Virtual Capitol Hill Briefing On Shared Sites
October 20, 2020
Today, we hosted a virtual briefing with Generations United on intergenerational shared sites for 600 policymakers and other government officials and nonprofit leaders. Following last year’s successful (in-person) event, today’s session built on the findings in our previous reports with new resources and case studies from shared sites across the country.
The event opened with Lynette Fraga, CEO of Child Care Aware of America, who remarked on how the Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated existing inequities in the child and elder care systems, and the need to place more value on those who care for these populations.
Then, our CEO Trent Stamp talked about why The Eisner Foundation has partnered with Generations United for several years on advocating for more shared sites – because we know how effective intergenerational shared spaces can be, and we know there aren’t enough of them in our communities across the country. He also referenced our recent Eisner Prize winner ARECMA, which has several shared spaces on its campus in Puerto Rico.
Donna Butts of Generations United followed, discussing how lessons we are learning during the pandemic reinforce what we already knew: that intergenerational shared sites where children, youth and older adults participate in services and programs together value people at all ages and stages of life. We’ve also learned that despite current physical distancing necessities, these programs can still be effective in fostering connection and reducing social isolation. Butts referenced the many shared sites that have creatively responded to our current reality, and how young and old alike have stepped up to care for each other.
Finally, Butts addressed the critical question: if the idea of intergenerational shared sites is so popular, why aren’t there more of them? Barriers like age-segregated funding streams, zoning, and regulatory requirements designed for facilities that only serve one generation are at the top of the list. But there are new resources and opportunities available, including intergenerational provisions in the Older Americans Act and this new federal funding factsheet.
The audience then heard from Colleen Farrell, a parent whose two children attend the Intergenerational Learning Center at Providence Mount St. Vincent in Seattle, who shared how her children have developed positive attitudes about aging and empathy as a result of their frequent contact with older adults. She was followed by Scott and Elsa Detweiler, who talked about how Elsa’s 92-year-old mother has greatly benefited from the intergenerational programs at ONEgeneration (an Eisner Foundation grantee) in Van Nuys, California. Finally, Suzanne Lair, principal at Jenks Public Schools in Oklahoma, discussed their partnership with Grace Living Center and how her classrooms in the center of the skilled nursing center have pivoted to remote intergenerational activities like Zoom storytime.
A video from Senator Bob Casey on policy to support shared site programs led into a discussion with Samantha Koehler, Senior Policy Aide, U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Minority Staff with Senator Casey. She provided additional context about how policymakers and programs can make the vision laid out in the Older Americans Act a reality, and encouraged practitioners to connect with lawmakers and their staff to create and increase support for intergenerational shared sites.
As the program came to a close, Donna Butts called for investing in a better way to care for our younger and older generations. By looking at the whole and not just the parts, we can create healthier environments for all to thrive.