Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging

Many members of the Lehigh Valley Direct Care Workers Association may wonder about the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA) and how they fit into the association.



Here is a brief overview.


The United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) created the Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging (LVAA/the Alliance) in May 2001. LVAA’s vision is the Lehigh Valley will be a community where older adults can remain in their homes and continue to live full lives with as much choice as possible. The mission is to advance strategies ensuring longterm care and supportive service systems meet the existing and emerging needs of all older adults. The Alliance is a community building partnership of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.


Governance of the Alliance rests in a 22-person steering committee staffed by the United Way, which also acts as fiduciary agent. The LVAA maintains a current membership of more than 140, with an outstanding attendance and participation rate of 87% on all planning levels. Beyond the steering committee, remaining Alliance members participate on one or more of the five priority focus committees: Communications, Housing Options, Workforce Development, Mobility Options, and Intergenerational Opportunity. Consumers are equally represented on all planning
levels.



The Workforce Development committee of United Way created the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Direct Care Workers Association to help with the retention and recruitment of Direct Care Workers in the Lehigh Valley. The Alliance staff work together to implement strategies developed by the members of the Association.



Besides Cori, the manager that works most closely with the Association, there are two other staff members: Arlene and Sue: