Department of Human Services / Council on Aging

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING February 14, 2018 PRESENT: Anne Bisson Kelley Sylvia Charlotte Carr Lori Gonsalves Ted O’Brien Ann Kardamis Barry Burke Tracy Heger Jim Lincoln ABSENT: Louise Silva Meeting called to order at 10:02 a.m. by Ted O’Brien Charlotte Carr made a motion to accept the January 10, 2018 meeting minutes. Ann Kardamis seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report Board Meeting 02.14.18 Old Business: 1. FY 19 Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): The FY 19 CDBG Grants were submitted on 1.17.18. We requested full-year funding for both the Elder Outreach Nurse and three (3) Elder Outreach Case Workers. We will most likely receive level-funding. 2. Substance Use Prevention Grants (MOAPC, SAPC and PFS): I will be meeting with Paula Beaulieu and Kiara Zea on March 2, 2018, to review grants. The City of Taunton has been paying the subcontractor SSTAR for the Partnership for Success grant work. 3. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force (TOTF): The TOTF monthly meeting was held on 2.13.18. There were forty (40) in attendance. SSTAR employees reviewed the grant events and the social marketing campaign. Steve Turner updated the members on the Outreach Team. They have provided over 800 home visits and they have yet to be turned away. He is looking for two (2) direct contacts at each treatment agency. Barry Sanders updated the group on the Taunton Opens Doors to Recovery Drop-In Center. They are beginning to get some walk-ins. Still need to advertise more. Judge Lawton spoke about the Drug Court. Two individuals will be graduating to the next level. Kelli Riley informed the membership about her new program, The Woman at the Well, Inc., that has opened on 19 Court Street. The next meeting is scheduled for 3.13.18. 4. Congressman Joseph Kennedy: On January 23, 2018, the Taunton Council on Aging hosted a roundtable meeting between Congressman Kennedy, MA Councils on Aging and Council on Aging Directors of his district. Fifteen (15) of the Directors attended and all were pleased with his presentation and answers to questions posed. Following the COA meeting, I attended his presentation at Manet Community Health Center as I am a Board Member. I was fortunate to receive an invitation, as was Lori Gonsalves and her family, to attend the Congressman’s Democratic response to the State of Union address that was held at Diman Vocational High School in Fall River. New Business: 1. Dementia Friendly MA: Nancy Pereira from Associates for Human Services WISE Program, Gail Thurston and I met regarding starting a Dementia Friendly Taunton group and campaign. She provided us with information she had as to administrating the program. I will be attending a workshop on Dementia Friendly MA on Thursday, February 15, 2018, and will contact Ms. Pereira for a follow-up meeting. This is a new movement across the country to educate businesses and the community on how to respectfully communicate with those who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and their families. 2. FY 19 EOEA Formula Grant: Council on Aging Directors were notified by MCOA that the Governor has submitted his FY 19 State Budget with an increase to $12.00 per elder per community. This year the legislature decreased the amount from $10.00 to $9.70 per elder per community so we will see what will occur during budget deliberations. 3. FY 19 City of Taunton Budget: We have received notice from Gill Enos, Budget Director, that the FY 19 City of Taunton Budget is now on line and is due by April 20, 2018. I will be asking for primarily level funding for Other Expense. However, I will submit a request to reinstate for two full-time positions: Bilingual Case Worker and Drug Community Coordinator, both at a higher rate than is in the COTMA grid. I will ask to up the subscriptions line due to an increase in cost for the Taunton Daily Gazette, and we will keep the line item for Sign Language Interpreters. 4. Meeting Summary/Anne attended the following meetings: a. Sen. Pacheco’s Community Resource Fair for Elders at Roseland: 1.16.1 b. MA Municipal Association Trade Show: 1.19.18 – 1.20.18 c. EOEA Protective Services Program update/Attleboro: 1.22.18 d. Congressman Joe Kennedy: 1.23.18 at 9:00 and 12:00 e. Safe Neighborhood Initiative: 1.24.18 f. Bristol Elder Services Advisory Council: 1.25.18 g. Substance Use Prevention Grants: 1.26.18 h. Congressman Kennedy: 1.30.18 i. Councilman Barry Sanders: 2.1.18 Barry is the Chair of the Elder & Human Services Council Committee. I will be presenting at the March council meeting. j. Budget Director Gill Enos: 2.7.18 k. Nancy Pereira, WISE Program, Associates for Human Services: 2.8.18 l. South East Regional Coordinating Council on Transportation: 2.13.18 m. Mayor Hoye: 2.13.18 n. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force: 2.13.18 5. Upcoming Scheduled Programs/meetings: a. Dementia Friendly MA: 2.15.18 b. Manet Community Health Center Board: 2.20.18 c. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative: 2.28.18 d. Substance Use Prevention Grants: 3.2.18 e. City Council Elder/Human Services Committee: 3.6.18 f. MA Councils on Aging: 3.8.18  g. SOCO Leadership Committee: 3.9.18 h. Mayor Hoye: 3.12.18 i. South East Regional Coordinating Council on Transportation: 3.13.18 j. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force: 3.13.18 6. DHS Updates: a. I will be taking vacation from 2.20.18 – 2.23.18 b. Health Insurance Meetings for staff. c. Please make note that the Proclamation for Older Americans Month will be read at the May 1, 2018, City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. The Volunteer Recognition is scheduled for Thursday, May 17, 2018, at the Segregansett Country Club. 7. Senior Center Coordinator Monthly Report 8. Next meeting: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 Senior Center Coordinator’s Report – February 14, 2018 Tuesday, January 16th at 1:00 pm, Bette Howarth, from American Credit Counseling Services, presented, “A Debt Free New Year’s Resolution” to 6 seniors that attended. On Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 1:00 pm Gail Thurston, Elder Outreach Coordinator, had a presentation on Prescription Advantage. 2 seniors attended. On Tuesday, February 6, 2018, at 1 pm, representative, Alexandra Parham, from Brewster Ambulance Service discussed, helped update accounts and registered seniors for the Smart 9-1- 1 program that is being used in Taunton. 8 seniors attended. Upcoming Events Our TED Talks topic for Thursday, February 15, 2018 at 11:30 am, will be on, “Our Fascination with Technology and how it Effects our Health”. On Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm, Mike Higgins, will be back at the Senior Center to perform. On Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at 1:00 pm, Trevor Smith, of Blue Sky Consulting will present a program called, “Laugh for the Health of It: Creating Healthy Learning Styles through Laughter.” Participants will learn a systematic method of chuckles, chortles, giggling and guffawing that promises to help reduce stress, prevent hardening of the attitudes and contribute to world peace. The laughter routine, designed to make anyone feel better, works without using jokes or comedy to stimulate the laughter. From March 12th through March 16th, Taunton Federal Credit Union will provide shred bins for Taunton seniors. On Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at 1:00 pm, Roger Tincknell will be performing, “From Ireland to America”. The program will include traditional and contemporary Irish and Irish American songs, ballads and instrumentals performed on guitar, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, Irish bouzouki, Bodhran (drum), spoons and Irish Limberjack (wooden dancing instrument). On Wednesday, March 14, 2018 from 9:00 – 11:00 am, the Taunton Police Department will be here for their Drug / Sharps Take Back Social. Bristol Elder Services will have a table at this event with information on elder substance abuse. We would like to invite the Taunton Opiate Task Force to the next Drug Take Back event. Our TED Talks topic on Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. will be on, “How Gambling and other Addictions Disturb the Brain”. On Tuesday, March 20, 2018 at 1:00 pm, District Attorney Thomas Quinn III, will present on, “Frauds and Scams”. On Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at 1:00 pm, we will show the movie, “Me Before You”. Tracy mentioned the following upcoming events scheduled for April: A presentation on Vietnam, hoping to attract some male members to attend. AARP Smart Driver Program for a small fee. The Senior Tax Program will begin accepting applications on April 2, 2018. On April 17, 2018, which is school vacation week, we will have Farm Visits bring small animals for a petting zoo. Members are encouraged to bring their grandchildren to this event. Anne added that she is still in search of a new line dancing instructor. Tracy added that she is currently looking for events to host in May and is planning a Canine Day in June with the Sheriff’s Department. A motion to adjourn was made by Ted O’Brien at 10:30 a.m. Seconded by Jim Lincoln. All in favor. Next meeting: Wednesday, March 14, 2018