Area Agency on Aging Volunteer

Salary : See Position Description

Location : CO 80202, CO

Job Type : Volunteer

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 2023-03

Department : Area Agency on Aging

Opening Date : 12 / 22 / 2022

Closing Date : 12 / 22 / 2026 5 : 00 PM Mountain

Summary

This is a volunteer, unpaid position.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado's front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults.

Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions.

DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region.

Sound like a good fit? We'd love to meet you!

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Description of Work

Would you like to demonstrate your gifts and talents in helping older adults and adults with disabilities in your community?

Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is looking for volunteers to serve many different functions.

Volunteers are essential in helping the AAAs reach as many people as possible in the designated service areas.

Being a volunteer with the AAA will not only impact the lives of others but will give you a sense of purpose along with sharing your talents and compassion for helping others.

Apply now and see what volunteer opportunities we have for you. We offer training needed to fulfil each volunteer opportunity.

Additionally, we offer free training throughout the year to expand your knowledge and skills. We offer flexible schedules with remote and in person opportunities.

What is the Area Agency on Aging?

With more than 40 years of experience as the designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the eight-county region, the Denver Regional Council of Government plans and provides comprehensive services to address the needs of the region's population of older adults and people living with disabilities.

We are responsible for the establishment of a comprehensive, coordinated system of community-based supportive and nutrition services for the Denver region's older adults.

As required by the OAA, the Denver region's is carried out through programs provided directly by the AAA and through contracts with community-based agencies to provide a continuum of services.

The AAA has many options to help older adults 60+, their families, and caregivers remain independent in the community, including information and referral services, case management, transportation, home-delivered meals, senior centers, legal services and more through our network of funded providers.

We are also an Aging and Disability Resource Center for Colorado (ADRC) and provide information and assistance as well as options counseling for both older adults and adults 18+ living with a disability.

This program helps streamline access to long-term services and supports in the community. Options counselors are available to offer personalized education and decision support around local resources for individuals and their caregivers.

VOLUNTEER POSITION - Choice Services Program Transportation (CSPT) :

Program Overview :

The Choice Services Program transportation program helps older adults obtain rides within the Denver region. Although most participants use the program for transportation to medical appointments, participants may use the program for personal trips such as to local stores, social outings and cultural activities.

Function / Tasks

Under the supervision and support of the CSPT staff, this volunteer position will help support with administrative tasks and peer support for the travel training program.

This may include providing education on travel resources and peer travel training.

• Tasks may include general office administrative tasks and / or community training events.
• General administrative tasks may consist of organization and mailing bus tickets, enrollment forms and survey.
• In person opportunities may also be available to work with AAA participants on how to navigate and use transportation services in the Denver metro area.
• This is not an inclusive list of functions or duties. Based on volunteer's area of interest, there may be opportunities for additional tasks

VOLUNTEER POSITION - Older Adult Refugees and Friends

Program Overview :

The Older Adult Refugees and Friends Program is seeking 1-3 volunteers to :

• Support English classes for older adults from refugee and immigrant communities, taught by the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning
• Support community social and exercise activities at the Aurora Center for Active Adults
• Provide program participants with extra support needed as they apply for citizenship.

These volunteer positions will be under the Community Resources team of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and support the activities of the Older Adult Refugees and Friends Program.

Volunteers will be trained, scheduled, and supervised by Sara Beth (SB) Ford, Refugee Program Manager, with supervision by Fonda Buckles, Community Resources Manager.

Volunteer training consists of one two-hour planning and training meeting with Refugee Program Manager (Sara Beth Ford) upon hire and a one-hour per week meeting for the first month.

After the first month, supervision will be provided as needed with an in-person, scheduled meeting for one hour every two weeks and a 1.

5 hour team meeting every week with program staff.

English class support responsibilities :

• Work with Spring Institute English teacher as a teacher's assistant to support classroom learning on site at the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA) and assist students one on one as needed
• Communicate with supervisor regularly as needed

ACAA Refugee Program Assistant responsibilities :

• Be present at the Aurora Center for Active Adults on Fridays for at least 4 hours per month. More hours are available. We ask for a 4 hour commitment each month.
• Build relationships with refugee program participants (older adults from refugee and immigrant communities)
• Support participants in attending new exercise classes, observe weight room activities, show new participants around the center, support program staff as needed with educational and case management activities.
• Work with Refugee Program Manager on ideas to expand the program into Denver recreation sites and libraries.
• Assist Refugee Program Manager in conducting research to further program design and ideas and seeking / applying for funding.
• Support program staff in planning yearly field trips and celebrations
• Communicate with supervisor regularly as needed

Citizenship support responsibilities :

• Work with Spring Institute Citizenship class teacher as a teacher's assistant to support classroom learning on site at the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA) and assist students one on one as needed
• Tutor students who need extra support one-on-one, with advice from the Spring Institute teacher on best ways to support
• Work with students seeking citizenship 1 : 1 to assist in the process of applying for citizenship. This may include :
• Supporting clients in following up with gathering paperwork needed for citizenship application appointments
• Helping clients understand processes and systems
• Supporting clients in obtaining doctor's paperwork if they are applying for the test waiver based on medical need
• Supporting clients in connecting with or following up with immigration attorneys as needed

The Older Adult Refugees and Friends Program is proud to provide excellent customer service as well as advocacy to older adults from refugee communities.

The program is funded by Colorado Refugee Services Program through the Services to Older Refugees grant and DRCOG through the Older Americans Act.

DRCOG works with the Aurora Center for Active Adults (ACAA), a senior recreation center in Aurora to provide an opportunity for people over 60 years old to be involved in the following activities :

• Exercise classes - Program participants can go to the ACAA and exercise on their own schedules. Exercise classes include -
• walk-in classes such as dancing, yoga, strength building, and total fitness;
• weight room - once they have completed weight room training class, they can also attend the weight room whenever they want, during open hours
• Education
• English and Citizenship classes at the ACAA
• Wellness and Resource access education provided weekly by program staff
• Case Management and Resource Navigation
• Support in accessing services available to older adults in the community
• Community building and socializing with people outside of their cultural groups
• regular celebrations, opportunities for leadership, and field trips
• board game days

VOLUNTEER POSITION - Information and Assistance

Program Overview :

DRCOG's Aging and Disability Resource Center has experts in the field of aging and disability. We can provide information, assistance and advocacy over the phone, by email and in person to help individuals understand the resources available to them and connect them with local providers for a wide range of services.

Some of the topics people call us about include :

• What kind of in-home services are available to help care for your parents, friends or spouse
• Explanation of housing options including independent living, assisted living, nursing facilities and home sharing
• Options for legal assistance
• Help understanding Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security
• Resources when you don't have enough to eat
• Education on end-of-life options and services
• Referrals to disease-specific resources and support groups
• Transportation options

Functions / Tasks

• Under the supervision and support of the Information and Assistance staff, this volunteer position will help support consumers by providing referral and service coordination telephonically, as well as document client data and interactions.
• Tasks may include general office administration, conducting client satisfaction surveys, and / or representing the program with other AAA staff at community outreach events.
• This volunteer position has opportunity for both remote and in-person tasks.
• This is not an inclusive list of functions or duties. Based on volunteer's area of interest, there may be opportunities for additional tasks

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of an Effective Volunteer

• Bi-lingual desired but not required.
• Passionate
• Flexible
• Reliable and committed
• Great communication skills
• Skilled in micro-soft office and ability to learn new software systems
• General knowledge of issues and concerns facing older adults, their families and persons 18 and older with disabilities.

Expectations

• A minimum of 4 hours of volunteer service per month. Hours may be increased if desired.
• Flexibility with scheduling for special circumstances and events. Each program may have different scheduling needs and expectations.
• Required training per program will be offered.

VOLUNTEER POSITION - STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHIP)

One program of the ADRC is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which provides Medicare counseling to beneficiaries in Arapahoe, Douglas and Jefferson counties.

SHIP Counselors complete a 40+ hour certification and training in order to be able to provide Medicare guidance. SHIP Counselors will have ample training and are not expected to take calls independently for several months until they are comfortable with Medicare information.

Calls for the SHIP come in through our SHIP line (303) 480-6835. They may also come through the ADRC Information & Assistance line (303) 480-6700, where they are triaged for other services, and then transferred to the SHIP.

At DRCOG, all ADRC staff and Case Management staff are certified SHIP Counselors.

A SHIP Counselor Volunteer performs many functions in coordination with fulltime SHIP staff. In return, SHIP counselors experience the satisfaction of connecting people with services and resources to enable older adults and people with disabilities to access and understand their Medicare coverage and assistance programs.

Additionally, volunteers supplement staff and resources at the AAA as the need for services rises with the dramatic increase in the aging population.

Many of the people who turn to the SHIP for assistance are not aware of the networks of providers and services that exist to help people access Medicare benefits.

SHIP Counselors can bring their own personal styles of communicating to their interactions with the people whom they are assisting.

It is important to connect with people who need to feel heard.

Functions / Tasks

• Under the supervision and support of SHIP staff, provide counseling on Medicare plans, enroll beneficiaries in Medicare plans and benefits, and provide education about Medicare fraud prevention to consumers, their families, and service providers.
• Enter data from consumer interactions in the ADRC Call Center and complete Client Contact forms needed for SHIP reporting.
• Assist with verifying and identifying resources.
• Assist with providing information at community events in DRCOG's region; events may occur throughout the year on weekdays, evenings and weekends.
• Participate in AAA, ADRC and SHIP staff meetings as needed.
• Assist with providing general administrative support for the SHIP division as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of an Effective Volunteer

• Working knowledge of issues and concerns facing older adults, their families and persons 18 and older with disabilities.
• Ability to
• communicate professionally
• work collaboratively with others and receive feedback well
• assess needs and prioritize services
• work with consumers in a professional manner and be sensitive / aware of cultural differences
• utilize computer / Internet programs
• Ability to obtain SHIP certification within 3 months of hire

Requirements

Please note that we are unable to utilize anyone as a volunteer that has an active license to sell insurance in any state.

Schedule

Schedule can be flexible within business hours, M-F 8 AM to 6 PM

VOLUNTEER POSITION - COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST (CRS)

One program of the ADRC is the Community Resources team, which provides information and assistance and ride coordination for the ADRC region.

Information and assistance and ride coordination are provided by ADRC staff and interns over the ADRC Information & Assistance line (303) 480-6700.

A Community Resource Specialist (CRS) Volunteer performs many functions in coordination with full-time CRS staff. In return,volunteers experience the satisfaction of connecting people with services and resources to enable older adults and people with disabilities to access and understand their community resources.

Additionally, volunteers learn the resources and systems across Denver's eight-county area. Finally, volunteers are a valued resource at the ADRC as the need for services rises with the increase in the states aging population.

Many people who call our information and assistance line are not aware of the networks of providers and services that exist to help them remain in their homes.

Community Resource Specialist can bring their communication styles to their interactions with the people they are assisting and practice connecting with people who need to feel heard.

Functions / Tasks

• Under the Community Resources team's supervision and support provide information and assistance on community-based resources in the Denver region, enroll beneficiaries in the ADRC transportation voucher program, and provide education about other in-house ADRC programs to consumers, their families, and service providers.
• Enter data from consumer interactions in the ADRC documentation systems.
• Assist with verifying and identifying community resources
• Participate in AAA, ADRC, and DRCOG staff meetings as needed.
• Assist with providing general administrative support for the Community Resources division as required.
• Periodically assist with coordinating trips requests for the Ride Alliance program by responding to calls and emails and submitting them to an online trip exchange using DRCOG's Routematch transportation management system.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities of an Effective Volunteer

• Basic knowledge of issues and concerns facing older adults, their families, and persons 18 and older with disabilities.
• Ability to
• communicate professionally
• work collaboratively with others and receive feedback well
• assess needs and prioritize services
• work with consumers and be sensitive / aware of cultural-differences.
• utilize computer / Internet programs

Schedule

Schedule can be flexible within business hours, M-F 8 AM to 6 PM

Volunteers and Interns are not eligible for benefits.

Which best describes your level of education?

• High School or GED
• Some College
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree

How many years of professional experience do you have?

• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two or more years

Why do you want to be an Area Agency on Aging volunteer?

Are you willing to volunteer 4 or more hours per week to assist clients?

Describe any related volunteer or work experience you have.

If you are interested in the SHIP volunteer position, and if you are not already certified, are you willing to complete the SHIP and SMP Certifications totaling up to 40 hours?

Are you a licensed insurance agent in any state?

Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) requires three professional reference checks for potential candidates. Our preference is to have all three references come from a current or former direct supervisor.

A "direct supervisor" can be a supervisor who supervised or directed your work in an employment or volunteer setting. if necessary, we can accept up to two non-supervisory professional references in lieu of each supervisory professional reference. Can you provide those?

Where did you hear about us?

Required Question