Caregiver Coalitions Start Up and Moving Forward July 20, 2009 National Association of Area Agencies on Aging 34 th Annual Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota Brian M. Duke MHA MBE

AAA Environment Budgetary challenges Growing demand Marketplace trends Changes underway or in the future

Why Mission compatibility Sustainability Opportunity Community need Closer to competition Complimentary strengths Passion to create or change

Caregiving Today Services only when needed Function/disease intervention Defined by resources Foreign terminology Fragmented health care and social care systems Don’t know our neighbor

12 Keys Planning Vision Mission Goals and Objectives Commitment and Focus Structure and Communication

12 Keys Leadership Decision Making Recruiting/Retaining Fundraising Projects and Activities Evaluation and Sustainability 12 Keys to Building Caregiver Coalitions Training Guide, AARP Foundation Caregiver Coalition Research Project, Department of Health and Human Services, US Administration on Aging,

Characteristics of Success Open door Convened in non competitive arena Simultaneous accomplishments and coalition building Agreed upon goals

What has been learned Relationships take time Mission built on consensus endures Evaluate the work and the group Sustainability is priority from day one and is continuously monitored Turf is real Passion is essential

What Can We Do?--Advocacy Coalition is an ideal forum Check readiness Pursues success

What’s successful advocacy? Strategic Series of actions ( advocacy cycle) Designed to persuade Targeted Builds alliances Results in change

Need to Keep Acting The bottom line for sustaining a coalition, however, would be the same for any community venture, that is, the capacity to act and have an impact on the community. Our experience is that long lasting coalitions keep on acting – visibly, energetically and effectively. Tom Wolff,AHEC Community Partners, Sustainability of Coalitions

In these tough times… A coalition’s voice most needed – collaborative lobbying Do not dilute the need but connect it to other areas of policy concern Speak on the short term crisis and long term relationships* Communication is focused, personalized and relevant * Kristin Murphy, Stephanie Vance, Advocacy for Libraries in Tough Times presentation for the American Association of School Librarians 2009

Next Who else is out there? Remember local is good Remain mission-centric Connect outside the silo Take it for a test drive Tell us about what happens

Contact Information Brian M. Duke Director Bucks County Area Agency on Aging 30 East Oakland Avenue Doylestown, PA Telephone: x