Mission

The mission of the Community of Vermont Elders (COVE) is to promote and protect a higher quality of life for the state’s seniors.

COVE advances its mission through advocacy and education. It works with and for elder Vermonters and the organizations that serve them to identify, interpret and respond to critical issues that impact the dignity, security and wellbeing of seniors.

Vision

COVE is committed to working toward a state in which:

· Resources, education, information and support services, key to successfully aging, are broadly available and individually appropriate;

· Public Policy is informed by and responsive to the aspirations and challenges of the state’s growing elder population;

· Quality health care is accessible to all residents; and,

· Caregivers are valued, supported and compensated in keeping with their vital role in maintaining the dignity, security and wellbeing of others.

Statement of Principles

The Community of Vermont elders (COVE) believes that informed and effective public policy is essential to achieve its mission of promoting and protecting a higher quality of life for the state’s seniors. COVE’s role is to work with elders and the individuals and organizations that serve them to identify and research both problems and opportunities; develop proposals and strategies; inform and educate the public and policymakers; advocate for or against the adoption or revision of specific laws, rules, regulations or policies; contribute to the process of implementing policies and programs; and, monitor the effectiveness of policies and programs in achieving outcomes and objectives and advancing a higher quality of life. COVE is committed to ensuring that the needs, concerns, safety and wellbeing of elders who are economically disadvantaged, physically or mentally challenged, or geographically or socially isolated are a central focus in the development and implementation of public policy.

COVE recognizes that it must focus its resources and efforts in order to be most effective in its educational and advocacy activities. To that end, COVE evaluates and prioritizes issues, concerns and proposals in accordance with core principles. COVE believes and is committed to ensuring that elders have a right to:

· Self-determination.

· Having their value and voice promoted, recognized and respected.

· Accessible, affordable and appropriate resources and services.

· Freedom from abuse, fraud and neglect.

· Be active participants in the development and implementation of policies, programs and plans that directly affect their lives.

· Economic resources necessary to maintain life, safety and security.

· Realize their aspirations as they age.

· Support and respect for their roles as care giver and recipient within their families of choice.

· Being treated with dignity and as an equal member and participant in the life of the community and state.

· Maintain a quality of life that addresses desires and interests as well as needs and concerns.

· Access to a coordinated and effective system of care.

· Independence.

· Access to the transportation services necessary to ensure freedom from geographic and social isolation.

COVE Organizational History

The Community of Vermont Elders is a group of organizations, individual senior citizens and young people that has existed for over 23 years. COVE’s mission to promote a higher quality of life for the state’s seniors is advanced through advocacy and education. It works with and for elder Vermonters and the organizations that serve them to identify, interpret and respond to critical issues that impact the dignity, security and wellbeing of seniors. COVE is a well-respected advocacy and educational organization that has represented the senior population of Vermont. Our membership has grown to consist of 40 organizations, most of which provide direct service to elders and other populations needing long term or home and community based care.

Other member organizations have typically been fellow advocates, educators or employers whom may serve a larger constituency than the elderly. Through these members we have been able to remain informed of issues which relate to the elderly. We also have a number of individual members and a substantial group of volunteers who keep us connected to the grassroots needs of Vermont elders.

Our mission continues to focus upon advocacy and education. We have educated legislators and the public about the needs of elders. Additionally, we inform elders about how to empower themselves to achieve their needs. Much of our success legislatively has been our ability to engage seniors to testify on their own behalf about issues that seriously affect their well-being. Legislators know that we speak for the direct recipients of program benefits and that we can readily produce real examples of problems with current systems. COVE’s strength is that we can engage those directly impacted by an issue and help them to express their concerns.

In 2002, COVE was the principle administrator of an Administration on Aging grant, to the Department of Aging and Disabilities, directed at providing educational outreach about elder mental health issues to seniors, their families, their communities and professionals who serve them. Within one year’s time we presented over 50, public awareness presentations and a number of professional trainings across the state. We have worked closely with AHEC to reach paraprofessional workers across the state. Many of those attending our workshops are direct care workers. Because of our contact through this program we have already established credibility with this population and a reputation for providing valuable educational opportunities.

COVE has always been in the forefront of creating systemic change to provide consumers with informed choice and control over their lives. Recently, COVE was awarded the Real Choices, Professional Caregivers Association grant which addresses the needs long-term care workers, and includes: wages, benefits, low job satisfaction, low retention and the general lack of respect which has typically been intrinsic to this workforce.

With its dedication to choice and empowerment, emphasis on grassroots advocacy and belief in self-determination, COVE was also awarded the Training to Stop Abuse and Sexual Assault of Older Individuals or Individuals with Disabilities Grant. This project will improve Vermont’s response to violence against elders and persons with disabilities by training police, prosecutors, judges, home health care and social service providers, domestic violence and sexual assault program staff, and others about these issues.

In 23 years, COVE has become a unique advocacy and educational organization. We have collaborated with other professionals throughout the state of Vermont to continue to have a strong and growing impact on the quality of life for seniors.