Center for Evaluation and Applied Research: Age-Friendly-Community Initiatives

Healthy Communities through Healthy Food

Healthy Communities through Healthy Food (HCHF), is a three year initiative focused on engaging older adults in the development and implementation of programs focused on increased access to fresh healthy food in low income communities. HCHF is part of the Community Experience Partnership (CEP), a national initiative funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and co-sponsored locally by the New York Community Trust. Managed by the United Neighborhood Houses, the programs are being implemented by Isabella Geriatric Center, United Community Centers, and the Myrtle Avenue Revitalization Project. The Center for Evaluation and Applied Research is conducting a mixed-method and participatory evaluation of HCHF, including process and outcome components that focus on assessing the extent to which the funded programs engage older adults as leaders and as a key resource for addressing food access issues in their communities and increase access to, knowledge about and use of fresh healthy food.

Community Innovations in Aging in Place

Community Innovations for Aging in Place (CIAIP), a project of the Administration on Aging, assists communities in their efforts to enable older adults to sustain their independence and age in place in their homes and in their communities. CIAIP grantees, working in collaboration with other community organizations, are implementing diverse strategies to ensure that older adults have access to comprehensive and coordinated programs and services, including care management and evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs, as well as education, socialization, recreation, and civic engagement opportunities. Through a subcontract with Visiting Nurse Service (VNS) of New York, the Center for Evaluation and Applied Research provides evaluation technical assistance to CIAIP programs.