By Miguel Segura
The Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) delivers pubic services and supports local governments inside the 13-county Alamo Area State Planning Region, which covers Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina and Wilson counties. The 12,585 square miles, with a population of 2.5 million, lets AACOG cater to residents of all types, for a number of community needs.
Through federal and state funding, AACOG has the opportunity to provide these programs to our residents:
•Alamo Agencies on Aging (AAA): Administering services designed to improve the quality of life for area seniors (60 years and older), individuals with disabilities, and their caregivers. AAA is dedicated to building a community that allows older residents to age in place with dignity, security, and enhanced quality of life.
•Alamo Regional Transit (ART): Providing public transportation for all residents within the ACCOG service area for the purposes of work, school, medical appointments, and shopping, to name a few.
•Housing and Energy Conservation: Providing Weatherization Assistance, helping low-income residents overcome the high cost of energy, through the installation of energy conservation measures and housing services.
•Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities: Assisting individuals with intellectual & developmental disabilities in Bexar County to live independently, in the least restrictive setting.
•Natural Resources: Monitoring local air quality and promoting meaningful solutions to reduce pollution.
Public Safety: Assisting localities with securing state funding & implementing public safety; offering basic peace officer and correction officer programs for those who seek to become peace officers with the State of Texas; offering telecommunications certification for those seeking licensure through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement; and continuing education courses for licensed peace officers, corrections officers and telecommunications professionals.
•Texas Serves: Working to serve veterans and their families by evaluating immediate needs and directing them to the network providers who can meet those needs.
•A full list of available programs can be found at the AACOG website, aacog.com, or by contacting AACOG at (210) 477-3275.
