Executive summary family services of central massachusetts (FSCM), a 501 (C)(3) non-profit health and human services organization providing services and supports for hundreds of children, families,…

Executive summary family services of central massachusetts (FSCM), a 501 (C)(3) non-profit health and human services organization providing services and supports for hundreds of children, families, and individuals living in central massachusetts, proposes to serve an estimated 38 americorps seniors? Senior companion program (SCP) volunteers annually through the FY2021 amemricorps seniors senior companion funding opportunity. There will be 38 americorps seniors volunteers placed in outcome assignments. The FSCM americorps SCP program will focus on the healthy futures outcomes in the area of aging in place with an active lens of advancing racial equity through our work. Our diverse pool of volunteers is reflective of the communities we serve and will be placed in outcome assignments through three workplans that include companionship for independent living, respite services, and companionship within adult day health (ADH) facilities. At the end of the three-year grant, 600 seniors will report having increased social support or improved capacity for independent living; and 240 caregivers of older adults and individuals with disabilities will report having increased social support, as well as 360 receiving independent living services. The americorps federal investment of $245,781 will be supplemented by $27,347 of non-federal resources. During this project period, activities will address the following: 1) living at home offers seniors a sense of comfort and independence, and often coincides with better mental and physical health. Weekly visitation from a SCP volunteer will provide 1-1 assistance and companionship and create an opportunity for seniors to remain living independently in their own homes longer; 2) being a caregiver is demanding and can be both emotionally and physically stressful. SCP volunteers will provide weekly respite support to family caregivers, who often become overwhelmed and need a break from their caregiver responsibilities; and 3) ADH participants often require assistance and activities to hone their cognitive abilities and that help them maintain their endurance and strength. SCP volunteers will provide ADH participants with 1-1 companionship and assistance as well as support within group activities. With increased isolation and mental health issues exacerbated by covid-19, and with increased awareness of racial inequities in our society and how they relate to barriers to care in our communities, the FSCM SCP will fill a critical need. The benefits of these three work plans are two-fold: providing companionship and support that allows seniors to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible and providing the SCP volunteers with service activities that enable them to continue to live independently with increased feelings of well-being, purpose, and accomplishment. A RE-organization will take place with this new grant period, with the two americorps seniors programs sponsored by FSCM (affiliate with seven hills foundation). The current rsvp director will be retiring from her position in may of 2021, the current SCP director with then assume the directorship of both the SCP and the rsvp programs. With this new organization the SCP & rsvp will share staffing positions; the director of both programs will split her time 50% with each program, there will be a volunteer coordinator who will provide 70% of their time with rsvp & 30% of time with SCP. Also, there will be a data entry clerk, who will spend 60% of their time with rsvp & 40% of time with SCP. The community liaison/special projects coordinator will spend 100% of her time with the rsvp. Fortunately for both programs, the SCP director already understands the infrastructure of americorps seniors as well as its resources and is very familiar with the grant and reporting processes. She will be able to respond to any new changes and/or directives much more quickly and thoroughly. The SCP director is already connected to the non