Finding a path to meet community needs

It’s easy to list how the Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected us, but there have been unexpected benefits. At JFS, for example, we found new ways to connect with people throughout our community, identified ways to adjust our programs to serve our clients, and became even more aware of the importance of meeting their needs. Whether barriers were related to COVID-19 or just illuminated by the crisis, the Jay and Rose Phillips Aging Care & Connections (ACC) team continues to find ways to serve the older adult population better.

Working with the Colorado Health Institute (CHI), the ACC team is conducting a community-wide needs assessment to identify gaps in the programs and services currently available to older adults. Our goal is to utilize the findings of this assessment to build the capacity to launch new programs to meet those needs. We also plan to share these findings with other aging services organizations to collaborate on program development and ensure all older adult needs are met.

“We want to gain a better understanding of the needs in the older adult community,” said JFS Director of Aging Care and Connections Kristine Burrows. “We don’t want to assume we know what those needs are. It’s important to get a data-driven sense of the needs so that we can take a thoughtful approach to provide support.”

The needs assessment takes a phased approach including a literature review and current resource evaluation. An advisory group of aging subject matter experts in fields like philanthropy, government, direct service, and medicine has been established to guide the process. The final report will indicate the findings of the community assessment, as well as digestible action items for JFS and other non-profit partners to develop new and supportive resources to address the findings.

In order for the surveys and focus group results to reflect the community as a whole, we need participants from throughout our target counties. If you are a part of the older adult population (i.e., 55 and older) and would like to help identify needs, please participate in a survey or focus group. Three survey participants will be randomly selected to win a $100 gift card to one of the following establishments of their choice: Walmart, Amazon, Uber, or DoorDash.

Please be on the lookout for updates in future communications!