Maine Association Of Area Agencies On Aging

Programs: In 2017, m4a launched the third year of the tri-state learning collaborative on aging. The tslca supports, strengthens and grows current community-based initiatives and systems best practices that help older adults thrive in their homes and communities and encourages the growth of new initiatives and practices by building new connections and partnerships across sectors, communities and states. Funded by 7 funders across me, vt and nh, m4a is now leading an effort to increase the collective impact of local efforts to help older adults age in place through shared learning opportunities. In 2017, we hosted 16 webinars and one regional event engaging more than 1,800 people across northern new england. The tslca launched a new online community network that showcases more than 26 age-friendly communities. Our regional event focused on workforce & aging, which highlighted the tools available to help employers keep older workers engaged in the workforce longer and the need to get older retires to return to work. The tslca project was highlighted at two national forums this year - at the grantmakers in aging annual conference and the village to village national conference. M4a led the successful design and production of the fourth summit on aging - the wisdom summit, cultivating the opportunities of our age. The wisdom summit drew 350 people and 35 exhibitors to the augusta civic center. The summit explored the wisdom that is unfolding in maine as we rethink what it means to grow old and reimagine our communities, infrastructure and systems to meet that new vision. Again this year, m4a collaborated with ll bean and goodwill northern new england to run a successful coats for maine seniors collection. We busted our previous coat collection numbers with 2,034 coats collected and given to goodwill in exchange for a voucher for a free coat. These vouchers were distributed to the aaas and to other community groups that serve underserved seniors who in turn made sure seniors were able to access a warm coat. Ll bean donates $5 to m4a for every coat collected (up to 1,000 coats). These funds go directly to the aaas for emergency fuel assistance for older adults. M4a continues to serve as the "aging advocate" on the public transit planning advisory committee to help the department of transportation implement the 2025 maine public transit plan, with keen focus on building a stronger volunteer transportation network in maine. M4a worked collaboratively with the bi-partisan legislative caucus on aging to offer information sessions to legislators over the session relevant to pressing public policy issues impacting older mainers. M4a continued to provide leadership for the maine council on aging (mcoa), keeping nearly 5 dozen organizations up to speed about issues impacting older mainers and building strong coalitions among them to address specific issues. This year, m4a helped focus attention on sustainability and led efforts to create a pathway to executive leadership for the mcoa. M4a worked collaboratively with the maine community foundation and the frameworks institute to design a "framelab" for maine and new hampshire aging advocates and community leaders. M4a finished its grant this year providing outreach and education to those who are turning 65 and transitioning from a marketplace plan to medicare.