The November Forkful

Volume 2 | Issue 18

News from the

Nutrition and Aging Resource Center

Last Chance to Register for "Better Together: How Your Title III Program Can Collaborate with Title VI"

Collaboration between Older Americans Act Title III and Title VI nutrition programs is important, yet can be challenging for many programs. Join the Nutrition & Aging Resource Center on Thursday, November 14 from 2:00pm-3:00pm CT for a panel discussion on how some Title III funded programs are successfully coordinating and collaborating with Title VI funded programs.

Registration

Grateful for You and the Work that You Do!

As Thanksgiving approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting on gratitude. I’m grateful to a friend who gave me a book that has helped me navigate life’s challenges and express gratitude. The book guides us through communication from the heart, which some might describe as prayer: when we ask for help with our troubles, find ways to be grateful, and experience amazement at the world around us – miracles and tragedies, big and small. If you are interested in an easy read, the book is “Help, Thanks, Wow” by Anne Lamott. Here is my own take.

Bambi Press, RD LD

Healthy Aging Director

Help.

There is an old saying that if we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we would take our own back. I’d like to take a few of mine to the exchange counter but I try to remember that we really have no idea what battles others might be fighting. Helping others helps me feel better, even if it is a very small act of kindness. It eases the burden a little bit.

If anyone understands the benefits of helping, it is the aging network but being a passionate and dedicated helper can also bring a risk of burnout. Take care of yourself, too! Check out this article from Mayo Clinic to help recognize and overcome burnout.

Thanks.

What are you thankful for? Research suggests that taking time to practice gratitude and infuse it into our everyday lives can improve our psychological and physical health and improve our relationships. For specific strategies to nurture an attitude of gratitude, check out this list from Psychology Today.

Wow.

I’m so grateful for the surprise opportunity that led me to the aging network, when I started as a volunteer delivering health programming for older adults in a community center. Now, I am humbled and honored to work alongside you, extraordinary people who make a difference. Thank you for all you do to help people access the necessary services and supports to age in our community of choice, with dignity and self-determination. I continue to be amazed by you. I hope you’ll take a moment to reflect on the impact that your work makes. Sometimes it means everything to one person. Wow.

Survey Opportunity: Help us better understand the network's funding sources and challenges

Feedback due Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Funding has been cited as a challenge for providers, including Area Agencies on Aging and local service providers. Iowa State University is completing a study to better understand current funding practices, including common funding sources and challenges. The survey is anonymous and will be used by the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center to provide more relevant and useful resources related to funding.

As an organization a part of the aging network, please complete this ~20 -minute survey, by December 31. We ask that only one survey be completed per organization, so you can fill it out as a team if needed. You may begin, stop, and return to the survey at any point using this link to finish (as long as you’re using the same device).

Please feel free to share this survey with your colleagues. Don’t hesitate to contact Savannah Schultz at schultzz@iastate.edu if you have any questions or concerns about this survey.

Survey

Meet the Network!

Meet Laurie Bend, the Marketing/Operations Director at the Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley.

Laurie Bend joined Meals on Wheels of the Salinas Valley in July 2016 as a volunteer member of the Fundraising Committee. An opportunity arose for her in November 2016 to join the staff of MOWSV as Office Manager. With the skills and experience that Laurie brought to the organization, she was promoted to the position of Marketing/Operations Director. Laurie has been tasked with supervising day-to-day operations, assisting with volunteer recruitment and activities, maintaining donor communications and donor database, fundraising for MOWSV programs and marketing MOWSV throughout the community.

From the Administration for Community Living

Older Americans Act Final Rule Nutrition Webinar Recording Now Available!

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) 2024 Final Rule to Update Older Americans Act Regulations Back to Basics (B2B) webinar on Nutrition Services Under Title III recording and slides are now available. Access an overview and the full Final Rule, Title III Select Topic Areas to Review for SUAs and OAA Regulations 1988 to 2024 Comparison Chart documents, and recordings from all previous B2B webinars on ACL’s 2024 Final Rule to Update Older Americans Act Regulations website.

Innovations in Nutrition Programs and

Services Grantee Spotlights

Celebrating the Power, Value and Voices of Older Adults sums up AgeSpan's celebration of their 50 Years of Service. Check out the full history of the organization as it includes when this #INNUGrantee was awarded funding for their pilot restaurant program.

Learn More

Need some inspiration to feature your grant work on a website? Check out Texas A&M's work with Developing Innovative Nutrition Experiences (DINE) in Texas and how they have been able to share the work that has been done throughout their project!

DINE Site

Social Isolation and Connection are such important pieces for every human being. Georgia State University's study on the impact of home-delivered meal volunteers providing Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) is linked below. Learn more and see how you can become involved to support others.

'Listen closer' Journal

From the Aging Network

The Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) at Texas A&M University Announces the Upcoming Virtual Learning Collaborative for Aging Stakeholders

This series connects with modernization conversations centering on congregate meal program innovations across the state of Texas, funded by translational projects at Texas A&M funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and National Council on Aging (NCOA). Mark your calendars and join one or both events to learn more about their efforts.

Senior Nutrition Program Buy-in and Volunteer Development

Tuesday, December 17 at 3:00pm CT

Disseminating Senior Nutrition Program Success and Best Practices

Wednesday, January 22 at 3:00pm CT

Both events will be held on Zoom

Meeting ID: 944 0353 8387

Password: 000795

Join the event

Celebrate the #PowerOfRural

We’re excited to celebrate the #PowerOfRural on #NationalRuralHealthDay, Nov 21! Join us in recognizing the spirit of #rural America and the efforts of healthcare providers and stakeholders addressing unique #healthcare challenges.

Learn more at powerofrural.org

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This resource was supported in part by a cooperative agreement No 90PPNU0002 from the Administration on Aging (AoA), Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Grantees carrying out projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Therefore, points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official AoA, ACL, or DHHS policy.