As the U.S. population is getting older and increasingly diverse, state leaders and stakeholders are beginning to pursue high-level, cross-sector planning efforts to ensure that the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers are met over the coming decade. A multisector plan for aging (MPA) is an umbrella term for a state-led, multi-year planning process that convenes cross-sector stakeholders to collaboratively address the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. States use a variety of names for these plans (e.g., master plans, strategic plans, and aging-well plans) but all have the same broad goals.
The Multisector Plan for Aging Learning Collaborative, led by the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS), is a learning community that is helping states advance their MPAs. Made possible through support from The SCAN Foundation, West Health and the May & Stanley Smith Charitable Trust, the 12-month collaborative is supporting 10 states — Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Vermont — to build on work already underway in their states.
To support state success and foster shared learning, the collaborative is providing:
- Peer-to-peer exchange that fosters the sharing of best practices and lessons;
- Access to a network of experts, including those who have helped advance MPAs in other states; and
- Technical assistance to support buy-in for an MPA across stakeholders in their states.
Cross-agency, cross-sector teams vary by state, with state teams focusing on key phases of the MPA process, including building buy-in for, developing, and implementing an MPA:
| State | Team Participants |
|---|---|
| Colorado | Governor’s Office; Department of Human Services; Department of Health Care Policy & Financing; Department of Public Health & Environment |
| Illinois | Health & Medicine Policy Research Group; Department on Aging; University of Illinois at Chicago – Center for Social Policy & Research; Office of Illinois State Representative, Kambium Buckner |
| Indiana | Indiana Family Social Services Administration, Division of Aging; Office of Medicaid Policy & Planning; Department of Health |
| Minnesota | Department of Human Services; Governor’s Council on an Age-Friendly Minnesota; University of Minnesota School of Public Health; Minnesota Leadership Council on Aging; AARP Minnesota; Department of Veterans Affairs; Minnesota State Arts Board |
| North Carolina | Division of Aging and Adult Services; Division of Health Benefits (Medicaid) |
| North Dakota | Department of Human Services, Aging Services Division; Williston Council for the Aging; North Dakota State Representative; Office of the Governor; Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND |
| Oregon | Age+ Oregon; Department of Human Services, Aging and People with Disabilities; AARP Oregon |
| South Carolina | Department on Aging; Office of South Carolina State Senator, Thomas Alexander; University of South Carolina, School of Public Health; Association of Area Agencies on Aging; Department of Health and Human Services; South Carolina Alzheimer’s Association |
| Tennessee | TennCare (Tennessee Medicaid); Governor’s Office; Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities; Commission on Aging and Disability; AARP Tennessee; Tennessee Association for Area Agencies on Aging and Disability |
| Vermont | Department of Disabilities, Aging, and Independent Living; Department of Health; Vermont Association of Area Agencies on Aging; Community of Vermont Elders; Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont; Cheshire Medical Center, Center for Population Health |
Project Resources
