Executive Director, Kathryn Boles
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Kathryn C. Boles (Kathy), Executive Director of the Valley Area Agency on Aging (VAAA) has worked in aging services since 1990.
Kathy began her tenure at VAAA as a consultant for the nutrition programs.
In 1991, she became the Senior Program Coordinator, having oversight of the agency’s
Multi-Year Plan development, contract management, as well as continued oversight of
the nutrition programs. In 1998, she prepared the grant application which expanded
the MiChoice (Medicaid Waiver) program to Valley Area Agency on Aging. Later she was
designated as the MiChoice Waiver Director, having oversight of all aspects of developing
the “Waiver” program, including hiring Waiver staff and provider pool development.
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In 2001 she was named Deputy Director of VAAA, and appointed Executive Director in 2004.
Since then she has moved the Agency forward by raising community awareness of VAAA and implementing
several unique programs serving older adults and their families in Planning and Service Area (PSA) 5.
VAAA’s service area consists of Genesee, Lapeer and Shiawassee Counties, including the City of Flint.
As the Executive Director of VAAA, Ms. Boles is responsible for implementing the following:
- Valley News e-newsletter
- Valley Alerts
- Vacation Respite Program
- Bath Program
- Big Wheels Deliver Meals – Elected officials served 130 meals to Home Delivered Meal
clients in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties
- MMAP – along with Social Security Administration assisted clients 60+ years of age
enroll in Medicare Part D
Ms. Boles has worked diligently to streamline provider reporting requirements by
condensing the RFP process to once every three years and quarterly reports.
Ms. Boles has brought into VAAA an unprecedented number of grants which have benefited the aging network:
- Healthy Aging Grant – nutrition and exercise program in conjunction
with the U of M – Flint Physical Therapy Department
- Senior Needs Assessment to determine the current and future needs of the
aging population and caregivers.
- Caregiver Respite – relief from caregiver duties
- Senior Driver Program – one of only two in the state; one of eleven in the nation.
Ms. Boles has made great strides in stepping up VAAA advocacy efforts through not only
publishing the quarterly Valley Newsletter, but by also growing PSA 5 “Senior Power Day” event,
making it one of the largest senior events in the State. In 2005, the first time a sitting
Governor ever attended this event, resulted in the highest attendance in the history of this yearly event.
Since becoming director of VAAA, Ms. Boles has spearheaded the technological growth of the
Agency, moving the Agency toward paperless recordkeeping; developing a new and improved website
in order to enhance information access and educate caregivers. Equipping field staff with computers will
improve communication between the clients and providers to address client needs quickly and efficiently.
Ms. Boles is active in civic and professional organizations at the local and State level. She served as
past president of the Board of Directors for the East Central Michigan Alzheimer’s Association, held offices
in the Zonta Club of Greater Flint, member of the National Caucus on Black Aged – Flint Chapter, past member
of the Hurley Home Care & Hospice Advisory Council, member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. – (a public
service sorority) serving as past chapter president and financial secretary; past member of Phi Chi Theta
business sorority, member of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and newly elected member
of MMAP (Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program Board of Directors). Ms. Boles served as a presenter at the
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging at its annual conference and as guest lecturer on aging
programs at the University of Michigan – Flint.
Ms. Boles holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University
and she is a certified Dietary Manager through Penn State University. A native of Lansing, Michigan,
she resides in Genesee County.