In collaboration with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the U.S. Administration on Aging in 2005 named Milwaukee County as a winner in its “Livable Communities for All Ages Competition.” The award recognized the outstanding work of Milwaukee County through its Connecting Caring Communities Partnership.  The Connecting Caring Communities Partnership represents a unique approach to becoming a more livable community by connecting older adults with people and organizations/businesses in their communities. Milwaukee County is one of 18 communities funded under the Community Partnerships for Older Adults Program (CPFOA) of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, with local funding provided by the Helen Bader Foundation, Faye McBeath Foundation, and the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.

Two key concepts underlying the CPFOA Program are: (a) Community-generated solutions for developing systems of long term care are essential because there is no one-size-fits-all program that can adequately meet the complex needs of older adults in a diverse society; and (b) the best ways of improving long term care and supportive services systems originate from strong community partnerships.