National Conference for State Legislatures (NCSL)
Executive Director Ence was invited to speak in Milwaukee June 11 at a workshop summit sponsored by NCSL with a focus on transportation and housing policy and the relationship with a state’s multi-sector (master) plan on aging. Ence co-presented with Sarah Keating, lead project manager for Vermont’s efforts to create an MPA. Session was facilitated by Cameron Rifkin of NCSL and was attended by over fifty state legislators and policy analysts from twenty states. Ence shared planning efforts of the Wasatch Front Regional Council and innovative work of Utah Transit Authority (UTA) with their microtransit and on-demand programs, rural mobility, etc. On housing, Ence reviewed the state’s progress on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), middle-missing housing issue, zoning, etc. and highlighted Moab’s recent success with a planned community. Tied conversations in with age-friendly principles. Insights from interviews with Christy Allen (UTA) and Tara Rollins (Utah Housing Coalition) were included.
UEAAD
Utah’s Adult Protective Services, UCOA, and partners hosted the sixth annual Utah Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 16. Dr. Tim Farrell (UofU Health) and Dr. Kristin Lees Haggerty (National Collaboratory to Address Elder Mistreatment). Excellent information shared by both with case studies and details around age-friendly health care, updates to the uniform heath care decisions act, and expanded role for surrogate decision makers applicable to unrepresented adults. The virtual session was attended by 140 community professionals. The conference recording will be on UCOA’s YouTube channel soon.
Home and Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU)
UCOA has a standing annual invite to the HHAU annual conference in SLC to present updates on the work of the Commission and progress of the MPA. Ence presented on June 16 laying a foundational baseline of work and importance of partnerships like HHAU across multiple issue platforms. Updates annually will be provided to mark progress of our collective efforts of our mutual dashboard objectives.
Other Partner Engagements
RHAU annual meeting planning continues with efforts to build out a preconference workshop on older adult health access issues in rural and frontier Utah. Ence has met with several partners in creating an outline for the workshop including updates on veterans benefits, mental health issues, medical transportation, etc. Conference outline with topics and speakers should be final by the end of July.
UCOA dashboard development contract with ClearImpact has been renewed for a year at no cost. Onboarding for the software with UCOA open to interested parties. Ence continues project with CON PhD candidates to solidify social impact measures and data sources to be used in the dashboard.
One Utah Health Collaborative Dignity in Dying Initiative hosted UHIN’s Brian Chin for an update of UHIN’s history, future interest, and technical processes required in an e-registry for OLST and Advance Directives. Presentations from potential vendors and state stakeholders continue through July and August.
Executive Director Ence had a planning session with Nicole Nielson, Planning Program Manager for the Utah Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office to align priorities of public land use and access particularly for older adults.
Executive Director Ence attended a half day workshop with Gina Cornia and the Utahns Against Hunger coalition partners to discuss policy progress, funding, and strategic direction to make progress on the food security for all. The workshop included policy makers, agency leaders, and volunteers that convened at the American Fork Library May 27. This was a first step in building a work plan for the food access roundtable.
