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challenged as we are to grapple with these issues Kate Houston (Planner) facilitates community and help us develop this vision. input by conducting focus groups with providers, policymakers,and seniors;attending meetings such Other articles in this newsletter summarize more as the Minority Roundtables; and arranging . of the steps included in this project. Also community meetings for this project. summarized is the conference we held on May 15 on systems integration to kick-off our project and Jody Swanson (Intern) is completing the final set the stage for continued dialogue on the issues requirements for her masters degree in gerontology of systems redesign that we will be looking at from the University of South Florida in Tampa. throughout this project. Her duties at the agency include producing the newsletter, assisting with production and Generations Project Timeline implementation of the questionnaire, conducting Throughout 1992 information searches and research, and assisting Discussion of the Generations Project with Kate Houston with focus groups. Individuals and Groups Community Meeting Update April - October 1992 Since March of this year the planning staff for the Collection of data on service needs,resources,gaps in service system Generations Project has been meeting with a variety of people either working or interested in the aging October- November 1992 field to discuss their responses to the goals of the Writing of draft "Description of Aging System" project: to move to a "needs-based" system of January - March 1992 services regardless of age,and to simplify access for Discussion of description with individuals and older people. groups to obtain input Comments and concerns about the implications of March - June 1993 these goals for older people in various Development and analysis of alternative models for communities have been thoughtful and wide- restructuring system; includes working conference ranging. But of particular concern has been what on service models is meant by a "needs-based" service system. Some July- September 1993 individuals expressed concern that by defining • Discussion of models with individuals and groups everyone by need we force people to "become to obtain input needy" in order to get help, instead of helping them to build upon the capacity for independence September - December 1993 that they already have. Others were concerned Writing and adoption of Aging Policy Plan that narrow definitions of need, based strictly on Who's Who on the Project income level do not account for extraordinary expenses or other financial pressures such as caring LaRhae Knatterud (Planning Coordinator) is for grandchildren. Project Manager of the Generations Project. As director,LaRhae provides overall guidance for the The AAA has continued to use the term "needs- project, supervises work on various steps, and is based" in our written materials describing the responsible for conducting community discussions, project so that everyone we talk to responds to the examining system models, and writing the initial same initial idea. But once we have completed the and final policy plan. first stage of community meetings, the goals will be refined and revised to address the concerns Linda Dah/e(Planning Technician)coordinates the raised in the meetings. conferences and forums for the project, and has developed the information resources for mailings, Groups met with so far include, staff from several surveys, and conferences. counties,Minnesota Board on Aging,Grantmakers in Aging and representatives from communities of Flo Hauber (Research/Data Analyst) designs the color at four Minority Roundtables held in data collection methods and has created the conjunction with other Metro Council planning questionnaire for the project. She will be activity. Meetings with various groups will responsible for summarizing and analyzing the data continue throughout the summer. If you would collected. • Generations Project July 1992 Page 2