WARREN — Trumbull County has received a $779,910 Ohio Department of Aging Healthy Aging Grant that may be used to fulfill a variety of needs for county residents.

About 20% of the grant funds must be used to provide food assistance to seniors, 20% must be used for housing assistance and 10% to help seniors obtain internet assistance, according to Diane Siskowic-Jurkovic, Trumbull County’s Senior Levy administrator.

The remaining 50% may be used in ways determined by the counties receiving the grants.

Trumbull has been awarded the highest amount available from the Ohio Department of Aging. Siskowic-Jurkovic said 86 out of the state’s 88 counties applied to receive at least a portion of the $40 million available. At least half of the grants must be awarded by March 31.

“Considering this timeline, my estimation is that the contracts will start in February with September 2024 as the final month to spend the grant,” she said. “Right now, we are looking at having nonprofit organizations with projects geared toward seniors applying for the grant money.”

The senior levy advisory committee will review the applications to determine how much each applicant will receive. Award money must be distributed and spent by August 2024.

Siskowic-Jurkovic said successful projects could be funded in the future using senior levy funds, depending on whether the current Trumbull senior levy is replaced. The senior levy board has not determined how much of an increase it will ask the commissioners to put on the next election ballot. The senior levy has not seen an increase since 2005.

The Healthy Aging Grant is a one-time state grant available to all counties across the state to foster improved quality of life for seniors so they can remain in their homes and connected to their communities, delay entry into Medicaid, preserve their personal assets, and promote a healthy, independent, active lifestyle, according to the state agency’s website.

“Trumbull County has a growing senior population and these funds, although semi-restricted, will be able to add to the services we provide through the senior levy,” Commissioner Mauro Cantalamessa said. “There is always a need for more senior transportation, adult protective services, digital literacy programs and home health care services.”

Commissioner Niki Frenchko said the county must make sure that any program funded through the grant will be able to find a new funding source when the grant ends. Siskowic-Jurkovic emphasized that only the most successful of the programs will be considered for future funding after this grant ends.

The recommended amount of the proposed senior levy increase has not been determined.