HomeMy WebLinkAboutAging Advisory Board Minutes 030618ORANGE COUNTY
ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING
Minutes
March 6, 2018
PRESENT: Heather Altman, Mary Altpeter, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Lorenzo Mejia, Donna
Prather, Vibeke Talley, Dick White
EXCUSED: Colin Austin, Winston Liao
STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Janice Tyler
The meeting was called to order at the Seymour Center by Chair Peggy Cohn. Heather Altman
announced that Carol Woods will be hosting an Eden At Home conference on April 24-26. The minutes
of the February 13 meeting were approved as distributed.
DIRECTORS REPORT
Janice Tyler updated the Advisory Board on the implementation of the new Senior Center computerized
check-in system. More than 900 key fobs have been issued to participants to date. Issues are being
addressed by the vendor to make the system more ‘user-friendly’.
A representative of Wellcare Medicare Advantage has approached the Department about sponsoring
health-related activities. Staff will present funding opportunities at the second meeting this Friday.
Renovations have begun at the Passmore Center and the entrance has been temporarily relocated to
the back door. The project is scheduled to be completed by August, adding drop-in space and
redesigning the Front Desk area.
Triangle J Area Agency on Aging will conduct its annual audit of Orange County’s Home & Community
Care Block Grant (HCCBG) and Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP) services during the second
week of April.
The next Brain Health Academy series will be held Thursday evenings from April 5 through May 10 at the
Passmore Center.
The first Orange County Citizens Academy participants will tour the Passmore Center and staff will
provide an overview of Department on Aging services.
A Latino Outreach event will be held on March 8 at the Seymour Center to inform community leaders
about the resources and opportunities available. Heather Altman cited the low numbers of Latino elders
reflected in Orange County demographics.
The Faith-Based Outreach breakfast held at the UNC Hillsborough Hospital earlier in the day had several
new persons in attendance.
NEW BUSINESS
Janice Tyler reviewed the list of Advisory Board members’ terms that are expiring in June: Keith Cook,
Lorenzo Mejia, Donna Prather, Dick White. Both Mr. Cook and Mr. White will continue to represent
Orange County on the Senior Tar Heel Legislature. Those present offered suggestions to fill the
upcoming vacancies.
The Department on Aging staff will meet with the County Manager to review the FY18-19 budget
proposal later in the month; outside agency budget meetings begin this week. Department Directors
have been asked to identify areas of their budgets that could be reduced.
Ms. Tyler noted that the vacant Social Worker I position formerly held by Mike Liu is being reclassified to
Social Worker II and will be advertised in the near future. She met with Orange County Public Transit
(OCPT) Director Theo Letman to discuss options for redirecting HCCBG transportation service dollars to
fund the OC CARES occupational therapist position. Discussion followed on how successful respite
activities initiated with the OC CARES grant can be continued. The funding for the Mobility Manager is
secured through FY18-19. The Chair and Ms. Altman asked if there were ongoing programs in Orange
County that could be utilized to absorb the OC CARES respite services.
Alex Castro, Vibeke Talley and Dick White volunteered to meet on March 21 to review the Outside
Agency funding applications referred to the Department on Aging.
CONTINUING PROJECTS
Yvette Missri listed the five new Senior Resource Teams formed by the latest Project EngAGE (PE)
graduating class: mental health, long-term care, intergenerational, policy & advocacy, LGBTQ. All PE
graduates continue to meet quarterly to share experiences and report achievements. Senior Resource
Teams are open to all volunteers.
COMMITTEE PROGRESS REPORTS
Dementia Friendly Business Campaign – Lorenzo Mejia reported that over 900 persons have been
trained since the project began. Al’s Burgers is the first restaurant to request DFB training for its
employees. The training video needs to be updated and the Rotary Club may be able to help.
Discussion followed on efforts in other areas of the country and training options.
Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Dick White announced that the STHL will convene its 2018 session next
week. Keith Cook’s nomination for the Orange County alternate position is in process.
Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee – Vibeke Talley stated that Cherie Rosemond will discuss
quality of life issues at tonight’s Committee meeting.
Transportation Board – Alex Castro reported that the Orange Unified Transportation Board met in
February. Items discussed included the Mountain to Sea Trail and the Highway 54 corridor. Cedar Ridge
High School students are being utilized to create transit public service announcements.
Heather Altman reported on findings from the OC Affordable Housing Summit which 150 people
attended. Discussion followed on the availability and condition of affordable housing, including the shift
in focus from transitional housing to rapid rehousing.
Friends of the Passmore Center – Janice Tyler announced the upcoming Las Vegas night fundraiser.
Vice-Chair Lorenzo Mejia agreed to represent the Advisory Board on Aging at the April 26 Board of
County Commissioners meeting to answer questions about its 2017 Annual Report.
Ms. Tyler distributed Senior Resource Guides to Board members and announced that the directory will
not be reprinted due to rising costs but can be accessed through the Orange County website.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Janice Tyler, Secretary