AFNJ April 2022 eNewsletter - With Corrected Blog Link

Let's Check Out New Developments:

Local Outreach Coordinators: New Asset in Some Towns

As a response to the pandemic, several North Jersey health departments were awarded grants to hire new staff that could help identify and assist community residents most at risk from COVID-19. These new local outreach Coordinators have helped communities address a range of heath concerns and have become valuable age-friendly leaders and partners in Ridgewood and West Orange.

Read More on our Blog

Authored by Colleen Diskin.

Special thanks to Dawn Cetrulo, Marianny Fermin-Cornelio,

Danielle Pagani, and Dorothy Sanders for their contributions.

Let's Recap

Our alliance met on March 9 and explored ways that age-friendly work can transform opportunities for older adults to "Age My Way" (this year's Older Americans Month theme).

In the first half, we discussed how Reframing Aging can help promote age-inclusivity throughout our communities, during and beyond Older Americans Month. Watch this video to hear participants reflect on this topic.

Reframing Aging Sharebacks AFNJ March 9 2022

In the second half, participants split into two groups:

New Leaders learned about how community events and programs can propel age-friendly momentum towards future opportunities (see presentation here).

Longstanding initiatives participated in a roundtable, at which they discussed challenges and accomplishments toward embedding and sustaining age-friendly efforts.

Let's Coordinate! Share your Older Americans Month plans on a Padlet specifically on this timely topic. You can post links to or upload flyers for others to view and share with their networks, share advocacy information, and post questions and discussion topics.

For more information about Older Americans Month - including logos, templates, themes, and activity ideas - head over to the official website from the Administration for Community Living.

Let's Meet

Thursday, April 26,

4-5:00pm *note new time*

New Leaders Networking

Share, Brainstorm, and Connect

Wednesday, May 10, 9:30-11am

New Leaders Meeting

Leadership Structures in Age-Friendly Community Initiatives

Wednesday, June 8,

9:30-11am

Whole Alliance Meeting

Including Historically Marginalized Groups in Age-Friendly Communities

‌

Let's Grow

Here are some upcoming opportunities:

Submit your comments on the NJ 1115 Medicaid Waiver Demonstration Renewal Application through April 10. Some topics of relevance include Medicaid covered housing-related services, nursing home diversion, and transtiion services such as housing, caregiver support, and nutrition.

The American Society on Aging is hosting a series of virtual content to complement its in-person conference at a reduced rate. Check out events from

April 1-8, including a "New & Improved AARP Livability Index" presentation on April 8.

Take a survey to help Generations United identify and learn more about programs and connect younger and older people, in particular those from diverse communities.

Let's Learn Together

Upcoming webinars, workshops, and other learning opportunities:

Advice on "How to Successfully Write Competitive Grants as a Community-Based Organization" from the National Council on Aging

LeverAGE, the American Society on Aging's podcast's recent episode on "The Older Americans Act from the Inside"

Sustainable Jersey and NJFuture have developed an Age-Friendly Action on Community Design for All Ages

Grantmakers in Aging is hosting a webinar on Mapping for Age-Inclusive Policy, Planning, and Funding (Dr. Emily Greenfield is a featured speaker) April 7 at 2pm

Justice in Aging is hosting a webinar on "How to Advocate for and Talk about Home and Community-Based Services" on April 19 at 2pm

Learn about Dementia-Informed Advocacy from the National Center on Law & Elder Rights' free webcast on April 20 at 2pm

Check out our Padlet to view more articles, discussion posts, upcoming events, job opportunities, and other curated resources.

Let's Keep iLet's Keep in Touchn Touch

Community Bulletin Board (Padlet)
Subscribe to other communities' age-friendly Newsletters and Social Media
Roster of AFNJ Leaders and Partners of the Alliance (pdf copy!)
AARP Age-Friendly Portal
Overview of AFNJ Communications Platforms