Caregivers Coalition of Morris County,a United Way of Morris County, NJ Initiative: Sustaining our Work

National Alliance for Caregiving May 29, 2009

Elements leading to sustainability

1. Clear purpose and goals

2. Structure

3. Volunteers

4. Partnerships

5. Financial support

6. Advocacy

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Be clear about your purpose

Our Mission:

The mission of the Caregivers Coalition of Morris County is to promote knowledge of, sensitivity to, and action around caregiving issues.

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Be clear about your goals

• Strengthen services and resources

• Improve access to information

• Improve access to appropriate services

• Identify and respond to gaps in services

• Advocate

• Increase awareness in the workplace

• Provide networking opportunities

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Have a structure that supports your work

• Steering Committee

• Caregiver Coalition Coordinator

• Caregiver Advisory Panel Coordinator

• Project Teams

• United Way staff support

• Monthly meetings

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Sustaining our Work –Volunteers

• Engaged 600+ community partners

• Caregiver Advisory Panel (“CAP”):

Coalition guided by and evaluated by

Over 200 caregivers actively engaged

Flexible opportunities for participation

Heart of the Coalition

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Sustaining our Work –Volunteers

•Thousands of volunteer hours on projects

Pathways for Caregivers Guide

Conferences

Caregiver Resource Fair

Caregiver Recognition Month Events

Lunch and Learn Educational Series

Media opportunities

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Sustaining our Work – Partnerships

•Collaborative efforts Morris County Division of Aging, Disabilities and Veterans

Caregiver Support Project

Care Partner Program

Annual Conferences (with the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater NJ Chapter)

Novartis CARES Employee Resource Group

Morris County Society of Human Resource Management

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Sustaining our Work - Financially

• Coalition members financially support our work!

• Projects and events are self-sustaining through sponsorship opportunities

• United Way of Morris County support

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Sustaining our Work - Advocacy

• “Awareness” projects and events

• County connections (Freeholders, Div on Aging)

• Cong. Frelinghuysen & Gov. Codey

• Trenton, Washington D.C., and with national organizations

• Workplace campaign efforts

• Community groups (Rotary, Clergy Council)

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Working to not be needed

• When caregiving becomes a household word

• When all treatment plans involve caregivers

• When caregivers are recognized and receive the support they need in their role

….that’s when our work will truly be sustained!

Thank you!!

Carol E. DeGraw, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

Manager, Community Impact

United Way of Morris County

www.uwmorris.org

carol.degraw@uwmorris.org

973-993-1160, ext. 128

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