Albany Neighborhood NORC Project

1. Albany Neighborhood NORC Project Miriam Adler, LCSW Executive Director & NNORC Project Director Jewish Family Services of NENY (Lead Agency) NNORC Partner Agencies Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany Saint Rose College St. Peter’s Hospital and Home Care Senior Services of Albany Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center SUNYA – School of Social Welfare United Jewish Federation of NENY

2. A NNORC IS… • A “Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community” • An area containing not more than two thousands persons who are 60 years of age and older • Made up of low-rise buildings six stories or less in height, and/or single and multi-family homes • An area not originally developed for persons aged 60+ • Not restricted to persons aged 60+

3. Why A NORC? • Help transform communities into good places to grow old – communities that support healthy, productive, successful aging & respond to changing needs. • Shore up the natural supports in a community, weaving/re-weaving the social fabric & empowering older residents to take on positive roles in shaping the community to meet their needs. • Create partnerships that bring together the social capital, businesses & services in a community to harness & target resources to address physical, social, emotional, health & environmental challenges.

4. NORCs & NNORCs: A History • 1985 UJA-Federation Penn South developed first NORC in New York City • 2006 Approximately 43 Programs in 25 states – the result of Congressional earmarks • By May of 2006, 33 “classic” or housing-based & nine (9) neighborhood-based NORCs in New York State • 2008 17 neighborhood-based NORCs in New York State

5. Developing our NNORC • In 2003, JFS brought together a consortium of community interfaith service providers & members to develop a program • Organize the partnership • Identify the community in terms of geographical make-up, interfaith structure, and interdisciplinary resources • Invite potential partners who represent and have credibility in the community • Share the concept • Personalize – individuals who represent agencies/institutions buy in personally to the project

6. Commitment – pay off in terms of recognition and benefits • 2005 – NYS made funds available for NNORCs in the Upstate area • JFS, as the lead agency, received funds for 2006, 2007 and 2008. • Consortium continues to meet as NNORC Partners

7. Program Operation • Partners • Share facilities • Membership • Services • Make financial commitment • Advise in program development • Neighborhood Advisory Group • Members of NNORC neighborhood – seniors and non-seniors • Advise in program development • Identify participants • Volunteer for activities and programs • Advocate for program as needed

8. NNORC Neighbors • Make a modest financial commitment – membership • Volunteer • Share ideas for programs • Help NNORC staff with outreach efforts

9. OUR NNORC • 2.5 square mile area (Census, 2000) • Hope to add approximately 1 sq mile and 560 seniors for a total of 1750 • Boundaries of NNORC area • 59% of households have one (1) person who is 60 or older • 89% Caucasian • 43% of older residents have at least one (1) disability • (sensory, physical, mental health, self-care, or going outside the home) Census 2000

10. Life in the NNORC

11. Community Survey Demographics

12. Type of Living Situation by Gender

13. Years Lived in Neighborhood by Age Group

14. Common Concerns/Worries

15. Community Services Used

16. What do we hope to achieve? • Program Goals • Enable older adults living in the Albany NNORC to access a continuum of supportive services which will assist them to “age in place” in their homes. • Enable older adults living in the Albany NORC to maintain independence, and connection to the community, thus improving quality of life.

17. Albany NNORC ProjectSERVICES • Case management & case assistance services • Health care assistance and monitoring • Information and referral services • Volunteer Opportunities for and among older residents • Transportation escort, shopping assistance, friendly visiting, and telephone support • Lifestyle interventions such as health screenings, walking, exercise programs, nutrition, wellness management • Outreach to all residents in the NNORC geographic area

18. LIFE in the NNORC

19. Unique Aspects of the Albany NNORC Lead agency (JFS) 154 years old – continuity, enduring mission of helping community residents to meet ever-changing needs Faith rich community Interfaith Consortium Long history of community capacity-building, working with seniors aging in place Interfaith model allows residents to gather in safe & familiar spots throughout the neighborhood

20. Unique Aspects of the Albany NNORC Home maintenance & taxes identified as greatest burden, most likely to influence moving Large number retired NYS & GE employees in relation to general population Connection to UAlbany School of Social Welfare NNORC worked with the school/community partnership to help establish IAP Program & train students Research component College of Saint Rose Institute for Community Research and Training

21. Challenges: Looking Forward • Raise funds to meet required grant match dollars • Create programs and services to meet diversity of needs • Increase size of NNORC to adjoining areas, which also have very large senior population • Communication • Ongoing evaluation • Help middle class social group cope with non-middle class dollars

22. Sustainability • Report back to all levels of structure • Partners – Neighborhood – Service Providers – Sponsors • Develop and maintain a research component to review and evaluate the program – be aware of changing needs • Be aware of potential “tension” between funders’ mandates and identified community needs • Prepare and constantly modify financial sustainability • Keep “excitement” alive for the community, partners, and funders