Minutes-02-16-2023-Business Meeting

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3 would be helpful. She said that the ombudsmen have no power and that is very frustrating. She said that it is critical to have the ombudsman Shade Little said that at the end of the visit to an adult care home they provide a report to management but keep it anonymous if there is a report from a resident. Commissioner Fowler asked if the committee receives feedback from the state on the response to their concerns. Shade Little said their ombudsman is contacted. Commissioner Fowler asked if trained applicants will be brought to the Board soon for appointment. Tara May said that she spoke with the ombudsman, and they reported that the state has not started training back at this time and she is unsure when that might be done. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked how often the state pays visits to adult care homes Tara May said that she is unsure of that but will gladly contact Autumn Cox and schedule a time for her to come speak to the Board. Jacqulyn Podger presented on behalf of the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee. She said they resumed in-person visits in July 2022 to nursing homes in the community. She said they are excited to be able to go and do the work they have been charged to do. She said they have had challenges with recruiting. She said that it is a time commitment and there are also health risks. She said that some of things they hear are not always pleasant and that makes it difficult work. She said they have six members, and their allotment is ten. She said that prospective members must receive training, but that the state has not resumed training. She said they are recruiting heavily. Commissioner Richards asked if the Nursing Home Community Advisory Committee is incorporated in the master aging plan. Jacqulyn Podger said there is a mandate from the last Master Aging Plan. She said they are going over the Master Aging Plan and seeing where they might provide support. Commissioner Richards said that it seems like these two groups should be included. Dr. Heather Altman said both of the committees come to the monthly meeting of the Aging Advisory Board and that they are certainly linked. Commissioner Richards asked if they are in the plan. Janice Tyler said they were under community health and support and provided input into the plan. Commissioner Richards clarified that they had input into the plan. Commissioner Fowler said she really appreciates what the two committees are doing to protect vulnerable people. Jacqulyn Podger said they believe in the residents' rights. Commissioner Hamilton asked if ten members is enough to do the work. Jacqulyn Podger said yes, if all of the positions were filled. Keith Bagby presented on behalf of the Board of Health. He described a successful collaboration of Family Success Alliance and Gateway Collaboration, with DSS, Department of Housing, Human Rights and Relations, Hillsborough Police Department and Orange County Schools, formed to address the needs of residents in the Gateway Community Apartments. He said that is HUD property and most residents are African-American single mothers. He said that the residents experience poor living conditions, domestic violence, substance abuse, reoccurring child protective involvement and transportation issues. He said that no one should have to live like that. He said that residents had trust issues with law enforcement, county government, and the landlord. He said the coalition came together to gather information from residents. He said several community events were hosted. He said there was an agreement reached between property management and the coalition. He said that tutoring has been implemented, DSS and the Health Department received approval from the County Manager to lease an apartment there and work on site, Orange Literacy will begin offering tutoring and GED classes, local law