COMMITTEE ON AGING MINUTES
March 27, 2012
This meeting and all other meetings of this committee are open to the public. Proper notice has been posted and given to the press in accordance with Wisconsin statutes so that the citizenry may be aware of the time, place, and agenda of this meeting.
Chairperson Patricia Craig called the meeting to order at 9:07 a.m. at the Clintonville Community Center, 30 S. Main St., Clintonville, WI 54929
MEMBERS PRESENT: Caroline Murphy, Wayne Laux, Patricia Craig, and James Boyer.
MEMBERS EXCUSED: Robert Miller and Steve Stead.
ALSO PRESENT: Pat Enright, Beverly Laux, and Peggy Strey.
NOTE: Since we last met, COA Chair, Patricia Craig, found we did not have a quorum at our meeting on 1/24/12. She received clarification that vacant positions still count when considering a quorum and we did not have the required number of members present to conduct business. We discussed this at the start of the meeting.
I. ADOPTION OF AGENDA:
Discussion regarding the potential of dealing with any of the business from the last meeting and it was decided not to do so as a matter of practice.
Motion to remove Agenda Item II made by Caroline Murphy and seconded by Wayne Laux. Motion carried.
II. REVIEW AND ACCEPT MINUTES OF JANUARY 24, 2012: N/A- see note section above item #1.
Public Comment: None
III. ADRC/AGING DIRECTOR GENERAL REPORT – Pat Enright
As a result of the rescinded 1/24/12 meeting action and our current inability to modify this agenda for similar discussion due to posting rules and requirements, Pat Enright will be contacting GWAAR regarding steps to remedy the formerly approved Aging Plan Assessment, requiring deadline adherence which has now passed. A special COA meeting may be needed. (Update: Per GWAAR we can take care of this business at the May meeting COA meeting for approval.)
The final completed Aging Unit Self-Assessment was distributed w/emphasis on areas of local priority: Caregiver, Health & Wellness, and Nutrition Program stabilization. Prior to Director Phernetton’s departure there was discussion on setting up of a nonprofit to receive tax deductible donations. We recently have received memorial donations, which is rare, but very much appreciated.
The final Aging Plan is due in October and public hearings are a requirement. The plan is to schedule hearings at each nutrition site and encourage community participation to assist us in determining community needs.
Employees Kathy Austin and Mona Golla-Kolosso were recently widowed. Bert Miracle, a long time regular transportation program driver also died unexpectedly.
IV. AGING NETWORK REPORT
A. Legal Back-up for EBS – Elderly Benefit Specialists must be supervised by an attorney. GWAAR (Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc.) holds the contract for this service with CWAG (Coalition for Wisconsin Aging Groups); however, GWAAR has chosen to terminate the contract effective 3/31/12. They will be contracting with another agency or hiring their own legal backup, but, we have not yet been advised.
B. Aging Plan Amendment for Title III-D Funding – Legislation passed emergency funding of Title III-D dollars - disease prevention and health promotion - that require evidence based results. Nancy Krueger oversees this within our consortium, but in addition to the services she offers, we have submitted a grant for an AmeriCorps worker to work with us in this area. This position will be housed in Waupaca. We must amend our plan to include the use of this money, which must be done by the end of May.
C. Other – No report at this time.
V. COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP – New Member Recommendation
On 2/21/12 Waupaca County Board Supervisor James Boyer was appointed to fill Paul Hagen’s vacated position. There is no recommendation for other interested members at this time and no action needed. Peggy clarified the parameters of the membership body. Caroline Murphy’s membership will expire in October and new member procurement continues. The department is recruiting COA members and asks committee members to assist if they can recommend an interested party.
VI. NUTRITION PROGRAMS
A. Site Updates –
ü April 10th, Waupaca County will host Serve Safe training (Courthouse, Lower Level Rm. 42).
ü May 30th, the State will be coming to inspect our nutrition program.
B. Nutrition Advisory Council – 12/7/2011 Minutes
The focus was on providing some relief at the Waupaca site. Pat Enright understands the volume difference between the Waupaca site and the others, but the volunteer support also matches that volume. Volunteer Coordinator Kristine Wiegman spends much more of her time on meeting the needs of the Waupaca site compared to the others.
C. Donation Poster –A new poster with a suggested donation price of $3.50/meal has been created, with the goal of creating awareness and increasing revenues of program costs and needs. ADRC I & A workers complete nutrition assessments and will now ask if consumers would prefer to be billed for their meals. Other counties are now billing and it has increased revenue collections. Other suggestions – like offering a lunch ticket (to punch similar to what schools use) to maintain anonymity etc. was made. The program design is one of high self sufficiency through donations and volunteerism and Waupaca County is very successful in this. The program requires a high level of trust and we wish to acknowledge that. There is a check and balance system in place regarding daily money counts and site deposits. Our goal is always in trying to get people to attend the site whenever possible. A motion to approve the suggested donation of $3.50 was made by Caroline Murphy and seconded by James Boyer. The motion carried with three ayes and one nay. Voting yes: Craig, Boyer, and Murphy. Voting No: Laux. Motion Passed.
VII. AGING PROGRAMS UPDATES
A. Planning for 2013 to 2015 Aging Plan
Handouts were provided with the agenda for this meeting that included recommendations about how to include the right people in providing input into the aging plan. We will discuss details at our next meeting in May.
B. Volunteer Program – 10 new volunteers have started since December. There is an ongoing effort to recruit for the sites. Site managers are now required to complete a monthly reporting of their site needs. This helps with volunteer recruitment needs. Kristine is very creative and recently got all the cakes for the volunteer week celebrations donated, which frees up the $50.00 each site gets to spend on other things like prizes, etc. She is also inviting local mayors to participate in Mayors for Meals to help them develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the program and bring others on board.
C. Elderly Benefit Specialist – Kathy Austin in the midst of Homestead tax season.
D. Transportation Program – Have started the billing process with Logisiticare, which has been quite a process in itself. Are now awaiting payment. Still want to learn more about community transportation needs as last years survey by the state was not very telling.
E. National Family Caregiver Support Program
Have very strong Caregiver Coalition in place. Are adding caregiver component to local health fairs and offering Share the Care Program which people will access by calling the ADRC.
VIII. AGING AND DISABILTY RESOURCE CENTER REPORT
A. Waiting List and Family Care Cap – The Cap in place since July 1, 2011 has been lifted. Per our enrollment plan we were to have taken 4 people off the list per month. Now the cap has been lifted retroactively we’ll have about 25 people who can be served. We will work feverishly to catch up and had been working ahead in anticipation of this. Pat hopes to get to the bottom of the wait list by year’s end.
B. Other - Statewide Functional Screen testing complete and all of our workers have passed. They have also been approved to work up to 40 hrs/wk.
IX. NEXT MEETING - May 22, 2012 – 9:00 A.M. – Waupaca County courthouse – Rm LL42
Caroline Murphy will not be in attendance.
X. ADJOURN – Motion by Caroline Murphy, second by Wayne Laux, to adjourn. Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted by, Peggy Strey, Secretary - Aging and Disability Resource Unit