The Senior Civic Engagement Initiative seeks to develop a greater understanding of the benefits of healthy and active aging through civic engagement for Ohio's older adults. The initiative focuses on the areas of senior employment, volunteering and life-long learning. The goals of the initiative include:
- Ensuring that Ohio's workforce includes older workers with new or updated skill sets;
- Actively engaging seniors with diverse skills in volunteer service throughout Ohio;
- Providing educational opportunities that both enrich the lives of seniors and offer opportunities for career growth.
Studies have shown that engaging older adults in healthy and active aging opportunities reduces their personal healthcare expenditures and improves their overall health. Healthy individuals need less health care and ultimately place less of a burden on the health care system, including Medicaid expenditures for long-term care.
Older Ohioans are becoming a larger part of the available skilled workforce. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state's working-age population will grow by only 224,000 from 2005 to 2015, while the population of those age 55 and older will grow by 552,000. Virtually all of the growth in the working age population during that period will be generated by people age 55 and older. Similarly, as the state facilitates opportunities in volunteerism and continuing education for its mature citizens, it can ultimately enhance the lives of all Ohioans.
To achieve Ohio's goals for Senior Civic Engagement, Governor Ted Strickland created the Senior Civic Engagement Council. The council will work closely with its member agencies and related committees to address senior employment practices and activities and collect and analyze data on the participation of older adults in employment, volunteerism and lifelong learning.
The council will then promote policies and legislation that will encourage the continued employment or re-employment of older adults, as well as polices and practices that increase their participation in volunteer activities and encourage them to take advantage of the state educational system.
Finally, the council will provide information to Ohio's business leaders, economic development leaders and workforce development system that will enable them to better prepare for and offer services to the state's growing older adult population.
The Senior Civic Engagement Council is composed of representatives from the Ohio Departments of Aging and Development, the Ohio Board of Regents, the state Workforce Development Board, the Ohio Community Service Council and the state's area agencies on aging. The council also will include representatives selected by the majority and minority leaders of the Ohio Senate and House of Representatives, an older worker, an older volunteer and any other representatives recommended by the director of the Department of Aging.
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Related Information
Employment & Training - Many older Ohioans are choosing to remain in or return to the workforce beyond retirement age. The Department of Aging and the aging network proudly supports older workers.
Volunteer Opportunities - Each year, older Ohioans give more than 350,000 hours of their time to help people of all ages. The Department of Aging, along with national, state and local partners, provide several unique opportunities for older Ohioans to volunteer.
Lifelong Learning - Studies have shown that mental stimulation is crucial to physical and psychological well-being. The aging network promotes several national, state and regional programs that help older Ohioans continue learning in unique and rewarding ways.
