Area 9 In-Home & Community Services Agency announced today the agency has informed Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) that it will not seek to renew its designation to provide services in Public Service Area (PSA) nine after the current grant period expires on June 30, 2017.

To help maintain continuity of services, FSSA has negotiated a plan to transition the delivery of services to LifeStream Services, Inc. beginning July 1, 2017. Residents will continue to have the same access to the quality, affordable health care programs and services they have now. To assist in the transition, Area 9 has been part of these conversations.

Tony Foster, executive director of the Area 9 Agency, said “Area 9 has had a supportive partnership with Indiana University East for 42 years, however, the health care landscape has changed dramatically over the past four decades – and so has the IU East campus. These changes have caused us to pause and examine our future and determine what is best for those we serve. LifeStream is highly regarded throughout the state of Indiana and shares our same mission to serve.”

The mission of Area 9 is to assist older persons and disabled individuals of all ages to lead independent, meaningful lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Foster said Area 9 has provided outstanding service to residents in Fayette, Franklin, Rush, Union and Wayne counties. “The agency, and our staff, has been unwavering in its commitment to serve the region and fulfill our mission. Under the leadership of LifeStream, this commitment will remain unchanged,” he said.

LifeStream Services, located in Yorktown, Ind., is a nationally accredited 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with more than 75 staff members who serve a seven-county. LifeStream currently has offices in Delaware, Grant, Henry, Jay, Madison and Randolph Counties and is identifying an office location in Wayne County to be effective July 1, 2017.

Kenneth Adkins, president and CEO of LifeStream Services, said “We are dedicated to helping seniors and those with disabilities remain independent and live at home as long as possible. We have been serving people since 1975 and we look forward to providing the same level of support for the residents of Area 9.”

In 2016, LifeStream served over 13,000 people helping individuals to remain independent and improve their quality of life through programs and services including transportation, in-home care management, home-delivered meals, senior cafes, caregiver support, guardianship, information, referrals and many other services.

Similarly, Area 9 serves about 10,000 residents with the assistance of 40 full-time and part-time staff and volunteers. It is anticipated that many Area 9 employees will transition to LifeStream to help maintain continuity of care for those served by the organization.

“LifeStream remains committed to meeting the needs of our clients and providing high quality care in the counties we currently serve and for those we will be serving in Area 9,” Adkins said.