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Milestone 4: Build an Action Plan
With the project focus determined, think about implementation. Revisit the strategies and action steps in the EngAging Illinois Plan—there are likely ideas there you can run with. Create a plan that outlines clear goals, objectives, strategies, and how you will evaluate your efforts. Include a few short-term, attainable steps that can help build momentum for the project.
The plan should also account for any resources (time, volunteers, funding, etc.) that may be required. At this point, you may also take inventory of existing community assets and resources that could be valuable for your project. To address capacity concerns in smaller or rural communities, consider contacting township or county government officials, health or service providers, or other local community organizations to recruit more support. Get creative!
This is also an important time to engage the full range of perspectives within your community to ensure your project works for everyone, regardless of age, race, gender, economic status, or ability.
Here are some resources for ideas and inspiration:
- Community Project Planning
- Planning with Equity in Mind
- American Planning Association: Voices of Equity in Planning
- American Planning Association: Equity in Practice (Case Studies)
- AARP: Equity By Design
- Aging Equity Center at Health & Medicine Policy Research Group
- Long Beach Equity Toolkit
- Community Populations: Priority Populations
- SCAG: Equity Resource Guide
- California for ALL Ages Anti-Ageism Resources: An Intersectional Approach to Services and Care for LGBT Elders
- National Resource Center on LGBT Aging: Strengthen Your State and Local Aging Plan
- National Center to Reframe Aging
- American Planning Association: Voices of Equity in Planning
As you build your plan consider:
- What does success look like?
- Does your plan have clear goals and SMART objectives (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bounded?
- How will you evaluate efforts?
- What resources (time, volunteers, funding, etc. are required to execute on the plan?
- What existing community assets, resources, and networks could be leveraged for your project?
Guidepost: A strong plan provides a powerful foundation for your work and recruiting others and additional funds to support your effort. That said, as the work moves forward, adapt the plan to make sense of opportunities and challenges in your environment.
From the Field
In 2018, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC) led an initiative to increase awareness of a strategy to mitigate the housing affordability crisis and support aging in place: accessory dwelling units (ADUs), small housing units constructed on a property alongside a preexisting single-family home. The MMC hosted the “Granny Flat Academy,” a series of educational workshops for Chicagoland residents, elected officials and municipal staff. The workshops highlighted best practices for amending ordinances to allow ADU construction and how to educate residents about the benefits of ADUs.
