The definition of a community is defined locally. Each community has its own strengths, needs and identity. The geographical boundaries defining the community do not have to be city limits or county lines. Neighborhoods or blocks, especially in the urban areas, can define a community. In rural areas, communities may obtain services from a regional provider that is not included within their community boundaries.
The Lifelong Communities initiative is a six-step process: 1) obtain support from your local government, 2) complete community self-assessment tool, 3) develop mission, vision and priorities, 4) develop an action plan, 5) implement action plan and 6) verification and designation. Communities completing this process will be designated a "Lifelong Community" by the Kansas Department on Aging.
The Lifelong Communities initiative assists communities to plan for and better serve their community’s elders of today and the future. Participation will help strengthen the partnerships and infrastructure among local leaders, businesses, organizations and government agencies to address and solve aging issues and educate the public about the issues facing them as they age. Through the Lifelong Community Initiative process a community identifies current strengths and opportunities for improvement in services and issues impacting elders through a self-assessment. The community can use those findings to develop action plans with both short-term and long-term goals.
The quality of life for citizens of all ages in the community is enhanced through this initiative. Young families may chose to stay and age in place in communities where they have access to quality health care, aftbrdable housing, and community-based services and activities. A Lifelong Community can attract retirees and well elders, offering the community an additional base of volunteers, an experienced work force and increased tax base. Economic development opportunities are numerous.
Selection criteria includes population, geographic location and the community's past accomplishments, support and strategic plan for growth. Applications to participate in the Initiative may be submitted at any time.
All timeframes and deadlines assigned for completion of items in the action plan will be determined locally. Completion dates should be stated in the action plan. Technical assistance and support is provided by KDOA staff.
The amount of money needed to complete this initiative will be driven by your community's action plan. There will be action items that can be obtained free of charge or at a minimal fee. Larger items may need seizable capital funds and need to be put into community budgets to be completed and paid for over a number of years.
Communities or individual participants will be responsible for the cost of transportation and meals for those attending any meeting regarding the Lifelong Communities Initiative. KDOA is not responsible for any expenses. Any expense incurred as part of the initiative is the responsibility of the participating community.
KDOA will research and publish existing sources of corporate, state, federal and private foundation funds.
The make-up of the steering committee is up to the local project coordinator and the supporting governing body. It is best to keep the steering committee rather small, having only a few representatives from each of the core areas: government, housing, transportation, health care, community services and businesses. You may want to form committees for each of the core areas that will work with a broader range of organizations, associations and businesses to complete the initiative.
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You may complete the assessment in a number of ways. The steering committee may be able to answer a majority of the questions. The assessment tool is designed such that the steering committee can divide the responsibility into the six core areas and form subcommittees to complete each of the sections. You may need to interview some of the entities listed above to complete the assessment.
The amount of time needed will depend on the approach you take to complete the task. The number of businesses providing goods and services to elders and the number of faith-based communities will affect the amount of time needed to complete the tool.
A complete copy of the tool may be obtained by calling Blanche Parks at 800-432-3535 or e-mail her at Blanche.Parks@aging.ks.gov.
The assessment tool is meant to be a way to assist your community in determining its strengths and opportunities for improvement. It has been developed to assess both small rural communities and large urban areas. The tool may be modified and/or adapted to fit your community's needs.
The business checklist should be completed for in a sampling of all retail businesses that regularly provide goods and services to elders. The checklist can be completed either as an interview with the owner/manager, as an observation with the surveyor recording their own observations or as a combination of both methods. If a specific business checklist is available, the specific checklist as well as the general business checklist needs to be completed for each retail business in the sampling.
The action plan is the tool that will direct future actions. Using the findings of the self-assessment tool your community can determine which opportunities you wish to pursue both now and in the future. The action plan will consist of both short-term and long-term goals your community wants to achieve. These goals should be specific, measurable, achievable and have target completion dates. The plan should also outline tasks, activities, timeframes, target completion dates, responsible parties and funding sources (if known) for achieving each goal.
Your local Area Agency on Aging and the Kansas Department on Aging will provide technical assistance throughout the project. This could include regional training, technical assistance when possible, e-mail, telephone, web site and resource development at the state level.
There will be no cost for the technical assistance from the Area Agency or the Kansas Department on Aging. Participating communities will be responsible for mileage, hotel and meal costs when attending regional training.
Your local Area Agency on Aging or the Kansas Department on Aging at 800-432-3535.