County's Senior Summit Receives National Recognition National Association of Counties (NACo) announces 2006 Achievement Award Winners

Contact: Commissioner Jim Roth
Phone: (405) 713-1501

Oklahoma County (August 9th, 2006) – Commissioner Jim Roth, Chairman of the Oklahoma County Board of County Commissioners, announced today that the National Association of Counties (NACo) had recently honored the Oklahoma County Senior Summit as a 2006 Achievement Award winner.

From left to right: Mr. Venson Smith Ms. Jackie Parks, Commissioner Jim Roth

The Achievement Awards recognize counties for creative and innovative program development and implementation, efficient administrative management of county agencies and responsible government to local citizens. Awards are given in more than 20 categories, ranging from arts and historic preservation to volunteerism. This year’s winners represent 95 counties in 27 states.

“We are very pleased to have been selected for this award,” Roth said. “It is an indication that Oklahoma County is moving in the right direction as we attempt to provide real solutions benefiting the lives of the people we serve.”

Jacqueline Byers, NACo’s Director of Research, said, “I continue to be amazed at the innovation and efficiency that counties have developed to address the new issues and problems they are facing…from using technology for enhanced management and service delivery to engaging citizens as an untapped resource, our achievement award winners have reaffirmed how county governments address problems with smart, creative solutions!”

Commissioner Jim Roth and Metropolitan Better Living Center Director Jackie Parks. Ms. Parks is holding the award presented to Oklahoma County by the National Association of Counties for it Senior Summit program at its Annual Meeting in Chicago.

Roth, who initiated the first Summit, explained the Summit seeks to provide seniors a county-wide forum that enables them to identify, prioritize, and address their concerns directly to those leaders in the community who can have an impact on their daily lives. “It is extremely important for government service providers, as well as our counterparts in the non-profit and faith-based community to learn first hands from seniors what they view as their most pressing needs,” Roth stated. “This approach,” he continued, “allows us to develop solutions to senior issues from the ‘bottom up’ rather than the traditional ‘top down’ approach used by many levels of government that are often ineffective.”

Oklahoma County has conducted two Senior Summits. The first, held in April 2003, helped produce a number of positive outcomes. Most notably the passage of a constitutional amendment setting a cap on property taxes for eligible seniors and the implementation of the Heartline 2-1-1. Heartline 2-1-1 is a free direct information line for local social services.

The major outcome of the second Senior Summit, held in November 2005, was the submittal of a proposal to community leaders focusing on the construction of multi-use community centers, the development of a new housing community near downtown, expansion of the mass transit system, and improvements in signage, crosswalks and sidewalks. All of the proposals are designed to provide better access to services for seniors.

Commissioner Jim Roth and Ms. Perlie Duffin visit about senior issues in Oklahoma County.

In addition to the outcomes achieved as a result of the Senior Summits, Roth noted the County uses the recommendations from the Summits in determining the allocations of approximately $150,000 annually in Community Support grants. These grants help support community programs that address identified needs such as transportation, nutrition, emergency shelter, and care giving. Since the first Summit forum was held, these grants have provided approximately 237,000 rides, over 100,000 home delivered meals, and emergency shelter for over 200 seniors suffering from neglect or exploitation.

Roth said he intends to continue his efforts to raise awareness of senior issues through out the county. Paraphrasing Hubert Humphrey, Roth stated, “The moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the twilight of life…the elderly.” Roth concluded, “It is our intention that Oklahoma County receives an A+ on that test.”