Grantmakers as Catalysts for Change: Empowering Communities to Strengthen their Voice

1. Grantmakers as Catalysts for Change: Empowering Communities to Strengthen their Voice

2. The Community of Constituents Jack Hailey, GACIjack@gacinstitute.org

3. “Can we all get along?”The California Collaborative

4. The Value of the Collaborative • … shapes the Legislature's thinking … • A terrific stakeholder vetting process. • … a trusted and respected voice on policy and programs … • Helps me understand the dizzying change that is health care reform. … influence systems change … a voice for consumer's rights … focus on barriers, access, timelines, policies, and rights • … great for information … assists the state to think in new ways

5. A Vision for United Action19 Regional Coalitions Northern California Gold Country Bay Area Central Valley Central Coast Los Angeles The O.C. San Diego “Inland Empire”

6. Regional Coalitions and the California Collaborative Consumers Health Plans Providers State and Federal Agencies

7. Methods (the budget covers…) • Weekly statewide meetings • Monthly regional calls • Semi-annual conferences • A website for the Collaborative • Links to the “Community of Constituents” • Promotes member activities • A strategy to reach media

8. Accomplishments (what you get) We’re in the same fox hole, we’d better band together. • Senior and disability groups together • ▪ A mission and principles • Consensus formed • Vision shared with decision makers • A go-to stakeholder group • Changes in statute and agency practice

9. A New Website for theCalifornia Collaborative Check out LTSS podcasts: http://www.ccltss.org/information-resources/podcasts

10. The Diverse Elders CoalitionBryan Pacheco, National Coordinatorbpacheco@diverseelders.org

11. OVERVIEW Our Shared Vision with Atlantic Philanthropies Who We Are What We Do Spotlight on State Advocacy

12. Follow Us (Tweet Now) Twitter: @diverseelders Facebook: Facebook.com/diverseelders diverseelders.org

13. Our Shared Vision Our Commonalities Unite Us: National diverse aging organizations were advocating for similar solutions, yet not working together Together, We are Stronger: Our member organizations are experts in the distinctive needs of their communities and influential players in the federal advocacy arena Unusual Degree of Access: To underserved racial, ethnic and cultural communities in rural areas, cities and regions throughout the U.S.

14. Who We Are

15. What We Do Address the Profound Challenges facing Diverse Elders: This includes economic vulnerability, poor health and health care access, cultural and linguistic challenges, among others. Policy Reform. Increased Awareness of our Issues: This includes federal policy reform, state advocacy, community education and engagement, among others.

16. Spotlight: State Specific Advocacy Support Outreach & Enrollment Efforts in 3 States; Build Capacity to Reach Older People of Color and LGBT Older People Create Educational Resources for Older Consumers Produce Policy Resources for Health & Aging Advocates about the Health Issues facing Diverse Elders

17. Spotlight: State Specific Advocacy • Georgia • Bhutanese Elders • LGBT Elders • New Mexico • Native American Elders • Florida • Hispanic Elders

18. Spotlight: Georgia Increasing Capacity of Grassroots Organizations: Providing much needed resources to underserved communities of color Connecting Unlikely Allies: Partnering LGBT aging and Bhutanese advocates to work across issues, find commonalities and improve the health of their communities

19. The California Senior Leaders ProgramDiana Carpenter-MadoshiClass of 2010 & Co-Chair of the California Senior Leaders Steering Committee quemere@sbcglobal.net

20. The Senior Leaders Story

21. A program is born • Founded in 2002, with funding from California Wellness Foundation. • Recognize outstanding senior volunteers in CA • Fall nominations/applications accepted • ~80 seniors nominated, 30 outstanding seniors are selected by a committee • Diversity represented across: geography, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, areas of interest, experience Commitment to healthy aging and social justice.

22. …Over 15 months • Awards & Recognition 3-day event • Training: Media Advocacy, Fundraising, Networking, Inspirational and Strategy Sharing Circles • Presentation of Award & $500 • Working groups led by Graduate Students • Policy, Working with youth & families, Building Stronger Communities, Rural, Healthy Aging • Regional Summer Reunions • Technical support: Community building/health aging projects

23. Since then… • Cohorts in: 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012 • Over 100 seniors recognized • Incoming class of 2014

24. Results: Visibility and Empowerment “It feels good to see an organization honor seniors work they have been doing for years. It was an honor to be recognized with other seniors and elders...” “The event was a catalyst to come together and learn and to help each other. We are now a statewide network to assist each other.”

25. The California Senior Leaders Program • A means for sharing common bonds - a commitment to healthy aging, and a determination to help strengthen and work towards social justice in their communities. • A means to honor seniors for their invaluable contributions, celebrate the communities in which they live, and, by supporting them in this work, contribute to their own healthy aging as well. • A means for senior leaders to stay connected and share ideas with each other and with previous cohorts through regional reunions and the Senior Networker newsletter …..a movement was brewing

26. CSLA Mission Statement To promote, advocate for and contribute to the health and wellbeing of seniors, their families and communities statewide, through a diverse and grassroots coalition of California Senior Leaders. CSLA Priority Areas Economic Security Health Care Reform Transportation

27. CSLA goes to Sacramento for “CSLA Education and Advocacy Day” State Assembly Member Jim Beall

28. Frank Rose(1938-2011) “I don’t think outside the box. I think outside the warehouse.” -Frank Rose

29. Grantmakers as Catalysts for Change: Empowering Communities to Strengthen their Voice