Reflecting on 2022: Resources to Support Your Social Engagement Work in 2023
Throughout 2022 engAGED continued to expand our work supporting the Aging Network and other partner organizations as they develop programs that help consumers stay socially engaged and connected in their communities. As your organization sets its 2023 goals, here are a few highlights of our latest resources that can help support your social engagement efforts!
Best Practices and Innovations
Added 35 social engagement program examples to the engAGED Innovations Hub. The searchable Innovations Hub, which contains more than 70 program summaries, can help you replicate and tailor social engagement programs to fit the needs of your community.
Released Implementing Hybrid Programs: Considerations and Best Practices for Aging Network Organizations. Developed in partnership with Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP, this manual provides guidance, best practices and examples of what works best when designing hybrid programs.
Published Implementing and Expanding Virtual Programming for Older Adults: Tips and Practical Strategies for Aging Network Organizations. Developed in partnership with OATS, this manual includes key considerations, tips and best practices for developing and administering virtual programs.
Published What Works: Social Engagement Innovations and Best Practices, a best practices publication featuring a range of social engagement programs that employ a variety of interventions and tap into an array of partners to reach consumers in rural, suburban and urban communities.
Consumer and Template Materials
Launched How to Stay Okay: Tips for Supporting Your Social and Emotional Wellness. Developed in partnership with the Eldercare Locator, this brochure provides social engagement tips and tools as well as suggestions for ways older adults can connect to mental health services and supports if needed.
Updated the engAGED Community Awareness Toolkit, which includes materials to assist the Aging Network and partner organizations with increasing community awareness of the importance of social engagement.
Training, Technical Assistance and Outreach
Partnered with Commit to Connect to co-host a two-day Virtual Summit that brought together national, state and local leaders for discussions on the current state of social isolation research and practical implications for the social engagement work of the Aging Network, disability network and partner organizations.
Held nine webinars, released 12 newsletters, published 15 blog posts, conducted three Office Hour calls and participated in the USAging Answers on Aging Podcast to offer connection to social engagement best practices, resources, research and tools.
In 2023, we will continue to develop new resources and connect you to best practices to assist with your social engagement work. We hope you stay in touch and let us know what resources, tools or topics may be most useful for your organization!