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AUGUST 2024

Register Now for Webinar Highlighting Social Connection Outcome Evaluation

In 2023, Commit to Connect launched the Understanding the Impact of Social Isolation and Loneliness Programs Community of Practice (COP) to support organizations as they conduct outcome-based evaluations of programs addressing social connection. This webinar will highlight the programs involved in the COP and the outcomes associated with their evaluation efforts. Dr. Matthew Smith, a subject matter expert in evaluation, and the organizations who participated in the COP will share best practices on measurement and evaluation for other partners in the aging and disability networks. The webinar will include brief speaker presentations and a panel discussion, with time for audience Q&A. The webinar will be held on September 18, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM ET, and will include CART closed captioning and American Sign Language interpretation. 

Access Our Latest Resources

In June, Commit to Connect and engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults co-hosted a webinar focused on promoting social connection through creative expression and art. The National Assembly of State Art Agencies explained how art, culture, and creative expression can play a role in strengthening social connections. Attendees also heard from the Central Vermont Council on Aging and Dances For A Variable Population about how their arts programing advances social connections. Find the recording here and slides from the webinar here.

In July, Commit to Connect presented at two conferences to share more about the work of Commit to Connect and resources for professionals. At the USAging 49th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Tampa, Commit to Connect presented on strategies to evaluate social connection program outcomes and included lessons learned from Commit to Connect's recent Community of Practice focused on evaluation. At the AmeriCorps Seniors 2024 Convening in Baltimore, Commit to Connect highlighted social connection resources, tools, and best practices to support the work of AmeriCorps Seniors grantees, including the Nationwide Network of Champions.

“By tracking metrics and continuously evaluating the [social connection] program to ensure it is meeting the needs of your community and intended goals, you can develop programming that is truly meaningful and has a lasting impact,” according to Erica Carroll.

Are you interested in having your organization featured in an upcoming blog post? Register to become part of the Commit to Connect Nationwide Network of Champions! 

Join the Nationwide Network of Champions to Connect with Others Promoting Social Connection

Are you interested in learning about how other individuals and organizations are addressing social isolation and loneliness? Commit to Connect’s Nationwide Network of Champions is an online platform of almost 600 professionals and volunteers to network, share resources, and collaborate. Sign up to access the Nationwide Network of Champions, and then introduce yourself and join the conversation today so others can learn about the work you do to address isolation and loneliness. 

• Resource: Healthy Places by Design recently released the Exploring the Intersection of Civic, Social, and Community Health Resource Guide. This guide provides an array of articles, reports, and videos on the topic, as well as highlights from the webinar featuring Anita Chandra of RAND Social and Economic Well-Being and Michael Stevenson of County Health Rankings & Roadmaps.
• Resource: The World Health Organization’s Science in 5 ”Social Isolation” episode provides an overview of the impact of social isolation and loneliness on health and shares tips to overcome social isolation.
• Research: A review that examined the impact of loneliness and social isolation on memory in adults found the combined interaction between loneliness and social isolation to have the largest harmful impact on memory. These findings suggest that programs developed to improve memory may achieve greater benefits when also targeting the reduction of both social isolation and loneliness.
• Research: A study of adults in Japan found having a usual source of care—a health provider or care location where one can go if sick—and better-quality primary care to be associated with lower scores on the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale, suggesting quality of primary care may be a factor to help lessen loneliness.
• Research: This study examined the impact of year and characteristics such as age and living arrangements on loneliness for participants in Older Americans Act (OAA) congregate meal and home-delivered meal programs in 2019 and 2021. Findings suggest a need for increased social engagement initiatives through OAA programs. 
• Research: Following analysis of interviews conducted with clients, volunteers, and staff in six Meals on Wheels social connection programs across the country, this study found program participation is associated with the development of supportive friendships, reduced feelings of loneliness, and an improved overall sense of well-being.
• Funding Opportunity: AmeriCorps Seniors invites organizations to apply for funding to engage adults aged 55 and older in tackling the community’s most pressing needs through the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program. The deadline to submit is September 18. 

Upcoming Events

• Webinar: Measuring the Impact of Socially Connected Communities Efforts (Healthy Places by Design, September 11, 2024, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM ET)
• Webinar: Outcome Evaluation in Social Connection Programming (Commit to Connect, September 18, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM ET)
• Webinar: LSIMHRN Annual Research Webinar (Loneliness and Social Isolation in Mental Health Research Network, October 2, 2024, 9:00 AM ET)
• Event: APRIL Annual Conference (Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living, October 11–13, 2024)
• Event: AUCD 2024 Conference (Association of University Centers on Disabilities, November 3–6, 2024)

Funding for this initiative was made possible by contract no. HHSP233201500088I from ACL. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.