Ark-Tex Area Council of Governments

What is ATCOG?

The Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1968. We serve nine northeast Texas counties and one southwest Arkansas county. ATCOG is not a government agency. We have no authority to make laws, levy taxes, or exercise police powers.

The ATCOG is one of 24 regional councils in Texas. These councils are members of the Texas Association of Regional Councils. ATCOG serves Region 5. Region 5 is made up of the following counties, covering over 6,400 square miles: Bowie, Cass, Delta, Franklin, Hopkins, Lamar, Morris, Red River and Titus Counties in Texas and Miller County in Arkansas.

ATCOG consists of the following departments/programs: Executive, Administration, Finance, Information Technology (IT), Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Criminal Justice, Economic Development, Environmental, Housing, Transportation, and Public Safety (which operates both 9-1-1 and Homeland Security).

What do we do?

• Conduct Planning.
• Assist local governments in implementing plans.
• Contract with local, state, and federal governments and other public
  and private agencies.
• Review and comment on applications of federal and state-grants-in-aid and solid waste permits.
• Assist local governments in solving governmental problems.

Vision & Mission

The primary goal of ATCOG is to improve the quality of life for all citizens of the region on behalf of regional governmental organizations by providing a perspective on information and problem solving and by coordinating funding, resources, programs and services. It is our desire to be of service to you and we are delighted that you have visited our site. Please feel free to contact our offices regarding any particular program in which you have an interest.

The Older American’s Act of 1965, as revised in 1973, established state Area Agencies on Aging to assist in planning and developing programs specially designed for citizens 60 years of age and older and their spouses. In 1974, Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) was designated as one of 28 Area Agencies on Aging funded by the Health and Human Services Commission.

Service Area

ATCOG’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) services nine counties – Bowie, Cass, Morris, Titus, Franklin, Hopkins, Cooper, Lamar and Red River.

Services

The Agency is dedicated to providing services to seniors in our areas that will promote quality of life and quality of care. Services provided range from congregate meals, home-delivered meals, benefits counseling, care coordination, legal assistance, caregiver support, advocacy for residents in long term care, and transportation services.

• Benefits Counseling Program – Provides assistance to seniors 60 years of age and older and Medicare beneficiaries of any age concerning their public benefits and entitlements.
• Care Coordination – Assesses the needs of people 60 years of age and older and then coordinates local resources to support an individual’s highest level of functioning.
• Caregiver Support – Assesses needs of caregivers and then coordinates available support services.
• Information, Referral, and Assistance – Provides to callers to identify and link with the appropriate service agencies
• Nutrition – Serves nourishing meals at site locations and/or delivered to home-bound seniors.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman – Advocates for residents of long-term care facilities (nursing homes and assisted living facilities).
• Senior Centers – providing organization and provision of support services and recreational and group activities for the older person.  Serves nourishing meals on site.
• Transportation – Offers transportation to nutrition sites, local medical services, and social service agency appointments.