Senior Services Committee

CITY OF VERONA SENIOR SERVICES COMMITTEE JANUARY 11, 2022 VERONA SENIOR CENTER MINUTES 1. The meeting of the Senior Services Committee was called to order by Rye Kimmett at 6:26pm. 2. Roll Call: On roll call: Rye Kimmett and Mara Helmke were present. Also present: Stephanie Ehle, Senior Center Director and Phyllis Wiederhoeft (Supervisor) representative from the Town of Verona. 3. Approval of the minutes from the October 12, 2021 meeting. 4. Director’s Report • The Town of Verona members have joined the Meals on Wheels program and it’s going well. The staff have identified that they need more drivers and various program supplies, and are working to get those ordered. • Staff are still actively recruiting for a Nutrition Coordinator. o Alder Helmke asked if this was a full time position. Ehle answered yes. Alder Kimmett asked about salary and benefits. Ehle answered it is an hourly position starting $14.78 / hour. The group worked through ideas for recruitment and advertising. Ideas included: looking into grant options to help increase wage, contacting Milwaukee children’s hospital, Badger Prairie Needs Network, Little John’s, Just Dane, culinary students who just graduated, advertising at preschools, on Nextdoor, Zen desk, Exact Science, Costco, and the state’s disability program. Ehle is working with Human Resources to explore all options. Since the 2022 budget has already been approved, options are limited. Ehle and administration are currently considering reducing the number of hours and raising the wage. They have also been in contact to see if the current caterer, TNT could offer additional assistance or suggestions. o Alder Helmke inquired about how the other staff feeling about shifting roles. Ehle replied that they are handling it well however everyone is very busy. Unfortunately, it is not a sustainable plan to continue without a coordinator. • The Verona Senior Center will be partnering with Oakmont and the Ice Age Trail Alliance for a snowshoe walk in February. • They will also be partnering Madison College, UW-Madison, and the Safe Communities Task Force for a fall prevention event in February.  • In addition, the Senior Center continues to work with local businesses to “support local” and find sponsors for Senior Center functions. New sponsors include Interim Healthcare and Gunderson Funeral Home. • Covid is making a comeback. Many other Senior Centers are closed at this time. o Alder Kimmett asked about metrics for closing. Ehle answered that each case is handled carefully and that they work with administration for guidance. They follow state and county protocols. Depending on who was affected, program cancellations and/or closures could occur. 5. Reports on Programs and Case Management: Programs – • Unique and new offerings: o Promoting Emotional Health (mental wellness) with SSM o Virtual tours with the UW-Madison Geology Museum o In-house book discussion in honor of Black History month o Recycling programs – writing instruments (partnering with local schools) and oral care products o Three-part series with Gunderson Funeral Home (writing your obituary, understanding your options and green burials) Many programs provided by outside organizations are moving back to virtual or being cancelled due to COVID. Case Management – • Outreach o Case managers are continuing outreach at the library and on 1:1 basis. o They are offering outreach as requested; Julie will meet with residents at Oakmont in January. • Vets Group o The group continues to meet monthly and offer an additional vet themed movie. • Caregivers o Caregivers group continues to be offered both in person and virtual simultaneously. • Triad o Julie continues to serve on the Dane County Triad committee and is involved in planning presentations that will be offered in various locations in person and recorded for future viewing.  • Loan Closet o New volunteers and procedures are going well. The closet is well stocked!!! • Case Management Needs o The home-delivered meals program continues to grow. o The Case Managers are conducting survey in January & February to gauge need for assistance with setting up Power of Attorney for Health Care. o Ehle shared a snapshot of an actual client to offer a realistic view of who they team serves. 6. Other Business • The group discussed meeting dates and frequency. Tentative schedule would be to meet quarterly. Ehle will send monthly updates during the months the group does not meet. 7. Adjournment • Motion by Alder Helmke, Alder Kimmett second, to adjourn at 7:24 pm. Motion carried 2-0.