Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments

What Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments does

Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) is a public intergovernmental organization established in 1968 under Alabama state law and headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. As one of 12 regional councils in the state, TARCOG has operated a federally designated Area Agency on Aging since 1970, serving seniors and individuals with disabilities across DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall counties in Northeast Alabama—a region covering over 700,000 residents. The organization's core portfolio consists of approximately a dozen social-service programs: the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for fraud prevention, SHIP Medicare counseling, SenioRx prescription assistance, Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver case management (serving ~1,000 clients), the Gateway to Community Living transition program, Long-Term Care Ombudsman services, Alabama Cares caregiver support, SCSEP senior employment, free Legal Assistance for adults 60+, Live and Live Well wellness programming, nutrition services, and 14+ senior centers. Service delivery is community-led, conducted via in-home visits, senior center programs, county Council on Aging partnerships, and community events.

TARCOG's business model is grant-funded rather than commercial. Revenue is sourced primarily from the federal Older Americans Act, Alabama Department of Senior Services allocations, Alabama Medicaid Agency pass-through for the Medicaid Waiver program, and competitive federal grants such as the $1.5M EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant awarded in July 2024. Most services are delivered free of charge to eligible residents regardless of income; minor revenue is generated through event tickets (Senior Fun Fest at $5 advance, $7 at door) and event sponsorships from local healthcare and government entities including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, VIVA Health, and Madison County Commission. The organization is governed by a board of county and municipal representatives and has no parent company, subsidiaries, or external equity ownership. In 2024-2025, TARCOG reported material programmatic outcomes: 2,749 SHIP participants saved over $2.5 million on Medicare premiums in 2025; SenioRx generated more than $9 million in prescription savings; and 850 seniors attended the 2025 Senior Fun Fest. TARCOG employs 101-250 staff and is led by Executive Director Michelle Gilliam Jordan, with a leadership team spanning Aging Programs, Economic Development and Planning, Medicaid Waiver, and Community Outreach.

Name

Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments

Legal name

Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments

Website

https://tarcog.us

Company type

Private

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) is a public regional council and Area Agency on Aging founded in 1968, serving seniors and individuals with disabilities across five Northeast Alabama counties via Medicaid Waiver case management, Medicare counseling, prescription assistance, caregiver support, and senior centers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Aging and Disability Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHLADALAK

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Senior Care Coordination & Case Management (Geriatric Care Management)

SECONDARYBPAGAEAF

Elder Services & Aging Support

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

SECONDARYBPAIACAK

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration

Business & Public Services/Public Sector & Government Administration/Local/Municipal Government Administration

SECONDARYHLAFAFAF

Transitional Care Units (TCU)

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Healthcare Providers & Systems/Post-Acute Care & Rehabilitation Facilities

SECONDARYHLADAAAB

Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities

Healthcare & Life Sciences/Elder Care & Long-Term Care/Independent Living Communities

Keywords

• Aging services
• Area agency on aging
• Medicaid waiver programs
• Regional government planning
• Community development grants

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntsville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Federal and State Government Funding: TARCOG receives funding through the Older Americans Act, federal grants, and Alabama Department of Senior Services allocations to operate its Area Agency on Aging programs including senior centers, nutrition programs, caregiver support, and Medicaid waiver services.
2. EPA Brownfield Assessment Grant: TARCOG was awarded a $1.5 million Federal Brownfield Assessment Grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for environmental cleanup and redevelopment planning in Athens, Fort Payne, and Gurley over four years.
3. Event Revenue: Minor revenue from event tickets such as Senior Fun Fest ($5-$7 per ticket) and sponsorships from local businesses and organizations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

TARCOG is a public intergovernmental regional council of governments that administers Area Agency on Aging programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, plus regional community planning, economic development, and brownfield redevelopment services. Core offerings include the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver, SHIP Medicare counseling, SenioRx prescription assistance, Senior Medicare Patrol fraud prevention, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Alabama Cares caregiver support, SCSEP senior employment training, legal services for adults 60+, and federally funded environmental assessment and planning across five Northeast Alabama counties.

Product overview

TARCOG (Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments) is a regional government council serving Northeast Alabama since 1968. The organization's primary offerings are social services programs administered through its Area Agency on Aging. The portfolio consists of multiple distinct service programs including: the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for fraud prevention; Legal Assistance Program providing free elder law services; the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver Program for home-based care; SenioRx prescription medication assistance; Gateway to Community Living transition program; Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program; Alabama Cares caregiver support; Live and Live Well wellness programming; SCSEP senior employment training; and annual events like Senior Fun Fest. These programs collectively serve seniors and disabled individuals across five counties (DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall) to help them remain independent in their homes and communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Area Agency on Aging Designated regional Area Agency on Aging coordinating supportive services, nutrition programs, and senior center activities across the five-county service area, guiding delivery of services through the Area Plan for FY 2026-2029.
• Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver Program Offers services to individuals at risk of nursing facility placement, allowing clients to remain in their homes with services including personal care, homemaker services, companion services, respite care, skilled nursing, meal delivery, home modifications, and assistive technology, serving approximately 1,000 clients across the five-county region.
• Medicare/Insurance Counseling (SHIP) Provides free Medicare counseling and insurance navigation assistance to eligible beneficiaries; saved 2,749 residents more than $2.5 million on Medicare insurance premiums in 2025 through personalized SHIP counseling.
• Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Fraud prevention program that empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse.
• SenioRx Prescription Medication Assistance Program Helps qualifying individuals get medications at low or no cost by working with drug manufacturers; available to Alabama residents aged 55 or older with chronic medical conditions or limited prescription insurance, delivering more than $9 million in prescription cost savings in the prior year.
• Gateway to Community Living (GCL) Program Helps Alabamians who are aging or have disabilities transition from skilled nursing facilities back to living independently in their own homes and communities.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Protects residents' rights by investigating complaints, visiting facilities, and ensuring fair treatment for residents living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall counties.
• Legal Assistance Program Provides free legal services to adults age 60 and older in the five-county region, including powers of attorney, Medicaid eligibility, wills and estate planning, consumer protection, and long-term care concerns, delivered through TARCOG's contract with Legal Services of Alabama.
• Alabama Cares Program Supports family and professional caregivers with services including respite, access assistance, supplemental support, and education, including the annual Caregiver College conference accredited by Alabama A&M University School of Social Work.
• Live and Live Well Health and wellness program helping seniors stay healthy as they age, promoting active and independent living.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Job training program for seniors that provides part-time training assignments to help older adults gain employment skills and increase earnings.
• Senior Fun Fest Annual celebration event for Older Americans Month bringing seniors from throughout the five-county region together for entertainment, games, meals, and community activities.
• Community Planning Regional planning services to identify common issues, opportunities, and challenges across DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall counties, provided to member local governments.
• EPA Brownfield Assessment Program EPA-funded environmental assessment, cleanup planning, and revitalization program covering Athens, Fort Payne, and Gurley across the four-year grant period, supporting brownfield inventory, site assessments, cleanup plans, and revitalization planning in partnership with community coalition members including Singing River Trail.
• Revolving Loan Fund Revolving loan fund used to support economic development activities across the five-county region, delivered as part of TARCOG's Growing Our Economy initiatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,749 people saved more than $2.5 million on Medicare insurance premiums through SHIP program in 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Legal Services of AlabamacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal Services of Alabama provides legal representation and counsel to TARCOG clients age 60 and older in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison, and Marshall counties. Services include powers of attorney, Medicaid eligibility, wills and estate planning, consumer protection, and long-term care concerns. Attorney Bryan Andrews serves as TARCOG's Elder Legal Program Attorney.
• Wish of a Lifetime from AARPminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership to provide Valentine's Day visits to seniors through Cupid Crew program. TARCOG's Area Agency on Aging collaborated with Wish of a Lifetime to deliver roses, socks, and cards to 2,500 seniors in nursing homes, adult day centers, senior centers, and Medicaid Waiver clients.
• BombasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBombas donates socks to TARCOG as part of Giving Partner program. socks were distributed to 2,500 seniors through Cupid Crew Valentine's Day initiative across five-county region.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of AlabamaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of 2026 Senior Fun Fest event celebrating Older Americans Month.
• VIVA HealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor sponsor of 2026 Senior Fun Fest event celebrating Older Americans Month.
• Madison County CommissioncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual co-sponsor of Senior Fun Fest along with ticket sales and local business contributions. Commission Chair Mac McCutcheon and commissioners are TARCOG board members.
• Alabama Department of Senior Services (ADSS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that provides Older Americans Act funding and oversees Area Agencies on Aging statewide. ADSS partners with TARCOG for State Plan on Aging, Senior Medicare Patrol, and other programs.
• Alabama Medicaid AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGateway to Community Living (GCL) program is an initiative of Alabama Medicaid Agency that helps Alabamians who are aging or have disabilities live at home. TARCOG administers the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver Program.
• Athens State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSandridge Ballroom at Athens State University serves as venue for TARCOG Fraud & Scam Summit events.
• Alabama A&M University School of Social WorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides 4.5 contact hours for Social Work and Nursing CEUs at Caregiver College event.
• County Councils on Aging (5 counties)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTARCOG partners with DeKalb County, Jackson County, Limestone County, Madison County, and Marshall County Councils on Aging for local service delivery including senior centers, nutrition programs, and outreach.
• Alzheimer's Foundation of AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesignated TARCOG as a trained memory screening site after staff certification.
• Singing River TrailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition member in EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant, working on trail-related redevelopment projects in Athens and Gurley.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• West Alabama Regional Commission: One of Alabama's 13 regional councils of governments, with overlapping mandate for planning, economic development, and aging services in a different multi-county territory — directly comparable intergovernmental structure.
• East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission: Sister regional council of governments serving counties adjacent to TARCOG's footprint with a comparable mix of planning, economic development, and aging-services programs under Alabama's regional-commission framework.
• Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizens Services: Designated Area Agency on Aging for Jefferson County (Birmingham), operating the same Older Americans Act, Medicaid Waiver, and caregiver programs as TARCOG under the same state oversight framework.
• Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging (M4A): Another of Alabama's 12 regional Area Agencies on Aging, serving a different multi-county territory with a comparable portfolio of Older Americans Act-funded senior services, caregiver support, and Medicaid Waiver administration.

Broad incumbents

• Alabama Department of Senior Services: State-level agency that administers Older Americans Act funding and oversees Alabama's 12 Area Agencies on Aging, including TARCOG. Comparable in mission (senior services) but operating at the state rather than regional level.
• National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a): National membership and advocacy organization representing the 622 Area Agencies on Aging across the U.S. Sets programmatic standards, lobbies for Older Americans Act funding, and provides training that governs agencies like TARCOG.

Others

• Alabama Medicaid Agency: State agency that funds and oversees the Elderly and Disabled Medicaid Waiver program TARCOG administers. A key funding/oversight counterpart rather than a direct competitor, but materially comparable in serving Alabama's aging and disabled population.

Emerging players

• AARP Alabama: State-level advocacy and service organization serving older adults in Alabama. Partial overlap with TARCOG in caregiver support, Medicare education, and senior engagement programming, though operating through a national nonprofit model rather than public mandate.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/tarcog
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@tarcog
• Facebookfacebook.com/tarcog

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments