2017-583-E Finance - A Helping Hand - Outside Agency Performance Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID: EA54395E-EA79-461 B-8A4A-AODF56E9A02D EXHIBIT A PROVIDER'S OUTSIDE AGENCY APPLICATION In all 3 town/county plans, transportation was listed as a priority. This Collaborative includes a sustainable transportation model that eliminates barriers of traditional cost and availability issues. Orange County highlighted the goal of enabling full civic participation, which this program addresses as well. With this program AHH is not only driving the civic engagement of college students but allowing the older adults we serve to engage more fully in their own communities. As Kathy Bonner, a retired principal and AHH Companion has stated, "For the people we serve, their worlds are shrinking. We are there to expand their worlds again." e) Describe the community need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Chapel Hill Human Services Needs Assessment, Orange County BOCC Goals and Priorities, Town of Chapel Hill Council Goals, Carrboro goals, or other community priorities (i.e. Council/Board Goals). Reference local data (using the provided links, i.e. Chapel Hill Human Services Needs Assessment)to support the need for this program. As the population of seniors (65+) increases exponentially, an expansion of services is required to meet the special needs of this at-risk demographic. In 2013, one in 5 North Carolina residents were 60 and over in the state. In 2033, one in four will be over 60 and over. According to the US Census Bureau, there are approximately 13,962 individuals aged 65+ in Orange County; nearly 10% of these individuals are living at or below poverty level and are unable to afford independent living services. This augmented population of seniors is resulting in an increased demand for services on an already heavily burdened human services system. In order to reduce the public cost of caring for these individuals, it is necessary to provide services that allow a person to "age in place" with minimal barriers to service. A Helping Hand (AHH) is the only non-profit in Orange County that provides in-home assistance regardless of an individual's ability to pay. Transportation is frequently identified as the number one unmet need for seniors. In fact, the latest Orange County Health Assessment identified the lack of transportation services as a primary barrier to healthcare access. Fortunately, AHH is able to increase access to healthcare and other valuable services by filling gaps in current transportation models. As current community transportation exists, assistance is limited to"door-to-door"and is subject to geographical and scheduling restrictions. AHH's escorted "door-through-door" transportation is critical to ensuring physically-disabled or cognitively-impaired seniors are able to travel safely to doctor's appointments and have access to other vital needs, regardless of time and location in the County. Moreover, the discrepancy between life expectancy and driving expectancy creates a pragmatic need for senior transportation services. On average, men and women experience respectively, seven and ten non-driving years. Ironically, as the ability to drive decreases, the frequency of medical appointments and the need for health services increases. The natural aging process often brings about physical and cognitive limitations that require assistance in the home. The DHHS Administration on Aging reports 37% of older people are limited by a disability. Moreover, in the future, the percentage of disabled individuals is also expected to grow. A report published in JAMA Internal Medicine, showed that the proportion of baby boomers who are disabled is substantially higher relative to people from two decades ago in the same age bracket.Without assistance, these individuals will experience premature transitions to higher, more expensive levels of care and are at increased risk for injury and illness. Providing independent living services will enable these individuals to maintain self- sufficient lives and will reduce the likelihood of injury from performing unmanageable household tasks. PROGRAM INFORMATION 1/31/2017 3:19:07 PM ;;