November 8, 2012 Interagency Meeting

Interagency Council has a new Co-chair.  Allison Reynolds has stepped down as she has taken a new job at the Council for Prevention.  We wish her luck in her new ventures and thank her for dedication to the Interagency while she was with us.  On that note, we welcomed Pam Wickberg as new Co-Chair.  Pam is with Homefront Development and truly appreciate her willingness to be more involved with Interagency.

We voted to re-install the $10.00 dues for Interagency.  Forms and applications will be available at the next meeting on 12/13/2012. Nomination forms will also be available for the Scholarship Award of $300 to an agency in need.   

The December 13 meeting has a change of speaker.  We have a representative from Mediation Matters to discuss the benefits process for client mediation.

Maria Geizer- Community Relations Director from Home Instead Senior Care announced the start of this seasons "Be a Santa for a Senior".  There are trees throughout the community with ornaments attached.  Bring gifts back to the tree unwrapped to be distributed to the Senior.  Trees are located at Price Chopper in Saratoga, YMCA in Clifton Park, Queensbury Senior Center, and Saratoga Hospital.  Adopt a Senior if you can.  Deadline for gifts is December 13.  

Southern Adirondack Childcare Network is celebrating 20 years.  Congratulations to them and wishes for many more years of dedication.

WWH LTCC is holding a Workforce Development Metting on 12/05/2012 at the Warren County Municipal Center.  This is an informational meeting for training programs for HHA.  January 9 at the Municipal Center at 10am is the quarterly meeting.

LTCC- Interests please see Susan Dornan or reach her via email at dornans@warrencountyny.gov

Pam Wickberg- Homefront Development-  Moving forward with Senior Housing Models.  She will have more information to share next month.

First Annual Harvest Gala was held at the Saratoga Holiday Inn on October 19.  All proceeds benefited SAIL.  It was a great sucess, and next years date has already been secured.  Thank you to everyone for your continued support.

Lynn Osterberg- Assistant RRDS at SAIL is collecting gift cards for her effort "A Gift for the Jersey Shore".  She is collecting gift cards for Wal-Mart, Target, Shop Rite, KMart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, PetCo., PetSmart, Home Depot, Lowes and Hess Gas cards.  Gift cards will be collected by Lynn and sent to the Stafford Township Storm Relief Center in Manahawkin in NJ.  Lynn can be reached at 792-3537x 325

Our SPOTLIGHT Speaker

Worlco Ins Agency www.wmsny.com

Chris Anderson, Regional Sales Director and Cathy DeGregorio, Senior Insurance Specialist, were here to educate us on Worlco's history and available services.

Worlco was founded in 1953 and currently represent 5 different companines.  They are mainly focused on Seniors and Medicare Advantage programs, supplement plans, Life Insurance and Final Expense programs.  Cathy is currently in an "open enrollment period".  Consumer contact and Worlce reaches out and set up an appointment to see the consumer.  She is able to help one navigate through the process including dual eligibility.  Please contact her at 518-793-7123 for more unformation.

Joanne Zales from National Grid spoke about HEAP guidlines.  Regular benefit applications are accepted starting 11/19, emergency benefits start 01/02/2013.  Furnace repair/replacement program started in October.  Go to www.mybenefits.ny.gov to check eligibility for services.  Disconnection notices are given a 72 hour window and are delivered via phone call or in person.  All "collections" have been suspended due to downstate conditions and there has been a moreatorium place on collections for the period of 12/19/2012 to  01/01/2013.

NeighborsNY sponsors the "Friendly Visitor Program".  This is a volunteer program partnered with Washington County, Warren County Office for the Aging and RSVP.  Contact Kim Bren at RSVP or Gina Mitchell-Canntanuci at Washingotn County for details.

Treasurer position for Interagency is still open.  See Judith or Pam for more information.

We will see you at our next meeting on December 13.



Office for the Aging starts outreach for eligibility and applications on November 20.

Interagency October 11 Meeting

So sorry for the delay on this post, life happens and we have been super busy.

Minutes from each Interagency meeting are posted here, generally with in a week of the meeting.  Entering your email in the appropriate spot will ensure you recieve emails.'

The discussion of dues was revisited.  The amout of $10.00 was suggested as dues for individuals/agencies as a whole.  We pay SAIL to use the facility, it is not required to pay, but it is surely helpful.

The Tresurer position is also still vacant if anyone is interested in that.  See Judith or Allison regarding the specifics. 

The Interagency Presenter schedule was passed around and was also posted in the Septembers blog post.

We are happy to share the House of Grace will re-open in January and they are thankful for everyones support.

Nutritional Counseling of Warren County has a spot on 98.5 at 430 daily. Nutrition facts shared and questions answered.  Call Warren County for details.

Pam Wickbern is happy to say she still has money available, contact her for further details.

Association for the Hearing Impaired still has its website available until the end on 2011.   American Sign Language classes are availableat the GF YMCA and Ballard Elementary in Wilton, Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers is still performing through the holidays with Kassey.  Assistive Technology is still looking for a "home".

Reminder that the HEAP program will start on November 19 with some changes and the Care and Share Program also has some changes. 

The AIDS Councils Hudson Falls Office is looking for a Care Coordinator.  Go to the website www.aidscouncil.org for more information.

Watch out for Girl Scouts, fundraising starts soon.

Adirondack Health Institude- Jeannie LaLond is available at SAIL on Wednesdays to help with enrollment applications.  Essex, Warren, Washington, Warren and Hamilton counties served here, there is also a sattelite office in Plattsburgh.  They help with Medicaid, Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus.  Help can also be done over the phone in about ten minutes.  They also have a fun safe website that is easy to navigate. Courtnie Smith assists with this via phone at 518-761-0300x 31375 or it can be found at www.chicapp.org.

The program for children does not have income restrictions.  It helps single parents with employer paid insurance as well.  Program for adults over 65 are referred out to another venue, generally SAIL advocates. AHI also offers advocacy services as well.  Willing to do outreach services, meet with employees applicants to screen individuals.

Dr. Cliff Green was here to discuss dual diagnosis.  He is an adjunct professor at ACC and part of WW Ass. of Mental Health, located on Maple Street in Glens Falls.

Dr. Green fielded pre-written questions collected from Septembers Interagency meeting.

Many times a co-occuring diagnosis can combine criminal justice, substance abuse and mental illiness. Housing difficulties can also be a part of the issue.  Re-occurence is ALWAY possible, everyone is different.  Individuals need to be treated as such, "cookie cutter" plans dont apply.

Most helpful? Patience.  One must build a relationship with these individuals.  Showing and proving honesty is key.

Whats available?  In patient services.  All facilities have a branch for co-occuring diagnosis.  Although mental health and substance abuse dont always work seamlessly together.

Why is it hard to get treatment?  The individual has to be ready willing and able.  Unfortunately those may be in place for the individual but not always in the service form.  this can lead to discouragement with the person.

Approach to treatment-training.  Education is key.  Multiple personality disorder secondary to trauma requires specific training.  You must establish a connection, again to prove honesty and trust.

Stigmas/sterotypes- Education is key.  Dont discriminate, think of this as your family member and how youd like them to be treated.

How do you keep one in treatment?- Dedication and funding.

Meetings are held 5 days a week at the 230 Maple street location and peer run sessions are held at GFH. Tuesday and Thursday meetings are held with dinner starting at 4pm.

Social Activities- garden projects, cooking, canning, and garage sales.

Tip 42 was a handy reference he made.  More info on this can be found at www.samhsa.gov.

  

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE!!

This is just a reminder about the Interagency meeting this Thursday November 8 at SAIL in Queensbury. 

Worlco Senior Insurance is the Agency Spotlight and our Education Speaker will be on  HEAP updates, special holiday projects, programs and offerings.

Hope to see you there.