Uridge prepares to retire at the end of 2026                        

   From a county levy passed in 2003 to a collaboration serving thousands of older Clay Countians, Tina Uridge has seen Clay County Senior Services grow from the ground up.    Hired as executive director of Clay County Senior Services in December of 2004, Uridge was charged with bringing the levy to life.    After growing CCSS from a collaboration of 10 service providers in 2004 to more than 50 community partnerships today, Uridge will retire in December.

   Clay County Senior Services helps fund those who provide services, programs and resources older adults need such as transportation, in-home care, meals, minor home repairs and much more.    Over the years, as the 60-and-older population in Clay County grew, Uridge expanded services to meet their needs. She did so creatively at times. During Covid restrictions of 2020, for example, Uridge saw to it that exercise classes continued -- safely out in a parking lot.    Uridge has advocated for seniors statewide. She helped establish the Missouri Council on Aging in 2022 "to give Missourians a unified voice," she explained. She will continue serving as immediate past president of that council and serve as a mentor to professionals in the aging field.

   "Tina is at the pinnacle of the county's and the entire state's system of serving older adults," said Bob Steinkamp, chairman of the CCSS board of directors. "She is a force that will be missed."

For more information contact Bob Steinkamp at Rsteinkamp@claycoseniors.org at 816 213-5267.