Aging Advisory Board Minutes 040814

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ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes April 8, 2014 PRESENT: Leo Allison, Heather Altman, Virginia Brown, Alex Castro, Peggy Cohn, Keith Cook, Ed Flowers, Dan Hatley, Lorenzo Mejia, Donna Prather, Dick White GUEST: Mark Marcoplos, Cherie Rosemond STAFF: Mary Fraser, Kathie Kearns, Janice Tyler The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Heather Altman. Ed Flowers offered a motion that the minutes of the March 11 meeting be approved as distributed. Keith Cook provided the second. Motion carried. In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler noted recent media coverage including an interview of Bob Seymour in the Daily Tar Heel. She reported on the Department on Aging’s participation in the April 4 Orange County Government Expo at University Mall. She also informed the Advisory Board of the Department staff persons who participated in the Emergency Management Department’s disaster training and those who will be attending the NC Association on Aging’s Annual Conference. Ms. Tyler announced the retirement of the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services Director Dennis Streets after 17 years in that position. She also announced that Mobility Manager Lance Hendrix has resigned to accept a position with USDA and that the Planning Department has hired a new Administrator for its Orange Public Transportation division. Janice Tyler announced that the new Department on Aging website has been launched and its Facebook account should be available by the end of the day. Discussion followed on the degree to which older adults are embracing new technology. Ms. Tyler informed the Advisory Board that Beverly Shuford is the Department’s gatekeeper for the website but several staff members will have permission to edit site information. She also reviewed the FY 2014-15 County budget request for increased funding for Senior Lunch Program meals, Senior Center maintenance/repairs, and additional Saturday hours at the Seymour Center. Mary Fraser announced that the first Project EngAGE graduation will be held on April 28 at 3:30 p.m. at the Central Orange Senior Center. She added that the first year class plans to continue meeting monthly and has divided themselves into resource teams geographically. Janice Tyler added that no UNC Capstone team will be assigned to the Department on Aging for the upcoming academic year. MAP funding will be used to employ temporary support staff for both the first year graduates and next year’s Project EngAGE class. Alex Castro asked if the graduates will recommend persons for the next year’s class. Staff responded that there will also be efforts to recruit from geographic areas not represented in year one as well as representatives from the Chinese community. Lorenzo Mejia inquired about the projects that the first graduating class have chosen and was told that neighborhood watch and faith-based community outreach have been identified. Ms. Tyler stated that the Aging in Community series will conclude that evening with a presentation by Charles House Director Paul Klever. Approximately 20 people attended the Developers’ Breakfast held at the Seymour Center on March 19. The AIC Planning Team will address next steps to continue the dialogue for determining the types of housing older citizens desire that do not exist in this community. Ms. Fraser announced that all UNC Capstone Teams will be honored at a campus Celebration on April 23. Dan Hatley asked if there was an explanation for not having a Team assigned to the Department on Aging next year. A lack of interest in working with the aging population was the response. Heather Altman added that Carol Woods has had success utilizing Health Policy students who are assigned for one semester.