1997 S Aging - Approval of Funding Applications for In-Home Volunteer Assistance to the Elderly Project

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Community Connections Proposal September. The project would then be ongoing. A total of$4800 is being requested from the Foundation for the initial year of the proposed project. This amount includes funds for a part- time stipended volunteer coordinator position and for recruitment and training materials for the program. The Newcomers' Club of Chapel Hill is also being approached for funding. The maximum amount available from that organization is being requested, which is $1,000. If this proposal is successful, any funding offered by the Newcomer's Club will not be accepted. As it is intended that this project be ongoing, staff plan to reapply for Foundation funding and will apply for funding from other sources to meet future project costs. Organizational Capability The DOA is the most appropriate agency to spearhead such an initiative because its mission is to provide a comprehensive array of services to the county's 60+population. Its services include transportation, information and referral, support groups and Medicaid case management. The Department has been serving the county's older adults and their families since 1976 when it was a'private agency. Over the years, staff have attempted to remain in tune with and responsive to the changing needs of their target population. Programs have been initiated or altered whenever possible. Eldercare Program staff is composed of two Eldercare Specialists who possess Master's degrees in Social Work and between them share seven ears of experience working with older Z7 y 11.) adults. The full-time Specialist, who will be the staff coordinator for this project and supervisor of the proposed volunteer coordinator, has for two years coordinated the varied services of the Eldercare Program, including a weekend volunteer telephone reassurance service. She is experienced in tracking client services and program funding, as well as in supervising personnel. The proposed volunteer coordinator would have experience working with volunteers and, preferably, older adults. He or she would be trained by the full-time Eldercare Specialist, as necessary, regarding volunteer management, aging and working with older adults. Advice and other technical assistance has already been sought from aging services providers in Durham, Wake and other counties who sponsor similar programs; their assistance Will be requested again as necessary. Conclusion Eldercare Program staff and the DOA administration strongly believe that this project would serve a need that is not currently being appropriately or adequately met. Foundation funding for this project would enable many older adults to receive the kind of basic assistance that contributes to their quality of life and to the life of Orange County.