NGA Center initiative addresses civic engagement of retirees

The Washington-based National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices is hosting a policy academy on ways states can encourage retirees to engage in employment, education and volunteer activities. The policy academy, which will involve representatives from eight states, is part of the NGA Center’s Improving the Civic Engagement of Seniors Initiative.

Policy teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Maine, New Mexico, Ohio and Wyoming will participate in the academy from May until April 2008 to create policy ideas that improve seniors’ civic engagement opportunities. According to NGA, increasing the involvement of retirees in civic activities reduces health care costs, provides more tax revenue and allows the state to benefit from seniors’ experience.

Policy teams that participate in the academy may become mentors to other states. The initiative also includes Web conferences, reports and customized technical assistance. More information is available at www.nga.org.