Understanding and Implementing Older Adult Coalitions

1
Understanding and Implementing Older Adult
Coalitions

• Stephen Ferrante
• Broward County Elderly and
• Veterans Services Division
• [phone]

2
Overview of Presentation

• Statewide Coalition Experience
• Local / Regional Coalition Experience
• Development and Implementation
• Ongoing Activities

3
Florida Coalition for Optimal Mental Health and
Aging

• Formed May, 1998
• Composition
• Service Providers and Practitioners
• Policy Makers
• Academicians
• Agency Directors
• Primary and Secondary Consumers
• Interested Professionals and Advocates

4
FCOMHA Mission and Priorities

• To work together to improve the availability and
  quality of mental health and substance abuse
  services for older Floridians and their families
  through training, education, research and
  increased public awareness
• Advocacy and Training
• Influence Legislation
• Implement Change in Public Policy
• Public Education

5
FCOMHA History

• Older Adult MH /SA Funding
• 1980s Funding / Service Enhancements
• 1990s Larger Budget Cuts
• Statewide Older Adult Task Force Report
• Need for Statewide Alliance and Voice
• Poor, Costly Consumer Outcomes
• Interested Steering Committee
• USF / FMHI / AMH Initiative

6
FCOMHA Accomplishments

• Legislative Impact
• Florida Commission on Mental Health and Substance
  Abuse
• Section 20 of Senate Bill 358
• 2003 Legislation DOEA DCF Coordination
• Older Adult Workgroup Report for Commission
• Annual Statewide Conferences
• Website
• Newsletter
• Clearinghouse
• Speakers Bureau
• Regional Coalition Development

7
Strengths and Successes

• Expertise of Membership
• Commitment and Perseverance
• Interested Steering Committee
• University Affiliation and Support
• Attention to Detail and Planning
• Consistency
• Effective Communication

8
Broward Older Adult Workgroup

• Formed in April, 2001
• 1st Regional Coalition of FCOMHA
• Aging Service Providers and Professionals
• Mental Health Providers and Professionals
• Substance Abuse Providers and Professionals
• Primary Care Providers and Professionals
• Housing Providers
• Primary and Secondary Consumers
• Interested Advocates
• TOTAL ACTIVE CULTURALLY DIVERSE MEMBERS 42

9
Broward Older Adult Workgroup Composition

• Area Agency on Aging
• DCF ADM, APS Office of Consumer Affairs
• Mental Health Association
• Broward Addictions Recovery Center
• NAMI of Broward County / Silver Center
• North Broward South Broward Hospital Districts
• NASW Broward Chapter
• Coordinating Council of Broward County
• Nova Southeastern University
• Gulf Coast Community Care / E-GRTS
• Henderson Mental Health Center
• Broward Community Development Corporation
• Broward Partnership for the Homeless
• 211 First Call for Help of Broward
• Catholic Charities
• Home Health , Hospice, Guardianship Care Mgmt
  Agencies
• ARC Broward
• Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention
• Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities

10
Broward Older Adult Workgroup Mission and
Priorities

• To Improve the Availability and Quality of
  Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for
  Broward Countys Elders
• Legislative Advocacy
• Comprehensive Act
• Enforcement of Section 20 of Senate Bill 358
• Improve Community Education, Outreach and
  Prevention
• Establish an Integrated Services Delivery System
• Facilitate Training/Cross Training Initiative for
  Stakeholders
• Establish Specialized Services Elder
  Proficiency
• Improve Consumer Alternatives and Outcomes

11
Broward Older Adult Workgroup History

• Improve Consumer Outcomes
• Improve Advocacy Efforts Reinforce with Data /
  Reports
• Assess, Plan and Address Local Issues
• Foster Positive System Change
• Enhance Local Service Delivery System
• Create Communication / Cohesiveness /
  Collaboration / Integrations
• Maximize Resources
• Create Link between the State Coalition and Our
  Local Network
• USF /FMHI /AMH Affiliation and Support
• Connect with Other Regions

12
Broward Older Adult Workgroup Getting Started

• Ask What You Hope to Accomplish?
• Analyze Methods to Reach Desired Outcome
• Decide if a Coalition is a Viable Approach and
  Investment
• Determine and Convene Key Stakeholders in a
  Planning Meeting
• Build Consensus
• Determine Next Steps and Others to Involve
• Recruit the Right People

13
Special Considerations

• Local Coalition History / Experience
• Favorable Climate?
• Community Readiness
• Existing Leadership
• Ownership
• Strengths and Weakness
• Decision Making Process
• By-Laws
• Staffing
• Funding / In-kind

14
The Initial Meeting

• Date / Time / Location
• Invitations
• Agenda
• Review Common Interests
• Name
• Mission / Goals /Objectives / Priorities
• Did We Miss Anyone?
• Who Else Should be Here/Involved?
• Resource Needs
• Meeting Schedule
• Refreshments

15
Membership Factors

• Open vs. Limited
• Number
• Diversity
• Consumers and Families
• Mutual Respect, Acceptance, Understanding
• Flexibility
• Commitment
• Other

16
Maintaining the Momentum

• Meeting Notices
• Minutes
• Agenda Development thru Member Input
• Leadership Structure (Officers?)
• Opportunities for Participation / Satisfaction
• Evaluate Meetings
• Track Activities
• Record and Report Outcomes
• Recognition / Acknowledgement / Appreciation
• Consistency

17
Broward Older Adult WorkgroupActivities and
Plans

• Monthly Meetings
• Membership Cross Training
• Needs Assessment / Services Inventory /Gaps
  Analysis
• Participation in Broward Elder Analysis
  Community Profile
• Community Status Report
• Community Education / Health Fair Participation
• Grant Applications 2003 Eli Lilly Reintegration
  Award
• Transportation Forum
• Hosted 2 Statewide Conferences
• 6th Annual Statewide Coalition Conference
• Older Adult and Gambling Recreation or Risk
• Social Marketing Campaign
• Holiday Clothing Personal Care Drive for ALFs
• Assess Data on Aging of Younger Cohorts
• Inventory Prevention, Outreach Early
  Intervention Efforts
• Create Healthy Aging Curriculum
• Draft Older Adult MH SA Strategic Plan
• Develop Elder Specific Outcomes with local ADM
• Establish Model Standards, Protocol,
  Instrument(s) for Assessment

18
Suggestions for Success

• Diversity and Varying Expertise of Membership
• Minimal Bureaucracy
• Organized Format
• Attention to Detail and Planning
• Action and Product Oriented
• Effective Communication
• Managing Conflict