Proposal Presented for the Master Plan for Aging (#45)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Create a caregiving toolkit that promotes caregiver services and supports for leadership of non-profits, community organizations, and faith-based organizations. This proposal includes collaboration with the Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services to disseminate the toolkit, build on the faith-based respite network, engage with the faith-based registry, and expand direct caregiver services delivered by volunteers.
Justification
Due to a lack of respite care providers, there is a heavy reliance on private volunteers to provide support to caregivers. Faith-based communities are well-positioned to help address some of the biggest challenges facing New Yorkers, including the residual impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic such as economic insecurity, adverse mental health conditions, increasing rates of hate crimes and social division, unaffordable housing, and job insecurity. Many New Yorkers are unaware of the resources and services available to them and often do not self-identify as a caregiver; promoting and engaging caregiver services and supports will help increase self-identification.
Full Proposal
Create a caregiving toolkit that promotes caregiver services and supports for leadership of non-profits, community organizations, and faith-based organizations. Proactively assist organizations in implementing the use and dissemination of these resources in collaboration with the Office of Faith and Non-Profit Development Services. This will help increase self-identification and expansion of programs, particularly in under-resourced/marginalized communities. Activities will include, but are not limited to:
- Recognizing, educating, and partnering with faith-based organizations to build upon the existing faith-based respite network using volunteer-based models, expanding respite services statewide.
- Engaging the statewide faith-based registry that is managed by DOH. Exploration of current program models that can be replicated (tools, resources, letter templates, etc.).
- Direct caregiver services, such as caregiver coaching and/or respite care, using volunteers to deliver the service.
- Growing the peer-to-peer support model.
MPA Council Commentary
This proposal is categorized as near-term and is currently being implemented. The Department of Health is updating its caregiver guide, in consultation with the State Office for the Aging, to integrate the resources documented in separate caregiver guides developed by each agency. Proposed metrics for evaluating implementation success could include utilization of services referenced in the combined guide.