America’s older-adult population is growing, and in many parts of the country, current infrastructure is not equipped to provide the range of services needed for the increasingly diverse population of older adults and people with disabilities, along with the caregivers that support them.
Every state develops its own MPA based on its unique characteristics, history, politics, and existing aging and disability initiatives.
An MPA is a 10+ year blueprint for restructuring state and local policies and convening a wide range of cross-sector stakeholders to collaboratively address the needs of older-adult populations.
MPAs are designed to create a coordinated system of high-quality care and support services that promote healthy aging, independent living, and social engagement, while also addressing issues related to healthcare, housing, transportation, and other social determinants of health.
By prioritizing the creation of an MPA, states can build a society that values and supports all members, regardless of age or ability, and ensures that they can live and age well in their communities.
Benefits of an MPA:
A State Plan on Aging is required by the Older Americans Act and outlines the roles and responsibilities of each state and its Area Agencies on Aging. It documents achievements and describes how the state will allocate funds and administer the Older Americans Act going forward. States are required to update this plan and submit it to the Administration for Community Living every four years. MPAs are designed to create a coordinated system of high-quality care and support services that promote healthy aging, independent living, and social engagement, while also addressing issues related to healthcare, housing, transportation, and other social determinants of health. The key difference is that the MPA is cross-sector and has support from the Governor or state legislature.
Check out this resource from CHCS that describes the benefits and important goals for pursuing an MPA, and outlines key building blocks that state leaders, advocates, stakeholders, and industry leaders can implement to generate buy-in and momentum for an MPA in their state.
Review this issue brief by West Health to learn about the different elements of MPA Executive Orders and legislation across states. The brief also highlights how having government support for an MPA is an important first step in securing buy-in.
This Future Proof webinar by the American Society on Aging (ASA) features experts from California and Vermont who share the importance of cross-sector planning for aging at the local and state levels. Additionally, the California MPA Local Playbook is designed to assist state and local government, communities, private and philanthropic organizations in building age-friendly and disability-friendly environments.
Funding – both from government and private sources, can be critical to developing an MPA. Legislation for MPAs may enable funds to be appropriated for the movement, securing both government buy-in and financial support for the plans. Private funders are also uniquely positioned to support the process of developing an MPA and can engage at any stage – from providing consultation on data dashboards, to specific topics like equity. Funders can promote equity and accountability by supporting efforts to collect and analyze data to inform, establish, and track progress on MPA goals. This guide from Grantmakers in Aging (GIA) outlines the important roles and opportunities for funders within MPAs.
Several states, including California and Tennessee, have already created data dashboards for their MPAs. California did so by partnering with the Let’s Get Healthy California team at the California Department of Public Health and with the West Health Institute. Tennessee’s MPA dashboard is a collaborative effort of the ETSU Center for Rural Health Research and the TN Division of TennCare. Other states looking to create their own data dashboard may consider developing similar relationships with universities or funders in their area to support this work, as well as use existing MPA dashboards for inspiration.
There are a variety of strategies that states can use to engage family caregivers in MPA development. This tool from the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) describes these strategies and provides examples from Minnesota and Texas that can be used by other states.
This website (multisectorplanforaging.org) is a clearing house for all MPA activity. Bee sure to sign up for our newsletter to ensure that you receive the latest MPA updates!
If you have additional MPA questions, be sure to use the contact form below.
