Linda Levin, M.S.G.
Linda Levin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Florida and her Masters Degree in Gerontology from Nova Southeastern University. Before coming to Jacksonville, she worked for the Area Agency on Aging in Broward County and the Area Agency on Aging for Miami-Dade County as well as served as the Director of the Area Agency on Aging in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She has extensive experience working with elders in both urban and rural areas and in multi-cultural, multi-ethnic communities. Linda has been the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging for Northeast Florida since January 2004.
Designated by the State of Florida in 1976, ElderSource, the Area Agency on Aging and Aging Resource Center for Northeast Florida, is responsible for identifying the needs of the elderly in a 7 county region, for developing plans to meet those needs and for contracting with service providers to deliver services. Linda Levin and ElderSource are responsible for managing a $22 million budget. Services provided through this funding include, but are not limited to, emergency energy assistance, congregate and home delivered meals, recreation, education, shopping assistance, case management, health support, home repair and modification, adult day care, homemaker, personal care, legal assistance and transportation as well as support, training, counseling and respite for caregivers including grandparents raising grandchildren.
Most recently, Ms. Levin was responsible for transitioning the agency to an Aging Resource Center creating a one stop shop for seniors and caregivers find the information they need as well as assistance with applying for services and benefits. This system change includes partnering with access points, making it easy for elders to access the system.
Ms. Levin is also responsible for the development of Assistive Eating Device training kits used by providers to assess and train clients to enable them to eat with dignity and maintain or improve their nutritional status. A fund to assist with the purchasing of these devices has also been created. Under Ms. Levin’s leadership, ElderSource also has a Resource Library for providers and consumers to borrow a variety of materials on various topics.
Ms. Levin also serves on several community task forces and coalitions such as United Way of Northeast Florida’s Life: Act 2 senior initiative, One Voice for Volusia Community Agenda, Human Services Council, and Blueprint for Prosperity Quality of Life Strategic Alliance. She also serves on the Board of the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging, is Vice President of the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging and has spoken before local, state and national bodies.