Scripps and n4a partner on 2017 national survey of Title VI Native American aging programs
September 2017 - National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a)
2017 Title VI Survey Report Now Available
A new n4a report finds that Title VI Native American aging programs enable tribal elders to live with independence and dignity and their homes and communities, but face unique challenges in providing services. The new report, National Title VI Program Survey: Serving Tribal Elders Across the United States, was released today at the National Title VI Training and Technical Assistance Conference.
Title VI of the Older Americans Act funds tribal programs to deliver nutrition and supportive services to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian elders and their caregivers. The purpose of the survey, which is conducted approximately every three years, is to learn more about the services and supports that Title VI aging programs offer elders, the challenges they face in providing services and new opportunities for partnership and programming.
With a grant from the Administration for Community Living, n4a partnered with the Scripps Gerontology Center to conduct the survey between January and March of this year. Seventy-four percent (198) of 268 Title VI programs participated in the survey
Key survey findings include the following:
- Unique transportation challenges. The majority of Title VI programs serve American Indian elders in rural or frontier areas, creating unique transportation challenges for the agencies as they deliver services and supports. Some Title VI programs in remote or frontier areas use alternative transportation such as four-wheel drive vehicles, planes, ferries/boats or snow machines to provide services to elders.
- Varied services. The services most often offered by Title VI programs are congregate and home-delivered meals, information and referral assistance, and outreach.
- Small staffs. The average Title VI program has approximately four full-time staff, four part-time staff and four volunteers to serve hundreds of elders.
Download the full report to learn more about services provided by Title VI programs to tribal communities across the country, as well as staffing, partnerships, funding and budgets, and more.