SENIOR ADVISORY COUNCIL – FULL COMMITTEE
April 10, 2012, 1:00 P.M. AT RVCOG
MEMBERS PRESENT: Katharine Danner, Grace Emori, Jerry McDougall, Don
Reedy, John Irwin, Beth Williams, Berta Varble, Stew Winnick, Anne Bellegia, Marya
Kain, Mary White, Sue Miler, Kathie Young and Pat Jenkins
MEMBERS NOT PRESENT: John Rachor, Ed Alcantar, Rose Menge and Flo
Blake
STAFF PRESENT: Connie Saldana, Don Bruland, Evelyn Kinsella and Jessi Herrera
GUESTS: Linas Chapin, Sean Kelly, Leslee Obrien, Kelly Wessels, Gail Logan,
Barbara Bieg, Ellen Gray, Sue Smith, Christine Dodson, Rachel Dials
_____________________________________________________________
Katharine calls the meeting to order at 1:07 p.m.
Council Development Committee announcement & vote – Grace Emori
• Grace recommends Anne Bellegia and Marya Kain to the SAC for membership.
Katharine moves that the SAC accept Anne Bellegia and Marya Kain to
membership. Jerry seconds. All approve.
Pat Jenkins (vice chair)- As a part of reviewing our contractors, contractors have been
subcategorized for review over the next 5 yrs, The information and assistance
contractors are in attendance, Center for nonprofit legal services was not in attendance
as they did their presentation to the committee
Presentation: ACCESS- Barbara Bieg and Ellen Gray
• Barbara began by noting the focus of the program is working to keep the elderly
physically and financially independent as long as possible (in own home), making
any referrals if needed, working with case workers and protective service
• Ellen notes that in home visits they have been seeing a lot of embezzlement and
fraud, by family members, also, self neglect by seniors. Using resources available
they are able to keep seniors in own homes which is both better for seniors comfort
and economical
• Berta Varble spoke on funding needed for this service, RVCOG only puts in
$15,760 a yr., Access has been adding increasing funds as well as community
donations, state, county, federal and city funding
Don Bruland noted that services like this have become much more important because
of the lack of state funding or services available to seniors in the State of Oregon
Jerry McDougall asked How do we get in touch with Access? Call 541-779-6691
What do we do when the senior will not look for the services??
People can call or contact by internet anonymously submit names of people who need
help with medical services, transportation, civic services or food services, also there
are workers who will come out to a client’s home
Mary White asked if they only served Jackson County? Yes, Access only serves
Jackson County. Similar services are offered in Josephine County by UCAN.
Presentation: ASHLAND SENIOR PROGRAM- Christine Dodson & Rachel Dials
• Part of Ashland Parks and Recreation, Ashland’s Senior Program has been in
existence for 37 years. It is also a site for (formerly) Loaves & Fishes, and
currently for Food and Friends, and Meals on Wheels senior nutrition programs.
• Mission: Strive to provide a support system for seniors in Ashland so they can
be more independent and to keep them as contributing members of the
community
• Senior Center: Civic services and social outlet for seniors through recreational
and health related activates
• Partners: Food & Friends, RVCOG senior programs, Alli Program, SOU,
Meals on wheels, Ashland Parks & Rec., YMCA, Ashland Community Hospital,
Ashland Library, City of Ashland, referrals from the Ashland PD and Fire Dept,
The utilities companies, Ashland High School, Community Service, Eagle
Scouts, Food bank and Ashland Food Project, Ashland Chamber, A.W.A.W.
program, Snap, Access
• Services they provide-information referral in person and by way of website,
Food & Friends congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, SHIBA volunteers,
computer instruction (one-on-one with seniors), blood pressure clinics, POLST
and advance directive clinics, senior food box programs (healthy food that
seniors should have around the house), senior utility discounts for the city of
Ashland (poverty level seniors), Ashland Emergency Heat Program (no age
limit), Elite program (from Oct 1-Jan 31- 50% off utility bill for 3 mo. for under
65 or up to 6 mo. for 65 and older), AARP drivers safety & tax assistance, foot
clinic, free bus pass and Valley Lift voucher program, wellness programs
Berta Varble asked about how the funding works with I&R? In calculating the
monthly report they calculate 3 staff, website, computer instruction, and volunteer time
Presentation: Rogue River Community Services- Sue Smith
• In service since 1964, have around 100 volunteers working on office needs, as
well as thrift store and helping with the congregate meal program.
• Services offered exercise, blood pressure clinics, art classes, hearing, tax
service, drivers safety, SHIBA Volunteers, food and friends congregate meal
site.
• Funding comes from a membership drive, thrift store, bingo, RVCOG, and
donations.
Evelyn Kinsella stated that these services have added a lot of help to us because they
allow us to have the food and friends program there for free
Berta Varble stated that they help our budget also because of transportation costs and
information and referral assistance
Presentation: UCAN Guardianship Program- Gail Logan, Leslee OBrien, Kelly
Wessels
• Guardians meet monthly to do training and meetings for volunteers and staff
• There is a charge for guardianships of about $200 a month but about 98% of
clients do not pay. The program serves only individuals with no family or
friends.
• Leslee OBrien spoke about the work that she does as a volunteer.
• Pat Jenkins noted that SAC shifted funds from Josephine County Transportation
(program closed) into the Guardianship program
• Kelly Wessels (COO for UCAN) stated that guardianship is the most extreme
amount of care that is needed (this is the final point of care). Guardians work to
get clients into the proper services that they need are appropriate.
• Kelly Wessels- speaking about the information referral services that UCAN has
been providing, stated that the services needed by our seniors within Josephine
County, (homeless seniors living on the strteet) have increased within the last
few years. To meet this need they have set up 4 homes to serve these seniors
individually.
• Clients have a physical connection with the referral that they receive (face to
face service) so that the client feels comfortable and well supported with the
process. 211 is available in Douglas County but they trying to get it into
Josephine County by summer.
Don Bruland asked how many rep payees there are? There are eight conservators.
Berta Varble stated that we are getting HUGE amounts of leverage within our
community with our contractors.
Don Bruland stated the need for these services to have cash and also in great need of
volunteers.
Introduction of Guests Linas Chapin, Shawn Kelly and Jessi Herrera (temporary staff)
Sue Miler Bio- BA in American Studies; 2 years of graduate study with focus on US
Constitutional History
Born and lived in Minnesota until age 40. In Minnesota helped start a large women’s
multi-service center with 400 active volunteers; worked there as Volunteer
Coordinator and Program Manager. Center offered mental health and drug treatment;
crisis counseling, information and referral, support groups and legal services.
Moved to Washington DC area in 1988 and lived there for until 2009. Worked for two
decades at AARP and was Senior Vice President for Programs at the AARP
Foundation. Her group there had over 150 staff, $120 million in budget, and over
40,000 active volunteers, serving nearly 3 million persons annually in collaboration
with thousands of local community nonprofits. AARP Foundation programs assist
older persons with low incomes with needs such as employment, public benefits
outreach, money management, grandparents raising grandchildren, tax preparation, and
prevention of consumer fraud. Worked closely with numerous federal agencies
including IRS, Department of Labor, Administration on Aging, and Department of
Justice, as well as national foundations.
Retired in 2009 and moved to beautiful Southern Oregon, where she lives in
Jacksonville. Married with two children and two grandchildren. Plays competitive
volleyball and softball and enjoys hiking and biking.
General Meeting business – Chair:
Review and approval of the March 13, 2012 Minutes:
• No corrections needed to the minutes (all approved)
Committee Reports:
NOTE: May meeting- will be moved to 3rd Tuesday of the month 5-15-2012
Executive Committee: Katharine Danner will meet Tuesday 4/17/12:
• Katharine notes they have found someone to fill Don’s position.
• Katharine also requests that all give the new person as much help as possible.
Council Development:
• Grace Emori stated the SAC year starts on July 1st ends on June 30, we need to
start thinking about who will be in the new officer positions for next year: there
are 2 officers, standing committee chairs. Clarification was given for steps
needed to become part of the officers for SAC nominees also stated that have
made a lot of changes with the positions and would like to propose that the
current Chair and Vice Chair stay the same. If there is any interest, Grace Emori
is your contact person
Outcomes & Evaluation / Nutrition – Pat Jenkins:
• Met on the April 3rd. Pat stated that at the ACCESS senior fair they gave the
Needs Survey and got a very good response. They also gave information on
doing the survey online. Next the committee will be working on a survey for
care giver needs
• Stew, Beth and Berta are wanting to do focus groups to get more specific
information in addition to these surveys.
• Canceled May 1st meeting, no meeting until June and will be combining meeting
with Nutrition Advisory Committee.
Marketing & Outreach – Sue Miler:
• Met on March 28th. Sue reports that they had a very good meeting. They talked
about what the functions of SDS, figuring out what the needs of the community
were, and what the verbiage that is needed for better communication with the
community. They also tried to figure out the specific services offered from the
programs that we have and how to better categorize them,
• Changed the meeting date to MAY 15 @ 3:30pm
Advocacy – Connie Saldana:
• Will be meeting later this month. Advocacy Committee needs more members.
Connie stated that all of SAC members are part of Advocacy when id comes to
taking action
• Don stated that there is a need to define advocacy and not only within the state
and national arenas but work more for advocacy within our local area
• John Irwin stated that there is a synergy between advocacy and SAC that helps
address the needs of the community and the organizations that provide services
• Sue also stated that Advocacy is the only committee that is a combination SAC
and DSAC members.
Disability Services Advisory Council – Don Bruland:
• Katherine stated there was a need for a person to serve as a liaison in the DSAC
• Report on last meeting: discussion about what centers for independent living do,
particularly what HASL in Josephine Co. CILs provide services to those with
disabilities by those who have disabilities (peers). A main challenge is that
funding (federal and state) for CILs has been cut in the last few years.
Branch Report - Kathie Young:
• Kathie stated that they are still in a hiring freeze, with no new programs, and
only working with 82% of staff that is needed.
• There are plans for a new Josephine County location SDS will be sharing a
building with other state agencies, such as Child Welfare and Self Sufficiency.
Pat Jenkins asked about the “On the Move Program (OTM)?
It was closed down 4-5 months ago but may open up in the future. The Diversion and
Transition Program is still very much in action. OTM was a federally funded program
that helped those who had been living in a nursing home for more than 6 months to
move out into the community. They had flexible funds that were available, used to
help an individual live independently, rather than a nursing facility.
Staff Report-Don Bruland
• The OPI budget freeze has been lifted, as of today gave the go to be able to add
20-24 new individuals to OPI, and spend funds where they need to be allocated
• Dave Toller will become Don’s successor as Director of Senior & Disabilty
Services. Don asked that the SAC members help train Dave in his new position
• Coordinated Care Organizations who have applied for consideration: MRIPA,
CareOregon, ODS Community Services, and Grants Pass Surgery Center Have
applied to become CCOs.
• State has decided that the dual eligible population demonstration will be
postponed for a year.
Announcements:
• Anne stated that Osser Life Long Learning (OLLI) will be sponsoring a forum
on Future Shock: the Longevity Challenge to educate the public on some of the
programs available. It will take place in Rogue River Room, Stevenson Union,
SOU, Sunday April 15, 2012 @ 2-4 pm
• Don Bruland stated COHO will be having a series of Conversations about Death
and Dying. The first session will be on 4/26/2012 about How the Body Dies and
then every Tuesday after that at 1:30pm and 7pm
• Berta spoke about the needs for assessment survey, they will be starting focus
groups and also target areas needed to make survey more effective. She
requested that SAC members help disseminate survey into the community. The
survey is for both Josephine and Jackson County. Surveys need to be back by
May 1st
• Beth Williams announced there will be 3rd annual Domestic and Sexual
Violence Summit on April 27, 2012 at the Grants Pass Country Club from 103pm for $20.
Next month’s program-To be on the CCO’s
Katharine adjourns the meeting at 3:10 p.m.
The next SAC Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 15th at 1:00 p.m. at the Rogue
Valley Council of Governments Conference Room.