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This page has information for volunteers and legislators about our agency’s mission and programs. To find local senior centers, please visit our resource site GetCareSC.com.
The Older Americans Act expects the SCDOA to be a leader in the development of multipurpose senior centers. Currently, the state has only two nationally certified senior centers. Some of the remaining centers are fully functioning, but not certified. The rest are group dining sites.
Multipurpose Senior Centers
Multipurpose senior centers are to be the “village square” or “focal point" of their community. The multipurpose senior center should be a resource hub for activity, services, and programs for all active older adults in the community, with a specific focus on improving health and wellness, education, and socialization. Typically, these are community buildings and structures that stand alone and are used primarily as a senior center and host facility for community activities.
These multipurpose senior centers are encouraged to function at National Council on Aging accredited standards. These centers should provide a variety of programs and services throughout the day. A meal may or may not be part of the senior center operation.
Multipurpose senior centers typically offer a wide variety of programs and services including, but not limited to:
- Meal and nutrition programs
- Information and assistance
- Health, fitness, and wellness programs
- Transportation services
- Public benefits counseling
- Employment assistance
- Volunteer and civic engagement opportunities
- Social and recreational activities
- Educational and arts programs
- Intergenerational programs
Group Dining Sites
Group dining sites are operated by contracted providers of the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) to offer a nutritious meal either through group dining or home-delivered meal services to seniors at the community level. The contractor chooses designated locations of operations in its communities. The primary purpose of operating a group dining site is to provide a nutritious meal, socialization, and nutrition education. Group dining sites must comply and operate according to the contract requirements set by the AAA and the policies found in section 503 of the South Carolina Aging Services Policies and Procedures Manual.
Senior Center Permanent Improvement Project (PIP) Grant Program
It is the intent of the South Carolina Department on Aging for all multipurpose senior centers to be focal points in their respective communities. The Older Americans Act (OAA) defines a focal point as a facility established to encourage the maximum collocation and coordination of services for older individuals.
A focal point is a facility established to provide local leadership on aging issues, to provide older adults access to services at a central location with customer-oriented staff, and to assist those in the community who have an interest in, or need for, information, resources, or services. All Permanent Improvement Program (PIP) funded Multipurpose Senior Centers shall be focal points of their respective communities.
PIP Grant Application (.PDF)
(Deadline for submission Friday, February 28, 2025.)
About
In 1991, the South Carolina General Assembly established the Senior Center Permanent Improvement Project (PIP) and appropriated $948,000 per year from state bingo tax and licensing fee revenues to fund a list of 74 specifically identified capital improvement projects.
The original legislation was amended by the General Assembly in 1997 to continue the program beyond the original list. The SCDOA was given responsibility for developing an ongoing process to select and fund applications for senior center capital improvement projects.
PIP is a competitive grant process, and applications are accepted in the month of February.
- The total dollar amount awarded in each grant cycle shall vary depending on the number of applications received, the dollar amounts requested in the applications, and the amount of funds available in the restricted PIP account.
- When a PIP grant application is approved, a Notification of Grant Award (NGA) shall be signed between the SCDOA and the applicant. The SCDOA shall reimburse the PIP recipient directly. The PIP recipient is required to provide proof (receipts and contracts) that the work being invoiced has been completed.
Protocols for Evaluating PIP Applications and the Awarding of Grants
(All requirements of the PIP Application Package and the SCDOA policies and procedures for PIP grants)
- PIP grant application proposal, one electronic copy (email) and two hard copies (mailed or hand delivered) must be received by SCDOA by close of business Friday, February 28, 2025.
- Applications must be supported by the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Director before SCDOA will consider the project. Please Note: No PIP grant will be awarded to an entity not supported by an AAA.
- The PIP Coordinator and PIP Panelists thoroughly examine the applications submitted to determine their compliance with established application requirements and agency policy and procedures.
- Applicant meetings are scheduled with SCDOA PIP Coordinator and PIP panelist to meet with each applicant to discuss applications, committed project funds, agency finances, project details, and the long-term sustainability of the senior center. A standardized list of questions is asked of all applicants during each visit. Each visit follows a uniformed process.
- After the applicant meetings are concluded, the PIP Coordinator and PIP panelists will conduct a final review of the applications.
- The PIP Coordinator will brief SCDOA Director who will approve grant recipients.
- PIP recipients and local AAAs will be notified in writing of the awards.
- The grant applicant will have 30 days to complete the necessary forms in the Project Plan Package (C-Forms) for an NGA to be generated from the SCDOA.
Once SCDOA receives the C-Forms we will prepare NGAs for the applicant(s) to sign and execute.