Item 2: Age-Friendly Austin Slide Deck — original pdf

Backup

Age-Friendly Austin Partner Summit and Community Engagement Strategy for the Development of the Age-Friendly Action Plan 2026 - 2030 Nicole Alexander, Age-Friendly Austin Program Coordinator nicole.alexander@austintexas.gov Halana Kaleel, Public Health Community Engagement Specialist halana.kaleel@austintexas.gov Purpose of Community Engagement and the Age- Friendly Partner Summit To collect insights from community partners, aging service organizations, and other City departments to ensure the new AFA plan is deeply rooted in the real-life experiences and top priorities of older adults, caregivers, and service providers in Austin. To ensure adequate opportunities are given to partners, stakeholders, and the community to give feedback. The information we learn from the summit, along with the data obtained from the Older Adults Quality of Life Study and the Age-Friendly Initiatives outlined in 2024, will help to shape the new goals and strategies of the 2026 - 2030 plan.  Engagement Objectives Validate and contextualize findings from key data sources Co-develop strategic priorities and measurable goals Ensure transparency and accountability in the planning process Allow for the voices of community stakeholders and partners to be heard and considered Build community ownership of the final Age-Friendly Action Plan  Community Listen and Learn Sessions Community Listen and Learn Sessions Engaging Partners & Closing the Feedback Loop Building on the Listen and Learn framework developed for City Staff and repurposed for community members and partners to drive AFA Action Plan Development. Format: Virtual or in-person sessions. Core Objectives: Educate: Inform partners on the upcoming new Action Plan and how to be involved. Integrate: Provide updates on how the Older Adults QoL Study recommendations are being incorporated. Validate: Gather feedback to ensure the plan aligns with identified community needs. Connect: Build on and continue the trust established during the study. Age-Friendly Austin Summit Focus Area 1 Social Engagement, Connection, and Inclusion Aligns with Domains: Social Participation (4), Respect and Social Inclusion (5), Communication and Information (7) Key Objectives and Actions: Combat social isolation Bridge the digital divide Improve information access Inclusive City planning Social Engagement, Connection, and Inclusion Previous Related Goals and Strategies in the 2021 - 2025 AFA Plan Increase recreation, leisure, and educational activities targeting older adults, including multigenerational programs Expand city-wide interagency collaborations to identify and optimize opportunities for senior engagement Increase in amenities at parks and public spaces Integrate age-inclusive policies as criteria for decision making and promote age-friendly customer service best practices Ensure services and programs targeted to seniors respect racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity and are welcoming and inclusive Identify opportunities for seniors to participate in multi-group service day events Make City of Austin’s Commission on Aging meetings accessible for older adults Provide multi-cultural information and resources, recognizing the diversity of Austin’s senior population. Promote technologies and technology training that help older adults stay connected to their community, friends, and family. Age-Friendly Austin Summit Focus Area 2 Health, Mobility, and Accessibility Aligns with Domains: Outdoor Spaces and Buildings (1), Transportation (2), Community and Health Services (8) Key Objectives and Actions: Enchance Food Access Improve Healthcare Navigation Support Caregivers Emergency Preparedness Improve Pedestrian Safety Enhance Accessibility of Public Spaces Health, Mobility, and Accessibility Previously Related Goals and Strategies of the 2021 - 2025 Plan Build awareness of public, private, and non-profit low or no cost health care services, identify health services not covered by Medicare Expand mobile health care services Expand public awareness around caregiver support and in-home support programs, including respite care, palliative care and other home-based support programs. Support a robust awareness and education campaign focused on SNAP benefits, and investing in better food choices for better health outcomes. Provide broad access to healthy culturally appropriate foods, local farmers markets, co-ops, grocery stores, community gardens, and corner stores in neighborhoods. Provide information, education and training to ensure the safety, wellness and readiness of seniors in emergency situations. Ensure emergency responders are trained in age-friendly best practices to be prepared to respond to the needs of older adults during emergency events. Provide emergency response and preparedness strategies on the City of Austin Website specific to the needs of the senior population Health, Mobility, and Accessibility (Continued) Strengthen elder abuse detection by providing education to law enforcement and other first responders. Create partnerships to provide educational materials related to identifying and reporting senior financial exploitation targeting banking and financial institutions. Ensure safe, affordable, and accessible modes of transportation for older adults Maintain and add new sidewalks so they are safe and accessible for seniors Improve seating, shelters, and lighting at transit stops to encourage use of public transportation Ensure pedestrian friendly crossing signals and clear signage are in place Provide older adults with tools and information needed to make informed travel choices Improve coordinated efforts and communication across existing senior transportation agencies Expand access to outdoor spaces and public buildings Age-Friendly Austin Summit Focus Area 3 Housing and Economic Security Aligns with Domains: Housing (3), and Civic Engagement and Employment (6) Key Objectives and Actions: Support Aging in Place Increase Housing Affordability Ensure Utility Security Strengthen Economic Security Prevent Financial Exploitation Housing and Economic Security Previously Related Goals and Strategies of the 2021 - 2025 Plan Encourage the development of new and innovative models of affordable housing for seniors Expand funding for affordable senior housing Increase access to rent and utility assistance programs for seniors Expand assistance for affordable home repair, maintenance, and modification for senior homeowners. Improve access to energy efficiency and weatherization programs Provide more interim housing for unhoused seniors Enhance accessibility and visibility of existing employment resources for older adults Promote job fairs and job-sharing employment opportunities, as well as events that provide education, resume building, interview coaching, and job training for older adults. Distribute information on key topics such as age discrimination in the workplace and working while receiving Social Security benefits. Publicize volunteer opportunities as well as opportunities for civic engagement Engagement Tools and Channels AFA Partner Summit-January 28 , 2026 th Presentations: 2021-2025 AFA Action Plan Highlights Older Adult Quality of Life Study Circles of Involvement: Utilize the Circles of Involvement model to map partner roles. Will ensure representative community input and increase support for plan implementation. Facilitated Group Work to outline the draft Action Plan: Breakout by Focus Areas. Taking the recommendations from the QoL Study and developing Goals, Objectives, Stratagies, and Metrics.  Next Steps Draft Plan Development: AFA Staff will write the initial draft of the plan's goals, strategies, and metrics based on outcomes of the AFA Partner Summit. (Jan-Feb 2026) AFA Workgroup Review: Review and revise the draft plan during scheduled workgroup meetings. (Feb-Mar 2026) Community Listen and Learn Sessions: Conduct sessions with older adults and community partners to present the draft plan and gather feedback. (Mar-Apr 2026) Partner & Stakeholder Survey: Distribute the draft plan via an online survey for broader partner and stakeholder review. (Apr-May 2026) Finalization of Draft Plan: Staff incorporation of feedback from workgroups, partners, community, and internal review and approval. (Apr-May 2026) Commission on Aging Review and Approval of Plan (May-Jun 2026) Austin City Council Review and Adoption of Plan (Jun-Jul 2026) Final Plan Submission to AARP (Jul-Aug 2026)