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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board minutes 030910ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes March 9, 2010 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Mary Frazier, Steve Lackey, Haryo Marsosudiro, Joan Pellettier, Thelma Perkins, Fred Schroeder, Jan Wells, Steve Yuhasz EXCUDED: Alice Gordon STAFF: Kathie Kearns, Jerry Passmore The meeting was called to order by Chair Steve Lackey at the Central Orange Senior Center. Following introductions, the minutes of the February 9 meeting were approved upon the motion made by Fred Schroeder and second by Leo Allison. A report on the recent action taken by the Board of County Commissioners regarding board appointments was added to the agenda under New Business. Jerry Passmore distributed a listing of all outside agencies making application for Orange County funding and the agencies to be reviewed by the Department on Aging. He gave a brief history of how funds were distributed by the Human Services Advisory Commission and the new system for review by County departments. He expressed his desire that a subcommittee of the Board would assist in the review the applications in more detail. He informed the Advisory Board that he and Kate Barrett have already reviewed those applications assigned to the Department on Aging. The Chair asked if the Human Services Advisory Commission will review any applications. Mr. Passmore responded that the agency applications that are not directly related to a County department will continue to be sent to the HSAC for review. The recommendations will be given to the County Manager and he will include his requests in the County Budget that is submitted to the Board of County Commissioners. Jan Wells asked about the monitoring of these funds once awarded. Mr. Passmore hopes that the assigned Departments will be responsible for assuring that the funds are used efficiently and as planned. Ms. Wells noted that the Disability Awareness Council has doubled its request for County funds from its current level of funding. Mr. Passmore noted that the Council wants to expand its community training opportunities. Jerry Passmore displayed the recently-received NC Division of Aging Ernest Messer Award. He summarized the activities of the Department that resulted in this award, the second given to Orange County for innovative planning and services. He also updated the Advisory Board on an application being made for federal funding to initiate a Hillsborough In-Town public transit route. Federal funds will be available for 80% of the operating costs for three years. Discussion followed on other funding options not pursued at this time. Page 1 of 3 The Chair announced that the Board of County Commissioners received the Master Aging Plan (MAP) update at its March 2 meeting. The BOCC also approved the naming of the Adult Day Health Program in honor of Florence Soltys. A formal BOCC resolution stating this action will be presented at a future Commissioner meeting (possibly April 6) and the Soltys family will be invited to attend. Mary Frazier asked that the UNC School of Social Work be notified when the resolution is presented. Heather Altman added that Senior Care, Inc. will most probably hold a reception as part of the dedication. Returning to the Master Aging Plan, Jerry Passmore reported that Commissioner Jacobs asked for a report on services delivered by the two senior centers in the future. The Commissioners wanted for information about the Homestead Exemption Act and the marriage penalty. Commissioner Yuhasz reported that the Board of County Commissioners is continuing its review of all advisory boards. The Commissioners are considering no longer serving on advisory boards. Instead, reports will be made to the Commissioners periodically on each advisory boards’ activity. He added that advisory boards will be asked to review their role and function and invited the Aging Board members to submit comments. The Commissioner speculated that the entire review process may take a year to complete. The Chair reviewed the Advisory Board on Aging subcommittees that are currently being suggested for establishment: Legislation/Advocacy and Planning/Coordination. Heather Altman asked if some committees would function year-round while others would be short-term (task force). The Chair asked Jerry Passmore to further define the workload of the Legislation/Advocacy Subcommittee. Discussion followed on this subcommittee’s efforts during the past year and the focus for the future. Joan Pellettier suggested that subcommittees could include membership from outside the Advisory Board. The Chair asked if the Advisory Board should review its overall charge prior to considering the new subcommittee structure. Leo Allison questioned the time commitment involved in membership on the subcommittees. Mr. Passmore offered to provide the members copies of the ordinance and by-laws and resume the discussion at the next meeting. The Chair asked him to summarize the function of the Planning/Coordination Subcommittee. He noted that the Aging and Disabilities Resource Council initiative will have a major impact on the role of the Department on Aging in the future. By consensus, the discussion on subcommittees was tabled until the next meeting. Heather Altman reported on her recent attendance at a National Aging and Disability Resource Center Conference in Washington, D.C. She noted that North Carolina has chosen the ‘no wrong door’ model, referred to as Community Resource Connections and Orange/Chatham has received funding for person-centered hospital discharge planning funding. The complexity of merging aging and disability resources and services is a national issue. Fred Schroeder asked who initiated this effort to merge aging, disability, Medicaid and mental health services. Ms. Altman stated that this is a federal initiative. The Orange/Chatham CRC has established a website and meets monthly to develop protocols for sharing information and streamlining the referral process. The Chair asked Page 2 of 3 that she and Mr. Passmore bring the presentation they are preparing for the BOCC to the Advisory Board at a future meeting. Jerry Passsmore distributed and reviewed the proposed budget for FY11 that is supported 45% from outside sources. Heather Altman asked about the types of grants that the Department on Aging receives. Joan Pellettier wanted to know if Orange County plans to cut budgets. Mr. Passmore spoke of vacant positions being eliminated and redeploying existing County staff. Jan Wells reported that the 30th Anniversary Celebration will be held on October 1st with a dinner for 250 people. The program will include a recognition of past officials, video of past and present activities, a history of the organization, and entertainment. Due to the absence of the Director during the week of April 11, the next Advisory Board meeting will be held on April 6 at the Seymour Center. The CRC presentation will be given at the May Advisory Board meeting. There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Jerry M. Passmore, Secretary Page 3 of 3