Department of Human Services / Council on Aging

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING June 9, 2021 PRESENT: Charlene Bonenfant Laura Miola Tracy Heger Joanne LaFerrara Edward O’Brien Lori Gonsalves Kelley Sylvia Mary Beth Forshaw Ann Kardamis Jennifer DeLuca Herbert Day ABSENT: Barry Burke Meeting called to order at 10:04 a.m. by Edward O’Brien Edward O’Brien made a motion to accept the April 14, 2021 meeting minutes. Herbert Day seconded. All in favor. Board Meeting Reports 06.09.2021 I. Director’s Report – Charlene Bonenfant Old Business: COVID 19 and Program Updates Elder Outreach – Jennifer Deluca, Assistant Director (see report below) a. Update on the status of home visits b. Outreach statistics c. Peer Friendly Visiting Program Senior Center Activities – Tracy Heger, Senior Center Coordinator (see report below) a. Senior Tax Work Off Program b. Grab and Go Activities c. Crafts to Go program d. Fitness Schedule e. Other Scheduled Activities/Programming Community Relations Program/Emergency Fund – Mary Beth Forshaw, Community Relations Counselor (see report below) a. Service Statistics b. Taunton Emergency Task Force c. State Earmark d. Taunton Opioid Task Force – Lori Gonsalves, Co-Chair TOTF (see report below) Other Department Updates a. City and Grant Funding updates – Budget hearings were held Monday June 7, 2021. The Mayor has approved all but $5,500.00 that was requested for FY22; which was for an overtime line item which the department never had in the past. So we do have a $2,000.00 overtime budget for those in  the 1144 union. The EOEA Formula budget was cautiously level funded for $125,000.00, Community Development Block Grant funding was approved for $45,000.00 for a half year of services in the Elder Outreach Program and we also received the approval for the FY22 Service Incentive Funding for $7,500.00. b. Revolving Account – Kelley Sylvia, Head Administrative Clerk (see report below) c. Vaccination Clinics – continue here at the COA on Mondays by Manet Community Health Center d. Other Updates - Renovations – the bid for the outside work has come in and they are hoping to break ground soon. Funding for the pergola will be coming from the city’s OECD office. Edward O’Brien asked where the new pergola would be located. Charlene answered that the pergola will be out back behind the current Senior Center. Charlene also added that there will be solar panels installed by the TMLP for a Hydroponic Farm that will be used to grow and sell fresh produce to the public. e. Community Needs Assessment – Chairman Edward O’Brien (see report below) II. ANNOUNCEMETS AND NEW BUSINESS a. Collaboration with Housing on Programming – we are embarking on collaborating services with the housing authority. What this means is that we will be having satellite senior centers across town at the community centers. We were being a bit eager and have moved our opening day to January 1, 2022. b. Next Meeting: September 8, 2021 at 30 Olney Street at 10:00 AM III. Adjournment - with the extension of the collaboration we can move the next meeting to September. Next meeting will be Wednesday, September, 8, 2021. Elder Outreach Report – Jennifer DeLuca, Assistant Director Home Visits: Home visit regulations remain the same as was reported in the previous meeting—regulations were reviewed by the Board of Health Director prior to staff distribution. If you are Vaccinated and the Senior is Vaccinated:  Home visits completed outside do not require masks  In home visits require mask wearing  6 feet social distance is required indoor & outdoor  Limit visits to 30 minutes  Document in My Senior Center if the visit was indoor/outdoor If either party is not vaccinated:  Masks are to be worn by both parties at all times  COA staff are required to double mask if unvaccinated  6 feet social distance is required  Limit home visits to 15 minutes  Document in My Senior Center if the visit was indoor/outdoor Additional Information:  Wash your hands before you leave the office and again upon returning. Sanitize your hands when entering and exiting your vehicle for a home visit.  Wipes and sanitizing spray are available for the inside of your vehicle should you request it.  Only one COA/DHS Staff Member is allowed at the home per visit (discuss home visit scheduling with other staff who share the case)  Confirm that there will be no additional people present (outside those living in the home) prior to the home visit. If they have a home care worker, family or friend planning to come around that time, reschedule.  Continue to ask the COVID screening questions for symptoms and close contact virus spread when scheduling appointment day and time.  Keep in mind that even though both parties may be vaccinated, the Senior may feel more comfortable with masks being worn- - respect their wishes.  These guidelines can be changed at any time based on Board of Health and State guidance Elder Outreach Statistics for the Month of May: Agency contacts 60, Elder Home Visits 82, Elder telephone contacts 374, Elder Office visits 11, new outreach referrals 4, Nursing interactions 93. Lower crisis intervention numbers reported for our outreach clients. The majority of Crisis Interventions being brought forward are related to elders that the department has no familiarity with. We are able to intervene and provide outreach services and make elder at risk reports accordingly when needed. Peer Friendly Visiting Program: Jennifer provided the board with the “Peer Friendly Visiting Program” packet developed by Mayra Dankievitch, which outlines the project plan of the program, and included the volunteer questionnaire. Mayra has continued to reach out to all of those in our computer system on their birthday. During this time she is explaining her peer visiting program and asking individuals if they want to be a volunteer/participant. The program is scheduled to launch July 1st. This month Mayra is going back through all of those interested and matching volunteers with participants using a questionnaire to gain further information. The volunteers will need to have a CORI check completed prior to initial interaction. Initial interaction will be an introduction over the phone via a 3 way call with Mayra assisting in the guiding the conversation to ensure the matches are appropriate and to break the ice. The interactions going forward will abide by COVID restrictions/regulations as well as the preference of the volunteer and participant. Options include phone calls, pen pal/letters and home visits. Mayra will be responsible for training the volunteers on boundaries and confidentiality as well as monitor each volunteer and participant closely for appropriateness and satisfaction. Chairman Edward O’Brien asked if the program could be extended to those isolated in Nursing Homes that could benefit from the program also. Jennifer and Charlene agreed that it could. Joanne LaFerrara asked how we would find out who wanted a visit from a volunteer. Jennifer explained that Mayra will screen clients during wellness calls and we get calls from family and friends informing us of clients who might be interested in a peer friendly visitor. Senior Center Coordinator Report - Tracy Heger The AARP Volunteer tax preparation program at the Senior Center finished the tax season at the Taunton COA on May 4th. They helped 175 seniors with their 2018, 2019 and 2020 tax returns. We started our delivery food events on March 24th with a cooked rotisserie chicken with mashed potatoes and butternut squash from Trucchi’s on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at elderly housing sites, Veteran’s and our elder outreach clients for a total of 777 meals delivered to date. In addition to the food deliveries we have hosted 2 Drive-Thru Grab & Go events held outside at the Taunton Nursing Home. On May 18th we had a musical Grab N Go with Mike Higgins serenading as they drove thru. Home Plate made pot roast with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans and a biscuit. 197 seniors took advantage of this event. On May 25th we had a BBQ on the Go with BBQ chicken, corn on the cob, cole slaw, potato salad and watermelon from DeAvila’s; 221 seniors participated. On June 16th at 11 am we will host our last Grab n Go for the spring with a drive thru luau with teriyaki chicken, fruit cup, glazed carrots, vegetable stir fry rice and a pineapple upside down cake also catered by DeAvila’s. All the Grab n Go’s were limited to 250 seniors. Invited guests included Park & Rec, DPW, TEMA, IT, Board of Health nurse, the Library and Officer Peter Corr & Sergeant Chris Brady. The Berkley Beer Company will be providing 200 seniors with 1 day of meals in a bag which need to be cooked. The bags will be available at the office in June on the 10th & 17th. To further promote food security programs we had the Juniper Farms ice cream truck travel to 9 Taunton Housing Elderly sites along with 31 School Street, Mill Pond and City View apartments on June 7th & 8th. Seniors were able to come out and get 1 of whatever is on the truck. 255 seniors took advantage of this program and food resources were distributed. Juniper Farms ice cream truck will be coming back on June 15th, this time to Hopewell Park for an Ice Cream Social at 1:00 pm for 75 seniors. We will have music playing, cornhole games, and the BP Nursing students will have a small health fair along with Blood Pressure screenings. Tracy at this time invited the board members to attend the Ice Cream Social and Charlene encouraged the board members to attend. On June 10th 62 meals from Trucchi’s will be delivered to Thomas Apartments for their food commodity program. Also on that date 11 more meals will be delivered to Summer Street apartments by staff from the Taunton Housing Authority. The Taunton Housing Authority now manages Dighton Housing and on June 29th we will deliver 64 meals from Truchhi’s. All of these food deliveries and Grab n Go’s have come from a grant from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs and an earmark from Senator Marc Pacheco. Outside fitness groups started April 20th with 15 seniors in each group. By May 21st we had 4 Fitness groups, a walking group, 2 Yoga groups, 1 Tai Chi and 1 Rhythm Rock class held on site at the COA. At the end of May we increased the class sizes to 20 and received permission to move them inside. A 4 week Meditation class will be offered in June on Wednesdays at 10:30 am. We will be offering this program as a 4 week group that will re-occur 6 times from June 2021 to May 2022. We will be offering a 4 week Pfilates group at the end of August and into September. After much guidance regarding mask wearing, the seniors who are attending activities in the center will be told that mask wearing is advised but not mandated. Those who are unvaccinated are advised to be masked inside and outside and of course social distancing is mandatory. We coordinated with Park & Rec to start an Aqua Chi class at Hopewell pool that will start on Tuesday, July 20th from 10:45-11:30. Park & Rec is funding the lifeguard and we are paying the instructor. Tracy added that we have 6 Seniors signed up to date and all classes require pre- registration to attend. In collaboration with Park and Rec we have also set up a specific day and time for Senior Swim hours, which will be on Thursdays starting July 22nd from 10:30-11:30. All senior pool activities will end the week of August 16th due the pool closing for the season on August 20th. The Senior Tax Work Off program has been put on hold right now due to the pandemic. Charlene has spoken with the Administration and they have decided that the program is suspended until further notice. May’s Grab & Go craft project was a shell planter for 30 seniors that signed up. On June 10th we will be holding a Craft Class for 10 seniors in the Senior Center. That project will be a flip flop door hanger. On June 9th we will be holding an Oldies Lunch with a hot dog, chips, drink and a muffin for 30 seniors with Jukebox Bingo afterwards at Hopewell Park under the pavilion. On July 8th we will be showing the movie, The War with Grandpa, in the Senior Center, and fruit, popcorn and drinks will be provided. Community Relations Counselor’s Report – Mary Beth Forshaw Taunton Emergency Task Force: Serves Berkley, Dighton, Raynham, Taunton  UW Family Fund COVID 19 FY 2020 - Current Balance $0 o 14 Applications were completed for emergency assistance. o Total Served 169 = 87 Adults and 82 Children  UW Family Fund General Fund FY 2021- Current Balance $728.51 o 24 Applications were completed. o Total Served 108 = 55 Adults and 53 Children.  UW Family Fund Flex Fund FY 2021- Current Balance $15,477.87 o 5 Application were completed. o Total Served 13 = 7 Adults and 6 Children. Mary Beth added that these funds need to be used by June 30th, and that we have had an increase in calls for help with Utility Assistance that will utilize more of the funding. Charlene added that we can request that the United Way give us an extension on the time line to spend the funding. Herbert Day asked how the community is made aware that this assistance is available. Charlene explained that we are the first on the “hot list” of referrals from other agencies who are aware of our programs and refer clients to us for assistance. We also advertise available assistance programs in the newsletter, the City of Taunton website, and spread the word through neighboring agencies. Ted mentioned seeing more Face Book post’s form the COA and asked about advertising through that media outlet and asking “friends” to ‘Share” the information. Charlene discussed doing so with the option of shutting off the comments section to those posts.  Earmark from the office of Senator Pacheco - $250,000.00 –3/26/2021 Received Funds. Mary Beth added that these funds have been used for the Grab N’ Go food distribution events and to assist in adding fresh and healthy foods and produce to area food pantries. To date $50,000.00 has been given to GATRA for the Med-Wheels Program. $25,000.00 has been designated for the above mentioned “Grab N’ Go” food distribution events. $50,000.00 has been used to purchase Gift Cards and send food trucks to the Taunton Housing Authority housing complexes, along with mobile COVID vaccinations. $25,000.00 each went to Our Daily Bread, Saint Vincent DePaul, Taunton Area Community Table and the YMCA; with an additional $10,000.00 to Our Daily Bread for food assistance to quarantined families reported by the Board of Health and Mass COVID Team.  Taunton Opiate Task Force – Lori Gonsalves International Overdose Awareness Event: Taunton Opioid Task Force – Lori Gonsalves, Co-Chair TOTF Lori reported that she met with Mary Beth and core members of the TOTF to plan the International Overdose Awareness Day and there will be more information to come on  the event. They are looking to hold the event at the new Liberty and Union Park off of Main Street. Charlene added at this time, that the Taunton Open Doors to Recovery is hosting a fair this Saturday, June 12th, which she and Mary Beth will be attending. Board member Herbert Day mentioned that the Taunton Diversity Network will be there as well, to register people to vote. Lori Gonsalves added that there are still tables available at this resource event.  Teen Christmas Program – We will work together with Karen Cruz of the Taunton Housing Authority on the Teen Christmas Program. Revolving Account – Kelley Sylvia, Head Administrative Clerk Our request has been reviewed by the Law Department, submitted to the City Council and referred to the Ordinance Committee. The ordinance has been read twice and needs one more read through to be official. We have requested to start utilizing this fund as of the start of FY22 with a $15,000.00 spending cap as required by general law. Community Needs Assessment – Chairman Edward O’Brien Board Chairperson, Edward O’Brien reported that 150 community surveys have been received to date. Charlene said she will extend the survey through July 31, 2021. Based on the population of Taunton at least 300 surveys are required so that the data is viable. Charlene Bonenfant made a motion to continue with the policy of not holding meetings in July and August and to hold the next meeting September 8, 2021. Edward O’Brien Seconded. All in Favor. Edward O’Brien made a motion to adjourn @ 10:48 a.m. Seconded by Herbert Day. All in favor. Next meeting: Wednesday, September 8, 2021