The CT Healthy Living Collective invites Connecticut municipal and nonprofit Senior Centers to participate in the statewide LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center initiative. This opportunity provides Senior Center personnel with LGBTQ+ inclusivity training, peer collaboration, and programming support to foster an LGBTQ+ inclusive Senior Center environment and improve access, engagement, and connection of LGBTQ+ community members to Senior Center resources. Participating Senior Centers who meet the requirements set forth in this RFA will be designated as a CT LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center of the CT Healthy Living Collective and eligible to seek the SAGECare Credential.
LGBTQ+ MSC Application for 2023-2024
HISTORY AND GOALS
The CT Healthy Living Collective is a dynamic and growing network of organizations and individuals with a vision that Connecticut residents have easy access to effective programs and services that promote healthy aging and enhance social connections. Our collective approach combines the strengths of trusted local community organizations and entities such as Senior Centers, YMCAs, community centers, faith organizations (the community network) with a centralized quality and contracting infrastructure (the community hub) to deliver high quality evidence-based and evidence-informed programs. By working as one collective, we share knowledge, achieve economies of scale, and have greater impact on wellbeing and equity outcomes across Connecticut. The CT Healthy Living Collective advisors include dedicated representatives from state, regional, and local agencies, academic institutions, Senior Centers, healthcare and more. The Collective is an initiative of Connecticut Community Care.
The LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center (formerly the LGBT Moveable Senior Center) began as a pilot partnership of five Senior Centers in Greater Hartford to reach the LGBTQ+ community and allies to encourage participation in the many benefits Connecticut Senior Centers have to offer. Every community in Connecticut has a Senior Center, long recognized as a trusted community resource for information and referral, and programs and services that support people as they age to maintain independence, well-being, and a satisfying life. However, fear due to a lifetime of discrimination and current lived experiences prevents many LGBTQ+ older adults from accessing the support they need to thrive. Specifically, people who identify as LGBTQ+ may not access Senior Centers because they are not familiar with them, because of concerns about being stigmatized or not welcome, or because programs of interest are not being offered.
The LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center programming began in the Fall of 2015 with input and guidance from members of the LGBT Aging Advocacy organization with financial support from the John H. and Ethel G. Noble Charitable Trust. Each month, by rotation, a participating Senior Center hosted a “moveable LGBT Senior Center” half-day or full day of programming. The programs were different at each Center but followed a similar format organized around the Senior Center theme of “mind, body, and spirit” with relevant LGBTQ+ content. The term “moveable” refers to the changing location in which the LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center events are offered. LGBTQ+ older adults and allies often travel outside of their town of residence to attend LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center events and programs.
Goals of the LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center are to:
- Bring inclusivity training and practice to Connecticut Senior Centers.
- Introduce the services and supports for healthy aging available through Senior Centers to LGBTQ+ older adults – a community that is sometimes reluctant to engage with social service providers.
- Provide a cohesive and coordinated statewide calendar of LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center events and programs to the community.
Benefits to Senior Centers include:
- Designation as an LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center of the CT Healthy Living Collective.
- Foundation training for all Senior Center staff.
- Participation in a network of Connecticut collaborators committed to intentional inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons.
- Peer learning and facilitated collaboration to help you build relevant programming and intentionally and actively foster a welcoming environment.
- Certificate of completion and LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center visibility cues (decals)
- Standardized promotional materials and satisfaction surveys.
- Secure online program/event registration.
- Eligibility for SAGECare Credential.
ELIGIBILITY
Connecticut municipal and non-profit Senior Centers.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
- March 7, 2023: Simple application is due LGBTQ+ MSC Application for 2023-2024 .
- March 10, 2023: CT Healthy Living Collective will inform applicants of participation.
PROGRAM LAUNCH TIMELINE FOR PARTICIPATING SENIOR CENTERS
- March/April 2023: Self-Paced Learning
- Complete three 1-hour self-paced on-demand training modules.
- Participation goal is 100% of on-site, forward-facing staff (directors, program staff, drivers, reception, etc).
- May/June 2023: Program Planning Phase
- Attend one 90-minute live webinar on Thursday, May 11th from 9:00 – 10:30 am OR Monday, May 22nd from 2:30 – 4:00pm.
- Participation attendance is for Senior Center Directors and Program Coordinators or similar role.
- Create an inclusion and belonging action plan.
- Plan and schedule a minimum of one or two LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center programs during June 2023-June 2024. Programs may run in collaboration with another local or neighboring Senior Center.
- June 2023: Pride Month Announcement
- CT Healthy Living Collective will announce and promote a full statewide 2023-2024 schedule of LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center programs and the newly designated participating Senior Centers.
- June/September 2023 and January/April 2024: LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center Network Partner meetings.
LGBTQ+ MOVEABLE SENIOR CENTER SITES WILL:
- Attend training and the live webinar as outlined in this announcement.
- Create an inclusion and belonging action plan.
- Prominently display the LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center decal and use approved marketing and promotional materials.
- Plan and schedule a minimum of one or two LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center programs during June 2023-June 2024. Programs may run in collaboration with another local or neighboring Senior Center.
- Promote programs of the LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center from other sites and welcome participants from other municipalities or organizations.
- Utilize CT Healthy Living Collective centralized and secure on-line registration and survey tools.
- Complete and adhere to a coordination agreement with the CT Healthy Living Collective.
- Self-evaluate site readiness and inclusivity measures.
- Respond to quarterly check-in surveys from the CT Healthy Living Collective to schedule on-line training opportunities for new staff.
- Comply with all applicable state and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act.
THE CT HEALTHY LIVING COLLECTIVE WILL:
- Provide inclusivity and practice training, technical assistance, and implementation support.
- Provide a Welcome Packet that includes approved marketing and communication materials, certificates, and LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center decals.
- Promote LGBTQ+ Moveable Senior Center programs through multiple media outlets.
- Provide secure electronic registration and survey tools.
- Maintain training records.
- Provide periodic new Senior Center staff training and refresher training.
TO APPLY:
LGBTQ+ MSC Application for 2023-2024
FOR A DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENT:
For More Information:
Karen Green
Operations and Network Coordinator
CT Healthy Living Collective
860-589-6226
