Because of your connection to Elder Network, you know personally how valuable the services that we provide are. Now we are in need of your help. We have received some highly disappointing news that will greatly impact funding from a very important funder of ours-Southeastern MN Area Agency on Aging (SEMAAA).
The MN Board on Aging allocates the funding to Minnesota’s 6 Area Agencies on Aging and is prepared to cut SEMAAA grants to nonprofits by $252,023 and administration funding by $28,447. Elder Network is one of the nonprofits that receives grant funding. This impacts our programs in 2025-2035! The final funding decision will be made in the next few months. We have only one opportunity to voice our concerns about this cut to funding, and that is through a public comment period of 30 days, from April 3rd, 2023 – May 3rd, 2023. We need you to tell the MN Board on Aging to maintain current funding.
Instead of receiving additional funding to help us support the growing aging population and their needs, the MN Board on Aging has kept our funding “flat-lined” or the same, for many years. Unfortunately, they are now going to significantly cut funding, while still expecting that we provide more services to more seniors and their caregivers. This is not financially feasible, and will result in longer waitlists, needing to turn away more seniors and caregivers in need, as well as the potential need to raise prices of services. We do not want to do this, so we need your help to voice the damaging impact that this cut in funding would result in for you, personally.
Please use the attached template, signing and printing your name, and adding your personal experiences at the bottom of the page and/or the back side of the letter.
- Download the Letter of Support Template (PDF format)
- Download the Letter of Support Template (Word Doc format)
If you email your comments to Becca at beccah@elder-network.org, we will forward it on to MN Board on Aging. Or, you can mail directly to:
MN Board on Aging
State Plan-Public Comment
PO Box 64976
St. Paul, MN 55164-0976
If you need a non-written option, you can call 651-431-4410. In place of the letter, you can register online to access the portal to leave your comments through this link: www.greaterminnesotaaging.org/alerts.
Your story matters, and the experiences that you have are essential in helping to change the minds of the members of the MN Board on Aging. We need your help! What we are asking is that you share this message, adding in your experience with Elder Network, and emphasizing the importance of the work that we do. If you have questions, please call our office at 507-285-5272 to learn more.
Without your support, we cannot ensure those 55 and better and their caregivers have the opportunity to thrive and lead rewarding lives.
Best Regards,
Kathy Scheid
Executive Director
Elder Network
