Department of Human Services / Council on Aging

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING December 9, 2020 PRESENT: Charlene Bonenfant Joanne LaFerrara Laura Miola Ted O’Brien Ann Kardamis Kelley Sylvia Barry Burke Lori Gonsalves ABSENT: Meeting called to order at 9:59 a.m. by Ted O’Brien Ted O’Brien made a motion to accept the February 12, 2020 meeting minutes. Joanne LaFerrara seconded. All in favor. Director’s Report Board Meeting 12.09.20 Call to Order 9:59 Approval of Minutes of February 12, 2020 – Motion by Ted; seconded by Joanne Laferrara at 10:01 Introduction of new member – Laura Miola – Laura introduced herself and stated that she looks forward to working with the board. Interim Director’s Report Old Business: Status of the Director’s Position – The position remains interim; the interim director continues to advocate to remain in the union at the rate listed on the grid – which is how the position was advertised and how the current interim director applied for it. The interim director is currently getting out of grade pay. FY 21 City Budget – The city budget was inclusive of a director and an assistant director – however due to the current interim status of the director the administration has refused to allow the hiring of the assistant. The interim director has offered multiple solutions to the administration in order to move the department forward however they continue to refuse. The administration did approve the hiring of a Peer Volunteer Coordinator. The Coordinator will be matching senior volunteers with homebound seniors in order to decrease isolation and loneliness. We have conducted initial interviews and will be scheduling second interviews. It is our hope to have the candidate begin at the beginning of the year. FY 20 State Budget Earmarks – The state allowed the remaining balance of the Enhanced Services Earmark to be brought forward to FY 21. The current balance is slightly less than $3,000.00 Possible FY21 Earmarks – The Taunton Emergency Task Force, which is a nonprofit that has been facilitated by the Department of Human Services since 1982, will receive a $250,000.00 earmark, thans to Marc Pacheco, for use in the community, once the Governor signs the budget. The Task Force will be meeting to discuss how the funds will be distributed. FY21 Formula Grant – AS of this date it appears that we will be receiving $12.00 per elder for our Formula grant – which equals $125, 628.00. A change this year is we were able to move the remaining balance of FY20 ($6,329.36) forward to FY 21. The practice of moving the remaining balance forward will continue going forward which is helpful, especially during these times, so that we are not rushing to spend the remaining balance at the end of the year. Substance Use Prevention Grants – STARR recently submitted a collaborative grant on behalf of Taunton and surrounding communities for prevention services. Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force (TOTF) – We have met in a small group and plan on meeting with the entire group in February. Dementia Friendly Taunton - This memory cafés have been suspended since the library is closed. We will resume this project when it is safe to do so. Healthy Living Grant with Old Colony Y – We received $2,500 for the purchase of pharmacy and grocery cards which we have been distributing in emergency situations. DHS/COA Expansion – the plans have been drawn up and we continue to work on it with housing. 2020 Senior Tax Workoff – Was cancelled for this year. I will start pursuing this again after the first of the year. FY 21 CDBG – We received $45,000.00 for case management and nursing in Elder Outreach. a. New Business COVID 19 Elder Outreach – Currently only conducting emergency home visits outside the home. Senior Center – All programming is postponed at this time. We had started small in person group programs – meditation, Nirvana, fitness, Ask the IT guy. Currently unsure when we will be able to start back up again. COVID testing is conducted 12:00 – 4:00 on Mondays by Manet –you need an appointment and the test goes through health insurance. Community Relations Program – facilitated the COVID emergency fund and may be receiving a state earmark for $250,000.00. ANNOUNCEMETS Next Meeting: January 13, 2021 Adjournment Ted O’Brien made a motion to adjourn @ 10:33 a.m. Barry Burke Seconded by Joanne. All in favor. Next meeting: Wednesday, January 13, 2021