AGING AND ADULT SERVICES

Funding for the Community Expansion of Nutrition Assistance (CENA) program was made available through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's appropriation bill, Oklahoma State Senate Bill 1071 Sections 1 and 6, Second Session, Forty-Ninth Oklahoma Legislature (2004). The purpose of this program is to increase the number of meals served to individuals, families, and their children, and other people at senior centers and community centers, in addition to home-delivered meals. The program also allows for the expansion of other needed services provided at senior centers for residents of Oklahoma.

The CENA program is a complete state-funded program designed to assist Multi-Purpose Senior Centers in the COEDD region by providing life-enriching services to older adults. To be eligible for the CENA grant program senior centers must have by-laws in place, a governing board, hold regular board meetings, and not receive funding under Title III of the Older Americans Act. CENA funds can be used for construction, renovation, equipment, bus insurance, building insurance, personnel, food, and utilities.