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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOA 01/30/2007RHEIVED )' OFF ICE Mansfield Council On Aging/Social Services Minutes to Staff Meeting 0-1 H,AR - 9 Aft 8: D 9 1/30/2007 qq ©©i't I -t13 _ii pi U Present: Orale, Linda Adams, Linda Luth, Pam, Bev, Suzi, Marlyn; L'dibi T}�>ie&,rTS Althea, Cindy and Debi. Gale: CPR—Gale asked who would be recertifying for CPR. She said that the class would be held at the COA on February 51" in the afternoon. Linda Adams, Debi, Suzi, Cindy, Linda Luth, Marlyn, Bev, and Gale will be taking the class. Sunshine Club—Gale led a discussion about the status of the Sunshine Club. Bev and Debi agreed to help to coordinate it. New Intake Forms—Gale informed the staff that she, the Outreach staff, Debi and Cindy will be working with Neal to update and redesign the agency intake forms to be more in line with the needs of multi -agency applications. The form will be designed after the meeting with Neal, with a draft going to Neal. CVS—Gale reported that CVS in North Attleboro is sponsoring a tour of the store for seniors. There will be gifts given to those who take the tours. Evening Program—Gale announced that there will be an evening program at the COA of April What 6:30 PM, Attorney Kirkpatrick will be holding a workshop about the new Enhanced Adult Family Care Program. Tax Preparation—Gale told the staff that the AARP Tax Preparation services will once again be at the COA on Wednesdays and Fridays. We will be providing John with a laptop and printer. Senior Safety Day—Gale announced that the Senior Safety Day will be held at the COA on April 3& from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Reeistry of Deeds—Gale informed the staff that the Bristol County Registry of Deeds office will be opening in Attleboro. Cindy: Community Advisory Meeting—Cindy gave a detailed report on the status of "Our Daily Bread," celebrating its 10d' year anniversary this year. She said that the budget continues to increase, and the amount of food being purchased and received from donations continues to increase with each year. They are providing about $9500 in gift cards per year. The newest goals are to serve the homeless population, have more volunteers, find a larger space, and buy a truck. Homeless Count—Cindy said that she participated in the homeless census. She said that she and fellow counters went to places all around town, and it was unclear regarding the numbers of homeless living in Mansfield, because, although there was evidence of several outdoor camps, there were no people seen to be counted. Marlyn: Marlyn said that there were fluctuations in participation in the meals programs. She said that it was most noticeable in the site meals program, with Mondays and Fridays having the fewest lunch guests. She said that the meals continue to be very tasty. There was a discussion about the amount of leftover food. She was concerned that she was throwing away a lot of food. There was a suggestion from one of the staff members that the food be given to a homeless shelter, rather than thrown away. Gale informed the staff that program regulations prohibit food from being given away for safety and prevention of food borne illnesses. Debi suggested that there be better portion control. Linda L.: Linda reported that she has been very busy with fuel assistance clients. She said that she has processed 51 applications so far for the season. She said that she will also be redesigning the brochure. Louise: Louise said that she had nothing to report. Suzi: Suzi's detailed report is attached. During the discussion about window displays, Gale suggested that Cindy do a window display about homelessness and hunger. Pam: Correspondence—Pam told the staff that she was very busy writing thank -you notes to Christmas and holiday donors. She said that these donors included Braintree Credit Union who adopted a family for Christmas. She indicated that President of the company lives in Mansfield. She said that New Beginnings Fellowship also donated. Deposit Waivers—Pam said that she has been helping with electric deposit waiver requests. Bev: Mental Health Issues—Bev reported that she has been working with clients who have mental health issues—a lot of depression. She said that 9 people in our COA community have passed away since December. SHINE—Bev said that there has not been much activity in the SHINE program. Book Club—Bev reported that she will be starting the visually impaired book club again. She is planning to have the first meeting in February. She said that because of the nature of the club, it will be a reading and support group. Lynette: Client List—Lynette announced that she finished updating the active client list. She said that the Outreach Department has over 250 active clients. Intake Form— Lynette said that she has also updated the intake form. SHINE—Lynette informed the staff that she has been very busy with SHINE clients. She said that she spent about 4 hours with one person. Fuel Assistance—Lynette said that people have been asking for fuel assistance, but have credits on their fuel bills if they are on a budget plan. She said that, once the very cold weather comes, those credits will be disappear. Linda: Food Pantry—Linda said that the Outreach Department continues to serve 14 clients through the Food Pantry. File of Life—Linda reported that she has been busy with updating Files of Life. Cases—Linda said that she has been busy with transportation issues and financial issues with clients. She was also happy to make a contact with the coordinators of the PCA Program at BESI. She reported about the information provided by Kim and Lisa from BESI, and was interested in having the program available for a client family. Althea: Escort Program—Althea reported that Gail Mann provided 15 trips in January, and the volunteers provided 13 trips. Tax Workoff Program—Althea said that the minimum wage increased as of January I't, and so the rate of pay for the Tax Workoff Program participants should need to be increased from $6.75 per hour to $7.50 per hour. She said that Gale will be speaking with John to take the necessary steps to rectify this issue. SERVE—Althea informed the staff that the SERVE program has picked up a few more clients due to the Foxborough SERVE discontinuing. Volunteer Day Planning—Althea said that she and Suzi will be attending the first panning meeting for the upcoming Volunteer Day in Attleboro. She said that the meeting will be held on 1/31 in the afternoon. Arts Lottery Grants—Althea reported that she submitted grant proposals to Mansfield Cultural Council for the Arts Lottery Grants, and the COA was awarded $650. The money will fund three programs—the St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, The Art Show on March 22nd, and the Tea on April 13tH Epoch Donation—Althea said that some staff and residents from Epoch came to the Birthday Party and Epoch provided the birthday cake. Other Programs—The Rotary Lunch is tentatively set for the 6th of March; Morning Melodies will be on February 15th; and Fiesta Day will be on February 16th. Althea also reported that Joyce Merrill made bed socks and donated them to New Bedford Hospice. Debi: Margaret—Debi informed the staff that Margaret was in the hospital and that she was very ill. RawSox—Debi reported that she has purchased the PawSox tickets to the July 19`h game, and the sign up list is almost full. Sup lies—Debi also reported that the supplies budget has been spent, and that Gale informed her that supplies purchases should be only what is necessary. Activities Director Suzi Hansen Walking Club— COA Staff Meeting January 31, 2007 Music-Silver Songbirds-- 20 Songbirds will sang at the Dolittle Home in Foxboro Dec. 19 at 10:30 AM. They were well received. Bob Paulson played Santa. Songbirds had donated small gifts for his Santa sack for him to pass out as we sang ` Here Comes Santa Claus'. Pictures were in their newsletter. Good PR for C.O.A. Crafts Wed. Quilting-Suzi, Two smaller size quilts and pillows are being worked on. Class time was moved up to 10 Am –11:30 AM. Both will be finished for FDIC to raffle Friday Knitting -Suzi, Discussion of a group project maybe involving crochet. Dottie Rego shared her pattern for crocheted kitchen towels, Radchimes—Handchimers are practicing music for the May program. Sea Shanties and Songs of Americana. Therapeutic Chi Gong–Thursday class will continue at 10:45 AM, Chinese Health Balls will continue to use them on the last Thursday of every month. I'm asking that the doors not be opened after the start of class. We have until 11:30 and bingo people do not need to come in prior to that time. It is very distracting and disruptive during the regimen. Plum Blossom Fan (Tai Chi single Fan) – Fan Class continues. Some who tried it find it to be too difficult for them. It's not as easy as Chi Gong or Yoga. You are using Tai Chi forms, plus adding the fan which really works on your hands, wrists & arms. You're working on coordination, balance, and fluid movements, which takes time, patience, diligent practice, a lot of self discipline. You can not learn it in one session. As with any new exercise program you start, if you haven't done much exercising to begin with, you may feel it as you are moving your body in ways that it is not use to and you may not be moving correctly. Window use- Animal Shelter display Jan/Feb. - Have called F. walker about African/American doll display for History Month, Feb. Possibility- A window about the FDIC, who and what they do for and at the COA. March for April FDIC Bake Sale