HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 010918ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
January 9, 2018
PRESENT: Heather Altman, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Winston Liao, Alicia Nelson,
Donna Prather, Vibeke Talley, Dick White
Excused: Mary Altpeter, Colin Austin, Lorenzo Mejia, Yvonne Mendenhall
Staff: Myra Austin, Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center. The minutes of the December 12, 2017
meeting were approved as corrected following the motion offered by Alex Castro and the second by
Winston Liao.
DIRECTORS REPORT
Yvette Missri invited the Advisory Board to attend the January 11 Project EngAGE graduation. The
eleven graduates will announce five new Senior Resource Team initiatives at the Passmore Center
ceremony.
Myra Austin described the Pass Management check-in system that will be implemented at each Senior
Center in late January. Individualized key fobs will be issued to all participants and volunteers to use at
the kiosks located near the Center entrances. Heather Altman inquired if this system might be capable
of linking with the tele-health project piloted in Orange County several years ago. Discussion followed
on how the new system will operate.
Janice Tyler announced that the Orange County annual budget process has begun with a February 15
submittal deadline. The County Manager has stated that any new position or other budget increase
requests must be fully supported by outside revenues. Questions were raised about the development of
a five year financial plan in conjunction with the MAP for the Department. Keith Cook asked if the
current building improvement projects will be affected by this budget restriction. Ms. Tyler responded
that the improvement projects at Passmore and Seymour will continue. She added that she has
submitted a request that the Seymour expansion be included in the future the Capital Improvement
Plan and stated that a master plan needs to be developed for the Passmore Center campus. The
contract for the current year’s renovations at Passmore will be considered by the County Commissioners
at the January 23 meeting.
The role of the Friends organizations in funding Center equipment and furniture was discussed. Ms.
Tyler informed the Advisory Board that a Johnson Intern will not be requested for Seymour next year
due to a reduction in the financial support from its Friends organization. Heather Altman suggested that
an ad-hoc committee be formed to discuss other resource options and other ways that we might be able
to support the Friends. Alex Castro volunteered to join this group.
NEW PROJECTS
Longtime Senior Tar Heel delegate Jean Suddarth has retired and alternate Dick White will now
represent Orange County. Alex Castro made the motion and Heather Altman provided the second that
Keith Cook be recommended to the TJCOG-AAA as the new alternate. Motion carried.
The Healthy Aging Summit, a national conference held every other year, is accepting presentation
proposals. Winston Liao summarized its focus and suggested that the Department on Aging has many
options for abstracts. Suggestions included: Master Aging Plan, Falls Prevention, Brain Health Academy,
Project EngAGE, Dementia Friendly Business, One Stop Shop, Senior Centers as Wellness Centers.
Heather Altman suggested that highlighting receipt of the three year Administration for Community
Living grant may be beneficial when submitting a proposal. Mr. Liao offers to assist staff with the
abstract development.
CONTINUING PROJECTS
Mary Fraser reported that most of the MAP workgroups have not met yet for this quarter. She will
provide the quarterly progress report at the February Advisory Board meeting. Alex Castro gave an
update on recent transportation activities. A workgroup subcommittee on medical transportation is
being formed. The Housing workgroup has established a rehabilitation subcommittee. The new OC
Housing Director attended a workgroup meeting and that Department received funding for home
repairs for FY 17-18. Keith Cook has recently been elected its Affordable Housing Advisory Board’s
Chair.
Yvette Missri announced that this year’s Volunteer Appreciation party will be held on the evening of
May 4 at the Passmore Center.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Dementia Friendly Business – Heather Altman reported that Mary Fraser has recruited Direct Care
Worker Committee members to become Dementia Friendly Business trainers.
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee – Vibeke Talley stated that the committee continues to
look into options for improving the quality of life through activities for residents.
Transportation – Staff asked that Alex Castro inquire about the status of the AARP-funded simmi-seat
installation project at the next Orange Unified Transportation Board meeting.
Friends of Passmore Center – The annual Las Vegas Night fundraiser will be held on April 21.
Friends of Seymour Center – Janice Tyler was asked to convey the Advisory Board’s concern about
membership recruitment at the next Friends leadership committee meeting and request that a
representative from that organization be selected to attend the Aging Advisory Board meetings.
Community Partners Report – Alex Castro announced that Orange County Rural Alliance (OCRA) has 43
volunteers , many of whom are graduates of Project EngAGE. Eighty individuals currently receive meals
on 10 routes in rural Orange County. The Chair asked when the next Project EngAGE class will be
convened. Dick White noted that only two of the current class graduates live in rural Orange County.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary