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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-15-2005-5nORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 15, 2005 Action Agenda Item No.~J.-yt SUBJECT: Approval of Grant Application Submission to Expand RSVP Disaster Preparedness Program for Seniors, Particularly for Vulnerable and Disabled Persons DEPARTMENT: Aging PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Jerry Passmore, ext 2009 Kathy Porter, 968-2054 Vicki Hill, 968-2056 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To approve submission of a Project of National Significance (PNS) grant application by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of the Department on Aging for $20,000 annually to expand its existing volunteer disaster preparedness program, which aims to empower seniors to better deal with natural disasters through information, training and special projects. BACKGROUND: In 2003, RSVP developed and held a highly successful disaster awareness event attended by over 75 seniors. The education program design came out of a partnership with Emergency Management Services (EMS), Cooperative Extension and local businesses, This special event not only educated seniors, but also showed seniors how to prepare a survival kit to use at home or take with them to a designated emergency shelter, At that time, RSVP became part of the Civilian Corps Council (CCC) developed and housed in EMS to look at ways to partner on disaster preparedness events, especially during the first 72 hours of the event. RSVP maintains its role with CCC, Although this expansion proposal builds on model programs of Orange County RSVP's sister agencies, its overall vision is tailored to Orange County and incorporates health education models for behavior change. The audience is primarily a diverse population of senior citizens, in particular those identified as at risk by demographics, vulnerability or disability, Identification will be supported via Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping along with information from power companies and project partners, z Grant funds would enable RSVP to add temposry help and use its existing volunteer management infrastructure to partner with other agencies to facilitate and implement training of newly-recruited senior volunteers. This would lead to convenient educational presentations and follow-up interventions directed toward behavior change, thus resulting in seniors who are better able to shelter in place or to be better equipped to go rapidly to a designated shelter. Initiatives would also increase the number of volunteers available, upon request, to assist partner agencies in similar efforts. RSVP would aim to "hire" from a senior citizen pool. Numerous agencies have agreed to partner should this grant be awarded, including the Department on Aging's Eldercare Services, the American Red Cross, the Orange County Health Department, Emergency Management Services, the Orange County Animal Shelter, the Orange County Department of Social Services, the NC Cooperative Extension Service, Orange Public Transportation, Piedmont Electric, and Duke Power. (Other potential partners include Orange Congregations In Missions (OCIM) churches and the Orange County Sheriffs Department.) Fifty new volunteers and 150 clients would be recruited from diverse populations of senior citizens through senior centers, Meals on Wheels and outreach programs. Initiatives would be tailored to seniors' lifestyles and needs during disasters. Performance measurement tools would be developed to evaluate training, number of clients who meet the baseline measures, client satisfaction with preparedness level, and pre/post comparison to identify action taken. The Expanded Program Would Consist of Three Timeframes Before Disaster (Raise Awareness) • All volunteers would have basic training on disaster preparedness, senior behaviors and stages of behavior change. • Volunteer educators would present information, limited assistance and resources, if available, to help clients meet the baseline measures (increased awareness level and tangible product, such as an emergency plan, "Pick Up and Go Bag," Vial of Life, No- Cook Food Bags, emergency phone numbers). • A model central database (voluntary) of identified clients would be established, housed and maintained, preferably at EMS. It would be used for telephone reassurance or other County agencies, and include emergency contacts and potential emergency needs (transportation, prescriptions, etc.). During Disaster (Check Clients' Status/Needs/Referrals) Trained telephone reassurance volunteers would check on assigned clients based on existing County models. Volunteers would be at shelters to involve residents in on-site activities. After Disaster (Ongoing Awareness) The telephone reassurance team would follow up with database clients to learn their status and the benefit of their emergency preparedness effort. The database would continually be maintained and expanded, and special activities on timely topics could be offered. Efforts would be modified based on the evaluations. FINANCIAL IMPACT: PNS grants are special, competitive grant applications issued by RSVP's federal sponsor, the Corporation for National and Community Service, to its funded agencies. RSVP received notice only recently that it was eligible to apply for this grant. Grant applications are due March 26, 2005. The two-year grant would be implemented July 2005-June 2007 at $20,000 annually. If awarded, there would be no County match requirement (the required local match has been met), Grant funding in the annual amount of $20,000 would provide far: • 15 hours per week of temporary, part-time help; 6 hours per week in temporary, part-time help for administrative assistance/database operations; 8 weeks ($1,250) for a summer APPLES Learn and Serve Intern (required element in proposal); FICA; local travel • Background checks; badges; postage; publicity; printing; supplies; survival items; training; recognition; • Annual subscription ($200) far an Internet tool to analyze data and produce reports compiled from measurement tools, Based Capon demonstrated successful outcomes, the grant funds would be added to RSVP's current baseline of federal funds. This would increase RSVP's federal funding level on a continuing basis, beyond this grant period that ends in .tune 2007, The increased temporary and part-time hours and associated operational costs are contingent upon receipt and continuation of non-County funds, RECOMMENDATION(5): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize RSVP to apply for the PNS grant and execute all required documents subject to any final review by staff and the County Attorney.