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Civic Engagement: Engaging Older Adults in Volunteering and Employment December 7, 2007 Tiffany Boiman National Gover

Civic Engagement: Engaging Older Adults in Volunteering and Employment December 7, 2007 Tiffany Boiman National Governors Association Center for Best Practices. U.S. Demographic Changes . 18.4 million workers age 55 and older in 2000; by 2015, there is projected to be 31.9 million

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Civic Engagement: Engaging Older Adults in Volunteering and Employment December 7, 2007 Tiffany Boiman National Gover

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  1. Civic Engagement: Engaging Older Adults in Volunteering and Employment December 7, 2007 Tiffany Boiman National Governors Association Center for Best Practices

  2. U.S. Demographic Changes 18.4 million workers age 55 and older in 2000; by 2015, there is projected to be 31.9 million At the same time, there will be a proportional decrease in the population of workers age 25 to 44 Employers face challenges as population ages - potential skill and labor shortages

  3. Why Do Older Adults Want to Work? Decline in employer-funded retirement benefits Rising cost of health care Need to supplement traditional sources of retirement income

  4. Barriers to Employment for Older Adults Health care policies Misperceptions Social Security disincentives Defined benefit pension plans Lack of connections to jobs

  5. Why is Civic Engagement Important? Benefits for: Individuals Communities and states Businesses

  6. The NGA Civic Engagement Policy Academy Purpose: To help states improve the health and lives of older adults by substantially increasing the proportion of individuals engaged in employment and meaningful volunteer activities.

  7. The NGA Civic Engagement Policy Academy Funder: Atlantic Philanthropies Major Activities: On-site strategic planning meetings Policy Academy meeting Customized technical assistance Reaching out to new states

  8. Goals of the NGA Civic Engagement Policy Academy • Conduct comprehensive reviews of state policies • Initiate policy changes based on labor market needs • Develop new tools and improve systems that connect older adults • Enhance training and educational opportunities • Position states as models to promote civic engagement

  9. Policy Academy States Alabama Arkansas Colorado Florida Maine New Mexico Ohio Wyoming

  10. State Goals to Increase Civic Engagement Make the state a model employer Encourage businesses to become more “older worker friendly” Create public awareness campaigns targeted to both employers and individuals Expand volunteering opportunities

  11. State Strategies and Activities Working across agencies or boards to coordinate strategies Seeking new funding sources Engaging the governor, legislatures, and other key state policymakers in the design of project Hosting statewide conferences or symposiums to promote the issue Reaching out to businesses to work cooperatively

  12. Outcomes to Date Executive Orders promoting civic engagement and solidifying civic engagement efforts Statewide conferences on civic engagement and aging issues White paper outlining the need to promote volunteerism and employment among older adults Grants to develop and implement website to connect older adults to employment opportunities

  13. NGA Center for Best Practices Contact Information Tiffany Boiman Senior Policy Analyst Social, Economic and Workforce Programs Division tboiman@nga.org ; (202) 624-7815 Linda Hoffman, Ph.D. Policy Analyst Social, Economic and Workforce Programs Division lhoffman@nga.org; (202) 624-5374 Martin Simon Program Director, Workforce Development Social, Economic and Workforce Programs Division msimon@nga.org; (202) 624-5345

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