Midland Area Agency on Aging (MAAA) is one of eight Area Agencies on Aging in Nebraska that operates with funding from the Federal Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA), the Nebraska Community Aging Services Act of 1987, Preadmission Screening Act of 1997, and Medicaid Home and Community Base Aged Waiver Services. Oversight Authority for programs sponsored by these revenues is by the Nebraska Health and Human Services Division on Aging. Nebraska's Area Agencies on Aging are also a part of a national network of 650 Area Agencies on Aging, which operate as defined by the OAA Rules and Regulations. These regulations were developed by the Administration on Aging, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. MAAA was formed in 1973 under the Nebraska Interlocal Agreement Act, which allows for local governments to join together for a common purpose. The purpose of this agreement was to form an agency that would be the planning, advocacy, and administrative unit for community aging services for the member counties. MAAA was designated as the official Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area G (PSA-G) in 1973 by what is now the Division of Aging Services, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The Planning and Service Area is composed of Adams, Clay, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Merrick, Nuckolls, and Webster counties in South Central Nebraska.  All eight counties are participating members. Each member county provides one to three members of its County Board, or an appointed alternate, to serve on the Governing Board of MAAA. They also provide a membership fee based on the over 60 population in their county. MAAA operates on a decentralized area management system that maximizes the planning and operating responsibilities at the county level. A single entity is recognized at the county level to plan for service delivery and development. This entity offers direct service operations or is offered on a contractual basis. The County Boards and Advisory Boards are also involved in the development of an annual operating plan for their local county programs. Changes with existing programs or new developments are identified in this planning process. Following this planing method, OAA & CASA grant fundss from the Division on Aging are allocated to each county by a funding formula. Only funds reserved in advance or not spent by the local programs at the end of the operating year are granted outside of this plan. The mission of MAAA is to advocate for and provide caring, quality services to older adults and their families that enable independent living with dignity in their home and community. These program operations are designed to be preventative, social, or individual assistance services, delivered in a senior center or an in-home setting. According to the 2000 census, the total number of persons of all ages in the service area is 125,016. Of this amount, 19,903 are over age 60 (approximately 16%).