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September 30, 2026 - Butler, PA

Under Shapiro Administration, Local Aging Agencies are Responding Faster Than Ever to Reports of Suspected Elder Abuse, Boosting Accountability and Better Protecting Older Adults

Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Secretary Jason Kavulich today visited the Butler County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to underscore the drastic changes the Shapiro Administration has implemented to better protect older adults while improving the transparency, accountability and system performance of Pennsylvania's local aging network.

The Department oversees a network of 52 AAAs that each provide programs and protective services for older adults across Pennsylvania's 67 counties. The department recently overhauled the way it monitors AAA protective services programs by replacing an old, subjective, pass/fail system with a new, more objective and robust system that provides local aging agencies with valuable information to improve services and better protect older adults.

"The old system was like a teacher telling a student they passed or failed for the year, without providing any grades in individual subjects or feedback on how to get better," Kavulich said. "The new performance evaluation system provides AAAs with the concrete feedback they need to make adjustments and improve services for older Pennsylvanians."

Speakers
Jason Kavulich, Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Beth Harold, Executive Director, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Leslie Osche, Butler County Commissioner

Round Table Discussion
Jason Kavulich, Secretary Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Beth Harold, Executive Director, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Leslie Osche, Butler County Commissioner
Sarah Pierwsa, Protective Services Supervisor, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Steve Brown, Protective Services Supervisor, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Wendy Hooks, Quality Assurance, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Leah Zigler, Protective Services Investigator, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Michelle Gallagher, Protective Services Investigator, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Becki Stokes, Care Management Supervisor, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Jen Calihan, Care Management Supervisor, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Rick Kremer, Board Member, Butler County Area Agency on Aging

Interviewees
Leah Zigler, Protective Services Investigator, Butler County Area Agency on Aging
Michelle Gallagher, Protective Services Investigator, Butler County Area Agency on Aging

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