Cleveland, OH – Today, at the Senior Center Knowledge Forum which raised awareness on the importance of senior centers in the continuum of care, the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services (DSAS) announced winners of the $25,000 Senior Center Innovation Grant.

"We are focused on innovation and the power that thinking differently can bring to our services. The Senior Center Innovation Grant is a new way of investing in the future of Cuyahoga County ", said County Executive Budish.  "These extraordinary collaboratives know how to think bigger and think differently and are open, resourceful and completely invested in finding solutions for the region."

"The launch of the Senior Center Innovation Fund heralds a new era as the Division of Senior and Adult Services creates a path for senior centers to adopt new models that are responsive to the changing needs of senior living in Cuyahoga County”, said Division of Senior and Adult Services Administrator, Dr. Richard Jones.

The following Senior Center Collaboratives have been selected for a $25,000 Senior Center Innovation Grant: 

1) City of Brecksville (RIBBS) includes North Royalton, Independence, Brecksville, Broadview Hts., and Seven Hills

Proposal: To work as a collaborative among five cities and several other community health organizations and stakeholders to provide a triad of health promotion and disease prevention programs including: “falls” prevention, health eating, active living and health literacy. Resources will be combined to improve quality of life, promote wellness and disease prevention, and provide the tools necessary to help reduce chronic disease in the senior population.  

2) Community Partnership on Aging "Communities Assisting Residential Elderly (CARE)"- includes Cleveland Hts., Maple Hts., Solon, Highland Hts., Lyndhurst, Mayfield Hts., Mayfield Village and South Euclid)

Proposal: This program will enhance the safety and independence of older adults through minor home modification, simple maintenance tasks and repairs, and assistance with coordination of required work. The project will include an independent-living risk evaluation and information and referral service for home owners in the collaborating cities. The program will enlist corporate, non-profit, civic, school and faith-based partnerships to recruit and train volunteers, as well as utilize staff from the collaborative partners to complete projects and services.

3) Murtis Taylor Human Services System "South East Regional Collaborative"(SEC) - includes Murtis Taylor, East End Neighborhood House, Harvard Community Services Center and University Settlement, Inc.

Proposal: a non-traditional Cooperative Model that includes an entrepreneurial employment program for seniors. This new program will target seniors who have a desire to return to the work force as an entrepreneur. Participants will select the type of business, build their own profit center and participate in a self-directed job search, and be linked with community-based banking institutions for micro-loans to start their business. Wrap-around social and supportive services will be provided to each senior as needed.

4) Rose Centers for Aging Well, LLC - includes Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, Rose Centers for Aging Well, City of Cleveland Department of Aging, Fairhill Partners, Greater Cleveland Food Bank, and ESOP (Empowering and Strengthening Ohio's People)

Proposal: "Coordinated Programming Initiative (CPI)" - will develop a cost-effective process for reaching additional older adults in Cuyahoga County with evidenced-based and evidenced-informed programs that promote health and wellness. These programs include the Aging Mastery Program (AMP), Economic Security and Financial Empowerment; Falls Prevention and Chronic Disease Management; and Nutrition Education and Healthy Food Distribution.

Earlier this year, Cuyahoga County released an RFP soliciting proposals from senior center collaboratives comprised of non-profit and/or municipal senior centers, to develop innovative service models for the delivery of senior center services.

These four winning collaboratives will compete for two (2) additional grants of $50,000 each, which will be used to help implement their innovative design. The Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services will continue to monitor and provide oversight to this process.