Department of Human Services / Council on Aging

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING May 09, 2018 PRESENT: Anne Bisson Jim Lincoln Charlotte Carr Ted O’Brien Ann Kardamis Kelley Sylvia Barry Burke Tracy Heger ABSENT: Louise Silva, Lori Gonsalves Meeting called to order at 10:03 a.m. by Ted O’Brien Charlotte Carr made a motion to accept the April 11, 2018 meeting minutes. Barry Burke seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report Board Meeting 05.09.18 Old Business: 1. FY 19 Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): I have not yet heard from the grant source as to an award. If awarded, I will be requesting a revision of the budget to include an increase in the Case Workers/Nurse hourly wage. 2. FY 18 and FY 19 Formula Grants: We will have unexpended funds in our FY 18 grant due to late receipt of the grant amount and resignations/vacations. I will be putting together a request to transfer funds to purchase items for the Senior Center and the Elder Outreach office. The FY 19 Formula Grant trainings have been scheduled. Charlene and I will be attending the training at the Seekonk Senior Center on 5.15.18. The increase to $12.00 per elder in the FY 19 Grant has passed the House. It now goes to the Senate, the Conference Committee and finally the Governor. 3. FY 19 City of Taunton budget: I submitted the budget on-line on 4.13.18 and it was acknowledged that it was received. I requested that two positions be reinstated, the full- time Elder Outreach Supervisor and the full-time Drug Community Coordinator. I also requested that the part-time Case Worker hourly rate be increased to $20.00. The total budget request: $477,920.18. This fiscal year we received $ 393,701.25. 4. Substance Use Prevention Grants (MOAPC, SAPC and PFS): I continue to meet monthly with the subcontractor from SSTAR. All employees have been working on the strategies as submitted and approved. 5. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force (TOTF): The TOTF held a Community Discussion Forum on Monday, April 30, 2018, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Friedman Middle School. Although the attendance was low (50), the keynote by Dr. Jeffrey Bratberg and the panel from TOTF were well received. The TOTF held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. There were 34 in attendance. Staff from SSTAR described their services. A survey was distributed and completed by the members in attendance. Sen. Warren has submitted the CARES Act to Congress to provide funding for the opioid crisis. There will be formula funds sent to cities/towns/counties that have a high amount of opioid overdoses.  Bristol County and Taunton are included. The Act has to pass all forms of governing bodies in Washington. 6. Dementia Friendly Taunton: The Taunton Council on Aging and Associates for Human Services (AHS) Wise Adult Day Health Program are collaborating on this program and holding our first meeting with community members on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. at AHS. Gail Thurston and I will be attending a Dementia Friendly training meeting, with Nancy Pereira from AHS, at the Acushnet Council on Aging on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. I received a call from Rep. Shaunna O’Connell on 5.3.18. She submitted an Earmark for the Dementia Friendly Taunton Program in the amount of $25,000. It has passed the House and now has to go through the budget process. 7. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative (SNI): The Taunton SNI Annual Breakfast was held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018. There were 35 in attendance, including Mayor Hoye and City Councilors John McCaul and Estele Borges. The Guest Speaker was Officer Steve Turner and he presented on the Opiate Outreach Team. 8. FY 19 Drug Free Communities: The Drug Free Communities grant was submitted before the due date of March 29, 2018, and was accepted. We are awaiting notice of award or denial. New Business: 1. Bristol County Regional Alliance to End the Opiate Crisis: District Attorney Tom Quinn and Southcoast Health are hosting a meeting on 5.10.18 to bring together the various opiate and substance use task forces in order to work together on this issue as a county. This collaboration will assist in obtaining county funds for the opioid epidemic in Bristol County. 2. Meeting Summary/Anne attended the following meetings: a. Dementia Friendly Communities: 4.13.18 b. Matthew Mission: 4.17.18 – Anne noted that the Mission no longer serves breakfast, and that it is now served at Our Daily Bread Soup Kitchen. c. Manet Community Health Center Committee/Board Meeting: 4.17.18 d. Taylor Torres, City Grant Writer: 4.18.18 e. Prevention and Wellness Network: 4.19.18 f. Substance Use Grants/Community Forum: 4.19.18 g. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative Annual Meeting: 4.25.18 h. Community Forum/co-chair: 4.26.18 i. Bristol County COA Directors: 4.26.18 j. Secretary of EOEA Alice Bonner: 4.30.18 k. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force Community Event: 4.30.18 l. Older Americans Month Proclamation: 5.1.18 m. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force: 5.8.18 3. Upcoming Scheduled Programs/meetings: a. Bristol County Regional Alliance: 5.10.18 b. TRIAD Fashion Show: 5.10.18 c. Mayor Hoye: 5.14.18 d. FY 19 Formula Grant training: 5.15.18 e. Manet CHC Strategic Planning Committee: 5.15.18 f. Manet Community Health Center Board: 5.15.18 g. Volunteer Recognition: 5.17.18 h. Dementia Friendly Taunton: 5.22.18  i. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative: 5.23.18 j. SOCO – Homelessness Coalition: 5.23.18 k. Bristol Elder Services Advisory and Directors meetings: 5.24.18 l. Dementia Friendly Taunton: 5.30.18 m. Painting and Carpeting of Offices: 5.30.19 – 6.4.18 n. Manet Foundation: 6.5.18 o. Aging with Dignity Conference: 6.6.18 p. MMA Human Services Council Annual Meeting?: 6.8.18 q. Mayor Hoye: 6.11.18 r. Manet CHC Strategic Planning Committee: 6.11.18 s. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force: 6.12.18 4. DHS Updates: a. I will be off May 25 and May 29, 2018. b. We will be painting and carpeting our offices. It is scheduled to be completed on May 30 and 31 and June 1 and 4, 2018. Programs will be cancelled because we have to put all of our office furniture, etc., in the Senior Center. The lunch program and small education programs will be held at the meal site. c. I submitted a letter to Council for hourly increases for some grant employees. The request was approved. d. Resignation of three part-time Outreach Workers e. Future resignation of one part-time Bilingual Outreach Worker 5. Senior Center Coordinator Monthly Report 6. Next meeting: Wednesday, June 13, 2018 – Anne reminded all that this will be the last meeting until September since no meetings are held in July & August. Senior Center Coordinator’s Report – May 09, 2018 All you all know, AARP started preparing tax returns on February 5th. From February through April, they e-filed 538 tax returns. Tuesday, April 17th at 1:00 pm, Farm Visits, out of Dighton, MA, was here during school vacation. Many Senior’s brought their grandchildren and had a wonderful therapeutic pet experience. A diapered baby goat & a mini potbelly pig were in cages for the children to socialize with, while lots of bunnies, silkie hens, as well as chicks who were all swaddled in receiving blankets for easy handling were passed around the center for us to cuddle. 74 people were in attendance. Anne added that we will host this event again as it was so well received. Tuesday, April 24th from 9:30 – 2:30 a representative from AARP was here to teach the AARP Smart Drive Safety Program course. The course is designed to help drivers age 50-plus familiarize themselves with the current rules of the road, defensive driving techniques, and how to operate vehicles more safely in an increasingly challenging driving environment. Learn proven strategies to maintain your confidence behind the wheel. 11 seniors attended. On May 1st tickets went on sale for our Summer Kick Off party on June 14th at the PACC. We have sold 100 tickets so far. On May 1st Swing Fever Trio –played music of the 30’s, 40’s & 50’s for our Pre-Kentucky Derby Party. Crème de menthe parfaits were served along with lemonade and water. It was a great time. 48 seniors attended. On May 1st, from 3:00 – 5:00 pm, we offered a Drug / Sharps Take Back. 7 seniors participated. On May 1st at 7:00 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers we had 23 seniors join us for the Mayor to read the Proclamation for 2018 Older Americans Month. On May 8th at 1:00 pm, Howie Newman performed his Musical Baseball Show. He sang baseball tunes and had baseball trivia. 21 seniors attended. Upcoming Events May 2, 9, 16, 23 & June 6, 13 from 12:30 – 3:00 pm – Julia Lom from the Brockton Visiting Nurse Association will have a free 6 week educational workshop on Diabetes Self-Management. They will be taught how to better manage your diabetes; handle stress and difficult emotions; eat healthy and promote physical activities; increase your energy level; set and meet personal goals; and how to make choices about your treatment. May 7, 21 & June 4, 11, 18 & 25 from 10:00 – 11:30 - IPhone / IPad classes. May 22, 29 & June 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 4:15 – 5:15 – Nancy Cunningham will have a 6 week meditation class. Tracy added that we have had a great response to this class with 31 members signed up so far and that Nancy is very well liked by all. May 15th at 1:00 pm – Mel Simons presents a one-man show: The life and Songs of Al Jolson, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor & George M. Cohan. May 17th – Volunteer Recognition at Segregansett Country Club @ 12:00 pm. May 22nd at 1:00 pm - Consumer Rights – Learn about your Rights as a consumer. May 24th from 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Flip Flop wreaths May 29th at 1:00 pm – MA Bar – A Legal Checkup June 5th at 1:00 pm – American Credit Counseling – Understanding your credit report. June 12th & 19th at 1:00 – 2 part History series for the “Never Stop Learning Group” on the Roosevelts. June 14th at 12:00 – Summer Kick-Off party at the PACC Week of June 18th – 22nd – shred week June 19th at 9:00 am – walking challenge at Hopewell Park June 21st at 11:30 am – TED Talks June 21st from 1:00 – 3:00 pm – Drug / Sharps take back June 26th at 1:00 pm – Sheriff’s department their K-9 dogs Ted O’Brien called to adjourn the meeting at 10:26 a.m. Barry Burke made the motion. Seconded by Jim Lincoln. All in favor. Next meeting: Wednesday, June 13, 2018