Feb 12, 2024 | News
Via Zoom March 7, 2023 | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
10:00 Welcome
• Emily Shea, MCOA Board Chair
10:05 Blue Cross Blue Shield Programming Opportunities within COAs
• Heather Hurd, Field Outreach Consultant, BCBS of Massachusetts
10:15 Training and Education Updates
• Andrea Cordis, MCOA Training and Education Manager
10:30 Cybercrime and Cyber Scams – Awareness and Strategies
• Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sean Garvey (Homeland Security Investigations), Christopher L. Celozzi, Community Relations Officer, Office of Partnership and Engagement (OPE) Department of Homeland Security
10:45 Voting Rights
• Emily Almeda-Lopez, Voting Rights Advocate, Disability Law Center, Inc.
11:00 Hoarding – MCOA’s New Series
• Lee Schuer, Certified Peer Specialist and Internationally Recognized Expert in Hoarding
11:45 Business Meeting
• Legislative Updates
• Board Nomination/Vote
• Membership Vote: After hearing from many members over the past 2 years, who were are unable to attend the annual meetings in June due to end of the year scheduling conflicts, please be prepared to vote on the following “tracked changes” amendment to MCOA Bylaws:
ARTICLE V MEETINGS
Section 5.1 MCOA Board will schedule annually the following meetings.
1. Membership Meetings shall be held at least four times a year.
2. An Annual Meeting shall be held during the annual Fall Conference before June 20 of every year to elect members of the Board, including new officers and Regional Representatives, to begin their tenure at the start of the fiscal following calendar year, July January 1st.
12:00 * Please note the Advisory Council will meet from 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Jan 5, 2024 | Legislative Alerts, News
The following email is from Alexis Walls, Assistant Campaign Director, Massachusetts Public Health Association. The MCOA Board of Directors has supported the RTA Advancement Bill. There is a link, below, that outlines the importance of this bill to older adults in your communities.
Here’s how you can take action:
Please contact your legislators THIS WEEK and ask them to sign Representative Natalie Blais and Senator Susan Moran’s Dear Colleague Letter urging the Joint Committee on Transportation to move the RTA Advancement bill (S.2277/H.3272) forward in the legislative process.
We know that good public transit means better health for all. In the FY24 budget cycle, state leaders allocated $150 million to bolster transit operations in RTA communities, which agencies have begun to use to address critical gaps in service. Now it is important that we protect this historic level of investment by encouraging legislators to pass the RTA Advancement bill.
Taking action is easy, and your legislators wants to know what you think:
- Find your State Senator and State House Representative by following this link: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
- Reach out to your legislators and ask them to sign onto Rep. Blais and Sen. Moran’s Dear Colleague letter. While calls have the most impact (see phone script here), emails are great too (see email template here)!
- Reach out to 2-3 close friends or colleagues and ask them to take action.
- Let us know that you took action by sending me a quick email or by following this link.
Dec 18, 2023 | Education & Training, News
ATTENTION NEW COA DIRECTORS!
Leadership Development
Leading Yourself | Leading Others | Leading the Organization
Join Jacquie Collins of Partnering for Performance in this leadership series focusing on three areas of Leadership Development: Leading Yourself, Leading Others, and Leading the Organization.
This is a highly interactive series and will include multiple exercises and small group discussions.
Topical areas include:
- Emotional Intelligence
- Mindset
- Executive Function in terms of Planning, Execution and Problem Solving;
- Critical Thinking Skills;
- Communication and Decision Making;
- Collaboration and Team Building.
MCOA is investing in you, our COA Directors!
TWO SESSION TIMES TO CHOOSE FROM
Morning:
REGISTER
Afternoon:
Nov 28, 2023 | News
We are so proud of each and every one of you for taking up the challenge and getting moving this year. We know it takes dedication and determination to make physical activity a regular part of your life, and we applaud your commitment to your health and well-being.
In addition to the personal benefits of increased physical activity, the WMC also fosters a sense of community and healthy competition. We are grateful for the camaraderie and support that emerged among our participants, and we are excited to see what you will accomplish in the future.
Thank you for making the 2023 WMC a resounding success!
Stay tuned for more exciting challenges and opportunities to get involved.
| Councils on Aging Teams |
City/Town |
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| 3rd |
Westport |
| 3rd |
Northfield |
| 3rd |
Acton |
| 3rd |
Harwich |
| 3rd |
Marlborough |
| 3rd |
Colrain |
| 3rd |
Carlisle |
| 3rd |
Norwell |
| 3rd |
Beverly |
| 3rd |
Auburn |
|
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| 2nd |
Lexington |
| 2nd |
Sturbridge |
| 2nd |
Rehoboth |
| 2nd |
Pepperell |
| 2nd |
Bedford |
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| GRAND PRIZE |
Dighton |
| PRIZE LEVEL |
TEAM |
WINNER |
| 1st Prize |
Rehoboth |
Manny |
| 1st Prize |
Bridgewater |
Thomas |
| 1st Prize |
Bedford |
Karen |
| 1st Prize |
Chicopee |
Dennis |
| 1st Prize |
Charlton |
Michael |
| 1st Prize |
Lexington |
Rajesh |
| 1st Prize |
Boston |
Rupal |
| 1st Prize |
Pepperell |
Ellen |
| 1st Prize |
Yarmouth |
Florence |
| 1st Prize |
Rowley |
Kathleen |
| 2nd Prize |
Norwell |
Silvia |
| 2nd Prize |
Foxborough |
Richard |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Subhalakshmi |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Donghee |
| 2nd Prize |
Marlborough |
Karen |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
June |
| 2nd Prize |
Easthampton |
Michele |
| 2nd Prize |
Millbury |
thomas |
| 2nd Prize |
Dighton |
Jo Ann |
| 2nd Prize |
Acton |
Florence |
| 2nd Prize |
Springfield |
Yasmin |
| 2nd Prize |
Leicester |
Elaine |
| 2nd Prize |
Spencer |
Jeanne |
| 2nd Prize |
Northfield |
Cynthia |
| 2nd Prize |
Dighton |
natalie |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Kellsey |
| 2nd Prize |
Beverly |
linda |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Rajesh |
| 2nd Prize |
North Attleboro |
Pat |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Stephanie |
| 2nd Prize |
Rehoboth |
Robert |
| 2nd Prize |
Holden |
Kathy |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Suresh |
| 2nd Prize |
Lexington |
Luci |
| 2nd Prize |
Burlington |
Debbie |
| 3rd Prize |
Harwich |
Monica |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Nora |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Vasanti |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Laureen |
| 3rd Prize |
Rehoboth |
Addy |
| 3rd Prize |
South Hadley |
Cynthia |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Roy |
| 3rd Prize |
Canton |
Elizabeth |
| 3rd Prize |
North Reading |
Sue |
| 3rd Prize |
Southborough |
Gene |
| 3rd Prize |
Chicopee |
Carol |
| 3rd Prize |
Dighton |
Rae |
| 3rd Prize |
North Attleboro |
Ernestine |
| 3rd Prize |
East Longmeadow |
Deborah |
| 3rd Prize |
Dighton |
|
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Melinda |
| 3rd Prize |
Auburn |
Valerie |
| 3rd Prize |
Auburn |
Kathy |
| 3rd Prize |
Auburn |
S |
| 3rd Prize |
Chicopee |
Christine |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Kin-Ming |
| 3rd Prize |
North Attleboro |
Deborah |
| 3rd Prize |
Auburn |
Teresa |
| 3rd Prize |
Melrose |
Maureen |
| 3rd Prize |
North Brookfield |
Louise |
| 3rd Prize |
Hopkinton |
Maureen |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Nora |
| 3rd Prize |
Auburn |
Jean |
| 3rd Prize |
Andover |
Kathleen |
| 3rd Prize |
Sudbury |
Maike |
| 3rd Prize |
Charlton |
Joyce |
| 3rd Prize |
Mansfield |
Michele |
| 3rd Prize |
North Attleboro |
Teresa |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Melissa |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
Linda |
| 3rd Prize |
Chicopee |
Marcia |
| 3rd Prize |
Templeton |
Robert |
| 3rd Prize |
Hopkinton |
Jeannette |
| 3rd Prize |
Lenox |
Amanda |
| 3rd Prize |
Rowley |
Valerie |
| 3rd Prize |
Rehoboth |
Linda |
| 3rd Prize |
Dighton |
Britt |
| 3rd Prize |
Hatfield |
Duane |
| 3rd Prize |
West Bridgewater |
Peter |
| 3rd Prize |
Hatfield |
Marie |
| 3rd Prize |
Plainville |
Carol |
| 3rd Prize |
Lexington |
James |
| 3rd Prize |
East Longmeadow |
Kathy |
| 3rd Prize |
Northfield |
Linda |
| 3rd Prize |
Rehoboth |
Linda |
Nov 13, 2023 | News
The Lexington Study Committee on Tax Exemptions and Deferrals has created their annual Circuit Breaker Tax Credit flyer that provides eligibility criteria and instructions on how to apply for the 2023 tax year and previous years—this can mean thousands of dollars of tax relief for age- and income-eligible MA residents (homeowners and renters). This flyer is a useful resource to share with clients in advance of tax prep season!
DOWNLOAD 23-10-31 Circuit Breaker
Nov 13, 2023 | News
Have you joined our network within the past couple of years?
Are you looking for training to reach your full potential?
Join us on December 12 at 10:00 AM as Jacquie Collins of Partnering for Performance reveals a new training series, starting in January, that will empower you!
We understand the day-to-day challenges you all face in running a quality COA. Managing personnel, program participants, your boards and friends groups, as well as municipal politics, are some of the hardest parts of your job. Strong leaders are essential for growth, influencing change, and promoting a positive culture. To that effect, MCOA is providing you the opportunity to have the necessary tools, knowledge, and skills to continue to be successful. We have asked Jacquie Collins of Partnering for Performance to run a leadership series focusing on three areas of Leadership Development: Leading Yourself, Leading Others, and Leading the Organization. This is a highly interactive series and will include multiple exercises and small group discussions. Topical areas include: Emotional Intelligence, Mindset, Executive Function in terms of Planning, Execution and Problem Solving; Critical Thinking Skills; Communication and Decision Making; Collaboration and Team Building. MCOA is investing in you, our COA Directors!
“Become the kind of leader that people would follow voluntarily, even if you had no title or position.” —Brian Tracy
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
Nov 7, 2023 | Briefs, News
Continuing Resolution With the partial government shutdown looming again, please note SNAP funding will not be impacted and benefits through December will be distributed. Also, the current continuing resolution provides FY23 funding levels of the Older Americans Act. LIHEAP and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) are authorized to spend additional resources. The CSFP is also known as a ‘food box for elders’. Contact your local food bank to find your nearest CSFP distribution site.
Food Insecurity Consider having to answer yes to any of the following: worried your food would run out, the food you bought didn’t last, could not afford a balanced meal, cut the size of or skipped a meal, ate less than felt you should, were hungry but did not eat, lost weight, didn’t eat for a whole day one time or for more than three months. These questions help determine food insecurity. The updated report: Household Food Security in the United States in 2022 was released with key stats:
- 12.8 percent (17.0 million households) were food insecure (had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members because of a lack of resources)
- 5.1 percent (6.8 million households) had very low food security (food intake of some household members was reduced, and normal eating patterns were disrupted at times during the year because of limited resources)
- About 22.9 percent of all food-insecure households included adults aged 65 and older. Of those experiencing very low food insecurity, 3.4 percent of households included adults 65+
While the averages in Massachusetts are lower than the national average, our numbers are too high. As expected, food insecurity was more common in rural areas than urban areas, and Black and Latino households were disproportionately affected.
Indigenous Elders
- A webinar on the healing potential of food as medicine and its impact on the health of Indigenous elder – November 9, 1-2pm. Speakers will discuss promoting healthier food choices and lifestyles among older adults in Indigenous communities, supporting holistic health for our elders. Check here for more info/to register
- Defeat Malnutrition Today and the National Hispanic Council on Aging have come together to propose important recommendations for the upcoming 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The Dietary Guidelines for Americans plays a pivotal role in shaping nutrition programs for older adults. DMT and NHCOA’s recommendations include differentiating 60+ and 75 or 85 and above as two age groups, incorporating chronic disease, addressing food access and affordability, accommodating diverse ethnic and cultural dietary preferences, and educating older adults on the guidelines. By considering these insights, the DGA can better serve the unique nutritional needs of older adults, promoting their overall well-being and quality of life through healthier food.
Nutrition Hub USDA recently introduced a pilot
Nutrition Hub under the Agricultural Science Center of Excellence for Nutrition and Diet for Better Health (ASCEND for Better Health) initiative. The Nutrition Hub is in partnership with Southern University, a historically black 1890 Land-grant University in Louisiana. The Nutrition Hub aims to offer science-based, nutrition-related information at the community level, focusing on underserved communities affected by diet-related chronic diseases like obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. This initiative aligns with the commitments made during the
White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, emphasizing the importance of nutrition and food security in overall health, including disease prevention and management.
Let’s Get Physical
- The Walk Massachusetts Challenge ended October 31. If you had any difficulty entering your data, email it directly to tara@mcoaonline.com by November 10 at 5p.
- MA DPH has an online survey for people with disabilities across Massachusetts to understand their needs. They are looking for more responses from older adults. The survey is available in 12 languages.
Public Health Survey Please help the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Office of Local & Regional Health (OLRH) evaluate and improve our performance by participating in a new survey, developed for local public health professionals and partners. This survey assesses the understanding of and satisfaction with the services provided by OLRH.
Nov 3, 2023 | News
EOEA is excited to offer again the Certificate Initiative in partnership with BU CADER for Council on Aging staff and volunteers. For FY24, COAs staff and volunteers can register without a cap on slot assignments. Learners have until June 30, 2024 to complete their certificates. Please note that learners can only register for one certificate at a time. Once they complete one certificate they can enroll for the other one.
Registration is open.
For FY24, COAs will be able to register COA staff and volunteers without a cap on slot assignments. We have increased the available number of slots from last year. We will again monitor enrollment and initiate a wait list for new enrollees if needed.
Please have the COA director go to the Certificate Initiative COA Registration form to register staff. We appreciate the leadership COAs play in ensuring the Certificate Initiative is a success.
The courses available are:
The EOEA Certificate in Case Management includes 6 courses (worth 24 CEs):
· Core Issues in Aging and Disability,
· Assessment with Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities,
· A Guide to the Aging and Disability Networks
· Case Management Practice
· Care Transitions
· Adding Person Centered course — Understanding Consumer Control, Person-Centered Planning, and Self-Direction
Behavioral Health in Aging Certificate includes 5 courses (worth 19 CEs):
· Suicide prevention among Older Adults
· Substance Use among Older Adults,
· Mental Health and Aging
· Mental Wellness and Resilience among Older Immigrants and Refugees
· Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
If you have any questions about the Certificate Initiative please direct them to Allison Staton at Allison.M.Staton@mass.gov(please note the middle initial in her email)
Thank you for promoting this learning opportunity with your staff, interns and volunteers and supporting them as they build their skills and knowledge to support the older adults in your community and in the Commonwealth.
