Better Living For Seniors (BLS) Initiative

What is the Better Living For Seniors Consortium?

It is a coalition of providers of elder services in Pinellas County administered by the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. and a forum for networking and the sharing of ideas and services for seniors. The BLS Consortium, under the direction of a Board of Directors, meets quarterly and has committees which meet more frequently. To learn more visit the BLS website at www.blspinellas.org.

Vision

The Better Living for Seniors Consortium will lead the way toward service excellence and improvement in the quality of life for seniors through: a multigenerational focus; respect for diversity in its broadest context; relevant public, consumer, and professional education; and community partnerships and collaborative initiatives.

Mission

The BLS Consortium will promote continuing service excellence to seniors through proactive, visionary and ethical leadership in networking, education, and collaboration.

What does the Consortium offer?

Through BLS, the aging network in Pinellas County is offered the opportunity to:

1. Expand the base of support and the quantity of resources available for aging network services.
2. Create greater community awareness about who constitutes the elderly population in Pinellas, the service system and the activities of the aging network.
3. Promote the exchange of information between organizations and providers together with the sharing of resources and networking opportunities.
4. Provide training opportunities for consortium members and the general public.
5. Demonstrate the shared public/private responsibility to serve those who request service.

History of BLS

In 1988, there was a statewide mandate issued by the governor and the State of Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services to create what is now known as the Better Living for Seniors Initiative to address the needs of our senior population. The initiative included the following:

1. Coalition and/or Consortiums
2. Information and Referral (I&R) Helpline for Seniors
3. Short Term Case Management

Under the guidance of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc. in PSA 5, the Better Living for Seniors (BLS) Consortium was organized in Pinellas County. The BLS Consortium which meets quarterly has identified core areas which deal with both the needs of service providers as well as those of seniors. Each committee hosts a quarterly meeting. The Area Agency on Aging and the BLS Consortium work hard to integrate and strengthen existing programs to meet the needs of the senior population.

In 1998, the very first Board of Directors for BLS took office. The Board of Directors is the policy-making body for BLS. The Board is composed of the Officers, Chairs of the standing committees, two At-Large members and an AAA liaison. The newsletter editor is also a non-voting member of the board.

BLS Activities and Committees

The committees which have evolved under the BLS Consortium are outlined below together with their respective contact person.

Membership Committee: This committee is responsible for identifying and integrating new members within the Consortium and its committees.

Public Education Advocacy and Networking Committee (PAN): This committee promotes a networking system among private and public senior service providers and acts as sponsor for the Chomp & Chats, training, and the dissemination of information on issues impacting the service system. Also, this committee coordinates a Speakers Bureau of which all members may participate.

Information and Assistance Committee (I&A): This committee serves to increase the visibility of the Senior Helpline (727-217-8111) and its resources. It fosters awareness of service changes occurring in the community, assists in coordinating services and promotes cooperation with other I&R providers.

COECHA/Partners in Care Committee:
This committee, formerly known as the "Private Sector" Committee works to provide needed services to the aging population by inter-relationships between private sector and public sector organizations in Pinellas County.

Public Relations/Publications Committee: This committee oversees the BLS Bugle newsletter, advertising support and news releases for BLS events.

If you become a BLS member you will receive a quarterly newsletter mailed directly to you. You will occasionally receive mailings about aging-related events from the Area Agency on Aging or the Department of Elder Affairs as a result on being on the BLS mailing list.

The BLS PAN (Public Education Advocacy Networking) Committee instituted a scholarship in 2003 known as the Better Living for Seniors Healthcare Scholarship. The scholarship is intended for high school seniors seeking a degree in Nursing in a two or four year college, university, or vocational technical school. For more information click here.

Membership

BLS membership will increase your opportunities for networking with other organizations which market to or serve seniors in some capacity. You will have numerous occasions to promote your products, services, or programs with others who can refer seniors to you. Become a member of the only coalition in Pinellas County that represents aging and seniors exclusively.

There is an annual membership fee of $35.00 to become a member of Better Living for Seniors. A BLS membership flyer is available at the BLS website, http://www.blspinellas.org/Membership.html.

To apply, complete and mail the application form and send it with a check payable to:

Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.
9887 4th Street North, Suite 100
St. Petersburg, FL 33702

For more information on membership to BLS, call Helen King at (727) 570-9696, ext. 210 or the Membership Chair, Lory Smeltzer, 727-443-2273.