College Park Seniors Committee

Sr Advisory Committee, City of College Park (Virtual Meeting) AARP LIVABLE COMMUNITIES WORKGROUP Minutes (Age-Friendly College Park AFCP) Monday, January 22, 2024 Attendees: Kiaisha Barber, Liaison. Members: Woei-Nan Bair, Gail Lovelace, Arelis Perez, Mary Anne Hakes, Bonnie McClellan. Absent: Carol Gray, Darlene Nowlin, Lucinda Nobles Invited Speaker: Jennifer Holz, MD AARP Age-Friendly Liaison. Holz Associates: Kathy Lewis, AARP and Savannah Grooms, AARP intern Others: Kibron Tesfatsion, UMD (Dr. Lazar’s office) Call to Order 1:05 pm OLD BUSINESS postponed until after speaker presentation Agenda accepted as presented. Minutes: October approved. November approved with correction that Arelis was present. Updated September minutes will be resent for approval at Feb meeting. Guest Speaker Jennifer Holz, AARP Group commended for the progress made toward our age-friendly commitment to become a certified member of AARP. Our train is on the right track headed in the right direction. To highlight best practices, the workgroup was guided through selected sites on the AARP Age-Friendly Communities website. (Web link to be sent to all.) Highlights included linking to the Livable Map, Domain Resources including ADU’s, and Grants, et al. Summary of Age Friendly Recommendations: Leadership - ID an AF Coordinator to maintain organization, keep things on track. Examples: (1)Montgomery County --Shaun Brennan, permanent part-time coordinator (2)Marci Lefevre, Hyattsville, part-time contract; then full-time employee (3)Howard County, a LT employee in new role Most paid, some volunteer. Invited to set a time and ID specific issues if we want her to schedule us a meeting with some of the local communities Age-Friendly Member Portal All urged to join. Resources include: (1) Open discussion forum (2)Resources Toolbox AF CP Action Plan Implement and track actions. No reporting requirements to AARP until year 5. Report needs to describe completion of desired outcomes and “glitches” if any. What worked, didn’t work, needs re-evaluation, etc. Use the Living Map to research other community reports. Will send Montgomery County progress report. See especially, the educational video on the website. A suggested Action Plan tracking sheet was identified on line for consideration by the group. Emphasized need to hold focus groups and evaluation surveys along the way with the community for possible changes needed. Advantages of Participation in the AF Communities Network (website). Natl AARP Expert Assistance requests– see Livable Communities TAP (LCTAP). This year no longer possible. However, next year possible. Jen submits requests to AARP National early January. Requests should be submitted to her by end Oct, Nov. Success tips -KEEP THE ATTENTION OF CITY LEADERS Regularly, all the time. Invite their participation. -Engage them with the recently expanded AARP Livability Index score for College Park. -Maintain a regular presence in the community. -If seeking help from the Volunteer Engagement list, submit a detail-specific job description. -Suggestion made to submit a quarterly report to the Mayor and Council. -Funds – AARP Community Challenge Grant (small, quick turnaround). Due March 6. Completion by end December. 2024 focus must include diversity and inclusion, volunteer engagement. Examples of grantees are on website. -Also, Influence how CP allocates monies already there (housing, hunger, et al). -Consult, Marci Lefevre, Hyattsville. -“RESOURCES” slides for the Plan’s 5 domains to be sent. -Housing resources include the ABC’s of ADUs. -See also, Community Listening Tool Kit and the AARP Prepare to Care Guide. -Enroll to receive the Weekly newsletter. -Contacts – Kathy Lewis Klewis@aarp.org 410-972-6991. Jen Holz jholz@aarp.org. -AF Lead Position. See sample job descriptions. Ads can be published in AARP Newsletter. NEW BUSINESS Best Practices Discussion Official Communications Protocol. To avoid confusion and assure that actions/issues are proceeding through city protocols, our SAC and AF workgroup action reports, recommendations, and requests need to go through Kiaisha, the group’s liaison. Include a Cc to the City Manager with whom she meets weekly. Kiaisha will advise the group regarding future actions. Communications, from individuals representing themselves, to Council members et al remain appropriate. Kiaisha will check out the newly expanded AARP Livability score for the City. Domain Updates Transportation, Communication, and Community Support: Bonnie and Mary Anne. SAC co- chairs are the coordinators for a semester Capstone project with the School of Public Information to develop a web enhancement protocol for senior resources for sharing with College Park and other cities interested. Ask includes a comprehensive transportation link that includes UM as specified in our AFCP Action Plan, the recently completed Emergency Preparedness Project (EPP) infographic, and other relevant senior resources. The EPP report and infographic developed for us by graduate students in the UMD School of Public Health will be sent to Kiaisha, the City manager, committee members, and 2 city officials who interviewed as a part of the project for review before disseminating. Communications: Mary Anne and Gail. The group has been meeting regularly. A “Did You Know??”publication list was submitted to Ryna (Communications) and Kiaisha previous with a request to publish. The “Did you Know??”, a monthly information brief directed at seniors and attributed to Age- Friendly College Park, is being edited by Ryna. Dissemination recommendations include the website, YFSS, community elists and newletters, CPCUP, civic associations, the cable channel. A Resident Guide Senior Resources page prepared by the group will be sent to Kiaisha and Ryna this week with recommendation for publication in the Spring/Summer Resident Guide. Social Participation and Communication: Mary Anne. WISE CITIES, LLC, a student-led initiative led by Marie Brodski, a UMD student, to develop a senior platform to increase inclusion will partner with the AF workgroup members. The SAC co-chairs have been invited to share information on senior activities with her class in February on Intergenerational communities. Invitations to test the developing platform will be extended to SAC members. Requests to meet have been sent to Civic Associations and other community organizations. Responses still pending. Several workgroup members attended a recent Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Committee meeting to explore areas for collaboration. Housing: Gail will meet with Arelis Perez and Lucinda Nobles to review actions, et al. Age-Friendly Lead Position - Kiaisha has met with the City Manager and shared the talking points and job description sent her by the workgroup. Timing is important if further action is to be taken. Budget planning for the March 23 budget meeting with the Council begins the first week in February. Suggested actions include: Review the Lead Position description to strengthen if needed. Prepare a letter to be read at the Budget Meeting. Lead talking points. Send an estimated position salary cost to Kiaisha. NHN CP - Communication Survey. No action taken on the purchased senior resident list because of costs. Q Is there money in the SAC budget and/or the NHN budget to cover mailing costs? Kiaisha to verify SAC budget amount. Can group apply for a City grant if group already receives City funding? Snow Shoveling requests - Service Fraternity website link not working. Recommendation made to try to reach them through social media. Next meeting: Monday, February 26, 1 pm The meeting adjourned at 3:00 pm Respectfully submitted, Bonnie McClellan, Acting Secretary