Aging Advisory Board Minutes 100813

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Mary Fraser explained the dilemma regarding the recruitment of a bi-lingual social worker for the Peer- To-Peer program. The Department on Aging is pursuing employment subcontracts with both major local universities as a possible solution to the current temporary employee’s work visa issue. In her announcement of upcoming events Janice Tyler mentioned the Chapel Hill and Carrboro Police Departments’ collection of unneeded prescription drugs, Project Connect, and the Aging In Stride 5k fundraiser for the Department’s Aging In Place fund. Mary Fraser distributed an updated MAP Implementation Status chart for Year 2. Highlights included: • The new year’s UNC Capstone student team held its first Project Engage advisory committee meeting • The first in the Aging in Community series, Sarah Susanka’s presentation, had more than 250 persons in attendance; plans are underway for the Winter 2014 series • OC Planning is organizing a universal design workshop for local builders and developers • Both Orange County Meals-On-Wheels programs are expanding their service areas • Emergency Services has launched a new initiative for the prevention of falls in the home The Chair suggested that a list be compiled of the MAP accomplishments to date that have had a direct impact on seniors in Orange County. The Advisory Board members expressed appreciation to Mary Fraser for her outstanding work in coordinating the MAP process and its progress reports. In New Business Dan Hatley stated that former State Senator Ellie Kinnaird has expressed interest in working with the Advisory Board on a voters’ rights campaign. It was suggested that she be invited to a future meeting to discuss a plan of action with the hope of developing a model that could be replicated in other areas of the State. Janice Tyler added that new State Senator Valerie Foushee is scheduled to address the Village Elders in early 2014. Lorenzo Mejia reported that he met with Information Specialist Beverly Shuford to review plans for an update of the Department on Aging’s website. Orange County Government has secured a new content platform that will address many of the past navigational concerns. Ms. Shuford will share ‘mock-ups’ of the new site. Janice Tyler added that the Department will establish its Facebook presence following the completion of the website update. The form for submission of the Advisory Board’s annual work plan for the County Commissioners was distributed. Janice Tyler proposed that the Department staff complete a draft report for the Board’s review at its November meeting. Mr. Mejia noted that, since space is limited, attachments can supplement the report information. Mr. Castro added the accomplishment list suggested earlier by the Chair would be good information to submit to the Commissioners. Other items to be attached to the annual report: MAP Year 1 chart of activities, Project Engage flyer, Long Term Care Collaborative activity summary. The report narrative should address the use of Capstone students, the level of interagency collaborative work and opportunities for community input. Dan Hatley stated that the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee completes detailed reports following its visits to the Orange County facilities but the public is unaware that they are available and unable to locate them on the Orange County website. Lorenzo Mejia added that the Department on Aging should consider search engine optimization, focusing on key words in its website redesign. Discussion followed on how this could be achieved. 2