1970’S
The Story County Council on Aging (SCCOA), which later became Heartland Senior Services (HSS), was organized in September of 1974. It began with no direct services. It concentrated on meeting with community leaders about services to the elderly that could be partially funded with federal funds.
It was in 1974 that Title XX of the Social Security Act was expanded to make grants to states for social services in the areas of homemaker aid, health, transportation, adult day care, nutrition, and outreach for the elderly.
SCCOA (HSS) was incorporated in 1975 and became a provider of direct services:
Colo 9/30/76
Huxley March 1977
Ames 6/2/77
Story City 2/6/78
Maxwell 9/4/79
Nevada 11/12/91
Home delivered meals were made available from the congregate sites in Colo, Huxley, and Maxwell. A contract was made by SCCOA with a nursing home in Zearing and a restaurant in Slater to provide home delivered meals in Zearing, McCallsburg, and Slater. The hospitals in Ames, Story City, and Nevada provided meals-on-wheels in these three communities.
1980’s
A Federal/State grant of $80,000 was approved to purchase and remodel the former Wilson School at 205 South Walnut. The City of Ames purchased the site, then leased it to SCCOA (HSS) for 10 years. The remodeling included expansion of the dining room and addition of kitchen and storage areas. The work was completed in 1981.
Around 1982 the Heart of Iowa Regional Transit Agency was established. SCCOA (HSS) agreed to be the provider of services in Story County. The service collapsed in 1986, but was begun again in 1989.
In 1981 the Ames congregate meals’ site was relocated from Collegiate United Methodist Church to the Walnut Street building and service extended from 3 days/week to five.
In 1987 funding cuts forced the closing of the kitchens in Colo, Huxley and Maxwell. Meals were prepared in Ames and taken in bulk to those sites. The home delivered meals service in Slater was discontinued.
Also in 1987 the Senior Center that had operated in the former Sheldon Munn Hotel was moved to the Walnut Street site to save money.
In 1988 outreach services were restructured with professional staff to organize case managed services to the “frail elderly” of Story County,
1990’s
The name Heartland Senior Services is adopted in 1990.
With Federal Community Development Block Grant funds and donations an abutting lot is purchased, the parking lots paved, and the Adult Day Care wing is constructed.
Between January 1989 and May 1991: The ”Commitment to Caring Campaign” raises $344,661 in private donations, are received for a much needed capital infusion now held, with investment earnings ,by the HSS Foundation that was founded in 1990.
In 1995 the first of the annual “Varieties” shows was held.
In 1995 a program of continuous expansion of the fleet of HIRTA vehicles was begun.
In the Spring of 1997 HSS took on home-delivered meals in Story County.
The HSS Band was formed in 1997. It performs at the State Fair, the “Varieties” shows, and other events throughout the year.
2000’s
In 2000, The first all-agency Heartland Volunteer Recognition was organized, celebrating 470 volunteers. (Today Heartland's Volunteer Team has nearly doubled in size.)
In 2004, Outreach added Representative Payee to its Money Management services, joining the Bill Payer, Friendly Visitor Programs and general outreach support.
In 2006, Heartland became the provider of Jasper County Transportation, through Jasper funding. (This decreased over-head expenses in Story County for the five years this service was in existence.)
In 2006, Zearing/McCallsburg congregate meal site opened.
In 2007, Heartland began delivery of Nevada's Home-delivered Meals, previously out of Story County Medical Center.
In 2008, Heartland Transportation began to offer Iowa City medical trips twice a week.
2010’s
The first of the nation’s “baby boomers” have turned 65 in 2011. They were 29 when HSS was founded in1974. Being 65 in 2011 is probably different than what it was in 1974. What are the differences? What is the future of services for older adults?? Whatever it is, HSS will be a part of it.
John R. Klaus
President
7/17/2011
Based on a history prepared by Patricia A. Hougen in May, 1999.
2011 (numbers from most recent fiscal year (2010-2011)
Heartland Senior Services continues to grow and to provide Story County with excellent leadership and service to older adults: Activity & Resource Center (16, 570 activity contacts), Adult Day Center (5,094 days of care), Congregate Meals (23,764 meals), Home-delivered Meals (21,256 meals), Outreach Support (2,922 contact hours), Transportation (73,688 rides in Story Co.)
HSS is supported by private and public funds including: Aging Resources of Central Iowa, Heartland Senior Services Foundation, HIRTA, Story County and its cities, Story County Community Foundation, and United Way of Story County. HSS is an ASSET-funded agency.
