College Park Seniors Committee

College Park Seniors Committee Virtual Meeting October 4, 2023 7:00 p.m. Final Minutes Seniors Committee Members: PRESENT ABSENT 1. Woei-Nan Bair X 2. Adele Ellis X 3. Carol Gray X 4. Mary Anne Hakes X 5. Kathy Baer X 6. Gail Lovelace X 7. Bonnie McClellan X 8. Darlene Nowlin X 9. Arelis Perez X 10. Robert Thurston X Also present : Kiaisha Barber, Director of Youth, Family and Senior Services; David Segal, Guest; Joi Woods, Contract Secretary I. Call to Order Bonnie McClellan called the meeting to order at 7: 26 p.m. II. Approval of Agenda for October 4, 2023 Arelis Perez motioned to approve the agenda for October 4, 2023 . Darlene Nowlin seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. III. Approval of the June 7, 2023 Minutes Robert Thurston motioned to approve the , June 7, 2023 minutes as corrected. Arelis Perez seconded the motion . All were in favor, no opposed. The motion passed. IV. Update on the city survey Discussion postponed. V. AARP Livability Community Action Plan Robert Thurston provided an update about the AARP Livable Community initiative. Noted points included: A. The Livable Community Action Plan has been accepted by AARP. The city is currently in the 3-year implementation period. 1  B. Lucinda Nobles is the newest member of the AARP Livability workgroup. The group is still seeking to recruit additional members to fulfill 5 committees aligned with the Livable Communities domains. C. The Livable Communities webpage will be housed on the city’s website. Webpage updates are being finalized after incorporating feedback from work group members. D. Consideration to pursue grant funds from AARP and solicit support from the city’s grant writer in FY 2024. E. Woei-Nan Bair has contributed a workbook to track the initiatives and accomplishments for each domain. The AARP Livable Community workgroup’s proposal to UMD’s Department of Health and Public Policy for Graduate Students to update the city’s emergency plan. Woei-Nan Bair will meet with the Department Chair. F. Robert Thurston met with Chyna Diaz, Program Manager at Habitat for Humanity regarding the Habitat Program. 1) The city has invested $300,000 with a maximum of $30,000 per project that will support retrofitting and renovations for approximately 9 homes. The Lakeland Community has been identified as a priority. 2) The committee discussed: a. Eligibility criteria and income limitations ($67K for one person and $95K for four people) b. Plans and timelines to announce the program to residents and c. Assessing eligibility and processing applications Kiaisha Barber will inquire further about city plans to market the program and report back to the committee. VI. Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN-CP) Robert Thurston provided an update of current efforts, goals, and accomplishments for Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN-CP). A. NHN-CP is averaging 4 calls per week for ride requests. Requests are being met with 3 regular volunteer drivers. B. Active volunteer recruitment is ongoing to meet the need for active bandwidth Board Members. The Board is also seeking Operators to help manage daily operations including marketing and volunteer recruitment. C. Representatives from the Maryland Office on Aging expressed an interest in the Neighborhood Villages concept during a Corridor Conversations meeting. D. NHN-CP and Neighboring Villages are planning a meeting to explore opportunities to collaborate and strengthen their presence throughout the county. Some opportunities include pursuing grant opportunities for FY 2024 from the Maryland Department of Aging to secure $115K for service provisions and $145K to fund Technical Assistance Project. E. Marketing 2  1) Noted success in increasing organizational visibility with reusable bags. The bags have been distributed throughout the community including Youth, Family and Seniors Services and Authority of the City of College Park (HACCP). a. Bonnie McClellan gave special thanks and acknowledgement to Arelis Perez, Paula Green, and Robert Thurston for coordinating and distributing reusable bags. 2) NHN-CP has purchased a retractable banner with the organization’s contact information and website address F. NHN-CP purchased a mailing list of College Park seniors to work in conjunction with the Livable Communities initiative and the Senior Advisory Committee to reach seniors. 1) The intent is to survey seniors and learn more about how they are receiving information. Survey data will be used to identify ways to improve communications and inform residents about of services, programs, and events. 2) Prohibitive mailings costs hinder survey distribution a. Robert Thurston has also received an inquiry from a fraternity to volunteer and has inquired about possibilities for UMD students to distribute the surveys door to door. b. The committee discussed proposing an allocation for mailing costs in next year’s budget c. Committee and work group members are also meeting to explore ways to enhance communication. d. The committee discussed securing grant funds to cover additional costs that are prohibitive to the city’s budget. New Business VII. College Park Day A. The Committee will be present and tabling the College Park Day event. A table will be shared with NHN-CP. B. Tote bags and water will be distributed C. Paula Green will distribute brochures for NHN-CP 1) Residents will have the opportunity to sign up for the Senior Advisory Committee, NHN- CP, and the Senior newsletter. VIII. Youth, Family and Seniors Services (YSF) A. Staff recruitment is underway for a Full Time Case Manager and Full Time Bus Driver B. YSF building updates and renovations at the Rectory House with a goal to relocate the Seniors Service staff by December C. Perineal Programming with Lakeland Stars has started 3  D. Thursdays Socials at the VFW IX. Announcements & Other Discussion A. Care Solace program- offers additional health Mental Health supports to fulfill Social Service needs in the community through partnerships with school systems and government entities. Kiaisha Barber will share an update after meeting with Care Solace representatives. B. Medicare Part B- medication tool C. Movies then and Now Greenbelt Theater Corridor Conversations October 28, 2023, 2- 3:30 pm D. NHN-CP will be tabling at the Community BBQ at the Al Huda School on Sunday, October 8, 2023 3:30-5:00 pm X. Guest Speaker s and Meeting Schedule A. The committee discussed the meeting schedule. Meetings are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month in November 2023, December 2023, February 2024, March 2024 April 2024, and May 2024. The February meeting will be confirmed pending new committee business. The committee will share additional ideas for speakers via email for consideration. The next meeting is scheduled for on November 1, 2023. B. Future Guest Speakers 1) Susan Hartman, CP CUP- November 2023 a. The committee discussed reviewing CP CUP’s Vision 2030 Plan, newsletter before the meeting. 2) Ryna Quinones, City Communications Director- December 2023 3) Jenna Crawley, Maryland Department of Aging - February or March 2024 a. Arelis Perez will follow up to invite Jenna Crawley. 4) The committee discussed other potential guest speakers including: Antonia DeSilva, Community Engagement, Eric Olson, Tom Denoga, Howard County Department of Aging; Barbara Sullivan, Village to Village Network. XI. Adjournment Darlene Nowlin motioned to adjourn the meeting . Arelis Perez seconded the motion. All were in favor, none opposed. The motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:36 p.m. 4