In April, the Vital Seniors Initiative launched—thanks to funding from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
The project surfaced 43 innovative ideas from local organizations about how to positively impact vulnerable older adults and their caregivers in Washtenaw County, including creating accessible resources and options that allow seniors to stay in their homes as long as they are able, and investigating the opportunity for integrated medical and human service systems. Each project was rooted in the recognition that more resources are needed to respond to the growing population of seniors—in an effort to keep the whole community vibrant and healthy.
Of these 43 ideas, 6 organizations received funding to pilot their proposals including Chelsea Senior Center, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheel. On behalf of the Washtenaw Health Initiative, CHRT staff would help the individual grantees map out barriers to care for seniors, strategically plan and implement their programs, evaluate the success of their program by identifying strengths and opportunities for improvement, and provide guidance on sustaining the initiatives. Furthermore, CHRT would facilitate a learning community for grantees—through a collective impact model—to help them identify shared values and objectives.