Community Inclusion

Join Transit Planning 4 All for two upcoming webinars centered around inclusive transportation planning. The first session will introduce inclusive planning through Transit Planning 4 All's coordinated projects, offering practical examples spanning a decade. The second webinar will explore strategies and lessons learned for establishing steering committees that enhance trust, strengthen communication, and ultimately improve coordinated transportation services for older adults and adults with disabilities. Transit 4 All’s Inclusive Planning Webinar will take place on Thursday, August 24 at 1:00 p.m. Transit 4 All’s Steering Committees for Inclusive Transit Planning Webinar will take place on Thursday, August 31 at 1:00 p.m.

Join the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Renewals webinars focused on special populations. This webinar series will provide partners with strategies to reach out to diverse communities and audiences to share information about Medicaid and CHIP renewals. Each webinar will also include a “train-the-trainer” presentation, during which CMS will walk-through a set of downloadable slides that partners can use to educate others in their communities about Medicaid and CHIP renewals.

The Aging and Disability Business Institute, in collaboration with the Partnership to Align Social Care and the Camden Coalition, has released a new resource guide that emphasizes the importance of addressing health-related social needs (HRSN) and details the benefits of partnering with community-based organizations (CBOs) and community care networks for health plans. This comprehensive guide outlines how CBOs serve as powerful innovation partners, foster trust with members, offer a significant return on investment, provide greater efficiency in coverage through community care networks, and contribute to securing public contracts. This resource serves as a practical tool for health plans looking to establish meaningful collaborations with..

The Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) is actively seeking Requests for Information (RFI) on Community Integration Programs. As part of their dedication to empowering individuals and promoting independence, DSAAPD is interested in program concepts that are person-centered, foster independence, and align with participants' goals for community integration. The RFI aims to gather information on a wide range of program options that can effectively serve the needs of individuals living throughout the state of Delaware. The submission deadline for the RFI is Tuesday, August 1st, 2023.

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) has published a comprehensive resource guide that offers guidance to transportation providers on how to better serve older passengers with vision loss. The guide addresses the pervasive and often unrecognized issue of age-related vision changes, the unique challenges that older adults with vision loss face when using transportation services, and effective strategies that transportation providers can use to improve their services. This resource also discusses the critical role of effective communication in addressing these challenges and provides travel training and orientation and mobility (O&M) to help older riders with vision loss navigate the transportation system.

Join the Administration for Community Living (ACL) in celebrating May as Older Americans Month, a time to recognize the contributions of older adults and promote support for aging Americans. This year's theme, Aging Unbound, encourages communities to challenge stereotypes and promote flexible thinking about aging. Visit the ACL's website to learn more about Older Americans Month and how you can participate in promoting support for aging Americans.

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has opened registration for the 3rd annual Walk for WEAAD (World Elder Abuse Awareness Day). This event aims to promote a national movement for elder justice and encourages participants to engage in various activities that can be tracked through the Walker Tracker app. The Walk for WEAAD offers a chance for individuals to show their support for WEAAD and become part of the expanding national movement promoting elder justice.

On Monday, February 13, 2023 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a press release on the Biden-Harris administration’s efforts to implement section 6101(a) of the Affordable Care Act. The proposed rule would require additional ownership and management information about nursing homes across the United States be disclosed. The Administrations attempts to implement the rule is part of a continued effort by the administration to improve quality of care at nursing homes.

WellSky recently released a tip sheet to help agencies better respond to the continued workforce crisis. The tip sheet examines the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the broader employment market and provides possible approaches to help alleviate the workforce crisis. The sheet suggests incorporation of new efficiencies, certifications and incentivization programs, best uses for American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and more.

The Center for Health Care Strategies, with support from the New York Health Foundation and in partnership with ATW Health Solutions, assisted seven New York-based health care organizations in piloting strategies for engaging patients of color to advance health equity. This CHCS brief outlines considerations for health care organizations in developing patient engagement strategies, including: (1) building trust with patient partners over time; (2) tailoring outreach strategies; (3) using-trauma-informed approaches; (4) engaging patients in data use; and (5) approaching engagement with humility.