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FAQ
Intergenerational
Relations
What is an intergenerational program?
Why is EPA interested in promoting intergenerational
programs?
Are there any examples of intergenerational programs?
How can individuals get involved in intergenerational
environmental projects in their communities?
Is EPA working with any national organizations?
Is there EPA funding available for developing model
intergenerational programs or undertaking any intergenerational projects?
Does EPA have local representatives that I can contact
for more information?
What is an intergenerational program?
An intergenerational program is one that brings together individuals of different ages as partners to explore, study, and work towards a shared goal. These programs can be youth serving older adults, older adults serving youth, or youth and older adults serving together. Some examples of intergenerational programs are: youth visiting seniors or providing chore service; older adults mentoring youth or providing childcare; and children, youth and older adults performing in a community theater group or working to improve the natural environment.
Why is EPA interested in promoting intergenerational programs?
The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and safeguard the environment. As part of the Agency’s Aging Initiative, the EPA encourages older persons to volunteer in their own communities to reduce hazards and protect the environment. Including an intergenerational component in a project or activity is an effective way to broaden the pool of people working towards this objective while promoting understanding and unity between generations.
This rationale is at the root of these intergenerational environmental education programs. A variety of promising strategies exist for bringing people if all ages together.
Are there any examples of intergenerational programs?
Yes, there are examples innovative intergenerational environmental education programs. The following table has profiles of seven innovative intergenerational environmental education programs. Reviewing these initiatives may help you to appreciate the diversity that exists in terms of approaches, organizational frameworks, and settings. You can find more information on these by selecting Examples of Intergenerational Programs.
| Name of program | Prominent focus of activities | Generations Involved | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1) Intergenerational Outdoor School | Natural environment and wildlife/natural history/civic development | Older adults and 4th-6th grades | Central Pennsylvania | |
| 2) Family Friends Environmental Health | Environmental Health | Older adults and up to 12 years of age | Pennsylvania | For children with special needs |
| 3) Intergenerational Citizens Action Forum | Civic development | Older adults and high school ages | Miami, Florida | |
| 4) Habitat Intergenerational Program (HIP) | Environmental community service and learning program | Older adults and all ages but primarily seniors and middle school aged children | Belmont, Massachusetts | Location enhances urban/suburban involvement |
| 5) Garden Mosaics | Plants and planting practices of age | Older adults and ages 10-18 years | National/International | Youth learn from elders in community, home, and school garden settings |
| 6) Intergenerational Learning | Environmental concerns and care of land | Older adults and 7th grade | InternationalVancouver, B.C. | Utilize retired farmers |
| 7) Senior Environmental Corps/Environmental Alliance of Senior Involvement | Streamside monitoring and restoration | Older adults and children/youth of all ages | National/International |
How can individuals get involved in intergenerational environmental projects in their communities?
There are several ways to get involved in environmentally focused intergenerational projects. For example, the Corporation for National and Community Service has a web-based recruitment system that helps to link older persons with volunteer activities in their communities. You can also learn about opportunities by contacting the other organizations listed under Intergenerational Resources. Serving in your community could start with a phone call to your senior or community center, conservation or watershed group, or local area aging association.
Is EPA working with any national organizations?
The EPA is working in partnership with a number of national organizations representing older Americans, professionals in the field of aging, health and aging research, and local community service providers to craft the National Agenda for the Environment and the Aging. We have listed the names of many of these organizations under Non-Governmental Organizations at our Information Sources website.
Is there EPA funding available for developing model intergenerational programs or undertaking any intergenerational projects?
Donald S. Welsh, regional administrator for EPA's mid-Atlantic region, announced today that $1 million in Regional Geographic Initiative (RGI) grants is now available for projects that can demonstrate specific environmental results in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
"We are looking to fund projects that can show measurable results within a specific time frame," Welsh said. "The individual grants, ranging from $25,000 to $150,000, will go to projects that showcase innovation, promote collaboration, identify opportunities for leveraging other funding sources and address a combination of environmental issues – such as solid waste and clean air – in the same project."
Specifically, grant applications must address one of three regional priorities:
- Watershed restoration, which includes source water protection, acidification, water supply, wet weather, and total maximum daily loads (TMDL).
- Reducing environmental exposure to sensitive populations, which includes reducing lead exposure in children, reducing asthma in children and the elderly, and reducing exposures to pesticides, asbestos, radon and harmful food exposures.
- Enhancing environmentally responsible development, which includes low impact development projects, greenways, transportation, economic development, Energy Star/green energy, minimizing environmental impacts, and green architecture (reducing storm water).
The RGI grants are open to state, city, and township governments, special districts, Indian Tribes, school districts, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, community action agencies and other organizations having 501(c)(3) status.
To be eligible, all applications must be postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or date stamped by courier service, on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time, Friday, July 16, 2004. Selection of potential recipients will be based on EPA's Policy for Competition in Assistance Agreements.
Awards will be made for projects starting October 1, 2004 or later with performance periods not to exceed two years. For more information, please go to: EPA Region 3 Grant.
Does EPA have local representatives that I can contact for more information?
Yes, EPA has 10 Regional Coordinators who can provide assistance. Click
on the following link to find out which EPA staff member can assist
you in your area: Regional Coordinators. In addition,
you may contact the EPA headquarters office coordinating staff for the
Aging Initiative, Kathy Sykes, (202) 564-2188 or email aging.info@epa.gov.