Arizona Indian Council on Aging

The Arizona Indian Council on Aging is proud to host the 30th Biennial AICOA Conference in conjunction with the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.- Area Agency on Aging, Region 8 (ITCA-AAA) Family Caregiver Support Program.

There is no cost to attend. The conference promotes the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of older adults/elders, adults with disabilities and caregivers through workshops focusing on three (3) tracks: caregiving, healthy aging, and advocacy. Furthermore, the conference will provide information to advocates, service providers, and volunteers working within Tribal communities of Arizona.

Please refer to the following documents for additional information:

30th Biennial AICOA FCSP Conference 3.31.26 Agenda-At-A-Glance

30th Biennial AICOA FSCP Conference 3.31.26 Registration Packet 

Registration forms are due by Monday, March 23, 2026.

The Arizona Indian Council on Aging (AICOA) currently serves as the Advisory Council for the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc., (ITCA) Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Region 8.  AICOA is organized to promote and advocate for the interests of the elderly population of the member Tribes of the Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc.

The formation of AICOA originated in 1976, when the first national Indian conference on aging was held on June 15-17, in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was here, American Indian Tribes and urban Indian organizations recognized the need to maintain a continuing advocacy effort on behalf of their elderly, by establishing the National Indian Council of Aging (NICOA) on June 17, 1976.

AICOA meets on a quarterly basis and its Advisory Board is comprised of ‘Board Members’ and ‘Alternate Board Members’ from each of the 21 Member Tribes of ITCA.

THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965—Important Policy for Elders

The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona, Inc. (ITCA), Area Agency on Aging (AAA), Region 8 is a designated “Agency” under the guidelines of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (OAA).

• This law empowers the Agency to assess the needs of older persons within the planning service area.
• This law enables the Agency to receive state and OAA funding: Title III, Title VI and Title VII.
• This law allows the Agency to subcontract with member Tribes of ITCA to provide services for Title III and Title VII elders age 60 and over, disabled individuals and family caregivers residing in Arizona.
• This law supports the Agency to subcontract with member Tribes of ITCA to provide services for Title VI Indian elders who are 55 and over.

AICOA Bylaw

Executive Officers

President

Maria Chavez, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

Vice President

Sally Aday, San Carlos Apache Tribe

Secretary

Janice Anderson, Ak-Chin Indian Community

Member At Large

Martha Mase, Hopi Tribe

Board Members & Alternates

For more information on the Arizona Indian Council on Aging contact:

Roxanne.Thomas@itcaonline.com, MSW, MSPPM, AAA Program Coordinator II