EHE News
Stein to study how learning can keep older Ohioans productive, intellectually engaged
David Stein
Ohio's older citizens will benefit from a new organization created by Governor Ted Strickland to explore opportunities for employment, volunteer, and educational activities.
David Stein, a newly appointed member of the Senior Civic Engagement Council, says, "Older adults are and will continue to comprise a substantial segment of the Ohio workforce. Adults 55 and older represent a wealth of expertise and human capital. As an older adult myself, I am honored to assist in Governor Strickland's effort to engage employers, educators, and policy makers in promoting practices that support older adults in both employment and educational opportunities."
Stein, an associate professor of adult education and human resource development in the School of Physical Activity and Educational Services, will serve on the Life-Long Learning Committee, which will recommend policies and strategies to the council.
The committee will look at how to engage older Ohioans in educational programs. It also will identify reasons why seniors participate in life-long learning. Factors might include successful careers or volunteer service.
Stein and other committee members will encourage adult education programs to enhance their life-long learning activities, as well as support Ohio Board of Regents programming for seniors.
"As Ohio's population of older adults grows, we must give them the resources and opportunity they need to continue leading productive, fulfilling lives," Strickland said.
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that from 2005 to 2015, the entire working-age population of Ohio will grow by 224,000. At the same time, the population of Ohioans who are age 55 and older will increase by more than 552,000. The statistics show that a large portion of the growth in the working-age population will be generated by the older Ohioans.
"Creation of the Ohio Senior Civic Engagement Council and its committees are a statement that older adults will play a major role in the future economic and intellectual development of the State of Ohio," Stein said.
The Senior Civic Engagement Council will coordinate with the Ohio Workforce Policy Board on the state's employment policies and activities for seniors. Its members will collect data about how many older Ohioans hold jobs, volunteer and enjoy educational activities. It will look at what impact keeping busy has on participants' health and well-being.
Additionally, the council will help business leaders and the workforce development system prepare for and offer services to Ohio's growing number of older workers.
© 2009 The Ohio State University - College of Education and Human Ecology. All Rights Reserved.
If you have trouble accessing this page and need to request an alternate format, contact the webmaster.