Who We Are
  Mission
  Legislative Priorities
  Strategic Plan
  Members

  Applications
  Calendar
  Agenda & Minutes
  State Plan
News & Releases
    News
    Press Releases
  WHCoA
 

Home > About MBA > Strategic Plan

MBA Strategic Plan - 2009

The Minnesota Board on Aging has identified five strategies for its work focus. These strategies represent specific actions of the Board and the Area Agencies on Aging in Minnesota to help the State prepare for the coming Age Wave.

1. Long Term Care Services: New Models and Workforce Capacity
   
   Promote and fund programs through the Board’s Program Operations Committee and in Partnership with Area Agencies on Aging...

   • Encourage grants and/or contracts with providers who employ technologies that “save” labor or that help use scarce labor more efficiently.

   • Encourage grants and/or contracts for service models that utilize volunteer and quasi-formal supports, including those that recruit and train community and/or church volunteers for non-skilled care.

   • Encourage grants and/or contracts for evidence-based interventions for family caregivers that improve and extend formal care.

   Support initiatives

   • Minnesota Department of Health and the University of Minnesota programs that provide economic incentives for students who pursue gerontological/ geriatric careers (e.g., scholarships, tuition reduction, debt/loan forgiveness).

   Explore strategic MBA involvement with other partners through the Board’s Long-Range Planning Task Force

   • State and local programs that strengthen LTC workforce capacity (e.g., immigration of qualified immigrants working in LTC via skilled worker visas, LTC training for persons for whom English is a second language).

   • Disseminating information about new technologies that improve quality of life, such as new communications technologies and assistive technologies.
     
      

2. Consumer Choice
   
   Promote and fund programs through the Board’s Program Operations Committee and in Partnership with Area Agencies on Aging

   • Market information about long-term care options and available HCBS services and supports (including those funded with OAA) through the Minnesota Help Network, Minnesotahelp.info and/or other marketing strategies.

   • Expand Internet access and web skill-development among older persons through expanded Senior Surf Day and/or other models/partnerships that maximize equitable distribution across Greater Minnesota, potential for inter-generational teaching and easy access to computer facilities.

   • Provide information to people so that they can help themselves by promoting chronic disease self-management and risk-reduction behaviors.

   Support initiatives

   • In collaboration with the MBA’s Project Transform 2010 partners, the MN Department of Humans Services and the MN Department of Health, help boomers and subsequent cohorts understand and plan for their own futures including financial planning (tools and products); health planning (exercise, diet, lifestyle habits); and activities/involvement planning (hobbies/interests, community involvement, and recreational outlets).

    

3. Communities That Support Older Minnesotans
   
   Promote and fund programs through the Board’s Program Operations Committee and in Partnership with Area Agencies on Aging

   • Introduce local businesses and employers to information about working caregivers and resources developed by the MBA for both the employers and their employees who are family caregivers.

   Support initiatives

   • In collaboration with the MBA’s Project Transform 2010 partners, the MN Department of Humans Services and the MN Department of Health, co-sponsor a business symposium to raise the level of awareness of aging issues (opportunities and challenges) for businesses and corporations.

   Explore strategic MBA involvement with other partners through the Board’s Long-Range Planning Task Force

   • Promote the adoption of universal design criteria: encourage local communities to adopt universal design standards for new construction, and/or require universal design standards if public funds are used in construction or rehab of building.

   • Reduce impact of housing costs on older persons with limited incomes (e.g., property tax, housing maintenance, housing modification, utilities and/or rent).
     
      

4. Health Care Reform
   
   Promote and fund programs through the Board’s Program Operations Committee and in Partnership with Area Agencies on Aging

   • Encourage grants and/or contracts with providers who improve chronic care management by creating linkages between the health/medical system and community supports.

   • Encourage grants and/or contracts with providers that use technologies to support persons in their own homes and apartments.

   Explore strategic MBA involvement with other partners through the Board’s Public Policy Committee and/or Long Range Planning Task Force

   • Monitor impact of economic climate and changes on retirement incomes (e.g., pensions, savings and investments) as well as public support programs for older persons.
     
      

5. Change in the U.S. and Global Economy

   Explore strategic MBA involvement with other partners through the Board’s Public Policy Committee and/or Long Range Planning Task Force

   • Monitor impact of economic climate and changes on retirement incomes (e.g., pensions, savings and investments) as well as public support programs for older persons.

Updated January 22, 2009