Northwest Regional Council

As an association of county governments, the Northwest Regional Council (NWRC) has been serving people of Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties since 1971. They are a regional governmental agency and are governed by a board of directors that is composed of two elected officials from each member county.

Currently, most of their efforts are as Northwest Washington’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA), one of thirteen such agencies in Washington State. They implement state and federal programs for seniors and people who need long-term care. These supportive services are referred to as community-based care. Some of the community-based care programs they fund are Senior Information & Assistance, Congregate Meals, Meals on Wheels, Respite Care, Adult Day Services, Case Management and Family Caregiver Support.

The goal of community-based care is to help seniors and adults with disabilities to live in their homes and communities for as long as possible, postponing or eliminating the need for residential or institutional care (such as nursing homes.) Community-based care is overwhelmingly preferred by consumers and caregivers of all ages.

In addition to serving as the Area Agency on Aging, the NWRC also provides logistical and administrative support to the Boundary Review Board (Whatcom County.)