NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2023
• Programs of Excellence Name: Social Services Division in a Senior Center
• Hosting Organization: Forsyth County Senior Services, Cumming, Georgia
• Cumming Population: 250,000+
• 60+ Population: 12,000
• Senior Center Members: 200 at Charles Place, 600 at Sexton Hall

About the creating of a social services division in a senior center

Forsyth County Senior Services traditionally focused on food and fun in its north Georgia senior center. But over time, it became clear that some of the older adults who needed services and support the most were not coming in. Increasingly, organizations were contacting the center about elders with serious needs. Sadly, no one was doing much follow-up on these cases. Senior services staff knew they had to expand their work from two senior centers out into the community.

A Social Services division was formed in January 2023, adding two social workers to the senior center staff. Its purpose was to provide individual services to older adults in need, includeding an outreach effort to underserved areas. The focus was on low-income, minority, rural older adults. There were not many in this group coming to the two senior centers, so staff went to them. The food bank became a mobile food bank, going to lower-income areas to set up free food tables and share helpful resources. The center set up tables at the local free health clinic, thrift store, and churches and provided social worker hours in a low-income housing complex. Staff created documents in other languages and added bi-lingual speakers to senior center staff when openings occurred.

Word quickly spread about services being offered. Forsyth Senior Services went from about 50 contacts per month for information, referral, and services to several hundred. Assistance was given with finding affordable housing, completing applications for government benefits, signing up for utilities assistance, basic life management counseling, etc. And partnerships with other agencies became stronger than ever before.

At the end of the first year, almost 3,000 older adults had received assistance through the new Social Services division. Before having social workers on staff, the senior centers served an average of 50 per month (600 a year) with assistance requests, so this was an increase of 400%. Additionally, the centers made contact with hundreds more older adults and their families out in the community and informed them of programs and services available.

Participants benefited in meaningful and life-changing ways. Some did not have the knowledge or means to apply for basic benefits like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP nutrition support, and veteran's benefits. Some had been living in homes in deplorable condition and needed home repair. Some had no real homes at all and were living in tents in the woods. Some needed employment and were steered to area agency on aging workforce programs. Some needed access to a food bank, or transportation, or counseling. Some simply needed a warm and caring shoulder to cry on. 

Key takeaways from creating a social services division in a senior center:

• Focusing on minority, rural, low-income older adults was important because "there were not many in this group coming to us, so we went to them."
• The effort strengthened existing partnerships and reached hundreds of older adults in need.
• The Social Services division is now considered to be an essential service. "Now that we know the needs are out there and we have strong county support, this area is one of the most important in a large Senior Services department."

About Forsyth County Senior Services

The mission of Forsyth County Senior Services is "to provide engaging, impactful life enrichment programs and services" for adults age 60+ in Forsyth County. Its two locations offer such events as trivia and dances, activities such as intergenerational game play as well as educational talks on such topics as estate planning, brain health, and staying safe online. Other offerings include art and fitness classes, day trips and hikes, and a mobile food bank.