ESCC HISTORY
The establishment of the Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council (ESCC) was the major recommendation from the Task Force on Community Services for Seniors’ report Blueprint for Action published in January 2004. During a previous ten-month consultation process, senior-serving organizations, seniors, and funders recognized the need for a mechanism to support shared planning, coordination, and collaboration among service providers for seniors.
For most of 2004, members of a newly constituted Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council Transition Team worked to establish the framework for the Council.
ESCC builds on the work of the Edmonton Seniors Community Network formed in 2000 to encourage information sharing and discussion on issues of common concern. The Council benefits organizations that primarily serve seniors, as well as groups and organizations that serve seniors as part of a larger mandate.
The first Board, comprised of representatives of 11 regular members and 4 associate members, was elected in November 2004. Ex-officio Board members include representatives from the City of Edmonton, the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region, and Capital Health Authority.
ESCC VISION
· Senior-serving agencies in Edmonton work together to enhance the social and recreational programs & services offered seniors.
ESCC MISSION
· To assume a leadership role in facilitating shared planning and coordination among senior-serving organizations in the City of Edmonton.
· To support senior-serving organizations in their delivery of social and recreational programs and services that are comprehensive, effective, efficient, and accessible to Edmonton’s aging population.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Edmonton Seniors Coordinating Council
Suite 308, 10310 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 2W4
Tel: (780) 423-5635
Website: www.seniorscouncil.net
Email:
EDMONTON SENIORS COORDINATING COUNCIL
(ESCC)
“Making it Happen!”
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Wking Together
WORKING TOGETHER FOR SENIORS
WHO CAN BECOME AN ESCC MEMBER?
Regular membership in ESCC may be held by not-for-profit senior-serving organizations incorporated under the Societies Act or Part 9, Companies Act.
“Senior-serving organizations” are groups that provide social and recreational programs and/or social support services for Edmonton’s aging population.
Associate membership is available for individuals or other organizations that have an interest in the delivery of services to seniors.
ESCC VALUES
The Coordinating Council endorses the following values:
· Collaboration among senior-serving organizations for the delivery and evaluation of social and recreational programs and activities;
· Sharing of resources (i.e., financial, staff, volunteer, equipment, policies) among senior-serving organizations; and
· Respecting the autonomy and integrity of its membership.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
The Coordinating Council was established with the objectives of:
· Developing and maintaining a strategic plan for the Council that addresses the needs of seniors and Council members in Edmonton and that provides related planning and support for members;
· Developing methods that support collaboration and communication between the Council and Council members generally to improve the effectiveness of, and access to, programs and services for seniors;
· Undertaking research and providing the results of that research to members and to the general public in order to adopt a best practice approach to service delivery respecting seniors; and
· Providing training and educational opportunities for the staff and volunteers of its members.
Ultimately, these benefits positively impact on enhanced quality of life for older adults and their families
Benefits to the wider community include:
· Assisting member organizations in identifying and addressing gaps in service for seniors;
· Identifying service overlaps and/or duplication in order to make more effective use of resources;
· Increasing the awareness among seniors of the services available for their assistance and well-being; and
· Identifying key seniors’ issues and developing opportunities for member organizations to address these issues to improve quality of life for older adults.
The Council wishes to acknowledge the support of the City of Edmonton and the United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.