* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL
Introduced by: The Council President
At the request of: The Administration (Commission on Aging and Retirement Education)
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL concerning
Title
The Creation for a Center for Aging Services and Research
FOR the purpose of sustaining an initiative to create a "Center for Urban Aging Services and Policy Development" in the City of Baltimore.
Body
Recitals
The Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education (CARE) is launching an initiative to create a "Center for Urban Aging Services and Policy Development" in the City.
The Center will bring together urban researchers, private and public funders, community leaders, service providers, and older consumers to develop new strategies for creating innovative models for delivering services to older adults. Further, the Center will examine strategies for tapping into the vast reservoir of resources offered by older adults and establish a foundation for public policy and funding strategies based on the realities of aging in urban America in the 21st Century.
The Center will be established as a 501(c)(3) community-based organization and will examine the role played by key subgroups of older urbanites in the life of cities like Baltimore. These subgroups will include low income minorities, the "empty nester" population, senior homeowners, older people with chronic diseases and disabilities, grandparents raising grandchildren, emerging ethnic and minority communities, aging members of the gay community, and urban baby boomers.
The Center will respond to issues affecting the older urban population including poverty, lack of safety and security, the need for improved housing and senior friendly neighborhoods, the complexities of providing health and long term care in an urban setting, volunteerism and employment, retirement and financial planning, access to information, transportation, and the impact of Federal and State budget reductions on aging services, and emergency preparedness and response. It will mobilize assets in support of the initiatives including seniors themselves, faith communities, academic and medical institutions, senior serving organizations and community groups. Partnerships and collaborations will play a major role in the operation of the Center.
The Center will work closely with other senior-serving and community organizations to develop coordinated systems of service delivery, to incorporate evidence-based practices into programs, and to make best use of limited resources. The Center will also work closely with and has the support of the City's Human Services Sub-Cabinet agencies that provide services to older adults, including the Departments of Recreation and Parks, Health, Housing and Community Development, Social Services, Planning, Police, and Transportation, and with the Mayor's Offices of Children, Youth and Families, Neighborhoods, Community Investments, and Employment Development. Other City and governmental agencies supporting the Center are the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, Baltimore City Public Schools, the Community Relations Commission, and the Mayor and City Council.
The Center's approach to urban aging issues will emphasize strategies that have an impact on public policy, particularly funding; are evidence-based and multi disciplinary; emphasize the potential of technology to assist the elderly; and create Statewide and national networks of advocates and planners for the urban elderly.
SECTION 1. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the City of Baltimore supports the Baltimore City Commission on Aging and Retirement Education (CARE) in its efforts to design, develop, and implement its initiative to create a "Center for Urban Aging Services and Research" aimed at improving the quality of life for older adults in Baltimore and urban America.
SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor; the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council; Directors of the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks, the Baltimore City Department of Health, the Baltimore City Department of Planning, the Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development, the Baltimore City Department of Social Services, the Baltimore City Police Department, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation; the Mayor's Offices of Children, Youth and Families, Neighborhoods, Community Investments, Employment Development; the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association; Baltimore City Public Schools; and the Community Relations Commission.
SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution takes effect on the 30th day after the date it is enacted.
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