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June 2017 Planning Group Meeting Minutes

Strategic Action Planning Group on Aging

Monday June 12, 2017 - Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Karen Brown, Wade Buchanan, Ben Moultrie, Donna Baros, Susan Franklin, Karin Stewart, Jim Riesberg, Sharon Williams, Joshua Lippley, John Zabawa, Mindy Kemp On the phone: Ky Agnew, Steve Childs, Dale Elliott, Jean Nofles, Dave Norman, Claire Anderson

Meeting Actions

I. Jim Riesberg called the meeting to order at 12:00 with a quorum present.

II. Meeting agenda approved with no comments.

III. Meeting minutes from May 9, 2017 were approved with no comments.

Public Comment

No Comment.

Presentations &, Discussion

Knoebel Institute for Healthy Aging, DU, Lotta Granholm-Bentley, PhD

Quality in Life, Wellness &, Community. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the Knoebel Institute for Health Aging focuses on 5 strategic objectives:

  1. Develop interdisciplinary research programs,
  2. Become Colorado’s center of excellence on aging,
  3. Increase competency of the current and future workforce for the aging population,
  4. Transform public policy and attitudes on aging, and
  5. Support business development and innovation related to aging.

Current research projects focus on concussions and the long range outcomes for people who have suffered from them, as well as many degenerative diseases including ALS, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other forms of dementia. Educating the public on the implications of disease, especially dementia is an important goal for the center because people in the public sphere are not talking about these issues. Colorado has the potential to be a leader in educating and building awareness and solutions around these issues. The center also provides multi-generational, community programming (i.e. tai chi, Life Walks Photography, etc) for aging populations with a student workforce who are pursuing aging-related careers.

Discussion raised concerns that some with down syndrome are not being correctly diagnosed with dementia (difficulty in detecting/distinguishing symptoms) and wondered if that also translated to those with autism. Dr. Granholm-Bentley responded that 80% of those with down syndrome will get alzheimer’s - has become a bigger issue due to increased life expectancy. We know that exercise reduces alzheimer’s risk for general population but no studies exist in regard to benefits among the down syndrome population. She did acknowledge that Colorado is a very healthy state and thus, the lifestyle changes that would improve odds of staying healthy should be possible here. Dr. Granholm-Bentley also emphasized that as the Planning Group furthers its work, the Institute would very much like to engage on policy development and the ways the Planning Group and Institute might work together. She also offered members the opportunity to use interns from their various programs if they have positions or needs they wish to fill.

Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging, CSU, Lise Youngblade, PhD

Dr. Youngblade is a professor, Associate Dean and department head of the Human Development and Family Studies Department. CSU’s Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging has a mission to be the premier local, regional, and nationally-recognized resource for discovery and application of research on biological, cognitive, psychological, social and behavioral factors that lead to healthy and successful aging. Because CSU is a land grant university, they take community connections very seriously. Several CSU programs are connected to CSU Center for Healthy Aging. Particular focus in this presentation on CSU extension. At CSU this means engagement with the community/partnerships and teams to use talent and expertise within community. Also involved with several community partners. Every county in CO has an extension office.

The Center is a new initiative at CSU and has three core activities: interdisciplinary research, educational opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral training, engagement with the community for programs that support healthy aging. Research at CSU includes biological and psychological/sociological aspects of healthy aging, basic and translational science, and integration of animal and human models of aging. Research is funded by federal agencies and foundations. Focus is on strong integration into community and developing connections with aging efforts with various Front Range Institutions.

Planning group discussion included a question on if the Center anticipates being involved in policy at all? Dr. Youngblade responded that the Center has not been as visible at state level, concentrating on more local efforts, however they hope to engage more at that level in the future. Others raised the point that the Center and university in general could be a good partner for collaboration on implementation.

Planning Group Business

Legislative Reports and Activities

  • Gov Signed HB 1087 (Guardianship Pilot Program), but operations will not take place until they raise $1.7 million. Fundraising is in its initial stages.

Rich Mauro provided a legislative session wrap-up - 4 aging related bills:

  • HB 1284 (Data Systems Check for Employees Serving At-Risk Adults) requires providers that work with at-risk adults to go through background check through state,
  • HB 1253 (Protect Seniors from Financial Abuse) - requires financial advisors to report suspected cases of financial exploitation, gives them authority to halt transaction while it is being investigated,
  • HB 1264 (PACE Ombudsman Program) - establishes a local ombudsman for PACE program. Funding has been provided for one ombudsman but more are needed. PACE program has more than 3,000 participants statewide, most in Denver area, and program is expected to grow.
  • SB 267 (Sustainability of Rural Colorado) was a broad bill that includes a provision that deals with the senior homestead exemption. SB 267 makes the senior homestead exemption a TABOR rebate mechanism in any year when TABOR revenue exceeds the cap. If TABOR revenue is below the cap, the senior homestead exemption will be paid from general fund revenue. In the event of TABOR rebates, the provision will free up approximately $150 million in general fund revenue and reduce taxpayer refunds by an equivalent amount. Prior to passage of bill, there had been concern that homestead exemption is growing extensively each year (cost to state is over $150 million). Many legislators were interested in capping it to make it sustainable.

Jim Riesberg reported the CO Secure Saving Plan bill did not pass (HB 1290). He also noted that the Congressional Financial Choice Act, if passed, would repeal the Dept. of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule and would remove some consumer protections. (Fiduciary Rule requires financial advisors providing advice on retirement accounts to put the beneficiaries’ interests first.) The Choice Act was passed by the House on June 8.

Mindy Kemp reported that there is still work to do to over the next year to implement the requirements of HB 1284 (caregiver background checks). Background checks will apply to new employees and is not retroactive to those already employed.

Website Update/Presentation

Sinergie Project’s Gene Rose provided an overview of website revisions. Action plan is front and center, news items are updated, calendar is interactive, and added subcommittee schedule, members &, chairs. Hope is for this to be a public resource but also a resource for members. Ben Moultrie noted that as members have come across relevant reports, members have historically posted them in the google drive. Sinergie Project reported that the drive has recently been reorganized but members can still directly upload. A memo to members will be sent soon on how to access and upload to the drive.

Regional Meeting Planning Update

Sinergie Project’s Andrea Wilkins provided an overview of planning and meeting sites. First regional meeting will take place Aug. 25 in conjunction with Western Slope Roundup in Grand Junction. Goals/outcomes were discussed:

  1. The Planning Group will act as an advocate at the state level, promoting coordinated efforts and successful local initiatives. The Planning Group will also work to connect local and regional initiatives with Planning group work so that there is more coordination of initiatives, regional needs are better understood, and best practices are incorporated into the policy development process.
  2. Facilitate sharing of city and county specific strategic plans on aging and promote development and integration of regional goal identification and planning into the Planning Group initiatives.
  3. Discuss county and organizational lobbying efforts to encourage coordinated legislative tracking efforts, and the development of regional lobbying strategy.
  4. Expand Planning Group “membership list” to include stakeholders throughout Colorado who help diversify and expand the perspective of the group, develop local leadership, and who help increase the planning group’s overall influence at the state legislative level.
  5. Exchange knowledge and strategies between localities, governments, and collectives to facilitate collaboration and elevate initiatives that are working well across Colorado.
  6. Enhance Planning Group knowledge about local initiatives.
  7. Identify potential system gaps and barriers with survey analysis.
  • Dave Norman is meeting with Deb Bailey to further discuss agenda for Western Slope Roundup. Club 20 may also be able to give report at the Roundup. Input could be sent to other state departments so that they can use it in their planning.
  • Joshua Laipply noted it would be very helpful to have this information and feedback given to departments to help inform their activities. This information will help them make better decisions.
  • Ben Moultrie suggested it would make sense for subcommittees to put together questions to use if ‚Äúconversation starters‚Äù are needed.
  • Sinergie Project noted the vision for the meetings would be that information exchange will be structured as ‚Äúlistening sessions.‚Äù Ben‚Äôs suggestions fit in nicely with this format.
  • Wade Buchanan asked for Sinergie Project to talk with Lisa Carlson to make sure this is an agenda item for next subcommittee meeting so that members are aware of plan and what is expected of them.
  • Sinergie Project will provide talking points, powerpoint for members to use as they conduct outreach and talk about the Planning Group.

Election: Vice Chair and Executive Committee Member(s)

  • Karen Brown was submitted for the position of vice chair. No additional nominees were forwarded.
  • John Zabawa and Dave Norman were submitted as nominees for executive committee. No additional nominations were forwarded.

Action: Offices were filled by unanimous vote. All executive committee spots are now filled.

Executive Committee Report - Jim Riesberg

Executive Committee asked Sinergie Project to survey members to assess how things are going.

Executive Committee members continues to support activities around state, testify at legislative hearings and work with legislators sharing the work of this group.

Funding Report - JIm Riesberg

Executive Committee is continuing to assess budget. We ended 2016 calendar year with approximately $140,000 in account, and entered into contracts totaling $96,000 for 2017. Also incurred expenses associated with printing costs for action plan, money for Planning Group lunches (monthly meetings), and transportation expenses. We will expend about $110,000 of $140,000 remaining in budget at current contracted rates and projected meeting and transportation costs. Results from the Planning Group member survey were surprising because they indicated that fundraising seems to be a low priority for members. New funding will need to come from fundraising activities. It is required that group hire a project administrator (averages about $100,000 per year). Fundraising is a distinct need moving into 2018, as it is necessary for the group to exist and meet their charge of updating action plan in 2018.

Member Presentations and Activities, Upcoming Events, and Announcements

  • Rep. Diana Degette‚Äôs 3rd annual Senior Resource Fair, June 19 - 11:00 - 12:30. Planning Group has table reserved to share information with attendees, we need member to attend and represent the Planning Group. Mindy Kemp cannot be there but will have staff there that could staff the Planning Group table as well. Sharron Williams believes she can attend on behalf of the Planning Group.
  • Denver Startup Week - Ben Moultrie reported he and Karen Brown have been working with others to introduce innovation in aging as a component of the week‚Äôs events. Last year, this event reached around 13,000 individuals, with many more expected this year. They are planning for a panel discussion about innovation in aging, among other forms of participation. There is also a high interest in impact entrepreneurship for this group. As it develops further, they will update the Planning Group.
  • 10-10-10 Kickoff - Jim Riesberg reported on the kick off of ten wicked problems in health care in Colorado. This week they will announce which issues they plan to study following the kickoff events. Of topics considered this year, several had an aging component (i.e. creating marketplace solutions, data analytics, integrating services with mental health, affordable housing as a social determinant of health, toxic stress, child care and accessibility, aligning incentives to value, self-empowerment and wellness, food insecurity, healthy literacy/access to information). Karen Brown noted last year one of the wicked problems was aging and 4 startups were working on it. It is Karen‚Äôs understanding that there are only currently 2 that are continuing to do so.
  • Lawrence Miller, Lt Governor‚Äôs office consultant - The office has hired a consultant to work on health transformation. Coming from Vermont, his position is part-time requiring him to be in the state two weeks per month. He has been studying the Planning Group\'s action plan and is wanting to understand more about the issues with health care impacts. The Lt. Governor has shown interest in having a person to oversee aging efforts in the state, but so far they have not found funding to support this position.
  • Jim Riesberg has participated in a number of events since the last Planning Group meeting including events in Boulder and Larimer County, the Masterpiece Living Lyceum, presentation to CO Commission on Aging, and presentation to Greeley rotary club. Jim encourages members to reach out to their contacts within their communities to spread word about work of the Planning Group. Getting information out now will help attendance at regional meetings.

Results of Planning Group Survey

Sinergie Project’s Amber Minogue provided a summary of member survey results. Conversations with Executive Committee revealed need for people to better understand their role in the Planning Group. There was a good turnout from survey, (18/23). Almost all (94%) reported having confidence in the chair and Executive Committee. Half of respondents were either neutral or disagreed with the statement “I believe the mission and outcomes of the planning groups are clearly defined.” Two-thirds of members felt subcommittee mission and outcomes were not clearly defined. Suggestions for improvement: (member roles) clear expectations, clear agenda, clear direction, hold members accountable, keep control of meetings, idea parking lot, goals and benchmarks, meetings breaks, small group breakout sessions.

Survey Results Discussion

Gene Rose reported Sinergie Project will also be conducting individual member interviews with several members to further clarify survey results. Some conversations so far have revealed that there is not a clear sense of what function planning group should serve. Some feel it is should be advocacy while others feel it should serve as a resource.

  • Ben Moultrie noted the group was chartered by legislation, with certain responsibilities. Major requirement was 2016 report and consequently, all activities were geared toward the release date. Once that date had passed, we saw that we hadn‚Äôt accomplished all we had been chartered to do. Plan was to pick up where group left off and dig deeper in some areas. The body of work is bound and that is the framework we should be working within.
  • Gene Rose asked how much advocacy should this group take on? Planning Group is doing a good job of being a resource, but what comes next?
  • Ben Moultrie suggested intense focus on advocacy seems to stretch the boundaries of what group was chartered to do. We should not go so far as to lose focus of what we were chartered to do.
  • John Zabawa said last year was about report and getting recommendations out. Believed this year was about implementation, the foundation is tied to enabling legislation.
  • Jean Nofles said lack of support for fundraising reveals a lack of clarity in what people understand they are supposed to be doing. If there was something as concrete as last year‚Äôs goals, people would understand purpose of fundraising.
  • Wade Buchanan noted the group\'s charge is to put together strategic plan for the state. It is not intended to be a plan that sits on a table, rather it is intended to be an iterative process over the next 5 years. Why would legislature ask us to do it this way? They understood this was a complex issue that needs detailed thought and research, and requires trial and error. Group identified 4 areas where they want to work. This work will allow us to go into 2018 being better informed. What should guide us this year is that work. What we are doing in these areas that will put us in the best place we can be to write the best second draft of this plan in 2018. This includes being aggressive in our approach. Some of the goals are foundational (aging czar, aging budget) that will help us build dramatically on this work in the coming years. A level of advocacy is important and includes legislative testimony, meetings with legislators.
  • Jim Riesberg said we should refer to the enabling legislation to make sure we don‚Äôt lose sight of what we are supposed to be doing.
  • Ben Moultrie noted advocacy can have multiple dimensions. Agrees that conversations with policymakers and legislative testimony is an appropriate role. However, there are lines that could potentially be crossed here.
  • Karin Stewart said that in advocacy and implementation, lack of specific deliverables makes it hard for work to seem tangible. We may need to focus on this more.

The group was asked about the value of monthly meetings. Jean Nofles said presentations are extremely useful. Susan Franklin finds them interesting, and also thinks they should be focused on areas we weren’t able to comment on in our plan. Those are areas members didn’t feel they had enough information, where more is needed, including transportation and healthcare.

  • Joshua Laipply said he would be willing to present on transportation needs and how this gets built into a comprehensive statewide plan. There are very different transit models in the state, but we view them the same at the state level in how they are funded. Group could weigh in on strategies communities could utilize to leverage federal funding for the different models they use.
  • Ben Moultrie said we are in a changing healthcare environment. We need to look at how any legislative changes can impact quality and level of care, urban vs. rural, etc. There are many aspects of healthcare that group should look at.

The group was asked about subcommittee meetings And if they have the right tools to accomplish what they need to? Jim Riesberg noted the Executive Committee has talked with Lisa Carlson and she is conveying this information to subcommittees during their next round of meetings so they have clear information on their goals and expectations.

  • Wade Buchanan noted one of the things that worked well last year, was decision to convene chairs of subcommittees and Executive Committee together. In most cases, the subcommittees are just getting underway and it is too soon to say how the subcommittees are doing. Leadership of subcommittees needs to understand what their group is supposed to be doing, this will go a long way in clarifying roles and expectations.

Subcommittee Reports and Discussion

Technology and Innovation - Ben Moultrie: noted the focus has been on transportation as initial area of interest. Also gauging innovation and technology in other arenas. Six members will attend co-design commission of the 12-person driverless Olli. Karen Brown said this subcommittee crafted a framework and are having presentations. They plan to have a lot to report back to full Planning Group in October.

Workforce Development - Ben Moultrie: committee has attempted to structure activities leading to some deliverables. Looking at 3-4 components—workforce needed to serve older population, ability of older adults to continue as part of workforce, working with Colorado Workforce Development Council to understand how talent development environment works in Colorado, entrepreneurship (many older adults want to start their own businesses after another career) and volunteerism.

Local and Regional Implications and Planning - Steve Child: reported on a presentation from AARP representative on age-friendly communities. They are trying to build up membership. Club 20 policy committee meeting is on July 13, Steve thinks he will be able to do a presentation there. Committee feels they need to have good communication with implementation committee so three members from this committee will also participate on Implementation subcommittee. Dave Norman added about the need to be aware of outreach plan and help coordinate awareness and develop strong relationships with local regions and the Planning Group. There should be a focus on rural parts of state that have been under represented. Steve Child and Dave Norman are willing to present in other parts of the state so members should feel free to reach out to them.

Implementation - Mindy Kemp: Lisa Carlson surveyed this subcommittee to identify priorities on which recommendations to tackle. Only about 5 responses were received, so a lot of time was spent talking through recommendations to get a sense of priorities. They also discussed what they can do within each of these recommendations to move them forward. They acknowledged that some recommendations may not need action at this time. Subcommittee would like the Planning Group to complete a survey to weigh in on implementation priorities regarding recommendations. Lisa Carlson has asked Sinergie Project to send out implementation priorities survey to the Planning Group. Susan Franklin voiced concern that 15 priorities is too many. Mindy Kemp feels number is basically ok, but they will discuss. Their focus is to identify, not rank.

Public Comment

Natalie Wood of the Bell Policy Center said the Commission on Affordable Healthcare is wrapping up their work—it could be useful for the Planning Group to amplify their work. The Planning group may want to consider this as we think about agenda items.

Ed Shackelford of the Colorado Senior Lobby said structural issues surrounding funding in Colorado is something we should consider. Wade asked what are fiscal limitations at state and local level that we are operating uniquely under? We need to consider this as they impact our recommendations. Joshua Laipply noted whatever we want to invest in, we come up against TABOR limits. Federal funding appears to be getting pulled back and TABOR takes flexibility off the table.

Jim Riesberg reported he is seeking a meeting with JBC and Governor’s Budget Office of State Planning and Budgeting which should take place soon.

Gene Rose reported the Colorado Senior Lobby is having its annual meeting in August. There has been some discussion about group collaborating with the planning group. Ed Shackelford responded that an agenda has not been set. The group now has significant presence at Capitol and they can assist with advocacy efforts. He stated that it is not enough to make recommendations, there must be a push for action with the legislature.

Adjourn

Meeting adjourned at 2:58 pm. Next meeting will take place July 10, 2017.