News
Spotlight on Innovation: Volunteer IT On-Call Program
- By: USAging
- On: 01/25/2018 10:33:04
- In: Hot Topics in Aging
We're highlighting cutting-edge programs and successful strategies of our 2017 Aging Innovation Award Winners with this spotlight feature. This week we shine a spotlight on the Fairfax Country Area Agency on Aging, winner in the Healthy Aging category.
The Volunteer IT On-Call Program grew out of the Fairfax County 50+ Community Action Plan in September of 2014, which specifically called for an initiative to help older adults and people with disabilities with technology as they continue to live in their homes. The program provides free, one-on-one, in-home assistance to help program participants learn how to use new technologies and troubleshoot problems with their devices. The service increases opportunities for social engagement and the accessibility of personal, financial, or medical information to help older adults and people with disabilities acclimate to a continually evolving digital climate.
Through the program, tech-savvy volunteers are recruited and trained to assist Fairfax County with a range of issues, from printer setup and malware removal to e-mail management and more. Volunteers include everyone from high school students to retirees, all of whom are vetted through the county's background check process.
Since its inception in 2014, the program has received 328 referrals and continues to receive anywhere from five to ten referrals from the community per month. The 46 volunteers have logged 1,950 volunteer hours. The value of volunteer hours for the program is $49,571, and the program has saved Fairfax County residents a total of approximately $45,342.
To learn more about this year's winners, read our press release and check out our book of winners!