Aging Advisory Board Minutes 021417

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increase and less client interest in the less-expensive adult day care service. These factors have forged a stronger alliance with the Department on Social Services to identify funding needs countywide. Donna Prather asked if Aging Transitions has started a waiting list. Forty clients are currently receiving in-home services contracted by the Department on Aging. The Department's FY17-18 budget will include fund requests for credit card processing fees, Senior Center replacement furniture and audio equipment improvements, and volunteer background checks. Yvette Missri reported that Volunteer Connect 55+ currently has 400 persons enrolled. Three members volunteered to participate in the Outside Agency application review: Yvonne Mendenhall, Donna Prather, Dick White. Ms. Tyler noted that the County Manager will meet with each of the 60+ applicant agencies, along with the assigned County Department Director, as part of this year's review process. Master Aging Plan (MAP) Mary Fraser referenced the Year 5 MAP Goal Implementation Status report that was distributed with the Advisory Board meeting notice. She circulated a list of the MAP Update work groups' membership and asked for suggestions. Approximately 150 persons are involved in this planning process and a wide variety of agencies and organizations are represented. The five work groups were convened in late January and almost all have met two times. The MAP Steering Committee will meet on February 23 to review the work done to date. The Leadership Team will be a part of this meeting. Peggy Cohn added that a subgroup of the Housing work group has formed to address specific issues related to substandard housing. Continuing Projects Yvette Missri summarized the activities of Project EngAGE and its Senior Resource Teams, including recruitment for enrollees in the Fall 2017 training class and the volunteer recognition event and end-of-life forum scheduled for late April. Ms. Cohen asked about the possibility of making a podcast of the end-of-life program. It was also suggested that the Project EngAGE training include emphasis on the issues identified in the current MAP Update. Lisa Meinert has been hired as a full-time Caregiver Respite Program Coordinator with the OC CARES grant project. Mary Fraser estimated that about 2,600 Orange County residents have dementia. Committee Reports Lorenzo Mejia announced that a Dementia Friendly Business marketing campaign has been launched on WCHL radio. Approximately 60 businesses have completed the DFB training to date. Yvonne Mendenhall reported that the providers at last month's Long Term Care Collaborative asked how they can help with advancing the goals of the committee. Donna Prather stated that their interest in recruiting and providing support for facility volunteers is encouraging. Mary Fraser added that applications for the next SHARP Direct Care Workers awards will be taken through mid-April. Dick White announced that another Senior Tar Heel Legislature lobbying event is being scheduled for the current General Assembly session.