Intersections of Racial Equity/Social Justice Organizations and Aging
To better understand community-based organizations supporting California’s continuum of care—especially in rural and underserved areas—the USC Equity Research Institute will identify these groups and explore opportunities for alignment and collaboration that advance shared goals and strengthen the SCAN Foundation’s impact across diverse communities.
The People Say is a groundbreaking resource amplifying the voices of older adults in policymaking. Developed by The SCAN Foundation and Public Policy Lab, it shares real-life insights on issues like healthcare, caregiving, and transportation—ensuring the lived experiences of aging Americans shape the policies that impact their daily lives. Current investments (multiple grants) include Year 2 research, adding perspectives from older adults living in Arizona, California, Minnesota, New Orleans, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Sharing the stories of people with lived experience provides an opportunity to highlight what they need to live well at home and in community The UCB, Center for Investigative Reporting, through its Aging in America series, will publish at least 14 stories per year related to aging and older adults with a focus on older adults who are low income, of color, and/or living in rural communities, in major media outlets.
Cofunded with Arnold Ventures and the Commonwealth Fund, this project will enhance the Medicare knowledge and capacity of select state Medicaid staffers, in service of improving state ability to design and implement policies to support the dually eligible population.
Older adults and people with disabilities were disproportionately impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires and face unique challenges to recovery. Contribution to the California Community Fund will provide critical support to recovery efforts for older adults impacted by the fires and their families.
Supporting Multisector Plans for Aging Funders Community
This grant, with co-funding from West Health, Health Care Foundation of Western and Central NY, and Taub Foundation, will support a Grantmakers in Aging Funding Community to champion Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA). GIA will convene 22 funders who are exploring opportunities to support Multisector Plans for Aging in their state. The Community works to: Increase awareness and understanding of MPA among the GIA network and the broader philanthropic community. Create a formal community of practice to share information, strategies, and solutions related to MPA. Cultivate relationships with new funders engaged through MPA efforts to expand and strengthen the GIA network and forge strategic partnerships across sectors.
The Cost of Prejudice: What does it really cost when we discriminate against people in the provision of health care services?
This grant to UMass Boston will examine how various forms of perceived discrimination (e.g. racial, age, gender, weight, sexual orientation, physical disability, wealth, etc.) impact both older adults’ experiences with the health care system and any health care costs associated with those experiences within the delivery system.
To advance long-term service and support (LTSS) reforms policymakers might consider the history of policy efforts in this area as an important source of information and context. This project will create a user-friendly website to showcase the LTSS Compendium of legislative reform solutions proposed over the last 30 years, as well as those put forward by researchers and think tanks.
Initiatives to Advance Long-Term Services and Supports Reform
The history of policy efforts in long-term service and support (LTSS) is an important source of information and context as policymakers consider future reforms. This three-part project will (1) support the creation of a concise, practical compendium of LTSS financing reform solutions for federal policymakers; (2) explore how individuals with LTSS need to access the home care system and how that varies by program eligibility, create a journey map of how individuals enter the system to access home care, and the key barriers they face; (3) will analyze recent state activity and state goals on LTSS reform by cataloguing new state laws and programs as well as active discussions to enact new financing options.
With support of the MPA Fund, Justice in Aging will facilitate stakeholder engagement to advance and ensure implementation of the Governor’s California Master Plan for Aging (MPA), with a focus on creating a universal home care system and ending older adult homelessness.
Addressing Gaps in Emergency Response Systems for Older Adults Impacted by Wildfires
California wildfires greatly impact older adults and long-term services and supports providers serving them. LeadingAge California will document the challenges LTSS providers faced during recent fires, gaps in emergency system responses, and recommendations to strengthen emergency preparedness and response protocols in LTSS settings (e.g., senior housing, assisted living, nursing facilities).
A shared language is essential to advancing effective home and community-based services (HCBS) policies. Through this project, HSRI will conduct a national environmental scan, engaging diverse voices, and synthesizing findings into a definition of HCBS. The aim of this definition is to support alignment in policy, advocacy, and service delivery—ultimately strengthening the effectiveness, equity, and coordination of HCBS for individuals with long-term support needs.
Strategies for Improving Long-Term Care: Educating State Policymakers
To advance long-term service and support (LTSS) reforms, states are uniquely positioned to leverage federal flexibilities to develop solutions. This project aims to strengthen the capacity and efficiency of state legislatures to consider policy options and innovations to support aging individuals, particularly policies around long-term care financing.
Advancing Integrated Care for Dually Eligible Populations
To promote promising models of integrated care in rural areas, plans need to encourage enrollment by making programs more responsive to consumer needs and increase the availability of these programs in rural areas. Through this project, CHCS will translate the Consumer Perspective into an Action Plan for States. The resulting toolkit will include actionable steps for states to take in: (1) designing or refining their integrated care programs, and (2) communicating with dually eligible populations and providers about the value of integrated care. Through exploring and identifying feasible options to improve provider access and coordinated care delivery for dually eligible populations in rural areas, states will learn to improve access to care.
Developing a National Rural Strategy & Reimagining Rural Policy for the 21st Century
The project will launch a bipartisan commission working to improve federal policies that advance equitable rural prosperity in the 21st century. The Commission’s research will include older adults with lived experience, as well as experts in the field of aging. The Commission will propose a national rural strategy that identifies the opportunities and priorities for achieving equitable rural prosperity.
