Central MN Council on Aging

05/26/2026

Share Your Story - Shape Our Future
Attention: Older Adults, Family Caregivers, and Service Providers
The Minnesota Board on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services want to hear from you. Share your stories about aging in Minnesota - whether it's service and supports for caregivers, housing, home care, transportation, food access, nutrition services, and more. Your voice can help identify needs, inspire change, and improve services across Minnesota. The MN Story Collective brings together real stories from people like you to inform decision-makers and strengthen communities statewide.
Your experience matters!

Link to Site: http://app.spryng.io/c/v/agingstories

Questions contact: [email protected]

05/19/2026

The Minnesota Comprehensive Aging Survey is a statewide survey that asks older Minnesotans about their daily lives, needs, and experiences.
• You can take this survey if you’re 60 or older and live in Minnesota.
• The survey is optional and takes about 20 minutes.
• Your answers are private and won’t be linked to your name.

Complete the survey online: http://vtlr.us/cas26

The Minnesota Department of Human Services and Minnesota Board on Aging are working with Vital Research, an independent research company, to run this survey. Your answers will help the State of Minnesota improve services and supports for you and your community.

For more information visit: https://mn.gov/dhs/aging-survey

Spanish Language Option / Opción en español:
La Encuesta Integral sobre el Envejecimiento en Minnesota está disponible en español. Complete la encuesta en línea en español: http://vtlr.us/cas26esp

05/08/2026

Alzheimer's Disease: What It Is and What Can Be Done
Presented by Joseph Gaugler, PhD
Free to Attend and No registration required
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Braham Event Center
655 8th Street SW
Braham, MN 55006

05/05/2026

May is Older Americans Month!! It celebrates the contributions of older adults and reaffirms our commitment to serving them.

Every May, Older Americans Month celebrates the contributions of older adults and reaffirms our commitment to serving them. The 2026 theme, "Champion Your Health,” highlights prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. ACL.gov/OAM

04/29/2026

A new Congregate Meal location in Randall, MN at the Eagle Court Apartments!

We’re excited to announce our new location in Randall, officially opening May 1st—we can’t wait to welcome you! 🎉

04/15/2026

The Central MN Council on Aging published a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) for federal Older Americans Act (OAA) Title III-E National Family Caregiver Services for July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026. Please visit our website https://cmcoa.org/title-iii for additional information. The deadline to apply for these funds is May 7, 2026, 3:00 pm CST.

04/15/2026

Reminder... Please register for the From Collaboration to Impact: Systems that Support All Generations by May 5th!

Join us on May 12th 2026 as we explore how the collaboration of healthcare, public health systems, communities, education, and businesses can foster an Age-Friendly environment. Together, we can implement meaningful solutions that enhance the quality of life for aging adults.
This free in-person event includes lunch with registration by May 5.
https://tinyurl.com/collaborateimpact

03/24/2026

Join us on May 12th 2026 as we explore how the collaboration of healthcare, public health systems, communities, education, and businesses can foster an Age-Friendly environment. Together, we can implement meaningful solutions that enhance the quality of life for aging adults.
This free in-person event includes lunch with registration by May 5.
https://tinyurl.com/collaborateimpact

03/23/2026

Funding Opportunity: Grants Available to Strengthen Services for Older Minnesotans! Apply by April 17, 2026.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (Aging & Disability Services Division) is seeking proposals to expand community capacity and strengthen supports that help older adults live independently.
Funding categories include:
• Capital & Renovation Projects: New construction, renovations, retrofits, home modifications, transportation solutions, and technology enhancements.
• Long Term Services & Supports Development: Programs such as chore/homemaker services, caregiver support, respite, transportation, and chronic disease management—priority given to caregiving, community supports, healthy aging, homelessness support, and transportation.
• Core Home & Community Based Services: Expansion and strengthening of services that offer meaningful alternatives to nursing home care for all income levels.
Due Date: April 17, 2026, Applications due 4 p.m. CST
To learn more, go to:
https://mn.gov/dhs/partners-and-providers/grants-rfps/live-well/apply-for-live-well-grant/

Serving Central Minnesota? Our CMCOA Community Development team is here to help. Connect with your regional contact to schedule a meeting:
• Melissa Lyon Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties [email protected]
• Michelle Wiebe Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties [email protected]
• Natalie Matthewson Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties [email protected]

03/18/2026

Survey on Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) in Minnesota
The Minnesota Legislature established a Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Advisory Council (Council) to identify viable strategies to reduce cost growth in LTSS and ultimately produce $177.5 million in cost savings for the 2028–2029 biennium.

To support this effort, the Advisory Council is gathering information from partners, families, and individuals who are impacted by LTSS. Their feedback will help the LTSS Advisory Council shape their final cost savings recommendations.

The Council is asking you to distribute this survey to your contacts in the following groups:
• Individuals receiving LTSS
• Family caregivers or support persons for someone who receives LTSS
• Leadership for an organization that provides LTSS
• Direct care workers
• Individuals who work for a county, managed care organization, and/or Tribal Nation

All responses provided are anonymous, and responders may skip any question they do not wish to answer. The survey is now open, and responders have until March 31, 2026 to submit their responses. You can complete the survey at:

MN LTSS Community Partner Survey.