HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-08-2014 - 4a1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 8, 2014
Action Agenda
Item No. 4 -a
SUBJECT: Recognition of Project EngAGE Graduates
DEPARTMENT: Aging PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
List of Project EngAGE Graduates Janice Tyler, Director, 245 -4255
PURPOSE: To recognize the inaugural class of Project EngAGE, a senior leadership program
sponsored by the Department on Aging.
BACKGROUND: In preparing the 2012 -17 Master Aging Plan, it became evident there was a
need for improved communication and information dissemination to the community about aging
resources. Department on Aging staff along with the Advisory Board on Aging began exploring
ideas regarding how to implement MAP Objective 1.1 — Increase the accessibility of information
about resources, programs and services for older adults in Orange County. One way to address
the issue was through a grassroots community based senior leadership development program.
In 2013 the Department on Aging, in partnership with the UNC's School of Public Health, began
work on developing a senior leadership program. A model senior leadership program in
Haywood County was identified and Project EngAGE was adapted from that model. Project
EngAGE's mission is to engage and enable older adults in Orange County to serve as resource
leaders to make their community an ideal place to age well. The program is comprised of two
major components: 1) a senior leadership training course and 2) the development of senior
resource teams comprised of course graduates. Project EngAGE is designed to train older
adult resource leaders who will disseminate information to their communities and link their
communities to aging- related resources.
The graduates have completed a 12 week training course designed to empower and enable
them to be leaders in their communities. The participants explored topics such as Body and
Mind Wellness, Aging in the Community, transportation, healthcare, dementia, caregiving and
"understanding the system ". The group met with the County Manager's staff, department
directors, and County Commissioners to learn about County government, and also spent time
touring the County and visiting every township. Many hours were also spent discussing service
gaps and developing strategies for resolving those gaps. The graduates have now formed
senior resource teams and are tasked with identifying concerns in the community and then
developing solutions to address those issues.
These graduates are the first class of an on -going senior leadership training program. Plans are
underway now to offer another class, possibly as early as fall 2014.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with recognizing the graduates.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board congratulate these
individuals for their completion of the Project EngAGE Senior Leadership training with the
presentation of certificates by the Board and herald the impact of their forthcoming community
projects.
K
2014 Project EngAGE Graduates
Gail Alberti, Bingham Township
Bill Barrows, Little River Township
Barbara Breeze, Cedar Grove Township
]aki Shelton Green, Mebane
Sue Heckman, Eno Township
Cliff Leath, Bingham Township
Dee Lowdermilk, New Hope
Rod Magson, Chapel Hill
Lenore Martin, Chapel Hill
Betty Melanson, Little River Township /Caldwell
Yvonne Mendenhall, Chapel Hill
Delores Ramsey, Little River Township
Donna Scandlin, Chapel Hill
Tana Hartman Thorn, Bingham Township
Norma White, Little River Township /Schley