Aging Advisory Board Minutes 031015

Browse Search

ORANGE COUNTY ADVISORY BOARD ON AGING Minutes March 10, 2015 PRESENT: Heather Altman, Mary Altpeter, Alex Castro, Keith Cook, Ed Flowers, Winston Liao, Donna Prather, Dick White, Peggy Cohn EXCUSED: Virginia Brown, Lorenzo Mejia, Jack Vogt STAFF: Kathie Kearns, Yvette Missri, Janice Tyler GUESTS: Caroline Perry The meeting was called to order at the Central Orange Senior Center by Chair Heather Altman. Following introductions Alex Castro announced that Graig Meyer has been appointed to the General Assembly’s Aging Committee. He suggested that Representative Meyer be invited to a future Advisory Board meeting to learn about Master Aging Plan initiatives such as Project EngAGE and the Aging In Community series. The minutes of the February 10 meeting were approved following clarification on Dan Hatley’s presentation. The Board requested Housing Specialist Cherie Rosemond provide information on standards for adequate space for retirement housing. The motion to approve was made by Alex Castro and seconded by Keith Cook. In her Director’s Report Janice Tyler announced that the March 5 Faith Community Symposium at the Central Orange Senior Center was well-attended with 16 congregations represented. The presenter was Wake Forest Baptist Hospital’s Gary Gunderson, an expert in the field of congregations and health. Follow-up for this session will include contact with each congregation in attendance by a representative of the Project EngAGE Faith Based workgroup. The NC Coalition on Aging’s (NCAOA) Senior Advocacy Day at the General Assembly, postponed due to weather, has been rescheduled for March 17. The Senior Tar Heel Legislature will be lobbying on the same day. Ms. Tyler asked Advisory Board members who want to carpool to email her. She also announced that longtime senior advocate Mary Bethel is retiring from her position in the North Carolina office of AARP. Ms. Tyler concluded her report by announcing that Orange County Government will hold a County Expo on April 10 at University Mall. Triangle J Area Agency on Aging staff monitored the Department on Aging’s use of its Home and Community Care Block Grant funding in mid-February. The department was once again commended for its outstanding work and service to the community. The ‘pitch day’ for a UNC School of Public Health Health- Behavior Capstone graduate student team for the next academic year will take place on March 18 and Advisory Board members are invited to attend. And the Department has submitted an application for funding to enroll 500 older adults in the SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) program. In New Business Chair Altman asked that Ms. Tyler outline the topics that should be covered in her Aging Advisory Board update to the Board of County Commissioners on March 19. The public hearing for the OPT paratransit proposal has been rescheduled for March 17. The Advisory Board had previously decided to address the issue of affordable fares and the need for better publicity. Ms. Tyler also expressed her hope that the Senior Center program staff be given sufficient advance notice prior to the route expansion to plan for additional afternoon activities.