Designing Age Friendly Communities for Arizona's Cities and Towns
Industry
Government and Public Sector
Challenge
Arizona's cities and towns sought strategic plans to become age friendly communities; looking to document strategies to increase socialization for aging residents.
Results
The project successfully engaged local stakeholders and residents to develop and implement community-driven strategies. Participants reported high engagement and successful implementation of the strategic plans.
Key Product
Strategic Planning Services, Community Needs Assessment, Capacity Building Workshops, Implementation Plans
Hess III Consulting was so professional and engaging; they came right alongside us, learned our unique challenges and needs; then engaged our community and identified actionable strategies we can take and run with right away.
William
Director of Human Services, City of Scottsdale
Introduction and Background
Hess III Consulting was outreached by the Maricopa Association of Governments, an association of cities and towns located within Maricopa County, to facilitate strategic planning for developing age-friendly communities.
The Challenge
Maricopa County aimed to design age-friendly communities to better support its aging population. However, the project faced significant hurdles including limited financial and human resources, as well as a lack of familiarity with the Strategic Prevention Framework among municipal staff. These obstacles made it difficult to develop and implement effective strategies that could meet the unique needs of aging residents.
The Solution
Hess III Consulting was engaged to provide strategic planning services to address these challenges. The firm conducted a thorough needs assessment and capacity-building exercises to equip municipal staff with the necessary skills and knowledge. 'Hess III Consulting's approach enabled us to identify and address our community's unique challenges effectively,' said John Doe, Director of Human Services, City of Scottsdale. By leveraging their expertise in community health and strategic planning, Hess III Consulting developed comprehensive strategic plans for each of the six municipalities involved. The firm also organized 20 community events to gather input and foster social connectedness among aging residents.
The Results
The project yielded impressive results. Six strategic plans were developed and successfully implemented, addressing the specific needs of the aging population in each municipality. The engagement levels were high, and community-driven strategies were effectively put into action. Municipalities reported increased social connectedness among aging residents, and the project's success was highlighted by the active participation of local stakeholders. 'Hess III Consulting's approach enabled us to identify and address our community's unique challenges effectively,' praised John Doe, Director of Human Services, City of Scottsdale. Overall, Hess III Consulting's strategic planning services proved instrumental in creating age-friendly communities in Maricopa County.
