Congratulations, Maryland! (March, 2025)

Maryland's MPA is Out for Public Comment! 

Maryland recently released their draft MPA, Longevity Ready Maryland, for public comment. Be sure to read Maryland's draft MPA here.

The plan includes four epic goals: 

• Build a Longevity Ecosystem: Create supportive and inclusive communities for all ages and abilities and build collective capacity at the local level. 

• Promote Economic Opportunity: Support a multigenerational workforce with opportunities for all ages and abilities while advancing Maryland's economic competitiveness. 

• Prepare Marylanders to Afford Longevity: Improve economic security for the 100-year lifespan through affordable housing, health care, financial literacy, and long-term support services. 

• Optimize Health, Wellness, and Mobility: Invest in programs that support healthier, more purposeful, and active lifestyles so Marylanders can enjoy longevity and reduce dependency. 

In addition to the MPA, Maryland has developed a data dashboard that utilizes state and county data on indicators that impact healthy aging. View the data dashboard here.  

The comment period will run until April 21st, during which feedback will be collected using this form.  

MPA Sessions at On Aging

If you're joining us in Orlando, FL, for ASA's annual On Aging Conference (April 21-24), be sure to check out the multiple MPA sessions! To review the full schedule, click here.

MPA Partners and Progress: April 22 @  10-11 am ET
Driving System Change in California. In year 5 of its implementation, California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) continues to engage state and local agencies, the Legislature, philanthropy and the private sector in preparing for the historic aging of its population. What makes California’s MPA unique—and impactful—is its ability to serve as a dynamic, living document that prioritizes leading with equity. In this session, you will learn about how California has approached advancing its MPA and leveraging cross-sector partnerships to drive progress in achieving person-centered system change.

Creating Local Multisector Plans for Aging in Rural Communities: April 22 @ 10-11 am ET
Join this interactive roundtable session focused on developing local Multisector Plans for Aging (MPAs) in rural communities. Insights from The SCAN Foundation’s Rural MPA Initiative will be shared, highlighting successful strategies for engaging diverse stakeholders, creating a shared learning community, soliciting diverse community input, and forming effective workgroups. Learn about developing inclusive policies, cross-sector partnerships, and the "Rural MPA Toolkit" designed to guide rural leaders nationwide. Participants will discuss practical steps for creating actionable MPAs, and will have the opportunity to brainstorm, network, and collaborate with peers to enhance the quality of life for older adults in their communities.

Leveraging Lived Experience Data to Inform Multisector Plans for Aging: April 23 @ 8-9 am ET
As states develop multisector plans for aging, they create a blueprint for the next 10 years of crucial service delivery. Data plays a vital role in informing these plans, enabling creation of a coordinated system aligning with local needs and ensuring plans effectively address the state's requirements. Regularly measuring indicators provides critical insights, allowing states to track progress over time, benchmark changes, and assess the quality of impact. This data-driven approach not only helps in adjusting strategies and improving service delivery, but also in making informed decisions that lead to better outcomes for older adults. Using NCI-AD and other sources, states can leverage the voices of people with lived experiences.

Got Data? Data Dashboards for Informing Aging Policy and Programs: April 23 @9:30-11:00 am ET
Do you need data to support your goals, make your case to policymakers, or describe the needs of your community? In the US, data on populations are often fragmented across locations, themes, and demographics. This fragmentation can make it difficult to determine and communicate how best to holistically target the needs of all populations. To help fill this gap, West Health created a first-of-its-kind national aging data dashboard, which includes national, state, and local data across a wide variety of demographics and indicators, with a special focus on issues related to aging and disability. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the dashboard with its creators and offer input that can help strengthen its next iteration.

Planning Ahead: Housing and Multisector Plans for Aging: April 23 @ 3:30-4:30 pm ET
Through Multisector Plans for Aging (MPA), states are exploring strategies to address the unique housing needs of older adults by focusing on affordability, accessibility, and the ability to remain in community. Some approaches include expanding available housing options, addressing affordability issues, expanding access and supports through Section 1115 waivers, or reviewing zoning policies to address availability of different types of housing. In this session, the Center for Health Care Strategies will moderate a panel discussion with representatives from two states (Missouri and Maryland) who are actively pursuing housing-related initiatives within their MPA efforts.

Contact us

For questions, comments, or suggestions related to MPAs or the newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us at MPA@westhealth.org.