HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Board Minutes 0913121
ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
September 13, 2012
PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Alex Castro, Ed Flowers, Donna Prather, Jeane Suddarth, Jan
Wells, Richard White
EXCUSED: Keith Cook, Daniel Hatley, Thelma Perkins
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Kathy Porter, Janice Tyler
GUESTS: Melissa Black, Deanna Lamotte, Andy Weinhold
The meeting was called to order by Chair Heather Altman at the Central Orange Senior Center. Mary
Fraser suggested that future meeting agendas include reports from the representatives to other service
agencies, such as Meals on Wheels, in addition to the standing committee reports. The minutes of the
August 14 meeting were approved following the motion made by Alex Castro and the second provided
by Jan Wells.
Mary Fraser introduced those students in attendance from the UNC-MPH Capstone Team. This academic
year’s team goals are to develop a strategy for informing older adults about existing community
resources and to identify barriers to exercise. Specific tasks will include literature review, focus groups
and information dissemination. Ms. Fraser asked the Advisory Board for feedback on the MAP
Implementation Plan for Year One that was distributed with the agenda. Alex Castro announced that
the Orange County Voice may be holding town hall meetings in two rural communities during October
where residents and elected officials will come together to discuss local issues. Deanna Lamotte asked
for suggestions of individuals who may not already be involved to participate in the Capstone focus
groups. Ed Flowers stated that 78% of persons participating in a recent survey identified television as
their primary source of information. Janice Tyler suggested utilizing the upcoming election’s polling
places to reach out at the community level. Discussion followed on high school groups who could assist
in this effort, such as civics classes, 4-H clubs, service learning students and scout troops. Board
members also offered to send literature review recommendations to the Capstone Team via email. Ms.
Fraser noted that one recent change made to the Implementation Plan for Year One concerns the
marketing plan development. Marketing and other strategies initiated in Year One will require resources
to implement. This will be the topic of discussion when the MAP Steering Committee meets on
September 20. Ms. Fraser identified some of the Year One indicators that have already been
accomplished. The Advisory Board approved the MAP Implementation Plan for Year One (2012-2013) as
mailed and 2013-2014 Implementation Plan as distributed. Alex Castro asked about the feasibility of
obtaining funding prior to the beginning of FY 2014. The Chair stated that the Year Two document will
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be helpful in making application to organizations that have charitable giving campaigns. A committee of
Advisory Board and Steering Committee members could be formed to develop applications for outside
funding. Janice Tyler stated that she will inform the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) of the Year
One Implementation Plan through the County Manager’s Memo process.
In her Director’s Report Ms. Tyler stated that Alex Castro and Peggy Cohn will represent the Advisory
Board at the NC-American Planning Association’s award luncheon when last year’s Capstone Team will
be presented the NC Chapter Student Planning Award for the development of the Master Aging Plan
Update. She announced that Department on Aging employee Latonya Brown has been selected as the
new Wellness Coordinator. That promotion created a vacancy in the Aging Transitions Division. Two
public hearings have been held to review the long-range plan for the Southern Human Services Campus
presented at the August Advisory Board meeting. The UNC School of Pharmacy will sponsor its Aging in
Stride 5k on October 14 with proceeds going to the Aging In Place fund managed by the Aging
Transitions division. The Department has been assigned a new Johnson Intern and a UNC Masters of
Social Work intern.
Janice Tyler reported that a meeting will be held with Area Agency on Aging Director Joan Pellettier to
discuss future funding for the Chatham/Orange Community Resource Connections (CRC) and its
Coordinator. Many Seymour Center staff traded offices last Friday and a new phone system, with new
numbers, is to be installed within the week. Ms. Tyler announced that the changes to the Homestead
Exemption Act, recommended in the Master Aging Plan, have been included in the BOCC’s Legislative
Agenda package. Three Advisory Board members volunteered to participate in the Orange County
Library’s strategic plan process: Donna Prather, Jan Wells, Richard White. In conclusion Ms. Tyler
announced that the Durham County Council on Aging Director has resigned. Mary Fraser added that
Shaung Wang, a UNC-MSW graduate who interned with the Department during the summer, has been
employed on a temporary basis to continue her work with the Chinese-speaking participants at the
Seymour Center. Andy Weinhold suggested contacting the Asian undergraduate student organization at
UNC for bilingual volunteers.
During Committee Progress Reports Leo Allison promoted the Friends of COSC’s Harvest Moon Ball on
October 6. That organization is also sponsoring a fundraiser cruise at the end of October. Janice Tyler
reported that the first car donation has been made to the Friends of Seymour. She added that new
community art pieces will be on display at Seymour soon. Heather Altman stated that the CRC
continues to have 24 participating organizations. Jeane Suddarth announced that the next meeting of
the Senior Tar Heel Legislature will be October 2 and 3 where Resolutions for submission to the next
session of the General Assembly will be considered. Alex Castro stated that Chapel Hill-Carrboro Meals
On Wheels is sponsoring a Food Truck Rodeo fundraiser on October 5 at the Carrboro Farmers Market.
He raised the issue of volunteer drivers who encounter questionable home situations while running
their meal routes. Richard White added that the northern Orange Meals On Wheels program operated
by Orange Congregations in Mission has reduced its delivery to 28 meals per day due to lack of demand.
Discussion followed on how each program operates. Mr. Castro stated that Blue Cross/Blue Shield is
sponsoring workshops for advisory boards and will share the details when they become available. He
concluded by stating that he had attended his first meeting of the Orange Unified Transportation Board.
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Jan Wells reported on the developments with the Villages Project, including their new
website: www.carolinavillages.org. Chairman Altman asked that future Committee reports include
updates on Senior Care Inc. who is holding an open house on September 16.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary