CARES: History

Supported by the Division of Academic Affairs
Maricopa Center for Learning and Instruction (MCLI)

Established as the Senior Adult Network in 1993
- To meet the needs of a growing older adult population
Hosted a conference on lifelong learning to provide input for the 1995 White House Conference on Aging
- This was an officially sanctioned mini WHCoA
Initiated a multi-phase effort to develop and validate mission, goals, objectives, and action steps in 1995
- Process was modeled after that used by the Governing Board
- Aligned our work with Governing Board end statements
- Ratified by individual college programs and district-wide advisory council in 1998
Helped develop and participated in a Governing Board Strategic Conversation on lifelong learning in 1997
Sponsored a Senior Showcase in 1999
- Shared the contributions of seniors and programs offered throughout the District
Developed and conducted the Elderlearning Survey in 2000-2001
- Involved a convenience sample of older adults in Maricopa County
- Designed to ascertain interests in lifelong learning including:
  - reasons for learning
  - preferred instructional and learning methods
  - topics of interest
  - location and scheduling preferences
  - willingness to pay
  - barriers to participating in lifelong learning
- Reported results at a day of dialogue in spring 2001
Co-founded the Arizona Older Workers Resource Task Force in 2000
- Other founding members were AARP, the Arizona Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, the Arizona Department of Commerce, and the Arizona Department of Economic Services
- Hosted the kick-off breakfast in 2001
- Co-sponsored the Older Worker Dialogue Day in 2001 involving employers, older adults, and occupational faculty
Presented at Arizona Governor’s Conference on Aging in 2000 and 2002
- Presentations on lifelong learning and Arizona’s aging workforce
Provided input for Arizona Governor’s Aging 2020 Plan
- Represented lifelong learning on a panel presentation to state agency directors
- Presented to state housing staff on changing needs associated with an aging population
- Participated in workshop: Partnerships for Health – Informing Policy and Practice in Arizona: Aging 2020 Plan and Research Agenda.
Convened multiple dialogue days in recent years
- Topics have included lifelong learning, emerging issues in aging, public policy, and health care