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<br />FLORIDA <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT <br /> <br />o F <br /> <br />ELDER AFFAIRS <br /> <br />What is the Communities for a Lifetime initiative going to cost? <br /> <br />Partnerships created during a community evaluation process and strategic alliances initiated afrerwards <br />can maximize existing funding and resources. Communities for a Lifetime is not inrended to impose <br />additional financial burdens on participating Florida communities. The purpose of this initiative is <br />to assist local elected officials, community leaders and residents in working together to plan the most <br />effective use of existing funding to achieve Communities for a Lifetime goals and benefits. <br /> <br />How can residents create a Community for a Lifetime? <br />Creating a Community for a Lifetime is a process, taking time and requiring involvement by many <br />stakeholders and partners, including community leaders and interested citizens. <br /> <br />A brief outline of short-term community goals and suggested steps in the process includes: <br /> <br />· Local government passes a resolution or proclamation in support of the program and notifies <br />the Department of Elder Affairs; <br /> <br />· The community forms a committee to inventory and assess elements important for senior <br />independence and care; <br /> <br />· Upon completion of the self-assessment, the commirtee identifies areas in need of artention <br /> <br /> <br />and incorporates them into a community action plan with a rimeline for completion; <br /> <br />· The completed inventory is sent to the Department of Elder Affairs for review and recom- <br />mendations; and <br /> <br />· The community develops strategies to initiate partnerships and collaborations to address <br />idenrifìed needs. <br /> <br />What should be evaluated? <br /> <br />Participating Communities for a Lifetime review each area of the seven Areas of Discovery listed <br />below in relation to the initiative's vision and values: <br /> <br />PHYSICAL SPACES <br /> <br />Accessibility (Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards) - accommodations have been made <br />to allow for individual mobility, regardless of functional impairmenrs; <br /> <br />Housing - universal design - rhe design of products and environments to be usable by all people, <br />to rhe greatest extenr possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design; <br /> <br />· Energy efficiency in heating and cooling systems, appliances and lighting; and <br />· Use of environment friendly construction materials. <br />