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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMIG Supplemental Work Session SummaryDanville Senior Advisory Commission Work Session Summary 1 memo berkeley to Henry Perezalonso, Town of Danville from Jamillah Jordan, Lauren Schmitt and Andy Pendoley (MIG) re Work Session Meeting Summary date 11/18/20 I. Introduction Established in 2019, the Senior Advisory Commission of the Town of Danville (Town or Danville) reviews existing programs and facilities serving seniors and provides advice to the Town Council regarding the needs of seniors living within the Town and options to enhance or add services. Members of the Senior Advisory Commission participated in a work session to develop goals for a Senior Action Plan (Plan) for the Town of Danville and an approach for creating the Plan, including potential community engagement methods. The work session took place on October 28, 2020 virtually using video conferencing. The Town of Danville invited MIG, Inc. (strategic planning consultants) to facilitate the work session. During the meeting, the Senior Advisory Commission discussed their vision for the highest quality of life for older adults and seniors in Danville, key needs for seniors and their ideas for creating the Senior Action Plan. This memorandum summarizes the high-level themes and key discussion points from the work session. The appendix contains the meeting materials including the agenda, presentation and the digital whiteboard summary of the discussion. II. Work Session Participants The following Commissioners, staff and consultants attended the work session: • Jim Donnelly, Commissioner • Bob Ficken, Commissioner • Dave Fong, Commissioner • Candace Hendra, Commissioner and Vice Chair • Sandra Moody, Commissioner and Chair • Leah Martinez, Program Supervisor, Adults & Senior Services • Henry Perezalonso, Recreation, Arts & Community Services Director • Jessica Wallner, Program Supervisor, Cultural Arts & Marketing Danville Senior Advisory Commission Work Session Summary 2 • Andy Pendoley, MIG • Lauren Schmitt, MIG III. Setting the Context The population of the United States is rapidly aging. By 2030, one of every five people in the U.S. will be 65 or older.1 Lauren Schmitt of MIG provided a context-setting presentation on the senior demographics, senior services and the role of the Senior Advisory Commission in Danville. The power and duties of the Senior Advisory Commission include the following: • Supporting older adult residents (55+) and their process of aging in place • Assessing the Town’s amenities and services in providing an age-friendly city • Assessing services and recreational opportunities available to Danville residents and visitors of all age groups and abilities • Holding public meetings, conducting surveys, and using other reasonable methods to determine needs of the aging population and recommend actions to advocate for those needs to the Town Council The presentation highlighted the areas of focus Senior Advisory Commission members prioritized at a previous meeting, as a starting point for the discussion. These areas of focus are: Hub for Resources, Engagement, Senior Ambassadors, Education and Assessment. In addition, Lauren reviewed the World Health Organization’s Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities, one of several frameworks that have been developed on this topic that could serve as a framework as the Town of Danville develops the Senior Action Plan, or Roadmap for an Age-Friendly Danville. IV. Vision for Seniors in Danville Commissioners were invited to share their vision for seniors in Danville. Specifically, they offered responses to the following questions: • What’s your vision for the highest quality of life for older adults and seniors in Danville? • What are the existing assets in town? Their comments and ideas are summarized by key theme on the following page. 1 AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/network- age-friendly-communities/ Danville Senior Advisory Commission Work Session Summary 3 Our Vision • Community – Address loneliness and foster social networks for seniors. • Culture and Diversity – Foster a culture of respect and multiculturalism. • Economic Growth – Support economic growth for seniors. • Facilities and Resources – Expand the senior center and create a centralized hub for resources. • Health and Well Being – Address mental health services and support systems, physical activity and overall health for seniors. • Housing and Assisted Living – Provide more housing and more independent and assisted living options for seniors. • Inclusive and Multi-Generational – Support multi-generational, inclusive and integrated spaces and programs. • Sustainable – Promote green and eco-friendly services, programs and values. • Transportation and Mobility – Provide safe transportation options, shuttle services and improved mobility for Danville seniors. Assets • Balanced Town Budget and Reserves – The Town’s balanced budget and financial reserves were identified as assets. • Built Environment – Danville’s walkable and central downtown are considered positive strengths. • Danville Community – Key assets include the Town’s engaged and educated population. • Facilities – The senior center and library are existing assets in Town. • Housing – Danville’s housing stock and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) program are considered assets. • Parks and Programs – The Town’s parks, programs, volunteer opportunities, trails and bicycle connectivity were identified as strengths to leverage. • Services and Nonprofits – Counseling services and Meals on Wheels are considered Town assets, particularly for the senior community. • Town Council, Staff and Senior Advisory Commission – Commissioners identified the Town Council, staff and Senior Advisory Commission as assets to elevate the needs and priorities for seniors. • Town Reputation – Another important asset is the Town’s reputation among residents and neighbors in the adjacent communities. Danville Senior Advisory Commission Work Session Summary 4 V. Key Needs for Seniors in Danville Commissioners identified trends impacting seniors and current needs and priorities of Danville seniors by responding to the following questions: • What are the trends and changing impacting seniors in Danville and regionally? • Looking at current offerings, what types of services and facilities are most needed? Needs and Trends • Aging in Place – Empty nesters and retirees are moving to west Danville. Anchor residents to Danville as they age. • Community – Support social networking, community-building, and multi-generational interactions for seniors. • Emergency Preparedness – Support emergency preparedness among seniors. • Facilities – Expand the senior center. • Finances – Address financial concerns for seniors. Seniors’ wealth can be locked into homes and properties and not accessible. • Housing – Provide additional affordable and accessible housing units and care facilities. Provide supported and cooperative housing. • Mental Health – Provide art therapy for seniors. • Mobility – Enhance mobility for seniors. • Outreach and Engagement – Conduct outreach and engage seniors. Improve communications and increase awareness of existing assets. • Recreation – Provide senior-specific playgrounds. • Retirement – Seniors are retiring later and living longer. • Special Needs – Address the needs of seniors 55 to 64 years who represent the largest segment of seniors. Consider the needs of older adults who are caregivers for other older adults. • Support Services and Programs – Support seniors with daily activities, adult day care, networking and community-building services (e.g. roommate and housemate matching) • Technology – Support seniors in becoming tech-savvy, provide technology support and increase access to technology for seniors. VI. Creating a Senior Action Plan During a discussion of the scope of the Senior Action Plan, several key themes and issues emerged. Commissioners responded to the following questions: • What type of plan document would be most helpful to the Commission? Danville Senior Advisory Commission Work Session Summary 5 • How can we best engage Danville seniors? Desired Outcomes • Benchmarks and Milestones – Establish benchmarks and milestones to measure progress towards objectives such as a 5-year roadmap with specific action items. • Call-In Number – Establish a “one-stop” call-in number for seniors to access resources. • Existing Senior Advisory Committee – Start with the existing Senior Action Plan goals. • Housing – Provide additional housing options, including innovative housing solutions. Leverage the Housing Element to address senior housing needs. • Meet Basic Needs – Meet all of seniors’ basic needs (e.g. food, housing, etc.). • Outreach and Communication – Develop communications goals for the Senior Action Plan. Leverage neighborhood “captains” to connect with seniors in their homes. • Parallel Planning Processes – Connect with other Town Plans and planning processes. Consider the Parks, Rec and Arts Strategic Plan and Contra Costa Transportation Authority’s Accessible Transportation Strategic Plan as models (e.g. easy to understand, strategic direction and flexible framework). • Town Role – The Town doesn’t have to do everything on its own; it can partner with service providers. • Transportation and Mobility – Develop goals around transportation and mobility. Engagement Strategies • Commissioners – Participate in Danville activities and events to increase awareness. • Existing Events, Programs and Organizations – Leverage existing events and programs to engage stakeholders (e.g. Chamber of Commerce and Newcomer events). Partner with organizations such as Homeowner Associations to tap into existing networks. • Existing Tools – Leverage existing tools such as the Open Town Hall survey program. • Meet People Where They Are – Meet people where they are (e.g. farmers market, country clubs and gold clubs). Engage program participants. Consider the model used for the PRA Strategic Plan. • Multiple Methods of Outreach – Conduct multiple methods of outreach to maximize participation. • Multi-Generational – Conduct outreach to younger audiences and ask them to reach out to their family networks. Facilitate intergenerational interaction. For example, recruit teens to interview seniors on video. • Pop-Ups – Facilitate pop-up meetings and events Danville Senior Advisory Commission Work Session Summary 6 VII. Next Steps The Town of Danville will work in close collaboration with the Senior Advisor Commission to develop a Senior Action Plan. The Action Plan will be guided by community input and designed to provide a roadmap for improving the quality of life for seniors in Danville.