"I Can, I Will" proposal from the Lancaster group

Here is another thoughtful proposal that came out of the Lancaster Community Conversation.

Action Item
“I CAN, I WILL”
Visions Lancaster Group: Proposed 3/27/10


Goal:
To form a grass roots partnership between Bay Aging and residents of local communities/neighborhoods, connecting Bay Aging Options Counselors with individuals and/or groups who desire to become empowered to advocate for and obtain resources in order to achieve and sustain self-sufficiency.

Description:
Options Counselors would identify trusted and natural leader(s) (patriarch/matriarch types, for example) in a neighborhood or local community who would be engaged to gather together those in the neighborhood/community with like needs and concerns. The counselor and local leader would develop a plan offering effective strategies to gather potential participants for exchange of information on resources at local gatherings. Gatherings would take place in the leader’s home (think “Tupperware parties”) or other accessible, friendly location with the leader as convener.

The desired outcomes would include: self identification of needs and ways to achieve self sufficiency; development of skills and knowledge for advocating for themselves or for a neighborhood/local community’s needs; effective and respectful partnering of providers and those seeking services. The local participants would have ownership of and control over the process. The concept is one of empowerment.

Background:
Bay Aging currently has Options Counselors who provide counseling and assistance to consumers through an emergency services program. The funding for this program ends in this fiscal year.

Bay Aging has noted success in a paradigm that sends Options Counselors in some cases into homes and local communities, partnering with the local resident(s) or family to assist in determining needs and goals and then helping match them with services.

The project proposed in this Action Idea would use and build on an already established and trained base at Bay Aging and their past experience in a process that appears to offer promise for the grass roots partnering we propose.

Financial Considerations:
•Partial funding for Options Counselors
•Stipends and expense reimbursement for local leaders
•Transportation made available to participants, as needed through Bay Transit or some other provider