National Association of Area Agencies on Aging Awarded Grant to Continue Business Acumen Training for Community-Based Aging and Disability Organizations
For Immediate Release
March 29, 2019
Contact: Joellen Leavelle, jleavelle@n4a.org and 202.872.0888
WASHINGTON—The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) has been awarded grants from The John A. Hartford Foundation and The SCAN Foundation to continue and expand upon its work through the Aging and Disability Business Institute (Business Institute) to provide training, resources and support to Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and other community-based organizations (CBOs) as they enter into partnerships with health care entities to improve the health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities.
“We’re thrilled that these new three-year grants will enable the Business Institute to help CBOs build a bridge between the health care and social services sectors and better meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities,” said n4a CEO Sandy Markwood. “The grants will allow us to enhance the Business Institute’s Readiness Assessment tool to help CBOs determine whether they are ready to enter into health care partnerships, as well as to expand upon our innovative business acumen work by addressing emerging issues related to business challenges AAAs and other CBOs face as they collaborate with health care.”
“The Business Institute has been transformative in helping community-based organizations enter into successful and sustainable partnerships with health care,” said Dr. Terry Fulmer, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation. The result of the Business Institute’s last Request for Information survey showed that nearly 42 percent of community-based aging and disability organizations reported having contracts with health care entities, far exceeding the original 20 percent goal. “These contracts bring with them increased funding and new payment sources to vital organizations that deliver meals, provide transportation, and help older adults manage their chronic diseases in the community. This work is making the vision of age-friendly health systems that start and end at the kitchen table a reality,” Dr. Fulmer said.
“Over the last three years, the Business Institute has provided immense support to CBOs nationally; a recent Business Institute survey found that 300 community-based organizations have reported contracts with the health care sector,” said Dr. Bruce Chernof, President and CEO of The SCAN Foundation. “This translates to providing services to more than 250,000 older adults and people with disabilities—so we’re thrilled this work will continue,” Dr. Chernof said.
“The Business Institute has changed our future and culture. Rather than shrinking budgets and eliminating services, we have more than doubled our annual budget,” said Kathy Vesley-Massey, President and CEO of Bay Aging, a CBO that has received training and technical assistance from the Business Institute. “Our revenues from fees and private contracts have increased to nearly 60 percent from 20 percent as we continue to grow partnerships with health systems and health payers,” said Vesley-Massey.
In addition to The John A. Hartford Foundation and The SCAN Foundation, the Aging and Disability Business Institute is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
About the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging
The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging is a 501(c)(3) membership association representing America’s national network of 622 Area Agencies on Aging and providing a voice in the nation’s capital for the Title VI Native American aging programs. The mission of n4a is to build the capacity of its members so they can better help older adults and people with disabilities live with dignity and choices in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For more information, visit n4a.org and follow @n4aACTION.
About The John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit johnahartford.org and follow @johnahartford.
About The SCAN Foundation
The SCAN Foundation is an independent public charity dedicated to creating a society where older adults can access health and supportive services of their choosing to meet their needs. The mission of The SCAN Foundation is to advance a coordinated and easily navigated system of high-quality services for older adults that preserve dignity and independence. For more information, visit TheSCANFoundation.org, and follow @TheSCANFndtn.