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On Tuesday, May 2, the Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May "Older Americans Month." Older adults play vital, positive roles in our communities – as family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce, and more.
This year’s theme, Aging Unbound, offers an opportunity to explore a wide range of aging experiences and to promote the importance of enjoying independence and fulfillment by paving our own paths as we age. Read our Boulder County proclamation below!
WHEREAS, Boulder County benefits when we center race and support equity in our community by welcoming, including, celebrating, and supporting our residents; and
WHEREAS, Boulder County is home to 75,000 older residents who contribute their time, wisdom, and experience to our community; and
WHEREAS, our community recognizes the need for services driven by older adults that allow older residents to thrive and live independently for as long as possible; and
WHEREAS, Boulder County is working to build an even better community for older residents by:
- building and supporting programs that foster independence and physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being;
- ensuring that resources are accessible and responsive to older residents by including older residents’ voices in community engagement; and
- leading the community in anti-ageism efforts by combating stereotypes and emphasizing the many positive aspects of aging.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County do hereby proclaim May 2023 to be Older Americans Month, recognizing the national theme, Aging Unbound. The Board of County Commissioners of Boulder County urges every resident to recognize the contributions of our older residents, help to create an inclusive society, and join efforts to support older Americans’ choices about how they age in their communities.
APPROVED on the 2nd of May 2023.
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CONSIDERANDO, que el Condado de Boulder se beneficia cuando nos centramos en la raza y apoyamos la equidad en nuestra comunidad al dar la bienvenida, incluir, celebrar y apoyar a nuestros residentes; y
CONSIDERANDO que el Condado de Boulder es el hogar de 75,000 residentes adultos mayores que contribuyen con su tiempo, sabiduría y experiencia a nuestra comunidad; y
CONSIDERANDO, que nuestra comunidad reconoce la necesidad de servicios impulsados por adultos mayores que permita a estos residentes prosperar y vivir de forma independiente durante el mayor tiempo posible; y
CONSIDERANDO que el Condado de Boulder está trabajando para construir una comunidad aún mejor para los residentes adultos mayores al:
- crear y apoyar programas que fomenten la independencia y el bienestar físico, mental, emocional y social;
- garantizar que los recursos sean accesibles y receptivos para los residentes adultos mayores al incluir las voces de estos residentes en la participación de la comunidad; y
- liderar a la comunidad en los esfuerzos contra la discriminación por edad al combatir los estereotipos y enfatizar los muchos aspectos positivos del envejecimiento.
POR LO TANTO, SE RESUELVE que los comisionados del Condado de Boulder proclamen por la presente el mes de mayo de 2023 como el Mes de los Adultos Mayores, reconociendo el tema nacional, Envejecimiento sin límites. Los comisionados del Condado de Boulder instan a todos los residentes a reconocer las contribuciones de los adultos mayores que residen en nuestro condado, ayudar a crear una sociedad inclusiva y unir esfuerzos para apoyar las decisiones de los adultos mayores sobre cómo envejecer en sus comunidades.
APROBADO el 2 de mayo de 2023.
Budget Changes Impact Priorities
The last three years have been busy for all of our community partners as well as with the BCAAA and staff working to respond and adapt to the pandemic. This has included changes and adaptations to programming, increased resources to support the increased needs, and the removal of regulations to allow more flexibility to get resources to those who needed them the most. In order to operationalize these changes and subsequent adaptations, the BCAAA received additional funds from the federal government and the state of Colorado to provide these vital and critical services to the community. Those monies are deemed “one time” stimulus funds and are not an ongoing fund source for the BCAAA.
The monies received were allocated under the Families First Act, Cares Act 1 and Cares Act 2 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) which totaled $1,891,498.41. The majority of these monies have been distributed throughout the community and will continue through Sept. 2024. After this date, the BCAAA will no longer have access to these additional resources. In addition, this is the final year the BCAAA will receive surplus Homestead funds from the state. We received $152,134 for the current state fiscal year (SFY) 2023, $50,576 for SFY 2024, and $0 for SFY2025. We lead with these numbers because this is the first time that we’ve entered into an funding cycle with a reduced budget.
We want to offer this context and update as we work through our budget processes for 2024 and 2025 which will impact all of us including our internal programming, funded providers, and community partners that have received these funds. We will be working through multiple factors to assess and adjust ongoing essential services with increased needs and changing needs to support our community service network.
We are committed to keeping you informed of any changes that will impact you with continued transparency. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns at bcaaa@bouldercounty.org.
BCAAA Advocacy in D.C.
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Christine Vogel, BCAAA Division Manager, joined Area Agency on Aging Directors from across the United States in Washington D.C. the last week of April to advocate for policy priorities that drive the funding and security of the Older American Act (OAA). The OAA was established state agencies on aging to address the social service needs of older adults. The mission of the OAA and the AAA network is to help older adults maintain maximum independence and support caregivers. Some of the critical services funded at the federal and state levels include meals, caregiver support, transportation, health promotion, benefits enrollment, in-home services, and more.
The 2023 Policy Priorities set by AAAs at the federal level through our partners at USAging include:
Support Aging Well at Home by Investing in Older Americans Act Programs and Services
Recognize and Support Caregivers
Prioritize Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Options to Reduce Unnecessary Institutionalization
Connect Health Care and Aging Sectors to Improve Care and Reduce Costs
Read the full set of 2023 Policy Priorities here.
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While visiting D.C., Christine met with Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and shared that
"Increased Funding is Needed to Support Boulder County's Aging Population"
Local Planning and Prioritization
Over the past year, the BCAAA alongside our partners in the aging network have been connecting with community members and service providers to determine priorities for Boulder County's aging network.
The first product of these planning efforts is the BCAAA Area Plan for State Fiscal Years 2024-2027, which sets the BCAAA's priorities for Older Americans Act and State Fund for Senior Services. Presented in no particular order, the following themes emerged from the comprehensive engagement process:
Transportation -- Housing -- Social Participation -- Emergency Preparedness
Information and Referral -- Managing Case Complexity -- Nutrition -- Financial Assistance
Benefits Navigation -- In-Home Assistance -- Mental Health Services
The next product of these planning efforts will be the next iteration of our data report. We will again use primary and secondary data sources to help tell the story of aging in our community. Check out the last data report here.
After the release of the data report and additional engagement, the BCAAA and our partners will finalize the Aging Well in Boulder County Strategic Plan. The final plan will prioritize community needs for the broader aging network and move beyond Federal and state monies.
Interested in Advocating?
If you would like to join us in advocating for increased funding for the Older Americans Act (federal) and state funds for senior services, please contact your federal legislators and share our message!
Find Your Congress Members
Colorado General Assembly - Find My Legislator
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