ANNUAL REPORT
2023
ANNUAL REPORT
2023
Message from the Chair and the President
We are proud to report that we reached our north star goal set in 2019 to improve the lives of one million people. Few mission-based organizations succeed on their own and this is certainly true for Trellis. In 2023 we provided a high level of financial and technical support to our community partners. Together, we helped older adults thrive at home as the COVID-19 pandemic waned and life returned to some semblance of normalcy. The year also marked the conclusion of our strategic plan that had framed our goals to advance equity, demonstrate excellence and thought leadership, and foster financial strength. This level of impact happened only because of the collaboration with community partners, support of funders, and hard work of our volunteers, board members and staff.
We remained steadfast in our commitment to older adults and family caregivers as we moved into 2024 and set new strategies. We anticipate continuity in our core services to the community as a funder and service provider, with the caveat that federal resources available to our partners will diminish in 2024 and continue to decline significantly in subsequent years. We are strategically preparing to address fiscal challenges and are ready to elevate advocacy and innovative strategies to increase financial resources that meet the service and social care needs of older adults. We are grateful and appreciative of the many organizations and individuals that support us, partner with us and help us strengthen and create new pathways to resources that are critical to our mission.
Thank you, partners, funders and all who supported Trellis in 2023 with your money, time, talent and heart. We’ve rolled up our sleeves (again!) and look forward to a bright future.
Warmly,
Vanne Owens Hayes
Board Chair
Dawn Simonson
President and CEO
How We Serve
How we Serve
Trellis provides services, connections and innovations to help people thrive as they age.
We are the area agency on aging for the seven-county metro area — including Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties. Many Trellis initiatives and activities, including our Juniper® health promotion programs and social care provider network, have a broad geographic reach across Minnesota and, in some cases, across the nation.
As an area agency on aging, we ensure services and policies are tailored to the needs of local communities. We award federal Older Americans Act funding to organizations that provide services to older adults and caregivers and help provide the Senior LinkAge Line, a free, statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota’s area agencies on aging.
We are leading the charge in integrating social care with medical care to produce better life and health outcomes for older adults. Learn more at trellisconnects.org.
View the Year in Review
Read about our accomplishments and impact in our 2023 Year in Review publication.
[PDF, 3.54 MB]Information and Assistance
Trellis supports individuals through the Senior LinkAge Line, a free, statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging in partnership with Minnesota’s area agencies on aging. The Senior LinkAge Line is a key resource for older adults who want to optimize well-being as they age.
Bill’s Senior LinkAge Line Story
“Bill” contacted the Senior LinkAge Line after the social worker at his dialysis clinic encouraged him to do so. Bill had been on Medical Assistance (MA) but was about to become ineligible due to the ending of the Public Health Emergency (PHE) unwinding. He relied on MA benefits to help with his weekly dialysis, physical therapy, and rides to medical appointments.
The Senior LinkAge Line specialist was able to review all of Bill’s various options for health insurance coverage, helping him select a plan that covered his routine providers as well as medications. The specialist also connected Bill to transportation options in his community, as well as housekeeping help and home delivered meals. Bill was very appreciative of the support the specialist provided.
2023 at a Glance
32,525
Senior LinkAge
Line calls
31,268
preadmission
screenings
1,536
resource coordination in-person visits
The need for aging services remains great, even as funding for such programs returns to pre-pandemic levels. In response to this unprecedented moment, Juniper has developed an innovative approach to offer services like evidence-based classes, meals, chores, homemaker and other essential services for older adults. This model, the community care hub, bridges the gap between medical and social care through partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, public health organizations, and health insurers. Highlights from 2023 include:
- Being recognized as a community care hub by the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Publishing research that shows the health and economic benefits of evidence-based falls prevention programs.
- Establishing the Diabetes Prevention Program as a reimbursable service from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Minnesota Health Care Programs. The program is also available as a free benefit to all Blue Cross/Blue Shield members.
2023 at a Glance
5,393
Juniper participants
375
classes
“It takes a village to raise children, but it takes a state to take care of older adults, and I’m in the right state.” – Chris, Juniper participant
Learn more about Juniper
Older Americans Act Administration
In our role as the area agency on aging in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, Trellis’ Older Americans Act team works with direct service provider organizations to fund services that meet local needs and preferences. in 2023, the team:
- Published the first request for proposals for all Title III funds simultaneously.
- Implemented a new grants management system, SmartSimple.
- Supported the implementation of a legal risk detector tool through
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services. - Hosted leadership from the federal Health and Human Services office to
share how Older Americans Act providers improve service access for older
adults with language or culture barriers. - Added an online search tool for Older Americans Act services by city.
Lao Advancement Organization of America is one of the organizations that receives Older Americans Act funding. Learn more about their impact here.
Older Americans Act 2023 Funding at a Glance
$12.8 million
distributed to 46 organizations
38,738
people served (individuals who received more than one service may be counted more than once)
Volunteerism and Outreach
The Volunteer and Outreach team delivers education and information about the Senior LinkAge Line throughout the seven-county metropolitan area in partnership with community organizations. Volunteers provide Medicare counseling, give community presentations, serve as ambassadors to their home communities and are embedded in nearly all departments within Trellis.
During Medicare Open Enrollment, the Outreach Team gave nearly 100 presentations, educating and assisting Medicare beneficiaries take control of their Medicare decisions. Twenty-four percent of presentations during open enrollment were led by volunteers. Eight out of ten presentations were targeted to underserved communities, helping us to achieve our equity goal.
The Volunteer and Outreach Team received a national innovation award from USAging in recognition of Trellis’ efforts to reach more older adults and caregivers from historically marginalized and underserved communities.
2023 at a Glance
4,935
volunteer hours
23
new volunteers
184
community presentations
ElderCare Development Partnership
The ElderCare Development Partnership (EDP) team helps community organizations build capacity and sustainability so they can provide services that meet the needs of older adults in their communities. In 2023, the EDP team:
- Provided technical assistance to 22 organizations interested in Live Well at Home funding. Ten of those organizations were awarded funding for programs, services, and capital goods that totaled $1.5 million.
- Supported 19 communities to implement their age-friendly community goals.
- Delivered a training to 124 MnDOT employees where they learned more about the impacts of caregiving and how to connect to resources that support caregivers.
2023 at a Glance
Read about the impact of the ElderCare Development Partnership in this story about Asian Flame Catering, an EDP-supported small business.
53
organizations received technical assistance
19
age-friendly communities received technical assistance
Dementia Friendly Community Initiatives
Trellis leads three dementia friendly community initiatives across Minnesota: ACT on
Alzheimer’s, Dementia Friends Minnesota and The Remember Project. These initiatives
strive to make communities good places for people with memory loss to live and thrive. Highlights from 2023:
- Trellis received a UnitedHealthcare Empowering Health grant to address social isolation for people experiencing dementia and their caregivers.
- Monthly Communities of Learning on a number of topics, including home-based memory care for veterans, improving air travel for people living with dementia, and new community-based work from the Memory Keepers Medical Discovery Team.
- Thanks to support from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Building our Largest Dementia Infrastructure (BOLD) initiative, The Remember Project began new partnerships to increase early detection of dementia in the Twin Cities metro. Our work with AshaUSA, Centro Tyrone Guzman, and SEWA-AIFW has helped us understand the needs and priorities of BIPOC program partners.
2023 at a Glance
1,059
individuals attended 19 events hosted by The Remember Project
544
professionals received Dementia Friendly for Healthcare training through ACT on Alzheimer’s
2,250
people joined the growing Dementia Friends community
Pension and Retirement Rights
Trellis Pension and Retirement Rights provides legal services to adults to ensure they get
the retirement funds they have earned. In 2023, staff and volunteer attorneys support retirees and their families in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and Nebraska.
Pension and Retirement Rights Impact Story
An 80-year-old widow came to the Pension and Retirement Rights project facing a pension overpayment. She is the surviving spouse of a state pensioner living on a modest fixed income. Despite reporting the death of her husband to the retirement plan in a timely manner, the plan continued to pay the full monthly benefit to her for years. This resulted in an overpayment in excess of $80,000. Trellis attorneys were able to negotiate the overpayment amount down to $35,000, saving the client $45,000.
2023 at a Glance
58
cases closed
144
total client matters
$812,667
total funds recovered
Advocacy
In 2023, Trellis played a leading role in the Volunteer Driver Coalition, a group of more than 120 public and nonprofit organizations advocating for federal legislation that would increase the federal reimbursement rate for volunteer drivers.
We gathered input from aging service providers in the Twin Cities metro area to inform our response to proposed changes to Older Americans Act regulations. Trellis submitted comments focused on maintaining and increasing flexibility for service providers so they can have the greatest impact in their communities.
Leadership
Leadership
Board of Directors
Officers and committee chairs
Vanne Owens Hayes
Chair
Cultural Consultant and Health Educator
Mike Rothman
Vice Chair
Attorney at Law, Rothman Law and Consulting LLC
Barb Blumer
Secretary
Attorney at Law,
Barb Blumer Law, P. A.
David Van Sant
Treasurer and
Audit and Finance
Committee Chair
Project Executive, Netsmart Technologies
Kris Orluck
Immediate Past Chair
Retired Senior Coordinator, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board
Sarah Urtel
Planning Committee Chair
Vice President, System Support, Ridgeview Medical Center & Clinics
Becky Stibbe
Governance Committee Chair
Director of Family Philanthropy, Myriad USA
Members
Josh Berg
Director of Services & Strategic Growth, Accessible Space, Inc.
Council Member, City of Elko New Market
Jeff Bangsberg
Retired Public Policy Initiative Leader, Minnesota Home Care Association
Lisbeth Cachima
Medical Assistant, Venezuelan MD
Barbara Champlin
Adjunct Nursing Faculty, University of St. Thomas, Susan S. Morrison School of Nursing
Alison Colton
Retired Deputy General Counsel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Adeel Lari
Director, Researcher, Institute for Urban and Regional Infrastructure Finance, Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs
Sumee Lee
Racial and Health Equity Consultant
Ram Rajagopalan
Global Business Consulting Head, Sonata Software
Carla Zbacnik
Senior Associate State Director, Communications, AARP Minnesota
Ellie Zuehlke
Director of Operations, Allina Health Foundation
Leadership
Dawn Simonson
President & CEO
Brad A. Bettger
Vice President of Information Technology & Facilities, Information Security Officer
Andy Brown
Vice President of Communications & Engagement
Mark Cullen
Vice President of Strategy and Business Development
John Doan
Vice President of Operations & Equity
Rebecca Ervasti
Vice President of Human Resources
Amanda Wall Dotray
Vice President of Finance
Financial Report
Financial Report
January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023
Balance Sheet
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
$7,745,784
Revenue and Expense
Total Revenue $23,751,449
Federal Grants: $15,701,702 (66%)
State Grants: $5,805,826 (24%)
Foundation Grants: $1,200,000 (5%)
Contributions: $813,999 (3%)
Other Revenue: $229,922 (1%)
Total Expenses by Program $24,074,429
Funding to Community Partners: $12,898,737 (54%)
Information and Assistance: $5,851,823 (24%)
Management and Program Development: $2,865,093 (12%)
Juniper: $1,957,001 (8%)
ElderCare Development Partnership: $211,417 (<1%)
Pension and Retirement Rights: $168,420 (<1%)
Dementia Friendly Initiatives: $128,938 (<1%)
Statement of Functional Expenses
| Expense Category | Program Services | Management & General | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pass-through dollars to community partners | $12,898,737 | $0 | $12,898,737 |
| Salaries, wages and payroll taxes | 6,090,105 | 1,001,498 | 7,091,603 |
| Fringe benefits | 1,093,034 | 199,662 | 1,292,696 |
| Legal and accounting fees | 22,994 | 70,126 | 93,120 |
| Consultants | 794,474 | 344,889 | 1,139,363 |
| Travel | 42,693 | 18,508 | 61,201 |
| Seminars | 20,537 | 30,756 | 51,293 |
| Communication and postage | 70,610 | 11,451 | 82,061 |
| Supplies | 70,230 | 71,677 | 141,907 |
| Facility | 0 | 573,062 | 573,062 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 0 | 115,040 | 115,040 |
| Insurance | 9,130 | 78,832 | 87,962 |
| Advertising | 96,791 | 2,135 | 98,926 |
| Other costs | 0 | 347,457 | 347,457 |
| In-kind | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | $21,209,335 | $2,865,093 | $24,074,428 |
Major Funding Partners
We are grateful for the foundations, governmental units and businesses that help support our mission through grants, contracts and sponsorships.
Administration for Community Living
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota
HealthPartners
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies
M Health Fairview East Side Health & Well-Being Collaborative
Minnesota Board on Aging
Minnesota Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Human Services
UCare Minnesota
UnitedHealthcare
Sponsors
We thank the following organizations for sponsoring Trellis programs, projects and events:
ADRC of Columbia County
Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter
Arrowhead Regional Development Commission
ArtReach St. Croix
Care Providers
City of La Crosse
City of Moorhead
County of Trempealeau
Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging
Duluth Aging Support
Eau Claire County
Granite Falls Living at Home Block Nurse Program
Lodi Rotary Club
Mayo Clinic
Michigan Region IV Area Agency on Aging
Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging
St. Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin
The Victory Fund
Individual and organizational contributors
Michelle Allain
Allina Health
Jolene Anderson
Jeff Bangsberg & Anita Boucher
Deborah Becker-Galewski
Josh Berg
Bob Besinger
Denise Beusen
Amanda Bigus
Barb Blumer
Joan Bouley
Rachel Bremness
Larry Brooks
Andy Brown
Janice Burridge
Ginger Carroll
Barbara Champlin
Alison Colton
Robert Power & Connie Ford
Carol Cooksley
Cathy Corrigan
Deb Courts-Brown
Mark Cullen
Marianne Davis
John Doan
Sarah Dockter
Rebecca Ervasti
Kristina Faust
Rory Foley
Iris Freeman & Warren Woessner
Diane & Perri Graham-Raff
Jiselle Graves
Niila Herbert
Kelley Hempel
Thomas Henke
David Hoffman
Paula Hughes
Trent Jaeger
Mary Kaltinger
Judy Koch Stromback
JoAnn LaFave
Maurice Lankford
Adeel & Cheryl Lari
Margaret Luhrs
Elaine Magnan
Megan Martin
Danette & Bill McCarthy
Michael McGorray
Jon McTaggart
Katherine Messerli
Rajean Moone
Amanda Nickerson
Carmen Nomann
Jessica Nordman
NWPS
Leon Oman
Kristine Orluck
Renae Oswald Anderson
Nancy Ovick
Vanne Owens Hayes
Lauren Peterson
Beverly Propes
Ram Rajagopalan
Susie Roberts
Bob Roepke
Julie Roles
Mike Rothman
John & Shelley Selstad
Kathryn Shortridge
Stephen Shuman
Dawn Simonson
David Smith
Rebecca Stibbe
Stinson LLP
Linnea Swenson Tellekson
Sarah Tithof
Sarah Urtel
David Van Sant
Joy Vliem
Amanda Wall Dotray
Megan Walton
John Ward
Jetta Wiedemeier Bower
Mary Youle
Ellie Zuehlke
Older Americans Act
Services Funded
Payments for services provided between January 1–December 31, 2023.
Nutrition
79,229 meals provided in group settings and 867,109 delivered to individuals in their homes.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $7,175,419 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $1,359,812 |
| Total | $8,535,231 |
Special Access
21,877 hours of services to individuals to overcome cultural/language barriers in making community and government services accessible.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $362,008 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $484,722 |
| Total | $846,729 |
Caregiver Services
27,257 units of counseling, support group, and other assistance for caregivers of older adults.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $1,111,971 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $172,860 |
| Total | $1,284,832 |
Assisted Transportation
29,645 rides for individuals who have difficulties (physical or cognitive) using other forms of transportation.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $584,279 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $56,370 |
| Total | $640,649 |
Chore and Homemaker Services/Home Modifications
15,539 hours of chore and homemaker services, including 115 home modification projects that help older adults continue to live in their own homes.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $494,393 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $195,866 |
| Total | $690,259 |
Telephone Reassurance
12,187 calls with isolated older persons to provide social contact and ensure continued well-being.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $66,596 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $84,545 |
| Total | $151,140 |
Consultation and Technology Services
282 hours of consultation and 249 technology projects.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $988 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $46,533 |
| Total | $47,521 |
Legal Assistance/Education
7,505 hours of legal assistance.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $321,844 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $0 |
| Total | $321,844 |
Health Promotion
166 classes served 1,070 people in taking steps to stay healthy, manage chronic conditions and prevent falls.
| Funding Source | Dollars |
|---|---|
| Older Americans Act | $191,500 |
| COVID Emergency Funds | $74,800 |
| Total | $266,300 |
Community-based Partner Organizations
The following organizations received Older Americans Act funding through Trellis in 2022:
Anoka County Community Action Program
Anoka County – Family Caregiver Connection
Bhutanese Community Organization of MN
Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver & Dakota Counties
East Side Neighborhood Services, Inc.
Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Minneapolis
Jewish Family Service of St. Paul
Lao Advancement Organization of America
Living At Home Network/Block Nurse Program
Longfellow Seward Healthy Seniors
Minneapolis American Indian Center
People Served by Race
Total Served 38,738
White: 57%
BIPOC: 35%
Unknown: 8%
Public Information Services (PIS) has been removed from the demographic data of those served through more traditional services. Since PIS is designed to support caregivers in large group settings (resource fairs, etc.), individual demographic data cannot be collected.
BIPOC Served 7,015
Black/African American: 44%
Asian: 35%
Hispanic/Latino: 11%
American Indian/Alaskan Native: 7%
Two or More Races: 3%
Native Hawaiian: <1%
Trellis is funded in part by the Minnesota Board on Aging under the Older Americans Act.