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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil on Aging-Disabilities 01-17-02ST. CROIX COUNTY NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETING TO: Thomas Dorsey, Chairman St. Croix County Board FROM: Richard Peterson, Chairman COMMITTEE TITLE: Council on Aging DATE: Thursday January 17th, 2002 TIME: 8:30 a.m. LOCATION: County Board Room CALL TO ORDER AND INTRODUCTIONS OF NEW MEMBERS ROLL CALL ADOPTION OF AGENDA DATE OF NEXT MEETING: ? ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES INTRODUCTIONS UNFINISHED BUSINESS: New Richmond Site Update Budget Update SAMS Update NEW BUSINESS: The Erickson's from Helping Hands Staff Reports Site /Center Updates ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: ADJOURNMENT (Agenda not necessarily presented in this order) SUBMITTED BY: Sandy Gehrmann DATE: January 3, 2002 COPIES TO: COUNTY BOARD OFFICE COUNTY CLERK NEWS MEDIA /NOTICE BOARD COMMITTEE MEMBERS COUNCIL ON AGING MEETING January 17, 2002 St. Croix County Government Center CALL TO ORDER Chairman, Rich Peterson, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was given in honor and remembrance of the men and women in our country's armed forces. ROLL CALL Members present were: Rich Peterson, John Mortensen, Dr. Glenn Hoberg, Margaret Wolske, Irene Burch, Marguerite Sumner, Carolyn Weisenburger, Doris Teigen, Florence Patrick, Bette Norman, and Ralph Bader. Also present were: Barb Blaisdell, Sandy Gehrmann, Tracy Davis, Sylvia Heller, Janice Thompson, Betty Jordahl, Gladys Ellefson, Donna Lamson, Karen Wells and Cindy Ahrens. Mary Lou Smith was excused. Introductions were made. Karen Wells was given a warm welcome as the new New Richmond Program Manager. ADOPTION OF AGENDA A motion was made by John Mortensen, and seconded by Marguerite Sumner to adopt the agenda as printed; motion carried. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Thursday March 21, 2001. ACTION ON PREVIOUS MINUTES A motion was made by Marge Wolske and seconded by Dr. Hoberg to approve the minutes as printed; motion carried. Corrections to the November 15'', 2001 minutes, page 7, clarifying that "the Grannies Council on Aging Page 1 01/31/02 performed at Suzanna's in New Richmond for the S & C Bank's customer appreciation Christmas celebration, were recognized. UNFINISHED BUSINESS New Richmond Site Update: The New Richmond Nutrition Site reopened on January 7 2002. Meals will be served on Mondays and Thursdays. The Somerset area DayAway Club will be meeting in the New Richmond building on Tuesdays. Budget Update: In December 2001, the Department was notified of cutbacks to funding, including $2592.00 decrease in the Cl allocation. USDA funding may be cutback as much as $5,000.00 to $6,000.00. Overall meal cost has increased from $4.85 in 2000, to $5.25 in 2001. Donations continue to be down. No cutbacks in service are planned at this time, though problems in the Congregate Nutrition Program are anticipated. SAMS Update: After reviewing information regarding SAMS, the new computer program that is to be implemented in order to fulfill Federal NAPIS requirements, St. Croix County Computer Services reports that the addition of a new server at the cost of $4000.00 to $6000.00 may be needed. Though the state paid for the software, the demands that the program may place on county IT systems were not anticipated. Funding for the Nutrition Programs will be dependent upon the NAPIS reporting in 2002. A motion was made by Ralph Bader and seconded by Marge Wolske, that if necessary, the Department on Aging, in conjunction with Computer Services, approach the Administrative Coordinator and the Finance Committee for funds to purchase a new server. Council on Aging Page 2 01/31/02 NEW BUSINESS: Helping Hands: Terri Erickson introduced herself and the "hands on" youth mentoring program that she and her husband now coordinate. The program pairs the helping hands of youth and adults with the needs of individuals and non - profit organizations in the St. Croix County area. She highlighted recent projects and solicited ideas or suggestions for future projects. Project requests may be placed with the Department on Aging or the Community Action Center at 386 -9803. STAFF REPORTS Sandy's Report: Recent staff changes at the Department, including the resignation of the part time clerical worker and Faith In Action Coordinator were discussed. Pam Benson took a full time clerical position at the Health Center. A replacement for her position is still being sought. Shirley Grinley, will be combining the positions of DayAway Coordinator and the Faith In Action Coordinator into a single Caregiver Support Coordinator position. The new position will be focused on outreach. Sandy shared the letter of apology received from the State Fiscal Manager for the lack of notification regarding funding cutbacks prior to the submission of the county and state budgets. Per his suggestion, a petition to the State Nutrition Coordinator, was submitted requesting that a portion, or the entire $2952.00 cutback amount be awarded in 2002. As of today's date, there has been no response. Council on Aging Page 3 01/31/02 Copies of the Wisconsin Semi - Annual Program Report, detailing the number of units of service the Department of Aging has provided and the number of program participants for the entire year of 2001, were distributed and reviewed. Meal and Site Comparisons for 2000 and 2001 were distributed and reviewed. Overall, there were increases in the total numbers of congregate and home delivered meals served in 2001. However, the average donation per meal appeared to reflect the recent downward trend in the economy. The Wisconsin SeniorCare Fact Sheet detailing the prescription drug assistance program to begin on September 1, 2002 was distributed and reviewed. Program Managers were encouraged to make copies for their site participants. Letters of appreciation for services received by the Department were read aloud. The Meals on Wheels Association of America will be sponsoring "March for Meals" in March 2002. They are requesting that agencies offering this service pick a day in March to hold an event or sponsor an activity for fundraising purposes. Kits will be mailed in January. It was suggested that the youth involved with the Helping Hands be enlisted in this effort. Bake sales sponsored by individual sites during community celebrations were suggested as an option. A question was raised regarding the role of the Department on Aging as a member of the committee involved with the conversion of the St. Anne's Convent in Somerset into a Council on Aging Page 4 01/31/02 homeless shelter. It was made clear that no funding is involved and that the Department's role as a committee member, within the network of committee members, is to act as an intermediary between available services and the needs of seniors in St. Croix County. St. Croix County has hired the Springsted Consulting Firm to conduct a personnel study. All County employees, including site personnel will be included and need to complete the questionnaire distributed at today's meeting. Completed questionnaires are to be returned to the Department by January 25 . Council members requested to be kept informed on the progress and findings of the study via monthly updates. Suggestions for topics for the Master Gardeners were solicited. They included African Violets, container gardening, and bulb forcing. Barb's Report Brochures recently created by the Food Resource Collaborative were distributed. Included in the brochure are addresses of food pantries located in the St. Croix County area. The Food Resource Collaborative has reported a substantial increase in food pantry use since the fall of 2001. The Food Resource Collaborative is funded entirely by Foundation money. The Executive Director of The United Way has reported that three people have been appointed at the state level and assigned to work with Wisconsin groups to write grants to access federal money. Proportionately, Wisconsin has not been receiving its fair share of federal dollars. Council on Aging Page 5 01/31/02 An update on the liability issues related to allowing non - County entities to use County owned or leased vehicles was given. A letter received from St. Croix County's Risk Manager that included a reply from WWMIC was read aloud. As a result, the moratorium on expansion of use by the Council on Aging based on the recommendation of the Transportation Committee will continue. Furthermore, it was suggested that the Deerfield be limited to local use during the time a decision is made on its current use of the New Richmond van. Concerns related to the suggestion that non - County entities be allowed to use these vehicles for a fee as long as Departmental drivers are hired, were given. All were encouraged to participate in the next Transportation Committee meeting. Date and time to be posted at the sites. A draft of the Card Tourney Schedule was distributed for review. Changes to the schedule or the menus on card party days need to be submitted by February 15` for publication in the March SCAN. The Center for Independent Living, a partner member of The Regional Transportation Committee, has requested a letter of support from the Council and the St. Croix County Department on Aging. The letter is to be used in the application for a transportation grant offered by the State of Wisconsin. If the grant is awarded, travel vouchers would be given to the disabled and elderly in this area to spend on any existing transportation service in the in the I -94 corridor between Eau Claire and the St. Croix River. A motion was made my Marge Wolske, and seconded by John Mortensen to draft a letter of support; motion carried. Council on Aging Page 6 01/31/02 A letter that accompanied a donation given by members of the General Government Support Services Union, Local 576B, for the Medical Transportation Program was read. Those present were encouraged to thank union members for their support. SITE /CENTER REPORTS BALDWIN 72 attended the Christmas dinner in December. Bingo, cards and foot care continue. The site is entertained by Eleanor Boldt on Wednesdays. DEER PARK Lack of Center Board meetings may be attributed to the illness of Center Board members. Carolyn Weisenburger is recovering nicely from emergency surgery. The Green Thumb employee will be gone for two weeks, posing a staff shortage dilemma. The Grannies come every Monday to work on their 2002 program. GLENWOOD CITY: A hand waxing machine and is spa are available for use at the Senior Center. Valentines party complete with the coronation of king and queen is planned. Preparation for St. Pat's Day is also underway. HAMMOND /ROBERTS Chair exercises and cards continue. A bake sale in December raised $159.60. The Christmas party, with entertainment by the Polka Dots, was held on December 2e. A van trip is planned in February. HUDSON The Christmas party had over 50 present. On a separate date, an evening meal with Croixview was followed with a light viewing trip and hot chocolate, cider and treats. A representative from "Treasures of the Heart" a used clothing store located in Baldwin came to speak. All proceeds raised from store sales are donated to the hospice program of Heartland Home Care. A movie night, complete with popcorn, after an evening meal is being planned when the weather is warmer. The Council on Aging Page 7 01/31/02 youth from the Helping Hands program visited recently and a good time was had by all. Bingo and exercises continue. The VIOP continues to meet monthly at the Hudson Senior Center. NEW RICHMOND Bingo and cards are played each Monday and Thursday. There has been much volunteer help since the opening day of January T Foot care and blood pressure checks will be held in February. A round of applause was given for the effort that Karen Wells put into making opening day a much - appreciated success. RIVER FALLS: Bette Norman reports that Rhoda Wood is looking good. AARP tax service will be held on February 5, 19, and the 26". Cards are played 2 times a week. A pool table and exercise equipment are available. The Christmas party was held at the Westwind on December 3rd SOMERSET 38 people attended the Christmas party on December 20 u '. The Panhandlers performed and the St. Anne's fourth graders were also in attendance. Placemats for the Health Center were made. On January 29 a birthday celebration will be held for a participant who will be turning 98. A wagon created by site participants is on display at the site. A raffle will be held in the spring to raise money for the site van account. A luncheon trip is planned for a Friday in February. WOODVILLE The van was taken to Menomonie Christmas shopping in December. AARP tax clinic will be held on February 6 Cards and bingo continue to go well. A motion was made by Marge Wolske , seconded by Irene Burch, to approve the van trips in February; motion carried. A motion was made by Ralph Bader, seconded by Marge Wolske, to approve impromptu van trips that may take place in March. Discussion clarifying procedure and policy on gaining Council on Aging Page 8 01/31/02 approval for impromptu van trips not already pre - authorized by Council followed. Motion Carried. ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CORRESPONDENCE A story written by Barb Blasidell about the delivery of the Secret Santa Bags this year was read aloud. A total of forty -eight bags filled with the generous donations received from government center employees were delivered. POSSIBLE AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING: Ideas for future agenda items were solicited. A motion was made by John Mortensen and seconded by Marge Wolske to adjourn the meeting; motion carried. Council on Aging Page 9 01/31/02