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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 031213ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes March 12, 2013 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Lozenzo Mejia, Thelma Perkins, Jeane Suddarth, Richard White Excused: Donna Prather STAFF: Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center. The minutes of the February 12 meeting were approved following the motion made by Dan Hatley and the second by Leo Allision. Department Director Janice Tyler announced that the RSVP fundraiser held on March 2 was a success, the Aging Transitions Resource and Benefits Manager position has been filled, and the Fifth Annual Resource Fair is being planned for May 8 at University Mall. She also announced that committee has been formed to explore options for outreaching to the non-heterosexual older adult community. She distributed the non-profit agency funding applications to those Advisory Board members who volunteered to serve on the review committee that will meet the following day. Ms. Tyler announced that the Department’s Orange County budget request for FY 13-14 includes $12,000 for temporary personnel funding for Senior Center evening and weekend hours. These funds will replace the funding that the Friends organizations have been providing in recent years. Ed Flowers asked about room rentals at the Centers. Ms. Tyler summarized the County Facility Use policy. She also reported that initial reports on the effect of sequestration on Older Americans Act funding predicted a 5.1% reduction; more recent estimates are as much as 12%. Ms. Tyler distributed new census data recently made available by Triangle J Area Agency on Aging. Orange County’s older adult population with incomes below the poverty level is projected to increase by 68% in the upcoming year. Discussion followed on the factors that brought about this dramatic increase. The NC Division of Aging will be asked to further analyze this data. Orange County will gradually receive a greater proportion of the available federal and state funding based upon this census data. Ms.Tyler reported that the increase in the Homestead Exemption Act, recommended by this Advisory Board, was debated at the Orange County Legislative Breakfast held the previous day. Terri Buckner, project manager for the UNC GigU Initiative, asked the Advisory Board for recommendations for this project as reviewed at the previous week’s meeting attended by several members. The need to get seniors comfortable with using technology is a high priority with few options available in southern Orange County and fewer in northern Orange. One recommendation is to include $1.00 in the provider service fee for an acquisition fund. Heather Altman suggested expanding the pc access program for school children to include older adults. Triangle United Way operates this program through the Department of Social Services. Seymour Tech may be a resource for tech support. Its lab could be made available for seniors to learn about using GigU technology. Dan Hatley recommended getting the Seymour Center connected to the fiber optic cable as soon as possible. Janice Tyler requested low-cost access for older adults. Ms. Altman reported that Carol Woods is partnering with East Chapel Hill High School for a service-learning project to provide technical support to residents. Alex Castro added that a partnership could be formed with the Boards of Education to provide students to work with seniors in a community setting. Durham Tech may also be a resource for space and support. UNC’s Campus Y is another possibility. The Chair recommended that this topic be referred to a MAP subcommittee for further review and recommendation. Ms. Buckner was invited to share information about the GigU project at the upcoming Resource Fair. During MAP initiatives reports Dan Hatley stated that the Long Term Care subcommittee met to discuss reconvening the LTC Roundtable. He summarized the report that staff member Mary Fraser prepared recommending an annual awards process to recognize facilities for such accomplishments as staff retention and program planning. The Resource Fair will serve as the kick-off event. Janice Tyler informed the Advisory Board that the Department on Aging’s budget request for FY 13-14 includes the recommendation that the $175,000 charitable gift from Carol Woods be used to implement MAP initiatives for Year Two. Awards for the LTC incentive program could be purchased from this funding. Ed Flowers requested that ideas for criteria should be forwarded to him. Alex Castro reported that the Orange County Consolidated Transportation Plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners at the March 6 meeting. This plan covers the unincorporated parts of rural Orange County that are under the jurisdiction of the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization. He also reported that Chapel Hill Meals On Wheels is studying the expansion of its service to cover Bingham Township. Janice Tyler reported that the Second Journey organization recently hosted a forum on co-housing options at the Seymour Center. Two additional workshops are scheduled in the future. In Committee Progress Reports Heather Altman announced that she has joined the Carolina Villages Board. Janice Tyler stated that both the Adult Care Home and Nursing Home Committee have membership applicants listed on the Orange County website. Leo Allison announced that the Friends of Central Orange Las Vegas night will be held on April 20. Tickets are available and dealers are being recruited. The Friends’ Bermuda cruise has been sold out. New Board members are being recruited. Ed Flowers reported that the current management firm for Chapel Hill Rehab is leaving and Vanguard will be managing that facility in the future. Ms. Tyler stated that Triangle United Way is discontinuing its support of the Wellness Program due to a change in its funding priorities. The Friends of Seymour are seeking other sources of support. Sincerely, Janice Tyler, Secretary