Department of Human Services / Council on Aging

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING June 13, 2018 PRESENT: Anne Bisson Jim Lincoln Ted O’Brien Ann Kardamis Kelley Sylvia Barry Burke Tracy Heger Lori Gonsalves ABSENT: Louise Silva, Charlotte Carr Meeting called to order at 10:06 a.m. by Ted O’Brien Ann Kardamis made a motion to accept the May 9, 2018 meeting minutes. Lori Gonsalves seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report Board Meeting 06.13.18 Old Business: 1. FY 19 Community Development Block Grants (CDBG): We were awarded level funding ($31,000.00) to continue the Elder Outreach Nurse and two Case Workers. I had to increase the hourly wage of the Case Workers because we have had difficulty hiring for the positions. I also increased the hourly wage of the Nurse. 2. FY 18 and FY 19 Formula Grants: a. We used unexpended FY 18 Formula Grant funds to renovate the offices (carpeting, storage cabinet, desk and workstations). The painting was funded by a gift account. b. For FY 19, I have received preliminary approval for level funding as contracted from last year in the amount of $97,866.00. This allows us to continue the employees into FY 19. The House had approved $12.00 per elder and the Senate decreased it to $11.00 per elder. We are now waiting for Conference Committee and the Governor’s signature. The Nurse, Case Workers, Receptionist, Drop-In Center Aide and Zumba Instructor all received salary or per class increases. 3. FY 19 City of Taunton budget: Charlene and I went to our Budget Hearing on Monday, June 4, 2018. The Council approved the Mayor’s budget. This fiscal year we will receive $400,559.18. 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 meeting was held on Tuesday, June 12, 2018. There were 32 in attendance. Manet Community Health Center employees were the Guest Speakers and they discussed their Medication Assistance Treatment (MAT) program as well as their general health services. The TOTF will also hold a vigil for Overdose Awareness Day in August. We will be using Senator Pacheco’s earmark to continue the Opiate Outreach Program into the summer months as well as doing a large  mailing to the city to advertise Overdose Awareness Day, proper storage and disposal of medications and other programs offered by the TOTF. 6. Dementia Friendly Taunton: We held our first meeting on Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at Associates for Human Services. We explained to the attendees what the Dementia Friendly movement is and what is required. We are having a second meeting that is scheduled for June 18, 2018 at 9:00 at the YMCA. 7. FY 19 Drug Free Communities: We have not yet heard about this grant. 8. Bristol County Regional Alliance to End the Opiate Crisis: DA Tom Quinn and Southcoast held a meeting of all Opiate Task Forces in Bristol County. The meeting was well attended and ideas were generated on how to work collaboratively. 9. Office Renovations: The offices received some much needed painting and new carpeting. Charlene was in charge of organizing the move of all of our office furniture, telephones and computers into the Senior Center. She did an excellent job! Staff worked very hard to move both large and small items to the Senior Center. Taunton Housing Authority maintenance staff moved the very large items (desks and lateral files) for us. All went fairly smoothly except for one desk that was broken…Charlene’s! The new furniture will begin to be delivered this week and will continue until the end of the fiscal year. All renovations are to be completed by June 30. New Business: 1. Women’s bathroom: It was determined by the City’s American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator that the Women’s bathroom was not up to code. On June 11, 2018, the Taunton Housing Authority dismantled the stalls and it now has a lock. Only one individual may use the women’s room at a time. They will be building a new handicapped accessible bathroom in the Senior Center. 2. Meeting Summary/Anne attended the following meetings: a. Bristol County Regional Alliance: 5.10.18 b. TRIAD Fashion Show: 5.10.18 c. Mayor Hoye: 5.14.18 d. Manet CHC Strategic Planning Committee: 5.15.18 e. Manet Community Health Center Board: 5.15.18 f. Volunteer Recognition: 5.17.18 g. Dementia Friendly MA: 5.22.18 h. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative: 5.23.18 i. SOCO – Homelessness Coalition: 5.23.18 j. Bristol Elder Services Advisory and Directors meetings: 5.24.18 k. Dementia Friendly Taunton: 5.30.18 l. Painting and Carpeting of Offices: 5.30.19 – 6.4.18 m. City Council Budget Hearing: 6.4.18 n. Safe Neighborhood Initiative Schools Protocol Meeting: 6.5.18 o. Manet Foundation: 6.5.18 p. Aging with Dignity Conference: 6.6.18 q. Manet Community Health Center Conference Call: 6.7.18 r. Office of Community and Economic Development/CDBG Evaluation: 6.7.18 s. Dementia and Age Friendly Taunton: 6.8.18  t. Mayor Hoye: 6.11.18 u. Manet CHC Strategic Planning Committee: 6.11.18 v. Senior Tax Work-off at City Hall: 6.12.18 w. TRIAD: 6.12.18 x. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force: 6.12.18 3. Upcoming Scheduled Programs/meetings: a. Cookout: 6.14.18 b. Elder Conference at White’s: 6.15.18 c. Dementia Friendly Taunton: 6.18.18 d. Walking Challenge: 6.19 or 6.21.18 e. Manet Community Health Center Board: 6.19.18 f. Taunton Public Library Trustees: 6.20.18 g. CIRCA Annual Meeting: 6.21.18 h. Hoarding Workshop at Taunton COA: 6.22.18 4. DHS Updates: a. Future resignation of one part-time Bilingual Outreach Worker effective June 20, 2018. b. Hiring of a part-time Case Worker c. Advertising of two part-time Case Workers d. Advertising for Line Dancing Instructor (contractual) e. I will be off on June 28, 29 and the first week of July. 5. Senior Center Coordinator Monthly Report 6. Next meeting: Wednesday, September 12, 2018 Senior Center Coordinator’s Report – June 13, 2018 In the month of April we accepted applications for the Senior Tax Work Off program. All Cori’s have been sent to Human Resources and names to the Assessor’s Office from the interviews that I had with the applicants. As of Monday I am still awaiting the principal from Taunton Alternative High School to call me to take 4 men. After that all applicants will have been placed at a Municipal Department. On May 2nd from 12:30 – 3:00 pm we started a free 6 week educational workshop led by Julia Lom from the Brockton Visiting Nurse Association on Diabetes Self-Management. They are being taught how to better manage their diabetes; handle stress and difficult emotions; eat healthy and promote physical activities; how to increase their energy level; set and meet personal goals; and how to make choices about their treatment. Since we had so many people interested in the workshop I have them coming again in September. Our IPhone/IPad class started in May and we have many seniors interested in this new class. Because of this the instructor has agreed to start another session on July 16th. Our meditation class with Nancy Cunningham has been a huge success. We will see if this is something we will be able to do in the fall. May 15th at 1:00 pm, Mel Simons presented a one-man show: The life and Songs of Al Jolson, Jimmy Durante, Eddie Cantor & George M. Cohan. We had 43 seniors attend the event. On May 22nd at 1 pm, we had a presentation on Consumer Rights. 5 senior attended. Mary Beth worked with 5 seniors on May 24th making flip flop wreaths. May 29th at 1 pm, an Elder Law Attorney from the MA Bar Association presented, “A Legal Checkup”. They discussed topics on Long Term Care; wills; guardianship; and legal and financial decisions. 13 seniors attended. June 5th at 1 pm, Bette Howarth, from American Credit Counseling was here to present, “Understanding your credit report”. 4 seniors attended. Upcoming Events 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 “Ways to Keep Our Brains Healthy” 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 July 10th at 12:30 pm – movie – “The Mountain Between Us” July 12th at 2:00 pm – Housing Seminar put on by South County Legal Services July 16th at 1:30 pm – Mass Senior Action – to discuss a bill to lower health insurance costs for seniors. July 24th at 12:30 pm – movie – “The Intern” July 31st at 1:00 to 2:30 – Musical Jukebox Bingo Ted O’Brien called to adjourn the meeting at 10:40 a.m. Barry Burke made the motion. Seconded by Ann Kardamis. All in favor. Next meeting: Wednesday, September 12, 2018