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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 0813131 ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes August 13, 2013 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Dan Hatley, Donna Prather EXCUSED: Heather Altman, Ed Flowers, Lorenzo Mejia, Thelma Perkins, Jeane Suddarth, Richard White STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler . The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Vice-Chair Alex Castro. He noted that his name was omitted from the excused members of the previous meeting. With that correction the minutes of the June 11 meeting were approved following a motion made by Dan Hatley and a second by Donna Prather. In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler announced the launch of the Orange County Community Giving Fund and distributed information packets. Leo Allison asked if Triangle Community Foundation, the OCCG Fund manager, will charge a processing fee for contributions. Ms. Tyler noted that all donations to Orange County either made through Triangle Community Foundation or directly are tax-deductible. She also summarized the recent meeting of the Executive Council for the Uninsured, hosted by UNC Hospitals. Mary Fraser noted that the Department on Aging’s role will be to assist the 55-65 year old applicants with enrollment in national health insurance through the Senior Health Insurance Information Program. Information Specialist and Orange County SHIIP Coordinator Beverly Shuford will also represent the Department on Aging at future health insurance meetings. She will be asked to provide an update on this new health option available for uninsured adults at a future Advisory Board meeting. Discussion followed on the lack of leadership on the State level, Piedmont Health’s involvement in promoting the new initiative, and the time involved for both being a counselor and completing the application. Janice Tyler announced that the Senior Wellness Clinic (formerly known as the 3M-Mood, Memory and Mobility Clinic) has been discontinued. Dr. Jan Busby-Whitehead, UNC’s Director of the Center for Aging and Health, informed Department on Aging staff that discretionary funding was no longer available for the off-campus clinic. Mary Fraser added that participation in the Clinic had dwindled and that UNC has moved its geriatric screening program to a new building off-campus and increased service availability. Alex Castro raised the issue of accessibility for seniors dependent on public or OPT transportation for their medical appointments. Ms. Fraser suggested that staff involved with UNC strategic planning should serve on the MAP Steering committee to address these challenges. Ms. Tyler stated that the Board of County Commissioners approved the Department on Aging’s operating budget for FY 2013-14. She added that the Town of Chapel Hill’s support of the Senior Lunch Program was reduced by 20% and sequestration funding cuts continue to impact the Home and Community Care Block Grant funds available for Orange County. She also announced that Cheryl Young is the new Assistant County Manager, filling the position made vacant by Gwen Harvey’s retirement. 2 Mary Fraser updated the Advisory Board on the UNC summer practicum students’ projects: • Faith-Based Surveys - 114 surveys were distributed but only 16 were returned. Of that total eight entities agreed to personal interview. Key topics of interest were caregiver support and exercise programs. • Social Media - a Facebook page launch is planned for late August. Additional student assistance will be needed in the fall for website design and other tech efforts. • Exercise Your Best Life - plans have been made to refresh the Fitness Studio and contests will be announced to encourage increased participation • Project EngAGED 22 key informant interviews were conducted. Recommendation of membership on PE Steering Committee include representatives for the Advisory Board on Aging plus community representatives. After discussion Alex Castro recommended Bonnie Hauser, Lenore Martin, and Jackie Shelton-Greene. A County Commissioner would also be invited to serve on the Steering Committee. A motion was passed to ask Bernadette Pellessier to serve on the Project EngAGED Steering Committee. Ms. Fraser distributed the Year 1 MAP Implementation status report that outlined the tasks accomplished through July 2013. She stated that the Year 2 Implementation plan will be presented at the September 18 MAP Steering Committee meeting. Donna Prather informed the Advisory Board that Cardinal Innovations’ current reorganization and staff reductions have put the mental health initiatives on hold. Ms. Fraser noted that the designation of the Carol Woods annual contribution to Orange County for support of the Master Aging Plan has relieved the participating agencies from the burden of securing funding for the new initiatives. She highlighted some Year One accomplishments. Mary Fraser continued the MAP update with a summary of the activity of the Long Term Care Collaborative and the upcoming Aging in Community housing options series. She stated that social work student interns will be joining the Department who will focus on diversity and outreach. Dan Hatley suggested Glenwood Elementary school as a resource for working with the Asian community. Ms. Fraser concluded by announcing the funding of the Mobility Manager grant by the NC Dept. of Transportation. Alex Castro recommended that the UNC student interns be recognized for their contributions to Orange County. Committee Progress Reports: • Donna Prather stated that Carolina Villages Project continues to recruit charter members. • Leo Allison reported that the Friends of the Central Orange Senior Center have begun planning for the Harvest Moon Dance fundraiser on October 12. The funds formerly budgeted for support of the evening hours staffing at COSC will now be spent on other Senior Center improvements. • The Friends of the Seymour Center are holding a fundraiser at TCBY on August 27. They are also co-sponsoring the Glitz, Glamour & Gatsby Gala event on November 16 with the RSVP Advisory Council. The new Chair of the Friends organization is Katherine Leith. • Janice Tyler informed the Advisory Board that the future of the Community Resource Connections project manager is questionable, due to the loss of state funding. • The Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee has not met during the summer months. • Dan Hatley reported that the Adult Care Home CAC has all of its vacancies filled and continues to promote the Songs for Seniors project. 3 • Mr. Allison also reported that OCIM utilizes 120 volunteers to deliver Meals On Wheels to 26 persons. The recipient numbers have been declining and referrals are needed. • Janice Tyler informed the Advisory Board that funds realized from the recent public utilities merger are being made available through both OCIM and IFC for appliance and hvac system replacement. • Alex Castro announced that the Chapel Hill/Carrboro Meals On Wheels program is expanding to provide service in Bingham Township. The program assisted the Red Cross in securing meals from the K&W Cafeteria during the recent flooding. A Food Truck Rodeo fundraiser will be held on September 27 at the Carrboro Farmers Market. • Mr. Castro also reported on the recent public comment sessions held by the OC Planning Dept. and TTA for the public transit and rail improvement plan. Donna Prather asked if any plans were being made to assist seniors to qualify to vote in light of the recent legislative changes to the NC voting laws. Discussion followed on the impact of voter identification on older adults and absentee voters. Dan Hatley offered to research those changes. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10 at 1:00 pm in the Seymour Center. Respectfully submitted, Janice Tyler, Secretary