Pittsburgh, Pa., August 6, 2026 — From left, Pennsylvania State Rep. Jessica Benham, Dr. Shannah Tharp‑Gilliam, Secretary Jason Kavulich, and Allegheny County Department of Human Services Interim Director Alex Jutca speak during a roundtable discussion at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging.
Following a full performance evaluation of Allegheny County's aging services under a new monitoring tool, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) continued a statewide tour highlighting how the department's new approach to evaluating the performance of older adult protective services is delivering better results in keeping older adults safe.
That tool, the Comprehensive Aging Performance Evaluation (CAPE), replaces a prior ineffective pass/fail system that did not provide adequate oversight of the Area Agency on Aging network and delivers historic levels of transparency and accountability of that network, which provides an array of services to support older adults, including protective services. In the 26-27 budget, Governor Josh Shapiro secured a $1 million increase for CAPE so the department can continue to improve AAA oversight and accountability.
"Older adults in Pennsylvania deserve a modernized system that helps them stay safe and supported, healthy and thriving, but our infrastructure had not kept pace with the growing and changing needs of older adults," said Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich. "The Shapiro administration took this challenge head on and is making overdue system improvements. We have raised the bar of accountability. CAPE allows the department to do away with a simple pass/fail scoring system, and instead comprehensively ask, 'what does this local agency specifically need to improve?'"
Jason Kavulich – Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Aging
Dr. Shannah Gilliam – Director of Aging Services, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging
Alex Jutca – Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
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Pittsburgh, Pa., August 6, 2026 — From left, Pennsylvania State Rep. Jessica Benham, Dr. Shannah Tharp‑Gilliam, Secretary Jason Kavulich, and Allegheny County Department of Human Services Interim Director Alex Jutca speak during a roundtable discussion at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging.
