Mr. Mike” like most everyone does at TARCOG. On Tuesday, April 1, Mr. Mike, 66, was recognized for graduating from a 10-week Digital Certification Program (DCP) at the Center for Workforce Inclusion. “My biggest challenge was being nervous and the fact that I had not been to school for more than 40 years,” Mr. Mike shared with his co-workers during a heartfelt and emotional thanks to all of his TARCOG family that he’s gotten know and who have supported him since he enrolled in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) on Nov. 27, 2023. Mr. Mike was immediately assigned to TARCOG as a car fleet assistant, said John Sanders, program manager.  The program is for those 55 and older and provides paid job training opportunities in which people may learn new skills or enhance existing ones, with the goal of finding employment opportunities.

From left, TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan, SCSEP Employee Michael Leslie and SCSEP Program Manager John Sanders at the TARCOG April Staff Meeting.

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Senior Center Spotlight: East Limestone

Sometimes, it’s the simplest of reasons people have for visiting their local senior center. Take Dan Champion, 83, for example. “I’m hungry. It’s the middle of the day and I’m here,” Dan said while sitting with a table of friends who couldn’t agree more including Beecher Griffitts, 86, Bill Self, 82, and Hans Riveros, 86. “It’s all good, some are better than others, but I don’t complain because I don’t have to cook it and the price is right,” Beecher added.  Across the room, Faye Sangerman, 73 and Debbie Collins, 64, have their own card game going. They love the socialization the center offers. “I don’t want to stay at home all the time,” Debbie said. “I was a substitute teacher for a while and for a while I just wanted to stay at home all the time but then I realized how important is to get out and be around other people.” Faye said she likes that it’s easy to be at the East Limestone Center.“I don’t feel like it too structured, it’s very comfortable here,” she added. Read more

Playing games that keep the mind sharp are just one of the draws at the East Limestone Senior Center.

Employee of the Month: Jelisa Simon

Jelisa Simon has been with TARCOG a short time but has already made a big impact by helping save the life of a coworker. During her first month on the job in a newly created position at the agency, as a Registered Nurse Case Manager, a coworker fell ill in the office restroom. Jelisa sprang into action and handled the crisis with skill, care and compassion. After the coworker was taken by HEMSI ambulance to the hospital, staff could be overheard saying – “Now that’s the employee of the month!” And expressing thankfulness for having someone on staff with her skills. The coworker returned to work within a couple of days and Jelisa is settling into her role.Read more

Registered Nurse Case ManagerJelisa Simon

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UPDATE ON NEW OFFICE  It’s been two months since the groundbreaking and our new TARCOG office building is starting to take shape. The foundation slab was poured on April 10!OPENINGS on Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Advisory Board If you are interested in economic and small development in the TARCOG Region and live or work in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties. Anyone interested in participating on the RLF Advisory Board may contact Leslie Wright at 256-830-0818, or by email. IT IS TIME TO PLAN for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant applications that are due this summer. While there are questions about funding sources, the application process remains open. We encourage you to reach out to the TARCOG Economic Development & Planning staff if you are interested in submitting a project in the areas of infrastructure repair/expansion, planning activities, and potential construction projects depending on the end goal. We are here to help, just call 256-830-0818 for the Economic & Development Planning staff.

UPCOMING EVENTS

We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at TARCOG”S Senior Fun Fest set for Tuesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center at 4925 Moores Mill Road in Huntsville. Advance tickets are $5 and may be purchased at any senior center in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, or, at the TARCOG Office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. For more information call TARCOG at 830-0818. Advance ticket sale prices end Friday, May 2. After May 2, and on the day of the event, tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event for $7.

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Senior Fun Fest 2025 Set for May Senior Fun Fest, put on annually by TARCOG and the Madison County Commission is set for Older Americans Month in May.Dust off your boots because TARCOG is preparing for its annual Older Americans Month celebration in May. The 38th Annual Senior Fun Fest will have a western Rodeo Roundup theme. It’s going to be a fun-filled day for up to 1,500 seniors from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, said Sheila Dessau-Ivey, TARCOG’s director of aging programs. Senior Fun Fest is sponsored annually by TARCOG and the Madison County Commission, with ticket sales and other local businesses also providing financial support to offset costs.  Senior Fun Fest tickets will go on sale April 1, for the event scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center at 4921 Moores Mill Road in Huntsville. Advance tickets are $5 and may be purchased at any senior center in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, or, at the TARCOG Office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. For more information call TARCOG at 830-0818. Advance ticket sale prices end Friday, May 2. After May 2, and on the day of the event, tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event for $7. “We are excited to see residents from the TARCOG region get together in one place for a day of fun, entertainment and food,” Sheila said. “This is an event our entire TARCOG staff works on for several months each year to create a special day to celebrate our aging population”Read the story

Growing the Economy: Revolving Loan Fund At Work

At age 31, Maurice “Mo” Haywood is living his dream of owning a business with the help of TARCOG’s Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). He’s following in the footsteps of a restaurateur and antiques dealers who own thriving businesses today thanks, in part, to the same fund. That’s why the RLF can be a game changer for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their businesses in northeast Alabama and they all make an impact on the local economy. Lee Terry, TARCOG’s director of Economic Development and Planning, said Mo’s loan was recently approved so he could start MoScapes, a landscape materials business. He said TARCOG partners with Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., (NCI) to administer its RLF through the North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund, LLC. MoScapes, 9465 US Highway 431, Owens Cross Roads It’s an exciting time for Mo, who is literally building his new business from the ground up. He worked with a crew moving and building up dirt for the foundation of his operation at the end of February with plans to have his storage bins up and ready to start selling bulk materials in March and a new building completed in April. He worked at another local landscape business for 10 years as its hardscapes operations manager. He knows and understands the business and is ready to make his first sale. But it didn’t happen overnight. When Mo got serious about starting his own business, his mother gave him a contact at NCI. He followed their advice and secured the non-traditional funding route that helped him get started.

Maurice “Mo” Haywood is building his new landscaping supply business MoScapes from the ground up in Owens Cross Roads.Raul Alvarez-Piers is expanding Big Papa Gyros in HuntsvilleMark Ardin shows there is much more to be discovered than antiques at Hartlex Antiques Gallery in Huntsville.

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Let’s talk about: Hospital to Home

Did you know TARCOG has a program that helps individuals return home after a hospitalization? Kelley Carpenter is TARCOG’s Hospital to Home Transition Coordinator. If a referral is made, she goes to the hospital to meet with the patient to determine eligibility and begin the transition process. If you find yourself hospitalized and learn you will need long-term care, Kelley may be able to you get home with Medicaid Waiver services instantly upon discharge. TARCOG’s Medicaid Waiver Program Manager Melissa Brinkley said the appropriately named “Hospital to Home” program starts with a referral. Hospital social workers, discharge planners, or social services case managers work with a patient to take the first step toward a safe transition. Hospital to Home uses an expedited application process to initiate services immediately, she said.

TARCOG’s Hospital to Home Transition Coordinator Kelley Carpenter

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Senior Center Spotlight: Geraldine

Debra Whitten likes to exercise to stay in shape as she ages and serves as a caregiver for her husband. One of the places she depends on is the Geraldine Senior Center. “I thank God for letting me get up and do what I do every day,” Debra, 67, said. “Sometimes it’s the simple things, like walking in the park and chatting with a friend that makes the day go better.” It’s a common thread at the Geraldine Senior Center where about 15-18 people gather each weekday morning. When Annette Rowell retired in 2012 from TS Tech Automotive, she and her husband Punkin were walking the track at the town park just outside the Geraldine Homemakers Building, where the Senior Center is located. He stopped to use the restroom and saw an aunt, a cousin and some friends inside. But that’s not all. “I was out there walking, and he was in here getting me a part-time job!” Annette, now 76, explained.Read more

Annette Rowell is the manager of the Geraldine Senior Center.

Employee of the Month: Alexis Baker

Alexis Baker gets to help qualified Medicaid clients living in nursing homes move back to independent living. It’s easy to see she loves what she does when she talks about it. Alexis has worked at TARCOG for two years as the transition coordinator for the Gateway to Community Living Program. The program is a Medicaid-funded, targeting Medicaid recipients in a nursing home setting who are ready to transition back to living on their own in the community. She covers 26 nursing homes in six different counties. If a candidate meets the qualifications, Alexis assists a client find and obtain housing, furnishings, medical equipment, household supplies, utilities — whatever is need to set up the home with basic housing needs to ensure their health and safety needs are met. Read more

Gateway to Community Living Transition Coordinator, Alexis Baker

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Planning for the future Pine Ridge is one of the smallest towns in DeKalb County proving that no matter your town’s size, it’s important to plan for the future. The town just completed its first Comprehensive Plan. The process started in March 2024 and was officially adopted by the Town Council in February 2025. Read more

From left, TARCOG Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey, Executive Director Michelle Jordan, Student Brooklyn Brittain, Case Manager Bailey Frank and Medicaid Waiver Program Manager Melissa Brinkley.

Job shadowing at TARCOG Brooklyn Brittian, a graduating senior attending St. John Paul II Catholic High School (JPII) in Huntsville spent March 4 and 6 with TARCOG case managers to learn more about the work they do.  Brooklyn expressed an interest in working with older adults, so doing a job shadow with TARCOG case manager’s made perfect sense. Brooklyn shadowed Sarita Chaloupka and Bailey Frank and experienced several aspects of their jobs firsthand. Brooklyn will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Find a new career opportunity at TARCOG’s 2025 Invitational Career Fair set for April 3. Read more

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CONNECT256-830-0818P.O. Box 1087Huntsville, AL 35805

FEBRUARY NEWS: LOVE & SECURITY NARCOG has been busy working on a study for the City of Moulton, organizing future events, and spreading the love. Check out what we’ve been doing in February!Visit our Website

Spreading Love, One Card At A Time

February is often celebrated as the month of love, but love extends far beyond romantic relationships.  This year, NARCOG partnered with several schools across the region to bring joy to nursing home and assisted living facility residents through heartfelt, handmade cards. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Protect Yourself: Annual Fraud Summit

Did you know that elder fraud is on the rise, costing older adults billions of dollars each year? Scammers are getting smarter, and it’s more important than ever to stay informed and protect yourself from fraud and identity theft.  NARCOG is hosting its Annual Fraud Summit, an event designed to empower older adults with the knowledge and tools to recognize scams and avoid becoming a victim. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Moulton Parking and Pedestrian Facilities Study

The NARCOG planning staff is currently working on the Downtown Moulton Parking and Pedestrian Facilities Study, a key initiative under our FY2025 Work Program for the Rural Planning Organization (RPO).  This study will focus on evaluating and enhancing parking and pedestrian infrastructure in Downtown Moulton, particularly around the historic courthouse square. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Be A Voice For Residents: Ombudsman Volunteers Needed

Our Regional Ombudsman works to protect residents’ rights, ensuring they receive fair treatment and quality care. We’re looking for caring volunteers to help support seniors and individuals with disabilities in long-term care settings. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Annual Older Americans Month Luau

Join us on Wednesday, May 14, at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion in Decatur for a festive celebration honoring individuals 60 and older who live or work in Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan County. The festivities will begin at 9:30 AM and continue until noon, featuring a delicious lunch, refreshing shaved ice, exciting door prizes, and plenty of fun photo opportunities and games. Guests will also enjoy live music from The Cadillacs, a group known for their energetic performances of classic 50s and 60s Doo Wop hits. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE