REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION ON AGING OCTOBER 9TH, 2024 AT NOON CITY HALL, BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ROOM 301 W 2ND ST AUSTIN, TEXAS, 78701 Some members of the Commission may be participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely via telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation by telephone. To register to speak remotely, call or email Halana Kaleel, 512- 972-5019, Halana.Kaleel@austintexas.gov. CURRENT MEMBERS: Richard Bondi, Chair Gretchen Flatau, Vice-Chair Mariana Gonzalez Austin Adams Suzanne Anderson Jacqueline Angel Jennifer Scott Preston Tyree Henry Van de Putte Vacancies since Sep 2024: Mayor’s Office, Travis County Martin Kareithi Gloria Lugo Tina Rodriguez Teresa Ferguson AGENDA CALL TO ORDER/ATTENDANCE PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Approve the minutes of the September 11th, 2024 regular Commission on Aging Meeting. Discussion and possible action on establishing a workgroup to advance initiatives outlined in Domains 1 & 2 (Outdoor Spaces and Buildings and Transportation) of the Age Friendly Action Plan for FY24/25. Discussion and possible action on establishing a workgroup to advance initiatives outlined in Domain 3 (Housing) of the Age Friendly Action Plan for FY24/25. Discussion and possible action on establishing a workgroup to advance initiatives outlined in Domains 4-6 (Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, and Civic Participation and Employment) of the Age Friendly Action Plan for FY24/25. Discussion and possible action on establishing a workgroup to advance initiatives outlined in Domain 8 (Community Support and Health Services) of the Age Friendly Action Plan for FY24/25. 3. 4. 5. 6. 8. 9. 10. 11. Discussion and possible action on establishing a Budget workgroup to track the FY 24/25 approved budget recommendations from the Commission on Aging and to collect and compile community input and draft recommendations for the FY 25/26 City of Austin Budget from the Commission on Aging. DISCUSSION ITEMS 7. Presentation by Dr. Luan Tran from the Austin Vietnamese American Medical Professional Society (AVAMPS) on the: Austin Vietnamese Senior Center and initiatives and events for the Austin Vietnamese community. Status update on Older Adult Quality of Life Study presented by the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community and Cortez Consulting, Amanda Wolfe and Dr. Laura …
Presented by: Amanda Wolfe, CAC Senior Project Director Dr. Laura J. Cortez, Cortez Consulting CEO Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study October 2024 Status Update University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community Vision Mission The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community is a catalyst for change that leads to a world in which all people age with dignity and optimal health. The University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community collaborates, educates, and conducts research to enhance the quality of life for all people as they age. Project Vision: Goal ◼ Research Question: What is the current quality of life for Austin residents ages 50 and older, and what roles do these older adults want their city government and its partners to play in ensuring every Austin resident lives their own best aging experience? Project Plan: Timeline and Responsibilities Project Activity Responsible Party Month/Months ✓ Landscape and Background Research CAC, Cortez Consulting, Commission on Aging August - September 2024 Community Engagement Cortez Consulting, CAC, Commission on Aging August – October 2024 Data Collection Plan CAC, Cortez Consulting, Commission on Aging August – October 2024 Qualitative Data Collection Cortez Consulting, CAC Qualitative Data Analysis CAC November 2024 – February 2025 November 2024 - March 2025 Preliminary Findings Touchbase CAC, Cortez Consulting, Commission on Aging March 2025 Project Plan: Timeline and Responsibilities Project Activity Responsible Party Month/Months Survey Tool Design CAC, Cortez Consulting March 2025 Quantitative Data Collection CAC, Cortez Consulting April - June 2025 Quantitative Data Analysis CAC Power Analysis CAC, Cortez Consulting, Commission on Aging Final Written Report of Findings CAC, Cortez Consulting April – August 2025 August 2024 – August 2025 August 2025 Dissemination of Findings CAC, Cortez Consulting, Commission on Aging September 2025 ◼ Establish relationships with community organizations What’s Next? and powerbrokers ◼ Data Collection Plan ◼ Obtain IRB approval ◼ Host focus groups ◼ Analyze qualitative data Ellen Burton Executive Director burtones@uindy.edu Amanda Wolfe Senior Project Director/Austin Project Lead awolfe@uindy.edu 317.985.0711 (cell) Dr Laura J. Cortez CEO laura@cortezconsulting.com 512.273.7967
CITY OF AUSTIN SCOPE OF WORK QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY OF AUSTIN’S AGING POPULATION SOLICITATION NO. RFQS 4400 SAR4008 1.0 Introduction About the Commission on Aging The City of Austin, Texas, population 840,000, is the 13th largest city in the country. The Commission on Aging (formerly Commission on Seniors) serves as an advisory board to the Austin City Council concerning the quality of life for older adults in the Austin area and to help ensure older adults are productive, independent, and healthy. The Commission advises the council on issues related to older adults in the Austin area; evaluates and recommends programs, policies, and practices that create a positive impact and reduce the burden on older adults; determines the needs of older adults in the Austin community and advises council regarding these needs; and promotes the contributions older adults make to the cultural, economic, and historical value of Austin. The 2010 Census data showed significant demographic population growth. Austin was one of the fastest- growing pre-seniors/senior populations in the nation. In response to Austin’s increasing age diversity, former Mayor Lee Leffingwell convened a Task Force on Aging in 2012-13. He charged the group with developing strategic recommendations to ensure our aging neighbors have the resources to be healthy, independent, and integrated into community life. The Task Force was composed of a diverse group of leaders from non-profit organizations, funding entities, businesses, and academia. The St. David’s Foundation and Seton Foundation provided leadership and support. Additionally, 15 graduate students from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas conducted research to support the Task Force’s efforts. Students met with area experts, studied national best practices, and engaged approximately 500 local older adults through a multi-topic survey. The result of the Task Force efforts included a report and a set of recommendations that focused resources on ensuring adequate support was in place to help each of us continue to contribute to our community while we age with dignity. The Task Force recommended two new vehicles to ensure our community successfully serves and benefits from the aging of our population over time: a new City of Austin Commission on Seniors (now Commission on Aging) and a new independent non-profit group to convene, advocate and coordinate across the community: AustinUP. 2.0 Purpose The City of Austin (City) seeks qualifications from entities (Contractor) to complete a quality of life study that supports the …
Commission on Aging Regular Meeting Minutes Wednesday, September 11th, 2024 The Commission on Aging convened in a regular meeting at City Hall, Boards and Commissions Room, 301 W 2nd St, Austin, Texas, 78701 and remotely. Chair Bondi called the Commission on Aging Meeting to order at 12:05pm. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance: Chair Richard Bondi, Vice Chair Gretchen Flatau, Austin Adams, Suzanne Anderson, Jacqueline Angel, Teresa Ferguson, Martin Kareithi, Gloria Lugo, Tina Rodriquez, Preston Tyree (entered dais 12:28pm). Board Members/Commissioners not in Attendance: Mariana Gonzalez, Jennifer Scott, and Henry Van de Putte. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the August 14th, 2024, Regular Commission on Aging Meeting. • The minutes from the meeting of August 14th, 2024, were approved by Commissioner Ferguson’s motion, Commissioner Kareithi’s second on a 9-0 vote. Commissioners Gonzalez, Scott, Tyree, and Van de Putte were absent. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and possible action on proceeding with only one Commission on Aging member on workgroup calls with the vendor for the Commission on Aging Quality of Life Study. a. Discussed allowing the workgroup calls with the vendor for the Commission on Aging to proceed with one Commission on Aging member with the understanding that that commissioner will share with the rest of the commission. b. Recommendation to proceed with one member of the Commission on Aging on the workgroup meetings with the vendor of the Commission on Aging Quality of Life Study was approved by Vice-Chair Flatau’s motion, Commissioner Ferguson’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Gonzalez, Scott, and Van de Putte were absent. 3. Discussion and possible action on authorizing Commission on Aging members to represent and speak on behalf of the Commission on Aging at the Commission Budget Townhalls for FY25 City of Austin Budget. • Recommendation to authorize Commission on Aging members to represent the entire Commission on Aging at the Commission Budget Townhalls for FY25 City of Austin Budget was approved on Commissioner Ferguson’s motion, Vice-Chair Flatau’s second on a 10-0 vote. Commissioners Gonzalez, Scott, and Van de Putte were absent. 1 4. Discussion and possible action on Ageism Awareness Day Activities being planned by the Commission on Aging. a. Discussed the Aging is Living Conference on October 8th, 2024. b. Ageism Awareness Day was also mentioned in the AFA Newsletter. 5. Discussion and possible action on submitting an Ageism Awareness Day Proclamation to Austin City Council. …
Greater Austin Vietnamese Network Presents “ A 9000-mile Dream” Austin Vietnamese Cultural Community Center Luan Tran, Gerontologist Founder of Greater Austin Vietnamese Network (GAVN) CEO of Austin Vietnamese American Medical Professional (AVAMPS) Vice-President of Austin Vietnamese Senior Citizens (AVSC) Luanntran@yahoo.com 512-496-3285 October 9, 2024 Austin, TX Good afternoon Commission on Aging, THANK YOU for allowing me to share with you our story today. Just for today, I would like to speak on behalf of 102 Vietnamese seniors who have sent me here to share with you their lived experiences. They are members of the Austin Vietnamese Senior Citizens which is a non-profit organization established 36 years ago. How does AVSC impact the quality of life for Vietnamese seniors? The Austin Vietnamese Senior Citizens provides an essential and consistent source of social, cognitive, emotional, physical, and nutritional enrichment for the Vietnamese seniors of Austin. AVSC has touched the lives of hundreds of past members over a 36-year span. The senior center has continued to create a culturally based, safe, and fun environment for its current members. Additionally, it has also facilitated meaningful life-long friendships and support networks within the Vietnamese community. For many seniors, this center is the only place of socialization with a free hot Vietnamese meal. Moreover, for over three decades, AVSC has continued to be a vital part of life- “beating heart” for the Vietnamese seniors. To date, AVCS has outgrown their space and although we have adapted over 36 years in the same space, it has become an inefficient and unsafe environment. The internal small space of 1,000 SQ space is outdated and is not ADA compliant without a ramp or elevator. When more than 60 members congregate, it is standing room only. Externally there is no dedicated Handicap parking spaces or enough parking spaces for 30 cars. As the aging Vietnamese population continues to increase in the greater Austin area, the seniors will need a larger space with ADA considerations and ample parking spaces to congregate on a weekly basis. In summary, AVCS desperately and passionately wants to expand to meet the growing needs of the aging community of Austin with more culturally based programs, services, and ultimately preserving and passing on our heritage. Unfortunately, we do not have the infrastructure to expand and grow. Austin Vietnamese Senior Citizens (Hội Cao Niên tài Austin) 8222 Jamestown Dr. #131, Austin, TX 78758 Front of the building, second …
