ArtWorks Recognized With The John A. Hartford Foundation 2024 Business Innovation Runner-Up Award

On July 10, 2024, the Aging and Disability Business Institute at USAging presented Artworks with The John A. Hartford Foundation 2024 Business Innovation Runner-Up Award for its unique suite of creative programming to individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) in southern Arizona. The award was presented at the USAging's 49th Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Tampa, FL.

ArtWorks is a program of the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson Department of Family & Community Medicine and is affiliated with the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities. Their Person-Centered Scrapbook Making Workshop brings together aging individuals with IDD and their caregivers to create a unique version of the Person-Centered Plan (PCP), a required health care document for people with IDD who receive Medicare and Medicaid-funded services to document their medical care information, goals and preferences—in other words, what matters to them. Their program utilizes inclusive arts practices and various artistic media to communicate when developing the PCP through an art-based workshop. ArtWorks provides the tools and guidance necessary to create a document that gives the individual the means for self-exploration, expression and ownership and provides caregivers with the information they need to provide person-centered services. The initial project development was supported by the University of Arizona Innovation in Healthy Aging Research Fund.

ArtWorks partners with the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System and Arizona’s Department of Economic Security’s Division of Developmental Disabilities, allowing participants to attend ArtWorks free of charge, and provides transportation to and from the workshops where needed. Future activities include embedding the Person-Centered Scrapbook Project into existing Memory Café structures for people with dementia.

“ArtWorks provides a unique suite of creative programming to individuals with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD). This nomination specifically focuses on their Person-Centered Scrapbook Making Workshop. This workshop invites aging individuals with I/DD and their caregivers to collaboratively create a personalized version of the Person-Centered Planning document. Using inclusive arts practices and diverse artistic mediums for communication, this accessible method empowers individuals with I/DD to lead the process and actively use the documents, helping them navigate their community life. Our goal is to expand this program through the local AAA memory café platform as a collaboration between I/DD and the aging network,” said Dr. Yumi Shirai, Director of ArtWorks and Associate Professor, the University of Arizona, Department of Family & Community Medicine.

"We are thrilled to congratulate the recipients of The John A. Hartford Foundation 2024 Business Innovation Award,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood. “Their dedication to innovative solutions in health care has not only set a benchmark for excellence but also aligns perfectly with our mission to drive impactful change. These pioneers have demonstrated extraordinary creativity and commitment to improving the lives of older adults and people with disabilities, and their achievements inspire us all to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible. We are honored to support and celebrate such remarkable contributions to the field."

The John A. Hartford Foundation 2024 Business Innovation Award was presented to the Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA) in Dothan, AL, for the partnership between Community Care Solutions (CCS), SARCOA’s Community Care Hub, and Southern Clinic for patients attributed to the Statera Accountable Care Organization. Through this contract, CCS provides chronic care and transition care management, which improves care management and coordination through health care integration and health care contracting. Also recognized as a runner-up was the Allegheny County DHS Area Agency on Aging for its Community Care Transition Program (CCTP), which in partnership with the health plan Highmark Wholecare, provides health-related social care that individuals need after hospital discharge when they lack support and access to continuing care.

“Partnerships between community-based organizations and health systems facilitate more seamless, integrated care that can profoundly improve the health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities,” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, president of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “Our awardees from Alabama, along with Arizona and Pennsylvania, are exemplars of innovation, collaboration and age-friendly approaches that should be emulated in communities across the country. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to each of these winners."

About ArtWorks

ArtWorks is an outreach program housed in the Sonoran Center for Excellence in Disabilities at the University of Arizona, Department of Family & Community Medicine. ArtWorks promotes community and mutual learning through creative and expressive arts interactions between adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and University of Arizona students. Together, they create a safe space for expression, connection and growth for the artists, students and community. Mutual respect and learning are the center of every activity at ArtWorks. All members are encouraged to practice their strengths and talents.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award Selection Process

Each year, candidates are nominated through an open application process. A review committee consisting of health care representatives, foundation staff, USAging staff and community-based organizations evaluates the applications based on criteria, which include how well the nominee demonstrates a successful partnership with a health care entity, the impact of the partnership on older adults and people with disabilities, and the degree to which the nominee demonstrates risk in pursuing new approaches to doing business and aligning leadership and staff in new directions.

About The John A. Hartford Foundation

The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the Foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit johnahartford.org and follow @johnahartford.

About USAging

USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit usaging.org and follow @theUSAging on Facebook, X and Instagram.

About the Aging and Disability Business Institute 

The mission of USAging's Aging and Disability Business Institute is to build and strengthen partnerships between aging and disability community-based organizations and the health care system. The Business Institute receives funding from The John A. Hartford Foundation, The SCAN Foundation and the U.S. Administration for Community Living