New Age of Aging Mini-grant Projects
Grant Period: November 2, 2009 - April 30, 2010
Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service, Associate Ambassadors West Palm Beach, FL
Project category: Civic Engagement through Volunteerism
Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service will further develop the Ambassadors Strategic Model. This program recruits volunteers to provide informal, peer, neighborhood services to older adults within the same gated-communities. They will offer stipends and training in order to take on additional responsibility within the program in a “training-the-trainer” role.
Expected Outcomes
In the short-term, at least four older adults will be chosen in “training-up” activities and develop outcome measures for data collection.
In the long-term, analyze data and publish findings as a pilot leadership council aspect of civic engagement to create project sustainability.
Catholic Family Center, Home Repair and Maintenance to Keep Older Adults in their Homes
Rochester, NY
Project category: Home Repair / Chore
Catholic FamilyCenter will use a network of certified contractors who are certified to provide home upkeep for older adults. Lower-income seniors will receive the needed home repairs to maintain their independence.
Expected Outcomes:
In the short-term, 85% lower-income older adults with home repair needs will report satisfaction and 80% will report improved safety and/or independence.
In the long-term, repairs completed will prevent more costly damage in the future and will improve the quality of life of older adults.
Center for Child & Family Services, Behavioral Health Staff Training
Hampton, VA
Project category: Behavioral Health
The Center for Child & Family, Services will train two full time employees on core issues in providing services to older adults. They in turn will train other staff and survey 10 local senior residential homes to determine community needs that are not being met.
Expected Outcomes:
In the short term, two employees will complete an online training program to earn a certification in aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at BostonUniversity. Twenty-five staff members will be provided with competency training in aging issues. Local senior living residency staff and residents will be surveyed to determine changes that need to be made to improve services to older adults.
In the long term, behavioral health staff will integrate new knowledge into program implementation. During 2010, The Center will increase the number of clients served by 65%.
Child & Family Service, Gerontology Program
Ewa Beach, HI
Project category: Civic Engagement through Volunteerism, Fall Prevention, and Mental Health
Child & Family Service will increase civic engagement participation in the Gerontology Program by recruiting volunteers to meet an increasing need related to fall prevention and mental health. Training materials will be developed and updated as needed to meet current practices and agency policies.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, two program staff will complete an online training program and earn certifications in aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University; the Senior Advisory Training Manual will be developed and revised. A plan will be created for recruiting more volunteers.
By 2011 clients served will increase by 50 and an additional 50 will be evaluated for home safety/fall prevention.
Family and Youth Counseling Agency, 12th Annual Connections Count! Professional Development Family Focus Conference
Lake Charles, LA
Project category: Professional Development and Awareness
Family and Youth Counseling Agency will build upon the lessons learned and success of its Connections Count! Professional Development Family Focus 2009 Conference. The public will be further educated on the New Age of Aging (NAA) citizen through a session at the 12th Annual “Connections Count! Professional Development Family Focus Conference” in February 2010. In addition, a second NAA session at the conference will educate professionals about the importance of bridging the workplace generation gap by using seniors’ expertise as volunteers.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, a total of 25 participants will attend NAA workshops held at the 2010 conference. Eighty percent of participants will have increased awareness with a better understanding of potential contributions and needs of seniors.
In the long term, three organizations will be identified to participate in the NAA coaching pilot program and three volunteer retirees will provide coaching and supportive services to three participating professionals.
Family Centers, Resident Service Coordinator Program
Greenwich, CT
Project category: Recreational Therapy Program
To assist residents with gaining a sense of community and drive for staying active and physically and mentally healthy, Family Centers will provide recreational therapy program for older adults. Instructors will be hired and program supplies will be purchased to implement art, music and exercise classes.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, pre and post assessments will be administered to measure participants’ improvements related increased mental alertness and attention span, enhanced memory skills and organizational skills and ability to develop and maintain social and self-advocacy skills.
In the long term, residents will have an increased ability to live independently, and will have a decreased level of isolation and depression and need for additional services and support.
Family Lifeline, ElderFriends: Aging Education Seminars
Richmond, VA
Project category: Older Adult Volunteers
Family Lifeline will host two aging education seminars for ElderFriends volunteers (over 100), older adult citizens, community partners, and staff and board members to expand and strengthen the network of isolated older adults through properly trained and supportive volunteer visitors.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, schedule two aging education seminars with 100 participants each between October 2009 and April 2010.
In the long term, decrease social isolation of seniors in the program, increase their knowledge of community-based resources and increase their social support.
Family Service, Inc., Wisconsin Integrated Services for Elders (WISE Star)
Madison, WI
Project category: Mental Health/Abuse Prevention/Mediation Services
For the purpose of introducing WISE Star to the community as wells as provide continuing specialized older adult education to staff, Family Service will have two staff members complete the coursework earn certificates in aging from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at BostonUniversity. A marketing and public relations plan will be developed and implemented for WISE Star.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, two staff will receive a certificate of aging from BostonUniversity, the agency website will be updated to make WISE Star easily accessible, and the organization will serve 25 older adults, their families and caregivers through direct service, presentations, referrals and information sharing through the website.
In the long term, WISE Star will be staffed by therapists skilled in the area of aging, and it will become a respected program and referral source in the DaneCounty area.
Family Service Agency of San Mateo County, Community Health & Wellness Education Campaign
San Mateo, CA
Project category: Health & Wellness Serving Diverse Older Adult Populations
Family Service Agency of San Mateo County will provide three Senior Peer Counseling Program coordinators with the opportunity to attend Californias's Annual Cultural Competence and Mental Health Summit XV. The Director of Older Adult Services will attend the Aging in America Conference 2010 to learn about best proactices and model programs and national/international aging trends. Three staff will participate in the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University certificate in aging online training program. These opportunities will help increase their knowledge of serving older adults and as a result allow them to provide improved services to clients and volunteers.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, staff will demonstrate improved understanding of older adult needs and obtain the skills needed to serve clients in the beginning stages of dementia. A document will be delveloped to demonstrate the three Peer Counselor Coordinators' and Director's conference/educational experiences and how the knowledge gained was applied to imporve the quality of services provided to older adults.
In the long term, there will be a 10% increase in senior peer counselors and clients from underserved communities to include Chinese, Filipino, and Latino groups. Peer counselors will commit to at least one year of service.
Family Service Association of Western Riverside County, Training for Informed Neurological Aging (TINA)
Moreno Valley, CA
Project category: Mental Health
Family Service Association (FSA) of Western Riverside County will educate staff and volunteers on facilitating the process of healthy aging, with a focus on assisting seniors before any possible mental health issues escalate to higher levels of treatment. Education will occur by conducting training sessions to familiarize and train case managers, program managers and volunteers on various screening tools such as alcohol use disorder identification test, depression inventory, psychiatric rating scale, and a patient health questionnaire.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, using a survey, the increase in knowledge of FSA staff and volunteers pertaining to healthy aging and mental health services will be measured.
In the long term, the training modules will be developed and shared with other agencies providing human services to seniors.
Family Service of Rhode Island , Kinship Caregiver Support Collaborative Venture Providence, RI
Project category: Older Adult Kinship Caregivers
Family Service of Rhode Island will establish a collaborative venture with the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) to develop strategies and programs responding to unmet needs of older adults caring for children. A consultant will be hired from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University to guide this coalition. In addition, two staff members will compete online training provided by the Institute for Geriatric Social Work.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, a needs assessment with kinship caregivers and service providers will be completed, staff will complete the Institute of Geriatric Social Work online training program and earn certificates in aging, and five collaborative planning meetings will be conducted with DEA and DCYF.
In the long term, a coalition will be formulated to develop programs and better serve older adults who are providing kinship care.
HopeSparks, Relatives Raising Children Program
Tacoma, WA
Project category: Kinship Caregiver Support
HopeSparks will serve 22 aging caregivers raising relative’s children to provide assistance in paying bills, meeting their basic needs, providing support groups, and making referrals to other needed resources in the community.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, 22 Pierce County families will have the support, resources and means to make ends meet and to give caretakers the ability to nurture children.
In the long term, 22 families will stay together, an average of 48 children will be kept out of foster care, and comprehensive community support will be provided to families.
Jewish Family Service, With Internet Readiness Elders Do Well (WIRED)
Teaneck, NJ
Project category: Technology Training/Preparation
Twelve clients with hearing loss and/or Holocaust survivors will receive a Landel MailBug, an electronic device designed to exchange email and help keep older adults connect with family and friends. A trained care manager will train two interns to install the device in the homes of older adults. The interns will also offer the older adults training and ongoing support for using the Landel MailBug. Service fees will be paid for four months and a listserve will be established to share information with the older adults.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, by connecting and maintaining relationships with friends and family despite their disabilities, isolation in older adults will be reduced.
In the long term, through a listserve, older adults will receive continued peer support and pertinent information.
Jewish Family Services, Educational Forum for Professionals and Caregivers Working with Older Adults
Milwaukee, WI
Project category: Cultural Perspectives / Compassion Fatigue
Jewish Family Services will plan and present a half day conference to provide awareness of the program and services offered to older adults. The conference will also address issues of cultural taboos that surround aging, the prevalence of depression and suicide among older adults, and caregiver burnout. The event will be directed to staff at assisted living facilities, long term care facilities, hospitals, senior centers, and social service agencies. The program will include a speaker addressing “Compassion Fatigue” and a panel focusing on “cultural perspectives in aging”. Immediate and longitudinal surveys will be administered to measure program impact.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, participants will be surveyed on the value of information obtained from the conference. The survey will also measure perceptions of personal well-being, and collect information on individual participants’ demographics as well as the populations served.
In the long term, a follow up online survey will be implemented in three months to ascertain participants incorporation of material learned during the conference into their work.
Matrix Human Services, Reuther Older Adult & Wellness Services (ROAWS)
Detroit, MI
Project category: Community Awareness/Professional Development
Matrix Human Services will train two staff members in aging concerns through the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at BostonUniversity online training program.. The staff members in turn will be a resource for evaluating and suggesting changes in the current aging programs. The agency will also design, print and distribute informational brochures in diverse languages to key areas in the community.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, two staff will earn an aging certificate from the Institute for Geriatric Social Work. There will be a 15% increase in calls and a 10% increase of new clients in the wellness center due to the marketing efforts. In the long term, the education of staff will impact the quality and scope of services offered, and will strengthen the agency's position as a leader in older adult services.
Northern Virginia Family Service, Daily Money Management Program (DMMP)
Oakton, VA
Project category: Professional Development / Financial Counseling/Literacy
Northern Virginia Family Service will enroll two staff members in the Institute of Geriatric Social Work online training program through Boston University to earn certificates in aging and share information with other staff. After completing the training, case managers that provide financial counseling will be able to address other concerns related to older adults. The program manager will research and develop a training plan to include opportunities for both paid and volunteer workers. Areas to be included in the training program are social security, Medicare, financial education, health and safety of older adults.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, all staff enrolled in Institute of Geriatric Social Work online training program will pass tests and earn a certificate in aging. The training plan for staff and volunteers will be approved and implemented.
In the long term, clients will benefit from the education of the staff and volunteers and make better financial decisions.
Our Family Services, Services to Older Disabled Adults (SODA)
Tucson, AZ
Project category: Professional Development / Awareness / Older and Disabled Adults
Our Family Services will provide scholarships and promotional materials for service providers to attend conferences and workshops and take course work that leads to certification. The purpose of providing education is to help raise awareness of older and disabled adults in Tucson. The project will include marketing brochures, public service announcements, and a scholarship award process for participants that demonstrate financial need.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, 100% of scholarship awardees will report a minimum of a 25% increase in knowledge gained about older and disabled adults as a result of attending the trainings.
In the long term, 90% of scholarship awardees will use the information learned in their professional and/or personal lives, thus being more effective in their role in older and disabled adults support services.
Robins’ Nest, Mental Health Services
Glassboro, NJ
Project category: Mental Health
Through a multi-pronged approach, Robins’ Nest will decrease the shortage of mental health services for older adults by increasing expertise for professionals and providing education and creating awareness for older adults. Two licensed clinicians in the field of aging will be trained through online coursework offered by the Institute for Geriatric Social Work at Boston University. The project will work to assess the needs of the aging population and develop solutions to address the identified needs. Free workshops will be held for older adults to improve mental health well-being and increase their awareness of mental health needs..
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, the agency will create a four member team with expertise in gerontology/geriatric services to assess best practices and present workshops on pertinent topics for the elderly.
In the long term, Robins’ Nest will experience an expansion of mental health services and an increased number of older adults who are served.
Secret Harbor, Home Care Program
Burlington, WA
Project category: In-home care program for older adults
Secret Harbor will collaborate with The Senior’s Choice, an established membership organization, to develop a home care program, which is a new service delivery area for the agency. This organization will provide training and guidance in policy and procedure manuals, job descriptions, and attaining the highest standards of care and business planning related to establishing a successful home care program for older adults.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, staff will be trained and policies and best practices will be developed for creating and implementing superior aging services.
In the long term, Secret Harbor will have established a high quality home care program for older adults and clients will successfully be assisted with activities of daily living in their homes.
The Salvation Army and Community Services, Two are Better Than One
Chicago, IL
Project category: In-home older adult care and caregiver support
The Salvation Army and Community Services will develop a comprehensive program, inclusive of chore, homemaker and referral services, companion support, etc to maintain older adults in their homes for as long as possible. Staff will reach out to families in crisis related to helping maintain the well-being of older adults. Mental health assessments will be done to ensure timely and proper referrals are made.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, at least 20 vulnerable older adults will receive case management and mental health counseling services to assist them with remaining in their homes.
In the long term, older adults will not experience premature admissions to assisted living facilities.
The Village Family Service Center, Grandkins
Fargo, ND
Project category: Kinship Caregiver / Caregiver Support
The Village Family Service Center will modify its Grandkins program, which is a seven week program designed to give grandparents the tools they need to raise their grandchildren. The agency will modify the program by turning it into a self-directed, open group session led by grandparents. To accomplish this, trained therapists will mentor 10 previously trained grandparent facilitators. Marketing materials will be developed and disseminated to attract grandparent participants for the seven week session.
Expected Outcomes
In the short term, 10 sessions will be led by grandparent facilitators and supervised by The Village trained therapist.
In the long term, there will an established self-sustaining Grandkins support group facilitated and led by trained grandparents.
