HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdvisory Board on Aging Minutes_8_12_2025 Orange County Advisory Board on Aging
Tuesday,August 12, 1 —3 pm
Passmore Center and Virtually
Minutes
In Attendance: Jeff Charles, Jon Wilner, Shelia Evans, Vibeke Talley, Daniel Leonard, Tracy
Holsinger, Jackie Podger, GiGi Rashdi, Mary Lucas, Joanne Wilson; Guest(s): Rafael Velez;
Ceresa Clarke; Staff: Janice Tyler, Marilyn Hohl, Shenae McPherson, Brandi Beeker, Estella
Johnson; Excused Absences: Jerry Gregory, Rachel Bearman, Sandy Walker
1. Welcome-Janice gave the group updates about Chair Ann Bradford moving to California.
2. Introductions and Announcements-Janice introduced our new Employment Specialist,
Estella Johnson. Board members did introductions.
3. Approval of Minutes—June 10, 2025. The minutes were approved.
Director's Report
4. Fit Lot Ribbon Cutting was held on Friday, August 8.We will upload the recording of the
ceremony on our YouTube channel. The event had great attendance and was a success!
5. Staff Updates—Employment Specialist— Estella Johnson. Estella talked about her prior
work experience and excitement to continue learning about Aging.
Aging Transitions/Volunteer Connect 55+ Specialist—Interviews are being scheduled
6. Project EngAGE class will be delayed until next year due to limited interested.
7. The Fall issue of Endless Possibilities is here! Lots of new activities scheduled!
Sample of upcoming this month:
August 13 4-5:30 p.m. Final Exit Network Presentation—Seymour Center
August 1611 am— 1 pm Back to School Bash— Efland-Cheeks Community Center
August 28 10 a.m. Scam Workshop—Passmore Center
New Business
8. Chair Ann Bradford has resigned.
9. Election of new chair and vice chair. Tracy Holsinger, the vice-chair, was elected to be
chair.
10. FY 25-26 Budget updates- Home Community Block Grant funding: —$7,000 less than
Last year; Janice will meet with AAA in the upcoming weeks to learn about funding changes.
Our takeaway lunch program is stopping at the end of this month. Joanne asked about
NCOCMOW& meal funding.
11. Updating Senior Center Registration Form and Code of Conduct-the board voted and
passed the new Code of Conduct.
2022-27 Master Aging Plan
12. Final Year 3 Reports
a. Communications
Completed or made significant progress on three Indicators with Communications
summer intern Parker Perry:
8.1.3b. "How Did You Hear About Us?"data is continuously collected and reported twice a
year
8.1.3c. "How Did You Hear About Us?"data is used to inform communication decisions
and priorities.
8.1.2c. "How to Use Our Website" information and translation tool are advertised in
Spanish, Mandarin, Karen, Burmese, and other emerging priority languages as feasible, on
OCDOA products and outlets.
20 out of 22 Indicators are either Implemented &Ongoing or Complete going into Yr4.
b. Transportation
Transportation Workgroup—Year 3 Report
Reporting Period: July 2024-June 2025
Summary
Objective 2.1: Increase access to transportation information and travel training.
• Transportation Help Line—All calls total 80.6 hours
• Orange County Transportation Guide 2025 available
• 48 classes/tables offered in FY25
o Passmore Center—2nd Tuesdays
o Seymour Center-2nd Thursdays
o Transit 101 - 1st Fridays
o What's APPening—2nd Wednesdays
o Transportation Scavenger Hunt—April 2025
Objective 2.2: Expand availability and improve transportation options for older adults.
• 120 rides to 21 unique riders provided by 3 volunteer drivers in FY25
Objective 2.3: Improve collaboration among transportation and human service providers to
overcome barriers to mobility
• Transportation Specialist working with Orange County Strategic Plan FY2025-2029
Priority Multi-modal Transportation
Priorities for Year 4
1. Expand volunteer driver recruitment and retention—mutual focus
2. Strengthen partnerships with transportation providers
3. Mobility Manager Certification from Easter Seals
c. Community Support and Health Services
Objective 7.1: Develop supports and resources to promote mental/behavioral health
Strategy 7.1.1: Offer training to increase knowledge for community members and
professionals.
7.1.1 a At least 6 trainings offered quarterly
Hosted 2 MHFA classes in April 2025. Training on 4/9/25 had 16 participants, 4/24/25 had
14 participants. (OCHD)
7.1.2.c Creation of organizational and agency partnerships for the dissemination of
materials identifying services and providers.
12 events attended with a total 806 of people reached. Shared information on area
resources and information on community resources, 988 and 211. Provided other agency
specific information/resources. (OCHD)
Objective 7.2: Expand enriching volunteer opportunities for older adults
Strategy 7.2.2: Increase the number of Orange County older adults participating in
existing volunteer opportunities
7.2.2a. Enrollment in volunteer opportunities is increased by 10% during2022-2027.
Volunteer service opportunities every Friday, and at scheduled outreach events and
burials. (Bluestem Conservation Cemetery)
7.2.2c. Volunteer training, networking, and appreciation events are held twice a year.
OCDOA attended NC Governor's Service Award Ceremony in June to recognize the 4
OCDOAvolunteers nominated for service awards. 3 were awarded to volunteers in the
Senior, Volunteer Director, and Volunteer Group categories. (VC55+)
Objective 7.4: Expand services to help older adults age in community
Strategy 7.4.3: Support the establishment of new and existing community care
neighborhoods
7.4.3b OCDOA Safety-net services are expanded.
Provided 6 home safety consults
Completed 12 cognitive screenings
116 Durable Medical Equipment items provided
Held 1 CarFit event and provided services for 12 clients (Aging Transitions—OT)
Objective 7.5: Expand accessibility of available health and wellness resources
Strategy 7.5.1: Increase racially diverse participation in health and wellness options.
7.5.1 c. Scheduled offerings are increased to account for varying schedules and class
preferences.
New fitness instructor EricZeilger—increased class offerings and increasing total
participation; FitLot— 10; Sit to Be Fit(Arthritis class)—30; Pilates— 12
Eric is also a multilingual instructor(can provide instruction in Mandarin and Spanish)
Objective 7.7: Support planning for and fulfillment of individual goals in all stages at the
end-of-life
Strategy 7.7.3: Support legislation and policy change to facilitate end of life planning and
increase choice.
7.7.3b. Affordable Green Burial financial options are identified and expanded
Implemented Restoration Burial an economical option that reduces impacts on the land.
(Bluestem Conservation Cemetery)
d. Employment- Community partners are doing MAP work for Employment but have not
shared/filled information in. Janice and Estella are meeting with OCDSS tomorrow to
discuss MAP progress and future community MAP work. Estella also met with NCWorks
this week.
Janice reviewed Board members' MAP group assignments and let the group know about
open positions.
Dan asked about how it was communicated about the Fit Feet pricing increase. It was
announced in the Summer EP and in a flyer that is printed at both centers.
Committee Progress Reports if needed:
13. Senior Tar Heel Legislature-Vibeke Talley, STHL Delegate and Rafael Velez, STHL
alternate delegate. Vibeke shared the Legislature will meeting in Raleigh Oct 7 and 8 and
voting on new bylaws. Also updated APS requirements for having more support for adult
abuse victims.
14. Nursing Home and Adult Care Home Joint Community Advisory Committee-Jackie
Podger. New Ombudsman will be working soon! Jackie shared an example Report form that
is filled out post-visit.
15. Friends of the Passmore Center
16. Friends of the Seymour Center-Shelia Evans and Ceresa Clarke. Ceresa shared the
upcoming 90's+Afternoon Tea program and 3 trips: Biltmore 2025, Charleston 2026, and
Portugal 2026.
Adjournment
Next meeting: September 9 from 1:00-3 p.m.-Seymour Center