Department of Human Services / Council on Aging

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING January 9, 2019 PRESENT: Anne Bisson Barry Burke Tracy Heger Ann Kardamis Charlotte Carr Kelley Sylvia Lori Gonsalves Jim Lincoln Ted O’Brien ABSENT: Ted called the meeting to order at 10:04 Ann Kardamis made a motion to accept the December 12, 2018 meeting minutes. Jim Lincoln seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report Board Meeting 01.09.19 Old Business: 1. FY 19 EOEA Formula Grant: The contract has been signed and submitted. We are waiting for the funds to be deposited. The ‘My Senior Center’ software and hardware package has been purchased. We plan on keeping ‘ServTracker’ until October 2019 so that we will have full statistics for FY19 and will have time to become accustomed to the new software. All staff are now being paid through the Formula Grant. 2. FY 19 State Budget COA Earmarks: a. All programs have been scheduled as it relates to the Senior Center earmark. Anne pointed out the “Wisdom Wednesdays” page in the bulletin. b. Janet Richardi, Dementia Friendly Consultant, has been trained as a Dementia Friends presenter and has begun outreaching to various individuals involved in the network as well as to the Chamber of Commerce and other business entities. She has also begun to research future funding. 3. FY 20 CDBG: The FY 20 CDGB grants are due on 1.18.19. Charlene has completed writing the grants and I will sign after review. We will once again ask for the continuation of the Elder Care Case Management staff and the Elder Care Nurse. 4. Substance Use Prevention Grants (MOAPC, SAPC and PFS): There has been no change to these grants. 5. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force (TOTF): The TOTF monthly meeting was held on 1.8.19. I did not attend due to illness. Kiara Zea from SSTAR chaired the meeting. The Guest Speaker was from Sunrise Detox. The contract for the Earmark for the Taunton Police Department’s Outreach Team was submitted. 6. Age and Dementia Friendly Taunton: The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 28, 2019. Janet will assist in coordinating the meetings. I was not able to attend the December meeting but Charlene and Janet stated that all went well. 7. My Senior Center: We have an introductory meeting scheduled for Thursday, January 10, 2019, at 9:30 a.m. As stated previously, the ‘My Senior Center’ software and hardware package has been purchased. Kelley has emailed staff as to their software needs and wants and ‘to streamline office procedures into a more efficient and beneficial system for the entire staff’. New Business: 1. Meeting Summary/Anne attended the following meetings: a. ‘My Senior Center’: 12.13.18 b. Mayor Hoye: 12.13.18 c. MMA Human Services Council: 12.13.18 d. Community VNA: 12.18.18 e. Manet Community Health Center Board: 12.18.18 f. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative: 12.19.18 g. Manet Safety Training: 1.9.19 2. Upcoming Scheduled Programs/meetings: a. My Senior Center: 1.10.19 b. Mayor Hoye: 1.14.19 c. Manet Community Health Center Board: 1.15.19 d. MA Municipal Association Annual Meeting: 1.18/1.19.19 e. Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative: 1.23.18 f. Bristol Elder Services Advisory Council: 1.24.19 g. Manet Community Health Center Board: 1.24.19 h. Age & Dementia Friendly Taunton: 1.28.19 i. SNI/Safety Protocols in Schools: Tentatively scheduled for 2.5.19 j. Leveraging Federal and State Funding to Help All Children Thrive event: Tentatively scheduled for 2.7.19 k. MMA Human Services Council: 2.7.19 l. MA Councils on Aging: 2.8.19 m. Mayor Hoye: 2.11.19 n. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force: 2.12.19 3. DHS Updates: a. Roof update b. Handicapped Bathroom update c. I will be attending the MA Municipal Association Annual Meeting: 1.18 – 1.19.19 d. I will be taking vacation from 2.19.19 – 2.22.19. 4. Senior Center Coordinator Monthly Report 5. Next meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Senior Center Coordinator’s Report – 01.09.19 From December 3rd-7th we held our quarterly shred week and 16 seniors took advantage of the program put on at the Senior Center by Taunton Federal Credit Union. On December 4th – Chaplain Ken Hart was here again with his “Grief for the Holidays” program that 3 seniors attended. On December 6th – The Never Stop Learning Group led by Jerry Ciarci discussed 2 famous national stone carvings where 4 seniors attended. December 13th – Mary Beth’s craft class was on how to make a Christmas tree door hanger. We had 7 seniors attend and all their wreaths came out beautiful!! On December 19th – Hopewell School students had a contest on How they Show Kindness to others and the winners came to the Senior Center to have hot chocolate, do a small craft and sing a couple of Christmas carols. It was a great time and the 11 seniors that attended had a wonderful time! Hopewell staff mentioned they would like to hold more events with us, either at the COA or at the school. Tracy is in the process of coordinating future events with Hopewell. On December 20th our Ted Talks topic was “What does your New Year look like?” 3 seniors attended. On January 3rd the Never stop learning Group presented “Innocent Mistakes” where 4 seniors attended. On January 8th, Director Paul Arikian of the City’s Information and Technology Department, had a presentation called, “Ask Paul the I.T. Guy? The group loved it and asked many questions so he decided to do it on a monthly basis. 9 seniors attended. Upcoming Events January 10th – South Coastal County Legal Services – “Know your Rights”, learning your rights in a manufactured home community. Tracy mentioned that we already have over 30 seniors signed up for this event. January 15th – Mike Higgins January 17th – TED Talks – “How to Motivate Yourself to do good for Others”. Anne added: We will start taking appointments for AARP tax return service on Monday, January 14, 2019, and there have been changes to the forms this year. Overall attendance has been on the rise after the holidays. Kiara from SSTAR is working on a youth and substance abuse campaign. Meeting adjourned at 10:20 a.m. Jim Lincoln made the motion. Seconded by Barry Burke seconded. All in favor. Next meeting: Wednesday, February 13, 2019