Aging Advisory Board Minutes 051413

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ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes May 14, 2013 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Ed Flowers, Lorenzo Mejia, Thelma Perkins, Donna Prather, Jeane Suddarth, Richard White EXCUSED: Leo Allison, Dan Hatley STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center. The minutes of the April 9 meeting were approved following a motion offered by Richard White and the second made by Jeane Suddarth. Lorenzo Mejia provided feedback from his participation in the previous week’s Resource Fair at University Mall. A participant expressed concern to him that the Seymour Lunch program does not present a welcoming atmosphere to new attendees. Suggestions were made for addressing this situation, such as designating an ambassador or designating special seating for new participants. Janice Tyler announced that the Resource Fair had 205 registered older adults in attendance. Staff estimated that 400 persons participated. Mr. Mejia asked about the promotional efforts made in advance of the event. Discussion followed on the impact of sponsor table placement on the opportunity to make contacts, the selection of the day and time chosen, and the need for more publicity in the future. Ms. Tyler displayed the Older Americans Month proclamation that the Board of County Commissioners adopted at their May 7 meeting. She reported on the recent NC Association on Aging advocacy boot camp and UNC Hospital - Hillsborough’s topping off ceremony. She also announced that the University Mall Senior Striders program, funded by UNC Healthcare, will celebrate its fifth anniversary on May 21. Mary Fraser began the Master Aging Plan update by promising a draft of the Year Two work plan for review at the June Advisory Board meeting. The following month she will present the implementation report for Year One. She stated that, since the Advisory Board’s last meeting, she and Ms. Tyler had met with next year’s Capstone team who will implement Project EngAGED in Orange County. They had also met with the four summer interns who will work on different aspects of MAP. Thelma Perkins asked about the efforts being made to increase diversity in program participation. Ms. Fraser noted the outreach to the Asian population through the employment of a Chinese-speaking social worker and participation in the Health Department’s Latino coalition. There is also work beginning on outreach efforts to the Burmese communities. The Mobility Management grant has been approved by the NC Department on Transportation but will not be funded until the Triangle Area Rural Planning Organization’s transportation plan update is approved. The late April public forum required as part of that process was criticized in the press for its lack of citizen participation. The draft plan has been distributed but awaits Commissioner approval in three counties. Janice Tyler announced that OPT has agreed to establish a new route in the St Mary’s