About Us
Princeton Senior Resource Center Mission, Vision and Strategic Plan 2007-2010
MISSION
The Princeton Senior Resource Center (PSRC) empowers older adults in the diverse Princeton community to make informed choices and live healthy lives. PSRC offers affordable services, programs and opportunities that support, educate and engage older individuals, their families and caregivers.
VISION
The Princeton Senior Resource Center will be a primary resource for seniors in the wider Princeton community and their caregivers. It will provide information, education, referrals, counseling and advocacy for issues relating to all stages and transitions in the aging process.
The Center will be a dynamic place where seniors will gather and participate in activities that promote healthy aging including socializing, exercise, seminars and classes, volunteering and recreation.
The PSRC will collaborate with participants and other community organizations to address needs and current concerns of older adults and their families as well as to be responsive to emerging needs in this diverse community.
STRATEGIC PLAN
CORE SERVICES
SOCIAL SERVICES
PSRC will provide quality information, referral, counseling and support services to Princeton area older adults, their families and caregivers
A. Maintain a comprehensive database of community resources to connect individuals and families with needed resources
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1. Develop a central collection point for information and ensure all staff send new information to that point
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2. Develop a method for entering new information into the database of resources as soon as it becomes known
B. Explore interdisciplinary collaborations with other local agencies to provide coordinated case management for seniors who choose to age in place so that they can do so safely with dignity.
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1. Envision, develop, and implement an effective community partnership, exploring possible collaborations (See Collaboration)
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2. Explore implementing sliding fees or suggested donations for some of these services based on ability to pay
C. Define clearly the social services PSRC offers
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1. Clarify who can be served by the social service team, for how long and with what services.
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2. Provide information and referrals to all callers as needed.
D. Identify vulnerable isolated seniors who may need services and assistance (See Outreach and Community Awareness)
E. Improve community awareness of PSRC social services (See Outreach and Community Awareness)
F. Ensure professional level of service delivery
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1. Increase professionalism of staff through training, supervision and hiring skilled social service workers
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2. Use best practices for service delivery- i.e., record keeping, counseling, phone assistance, outcome measurement, and confidentiality
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3. Maintain accurate client records
PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION
PSRC will provide a range of programs that promote healthy aging, including programs for physical, mental, social and emotional fitness across the spectrum of older adults
A. Develop targeted programs for seniors in different stages of aging
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1. Plan an array of activities for those of varying physical abilities
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2. Plan educational programs that teach about aging at every stage
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3. Develop programming designed to introduce those aged 55-65 to PSRC facility and programs
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4. Research what has been successful in other centers and evaluate what might be effective at PSRC.
B. Plan programs that will attract people across the economic, educational and ethnic diversity of the community
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1. Plan programs that appeal to a wide range of interests and abilities
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2. Plan programs that honor and educate about various cultures
C. Nurture and expand the Evergreen Forum (EF) programs
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1. Explore options for additional classroom space
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2. Evaluate feasibility of a paid or volunteer person responsible for primary office support for EF
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3. Build relationships with local colleges and their retirees to attract instructors
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4. Create social space and events for EF students.
D. Increase opportunities for fellowship and informal social time
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1. Explore ways to encourage people to use lounge for unscheduled social time
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2. Encourage participant initiative in designing and developing informal social opportunities and events
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3. Try an occasional evening social event
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4. Explore viability of “café” lunches on occasion
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
COLLABORATION
PSRC will develop stronger networks for communication and collaboration with others involved in meeting the needs of the aging community
A. Explore opportunities for collaboration with non-profit, for-profit and government groups
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1. Explore feasibility of social service collaboration started for United Way grant
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2. Build up relationship with Mercer County Office on Aging and the affiliate centers
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3. Explore opportunities for program collaborations with other area agencies such as the YWCA and Arts Council
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4. Expand collaborations with Princeton Health Care System (PHCS)
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5. Increase communication and collaborative efforts with municipal bodies and the Housing Authority Borough of Princeton (HABOP)
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6. Increase communication with CWW and identify ways to collaborate
B. Evaluate potential benefits and costs of possible collaborations
OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS
PSRC will increase awareness of PSRC social services and programs through multiple channels.
A. Identify ways to reach and serve underserved and isolated homebound seniors
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1. Do more community outreach to organizations that work with isolated seniors such as other social service providers and faith communities
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2. Work more closely with Princeton Homecare
B. Identify more effective ways to serve minority populations, reaching out to civic and faith communities
C. Develop strategies to reach newcomers to Princeton with information about PSRC services, exploring the viability of a senior newcomers group at PSRC
D. Develop strategies to reach younger seniors
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1. Evaluate how the 55-65 age group should be targeted by PSRC
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2. Explore possible new programs to appeal to younger, more active seniors
E. Improve outreach to local corporations & businesses
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1. Explore building a program that serves retiring employees
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2. Advertise caregiver support services for working caregivers
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3. Explore developing ‘Lunch and Learn’ seminars that can be offered to business groups
F. Develop vehicles to disseminate information throughout the community
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1. Create a board community relations committee
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2. Stay informed about current research into successful outreach programs and best practices
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3. Adapt PR literature to more effectively describe PSRC services
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4. Utilize website and e-mail more effectively to notify people of services and upcoming events
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5. Create a PSRC community-wide mailing to be distributed to every household annually
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6. Improve communication with faith communities
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7. Develop a consistent image with logo, phrase, etc
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
PSRC will encourage civic engagement among older adults.
A. Encourage volunteering throughout the community by seniors through information and programs about ways to engage and volunteer
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1. Work with existing volunteer organizations such as Hands On Helpers to promote volunteering among seniors, and identify volunteer opportunities in the community
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2. Hold events that promote civic engagement such as the Senior Volunteer Fair
B. Collaborate with other senior service organizations on ways to recruit new volunteers PSRC will advocate for policies and practices that support seniors and empower them to advocate effectively on their own behalf
C. Encourage advocacy on behalf of seniors
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1. Attend local, regional and national programs that address key aging issues
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2. Stay abreast of key aging issues through reading news and professional materials
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3. Staff will inform board and community of key issues for possible involvement
B. Find ways to engage older adults in advocacy on their own behalf through advocacy organizations, local political channels, and other appropriate action.
C. Encourage collaboration in advocacy and community service projects around common interests
SUSTAINABILITY
FINANCIAL RESOURCES
PSRC will increase our funding base in order to implement needed expansion.
A. Improve PSRC annual campaign
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1. Analyze annual giving campaign strategy and strive for best practices in implementing needed changes
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2. Begin the annual campaign early in the fall, tracking solicitations and responses closely.
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3. Develop systematic strategies for improving relationships between the agency, board members and donors
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4. Thank donors promptly
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5. Build relationships with major donors, keeping them informed and involved
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6. Strive for 100% participation by the board
B. Develop and implement a strategy to increase municipal support
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1. Present at committee/council meetings at least once a year
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2. Meet regularly with administrators to further awareness
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3. Develop compelling presentations on budget needs
C. Develop and implement a strategy to increase corporate support
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1. Develop board relationships with corporate sponsors
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2. Follow up quickly, and repeatedly as needed when interest is expressed
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3. Identify opportunities for corporate partnership and sponsorship
D. Launch PSRC endowment fund
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1. Endowment committee to finish proposed structure for board approval
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2. Strive toward 100% participation by board
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3. Meet with current and potential major donors toward receiving significant donations
E. Increase Board involvement in development
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1. Seek involvement of people experienced in development
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2. Build stronger development committee
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3. Clarify roles and responsibilities of the development committee and individual board members
F. Explore new and creative sources of funding
HUMAN RESOURCES
PSRC will enhance organizational capacity by developing and supporting highly motivated and skilled staff and volunteers.
A. Provide incentives and rewards to encourage a highly functioning staff team
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1. Create conducive work environments for staff
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2. Provide greater recognition of staff service and achievements
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3. Review salary and benefits norms for the field to learn how ours compare to those of similar non-profit groups
B. Develop volunteer opportunities and recruitment strategies for PSRC
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1. Explore best practices in volunteer recruitment, retention and reward
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2. Staff continue to seek opportunities to engage volunteers in meaningful ways in the work of PSRC
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3. Develop positions for volunteer leadership among PSRC volunteers
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4. Explore ways to benefit from local college and university involvement, such as internship programs
INTERNAL OPERATIONS
GOVERNANCE
PSRC will build an effective and flexible organization that can react to the changing environment.
A. Strive for best practices in PSRC processes, legal compliance, risk management, and decision making
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1. Activate the board governance committee
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2. Set annual goals, reviewing the strategic plan annually
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3. Complete revision of bylaws, securing board approval
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4. Complete written policies and procedures manual, securing board approval
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5. Board and staff to attend relevant workshops on best practices in governance
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6. Conduct a board self-assessment and analyze responses
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7. Improve and systematize board orientation and leadership development
A. Strive for best practices in evaluation of program outcomes
ACCESSIBILITY
PSRC will increase accessibility to its programs.
A. Support and publicize transportation options for seniors
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1. Sell vouchers for Crosstown at both offices
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2. Support county-wide transportation study and plan
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3. Support Borough jitney initiative
B. Explore viability of off-site programming
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1. Explore options for additional classroom space for EF, examining possible resulting administrative and identity issues
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2. Explore whether offering more programs at housing sites will increase participation without undue administrative problems
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3. Explore possibility of providing transportation to some functions
C. Assess and improve the physical spaces we now use for access by people with special needs
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1. Retro-fit front doors with push-button access
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2. Install sound baffles at Suzanne Patterson Building to improve acoustics
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3. Keep ramps clear of debris
TECHNOLOGY
PSRC will utilize emerging technologies throughout PSRC operations.
A. Improve in-house computer competency
B. Improve and expand data base and technology supports for fundraising and other office functions
C. Maximize the potential of the website
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1. Redesign website to be database interactive site
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2. Seek ways to increase community awareness and utilization of site
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3. Seek ways to use website for greater administrative efficiency
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4. Improve accessibility and connection to each other for home-based seniors
D. Explore ways technology can improve programs and social services
