AmeriCorps Project 'Boomers Care'

Starting July 2007, in collaboration with Jeannie Kim-Hahn [Internship & Service-Learing Center] and several agencies in Orange County. A project focused on boomer volunteerism in the aging network of Orange County.

Memories in The Making

A project sponsored for the 50th Anniversary of CSU Fullerton bringing together the Institute, Academic Program and OLLi, the community in a series of special events, lectures and open houses during 2007-2008.

Aging and Long Term Care Service Provider Training Conference

A grant was received from from the California Department of Aging for a collaboration of ageing survey the seniors of Orange County.
A survey was done in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese using a random sample of homes in which an older adult resided. 30,000 calls were made to identify 1,200 participants who were qualified and willing to complete the survey. The findings were utilized in the 2002 and 2003 Conditions of Older Adults Report published through the Orange County Office on Aging.

The study was designed to identify barriers to use of services. The results were utilized by the partner agencies to develop their strategic plans.
Funding was provided to a partnership of the CSUF Insittute of Gerontology, the CSUF Social Science Resource Center.

Partner Agencies: Office on Aging for Orange County, California Caregiver Resource Center for Orange County, CalOptima, Irvine Senior Housing, The Alzheimer's Association, Chapman University, CSUF Institute of Gerontology, and CSUF Social Science Resource Center.

Grant: $100,000 from the California Department of Aging

Upgrade the Ruby Gerontology Center

Grant: $10,000 from the PacifiCare Foundation

Upgrade the Technology Infrastructure of the Mackey Auditorium

A federally appropriated grant of nearly $500,000 supported by Conressman Ed Royce, was secured to upgradethe technology infrastructure of the Mackey Auditorium. Designed and built in 1989 the existing equipment was considerably out of date for standards of 2005. The upgrade included and integrated sound and lighting system that automatically adjusts to lecture or multi-media mode. An ADA compliant podium adjusts in height for handicap access. A multi-media sonic foundry designed system permits digital recording of presentations and immediate or delayed broadcast through the campus cable network for distance delivery and also receipt. Electric white boards facilitate use of the center as an emergency command operation site as well as on going instruction.

Grant: $500,000

The Osher Life Long Learning Institute

The Osher Life Long Learning Institute began within the Institute of Gerontology in 2003 ans was made avairable off campus in Continuing Care Retirement Communities, Libraries, and Senior Centers. It supported ongoing lecture series and one time workshops including topics such as Guided Autobiography, reminiscence and Life Review, Genealogy, and cosponsored lectures of topical interest such as The Tsunami Follow Up with the Geography Department, Primate Behavior with Anthropology, Spirituality and Aging with the Department of Religion. The Continuing Learning Experience became the CSUF Olli in 2006.

Grant: $200,000

Special Interest Community Conference Collaborations

Special Interest Community Conference Collaborations have been held on topics such as: Hoarding Behavior (OC Department if Mental Health), Caregiver Issues (California Caregiver Coalition), Mini Medical Series featuring state of the art research from UCI and CSUF, Board of Supervisors Chair Conferences on Aging.

Policy Issues

Policy Issues that provide data and information to key decision making agencies in activities such as participation in the development and ongoing updates to the California Master Plan for Aging, hearingsand testimony to the state and federal committees and commissions on aging, research activity that supports the demographic imperative of the state. Involvement and representation in professional associations that support the mission of the Institute such as the California Caregiver Coalition, the California Council of Gerontology and Geriatrics, the Association for Gerontology in Higher Education, the American Society on Aging.

Awards and Recognitions

The CSUF Institute of Gerontology has received Commendations from the Orange County Board of Supervisors for its work in developing the first Master of Science Degree in Gerontology in Orange County, for its role on the blue ribbon committee of the Boards Chair Conferences on Aging, and the Director has been recognized by the Orange County Red Cross with the Clara Barton Spectrum Award in Education, the WomanSage Shining Star in Education Award, and Fellow of the Association in Gerontology in Higher Education among others.