Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission

The Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission (GCRPC), a regional voluntary association of local governments and other agencies, is one of twenty-four (24) regional associations in Texas and one of 670 in the United States. Created in response to the regional Planning Act of 1965, as amended and codified, the GCRPC is defined as a political subdivision of the state. In part the law provides that "any two or more general purpose governmental units may join in the exercise, performance, and cooperation of planning, powers, duties and functions as provided by law for any or all such governmental units (Tex. Rev. Civ. Stat. Ann. Art. 1011m)".

The basic responsibility of the GCRPC involves planning for the development of the region and assisting local governments in carrying out regional plans and recommendations. Since its inception in 1968, the GCRPC has grown to include comprehensive planning and service delivery in program areas such as aging, economic development, E9-1-1, solid waste management and rural transportation.

The policy making bodies of the GCRPC include a Board of Directors and the General Assembly. A system of policy advisory committees composed of elected officials and appointed local government officials and citizens assist in defining the needs of the region.

Funds are received from local, state and federal governments. The federal funds are "passed" through the state and local funding is composed of dues paid by member governments. Membership is open to all counties, cities, school districts and other nonprofit groups

The Golden Crescent Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is one of twenty-eight in the state, and more than 700 in the United States and its Territories. The Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission is designated to serve the needs of the elderly in Calhoun, Dewitt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca and Victoria counties. This is accomplished by administering federal grants under Title III of the Older Americans Act.

The major responsibility of the AAA is to develop a comprehensive and coordinated plan that demonstrates how the needs of the elderly in the region will be met. This three-year Area Plan begins with consumer input gathered through surveys and public hearings. The Regional Health and Human Services Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from each county, carefully considers this information, then helps shape the data into a list of priority services to fund using the Title III resources.

Providing the services is accomplished through a combination of subcontracting and direct service arrangements. The local subcontractors consist of four senior citizens associations, two units of local government and three, public, non-profit organizations. The major services include senior center meals, home-delivered meals, transportation, light housekeeping, preventive health activities, information and referral and advocacy. AAA services reached over 8,000 elderly citizens in the region last year.