April 25, 2024

Message from the President: Update on Foundation transition and 2025 grantmaking

Together with community, the Point32Health Foundation team has begun to dig deeper into equity in aging as we look ahead to 2025.

Why focus on equity in aging?

During regional convenings and hundreds of conversations with community, leaders asked us to leverage our experience in aging to address inequities and close the gaps resulting from systemic barriers.

Because lived experiences accumulate as we age, people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ people and others who face a lifetime of inequities bear the greatest burdens, including health disparities.

In combining two strong foundations to form Point32Health Foundation, we followed the lead of community and centered their voices.

Want to know more?

In May, the team will host an info session to share details on our strategy of supporting organizations addressing the root causes of health disparities and advocating to eliminate systemic barriers.

The webinar will include updates to our process and time for your questions. The session will be recorded and shared on our website.

Date: Thursday, May 30

Time: 1 - 2:30 p.m.

Location: Virtual

GRANTEE STORIES

SAVE RIPTA Coalition asks R.I. general assembly to "fund RIPTA like we mean it"

Providence Streets Coalition and other transit advocates made their case for investing in the public transit system to the Rhode Island House Finance Subcommittee on Environment and Transportation. They outlined the need for increased funding for the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).

“We should be visionary, finding ways to grow service and bring people back in," said Liza Burkin of Providence Streets Coalition. “This is not ornamental, it’s fundamental.”

The coalition was the first group to offer simultaneous Spanish translation at a State House press conference, ensuring Spanish speakers were accommodated and could participate fully in the remarks.

Watch the press conference recording or read the coverage from Rhode Island Current to learn more.

New Medicare Savings Program limits protected in Maine

The Maine Council on Aging (MCOA) swung into action when they learned the governor had proposed a "full roll-back" of the changes to Medicare Savings Program eligibility in her supplemental budget.

Their petitions and outreach worked. This month the Maine Appropriations Committee voted unanimously to reject the proposed cuts and restore the limits proposed by Maine lawmakers.

This means an older person's assets will not be considered when evaluating eligibility for the Medicare Savings Program--making more people eligible for this program that promotes the economic security of older Mainers.

Once the budget is final, MCOA will shift their focus to making sure the new eligibility levels are actually implemented. Read the Portland Press Herald's coverage to learn more.

Celebrating N.H. Alliance for Healthy Aging's 2023 wins

N.H. Alliance For Healthy Aging's (NHAHA) highlights and accomplishments summary shows the organization's significant accomplishments for 2023.

The statewide coalition promoted greater accessibility and inclusion, and worked collaboratively with organizations like Victory Women of Vision to incorporate diverse perspectives in policy decisions and advocacy. In all, NHAHA hosted 110 stakeholder meetings and engaged 540 participants with representation from over 275 organizations.

New Mass. pilot allows Medicaid coverage for healthy food

An innovative Project Bread and Mass Health pilot allows Medicaid dollars to be used for “non-medical” expenses, like healthy food. Since 2020, the Flexible Services program has supported more than 12,000 people in the Commonwealth.

Community health workers said the pilot “gives clients autonomy and purchasing power and supplements SNAP benefits.” They also noted “improved health outcomes, particularly for people with diabetes.”

Here are some key findings from the Flexible Services evaluation:

19% of participants reported decrease in food insecurity
30% increase in SNAP participation
4 additional servings of fruits/vegetables consumed by participants weekly
84% reported high satisfaction with services provided by Project Bread

Coalition shows Conn. lawmakers why school breakfasts matter

Connecticut lawmakers got a meal and a message at an event held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, Conn.

School Meals for All CT, a coalition led by End Hunger Connecticut! with support from School Nutrition Association of CT, FoodCorps, and the American Heart Association, served legislators smoothies, parfaits with Connecticut hydroponic strawberries from Pell Family Farm and muffins. Attendees saw firsthand what a fully funded program can mean for young people in the state.

Learn more about the School Meals for all CT coalition.

National Reframing Aging Summit features New England leaders

Several New England organizations were on the stage at Summit 2024: The Movement to Reframe Aging. Hosted by the National Center to Reframe Aging, the event drew more than 1,400 people, online and in-person, including federal representatives, national thought leaders and representatives from local/regional organizations working to advance an equitable story about aging.

The AgeStrong Boston rebranding campaign was featured in a video to inspire attendees to power up their language and build momentum for programs supporting older people. Commissioner Emily Shea, of the AgeStrong Boston Commission, and Sandra Harris, volunteer president of AARP-MA and a model in the Boston campaign, shared their perspectives on changing the narrative on aging.
Jess Mauer, from the Maine Council on Aging (MCOA), joined a panel to discuss state and local models for reshaping the discourse on aging. She shared how MCOA has invited community leaders into the conversation by engaging in a Leadership Exchange on Aging.
In her interview, Claire Cote's shared how her Reframing Aging training experience helped her identify opportunities to create more inclusive messages, and how she engaged her colleagues at the Connecticut State Unit on Aging in the process.

Attendees also heard from Kina White, director, office of community health improvements at the Mississippi Department of Health, who expressed the value and importance of the healthy aging data reports developed by the team at the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute.

RESOURCES

New resources from Full Plates Full Potential

Full Plates Full Potential recently introduced a new logo and launched a new website with helpful resources for anyone in the food justice and nutrition space.

Search their database of downloadable resources for toolkits, budget templates, social media graphics and more.

The site also features resources for child and school nutrition professionals, including grant opportunities, stories from the field and information on federal programs.

Organizations across the region engaged in Reframing Aging workshop to tell a positive story of aging

An enthusiastic group of 35 community representatives working to advance equity in aging attended a Reframing Aging workshop at Point32Health's Canton office earlier this month.

They reviewed research on common misperceptions regarding aging and older people, identified how bias can limit opportunities for policy changes and social engagement, and discussed ways to change the narrative. The group practiced reframing their own work using strategies that address and dispel ageist stereotypes--and advance a more equitable and complete story about aging.

James Fuccione of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative and Antron Watson of AARP-MA, joined the Foundation's Alrie McNiff Daniels and Allie Richards to facilitate the conversation. All were trained through the National Center to Reframe Aging.

CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP UPDATES

Food drive delivers $28,000 to community organizations

Neighbors experiencing food insecurity received strong support from Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Point32Health colleagues who donated more than $14,000 in food and personal care items during our annual Food Drive.

The Foundation matched every donation-- doubling the resources that went to community. This match is part of Point32Health's commitment to the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities,

A total of $28,274 went to people served by Canton (Mass.) Food Pantry, Connecticut Foodshare, Midcoast (Maine) Hunger Prevention Program, New Hampshire Food Bank, Rhode Island Community Food Bank, St. Joseph Food Program (Wisc.) and Worcester (Mass.) County Food Bank.

Colleagues engaging in community

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Tufts Health Plan and Point32Health colleagues participated in two long-stranding traditions this month: the Boston Marathon and Earth Day.

Sixty-four colleagues were among the volunteers supporting the 128th running of the Boston Marathon. Point32Health was represented at the Expo, Fan Fest and throughout the weekend, supporting runners and community.

For Earth Day, 19 colleagues volunteered to clean up trails and recreation areas at the Blue Hills Reservation. More than 40 colleagues created conservation-themed kits the Happy Hope Foundation will deliver to children who are hospitalized.