County working with state to determine community needs

The statewide initiative "Communities for a Lifetime" seeks to implement improvements beneficial to every citizen, especially seniors, by recognizing the needs of residents and the unique contributions individuals can make to their community.

The initiative began in 1999 with the goal of assisting cities and towns throughout Florida plan and execute changes to benefit both seniors and youths alike, according to Communities for a Lifetime's Web site.

Participating communities use existing resources and state technical assistance to make crucial civic improvements in such areas as housing, health care, transportation, accessibility, business partnerships, community education, efficient use of natural resources and volunteer opportunities, according to J.B. Hillard, moderator for Community for a Lifetime Committee of Walton County.

To gauge the level of need in each community, the Florida Department of Elderly Affairs is requesting all seniors complete and return a "Community Senior Needs Assessment" questionnaire by Oct. 31.  

"We've got a bunch of the questionnaires out now," said John Horton, site manager for the South Walton Senior Center. "We're trying to spread them around here."

The questionnaire is directed towards seniors' needs but everyone in the community will benefit from the improvements, according to Janine Rogers-Harris, community relations manager for Community for a Lifetime.

"Making changes for seniors benefits all of the population," Rogers-Harris said. "By helping the community's residents remain independent and active in their community."

To date, more than 187 communities participate in the program, with the goal of having all 425 municipalities in the state participate, according to Roger-Harris.

Currently, Walton County is the only county in Florida with all municipalities participating in the program; this includes the cities of DeFuniak Springs and Freeport and the township of Paxton, according to Hillard.

Funding for the initiative comes primarily from the state and federal government, but the county and United Way also contribute to the program, according to Roger-Harris.

The demand for services provided by the Communities for a Lifetime initiative have already increased in the past eight months, prior to receiving any additional information from returned questionnaires, according to Roger-Harris.

"We have a waiting list for some of our programs," she said.

Senior Needs Assessment Pick up and Drop Box Locations

North Walton:

City Hall - Paxton           

Co-Op - Paxton                                  

Library - Flowersview                       

Fullers Grocery - Darlington

Pridgen's Store - Gaskin                 

Central Walton:

City Hall - DeFuniak Springs

Library - DeFuniak Springs

County Government Complex/Life Enrichment Senior Center - 312 College Ave - DeFuniak Springs

Council on Aging - 454 W. Baldwin - DeFuniak Springs

County Health Dept on N. 83 - DeFuniak Springs                

Healthmark Regional Hospital - lobby                      

Ed's (Tasty Freeze) - 1324 Hwy 90 W. - DeFuniak Springs

Mom & Dad's Restaurant - 2184 Hwy 90 W., - DeFuniak Springs

Fishers Pharmacy - 688 Baldwin Ave - DeFuniak Springs

Walgreens - 1103 US Hwy 331 S., - DeFuniak Springs

Melhorns's, Argyle                          

Twin Lakes Grocery - 1814 US Hwy 90 W-DeFuniak Springs

Prescription Place - 1337 Hwy 90 W-DeFuniak Springs

McLains Family Steak House - 622 Hugh Adams Rd - DeFuniak Springs

Water Department of Mossy Head        

Simply Good Barbeque - Mossy Head

Medicine Shop - 674 US Hwy 331 S. - DeFuniak Springs

Thriftway - 515 US Hwo 90 E. - DeFuniak Springs

South-Central Walton:

City Hall - Freeport       

Library - Freeport                                     

Freeport Café - 39 St. Hwy 20 E

Smoke & Bones Barbeque (new) located in the old Mexican Restaurant - Freeport

Weeks Pharmacy - 132 St. Hwy 20 E - Freeport

Bruce Café or Store, Hwy 20 in Bruce    

Red Bay Store - 8704 St. Hwy 81

South Walton :

County Government Complex

Library - Government Complex

Dept. of Health - Government Complex

Senior Center - Santa Rosa Beach

Santa Rosa Beach Community Church - 3524 W. 98 - Santa Rosa Beach

United Methodist Church - Point Washington - 1290 N. Hwy 395

First Baptist Church of South Walton - 24388 US 331 S.