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Latino community leaders have been invited to a meeting on outreach strategies at the Seymour Center on the <br />afternoon of March 8. Discussion followed on options for increasing service to this subset of the senior population, <br />such as connecting with the Refugee Coalition and Habitat. <br />Duke University has assigned a five-member public policy student group to focus on the issue of providing <br />incentives to care for family members with Alzheimer’s disease. <br /> <br />CONTINUING PROJECTS <br />Mary Fraser asked that each Advisory Board member assigned to a MAP Domain workgroup highlight the progress <br />made in the last quarter. <br />Mary Altpeter reported that the Outdoor Spaces/Buildings workgroup is surveying community feedback about <br />access to, and use of, natural areas and parks. The survey’s availability was advertised in the Senior Times. She <br />announced that the Walkable Hillsborough mobility project has been completed. <br />Alex Castro reported for the Transportation workgroup that the sidewalk project connecting the Eno Haven Senior <br />Housing complex and the Sportsplex/Passmore Center is moving forward. A medical transportation subcommittee <br />is being formed to tackle issues like out-of-service area trips. <br />Dick White stated that the Housing workgroup is developing strategies for enabling senior housing options. Ryan <br />Lavalley is coordinating a subgroup to focus on home repairs. Discussion followed on the new Corbinton <br />Commons senior housing community in Hillsborough and Habitat’s project for older homeowners. <br />Donna Prather summarized the Social Participation/Inclusion workgroup review of the wide variety of options <br />available through the Department on Aging and its Senior Centers. <br />Colin Austin stated that the Civic Participation/Employment workgroup received updates on the accomplishments <br />of the Senior Employment Specialist and graduate intern. A marketing campaign is being developed on the <br />benefits of hiring older employees. <br />In Peggy Cohn’s absence the Community Support/Health workgroup was represented by Mary Fraser and Yvette <br />Missri. Issues included the continuation of OC CARES services following the expiration of the grant in August. <br />Another concern discussed was lack of funding to continue the EMS Stay Up and Active project. Managed Care <br />funding for community based services is being discussed with UNC Healthcare. Project EngAGE is exploring ways <br />to improve access to the complicated healthcare system. Myra Austin suggested contacting the Public Health <br />Reserve Corp through the OC Health Department. Another possible PE initiative is helping older adults manage <br />their household business through a payee program. <br />Discussion followed on the other activities growing from the Project EngAGE program: housing repairs, OCRA, <br />food box distribution, Faith Outreach Initiative. Keith Cook requested that copies of the resource guide be brought <br />to next month’s Advisory Board meeting. <br /> <br />COMMITTEE REPORTS <br />NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature – Dick White distributed the attached 2018 Legislative Priorities Fact Sheet. He <br />announced that the next STHL meeting will be held on March 13-14. This year is the 25th anniversary of that <br />organization. <br /> <br />There being no further business the meeting was adjourned. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br /> <br />Janice Tyler, Secretary <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />