November 2013 Meeting

NEXT MEETING: 8:30A THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2013 AT WARREN COUNTY MUNICIPAL CENTER HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING

***NOTE: MEETING WILL BE ON THE 3RD FLOOR!!***

HAVE A HEART SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE DUE AT THIS MEETING!

1. Visiting Nurses Homecare located at 71 Glenwood Avenue in Queensbury is holding their annual Holiday Open House with a Holiday Buffet on Friday, Dec 20th from 8a-4p. For info, call: 798-1450.
2. Gorgeous Holiday Baskets are for sale at the SAIL Center on Glenwood! Stop in to purchase yours today!

• Member Agency Updates:

1. Kim Sopcczyk is now the director at Family Services and can be reached at 793-0797 or fsadirector@albany.twcbc.com. Family Services is now conducting their Adopt-A-Family program, and they have a food pantry for families as well. Contact Kim for more information. 
2. Erika Walker is now with the Adirondack Health Institute, which is a part of NYState of Health which has the new Insurance Marketplace & Portal. Erika can present educational programs at organizations. Contact her at ewalkerahi@medserv.net, or 761-0300 x31511.

• Interagency Updates:

1. Community Connections Day Committee needs members! Contact Judith McKinnon at jmck@sail-center.org to join us in planning this unique community outreach day! Community Connections will be held the Saturday before Mother's Day in May. It will be more of a "foodie" event to draw more people, and our Interagency tent will be closer to the Rotary Club events to take advantage of all of the foot traffic. Thanks to WORLCO for sponsoring this event once again this year!
2. Interagency Members discussed where to house the electronic version of the Membership Directory, for easy access by all Member Agencies and ease up updating contact information. Ideas welcome!
3. The Long Term Care Council held its Quarterly Meeting on Tues 11/26/13 from 9a-12noon at the Human Service Bldg at the Warren Cty Municipal Center.
4. The COMH meetings are the first Thursday of every month from 12noon-1pm at 230 Maple Street in Glens Falls. Contact Robert York for more information at 792-7143.

• Our Presenter for the November meeting was Joanne Zales of National Grid about this year's Home Energy Assistance Program:

1. HEAP, for primary heat, opens Monday November 18, 2013 and closes on March 17th, 2014. Call 800-342-3009 or www.mybenefits.ny.gov/
2. Emergency HEAP opens January of 2014
3. Social Services can be contacted for help regarding HEAP applications; customers enrolled in SSI are categorically eligible, but if they have changed residence address, they must call Dept of Social Svcs.
4. Once benefit is received, a 30-day hold is put on the account.
5. "Cold weather procedures" are put in place from November 1, 2013 thru April 15, 2014, which means that everyone gets 72-hours notice before disconnect can occur, over the phone or by a Collector in person.
6. A "moratorium" is placed on disconnects for everyone from Christmas thru New Year's Day.
7. If the temperature gets below 32-degrees, National Grid CANNOT disconnect power for anyone.
8. A "last resort" fund does exist, called "Care & Share", and is available now thru January 7, 2014 to those who are eligible for HEAP. Call 855-852-2736 or www.heartshare.org/programs/energy-assistance/care.html 
9. The "Empower Program" for those eligible for HEAP is available to get efficiency issues repaired/replaced to provide energy savings.
10. Other Services: Payment Agreement for eligible customers who have fallen behind on their payments and cannot pay their bill in full; Bill Extender Plan, which allows eligible customers who are on a fixed income (supplied by a monthly check), and whose check arrives after their bill's due date--10 extra days to pay their bill.
11. Good News! Natural gas prices look to be going down!

Room Change

Happy Holidays Everyone! Just a reminder that tomorrow is Interagency. We will be meeting in the third floor meeting room this time since a bigger group needed the room we are usually in. We will get started at 8:30am. Also if anyone knows were the Community Connections Day Banner is please let me know or if you have it please bring it to the meeting. See you tomorrow! Thanks Allison Reynolds

THREE UPCOMING AGENCY EVENTS

Here's a quick announcement about THREE upcoming agency events: 1. Glens Falls Rotary 5k to Benefit High Peaks Hospice and Palliative Care & Literacy Volunteers - Glens Falls Chapter April 12, 2014 Begins at 8am. Race starts at 10a at SUNY Adirondack. $20 registration fee Rotary is looking for runners, volunteers and corporate sponsors. More information can be found on the Rotary Website http://www.glensfallsrotary.org/ 2. FREE EVENT WITH LIGHT REFRESHMENTS! Hosted by the W/W/H Counties Long Term Care Council. Tuesday, Nov 26, 2013 - 9am to 12 noon at the Warren County Human Services Building 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY For Information, contact Susan Dornan at NY Connects: 1-866-805-3931 3. House of Grace of the Adirondacks OPEN HOUSE with light refreshments! Friday, Nov 22, 2013 - 9:30a to 12 noon at 33 Henry Street, Glens Falls For Information, contact Audrey Shaw at 793-8509

Interagency of the Adirondacks Meeting, October 10, 2013

REMINDER: MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD AT THE HUMAN SERVICES BLDG AT WARREN CTY MUNICIPAL CENTER NEXT MEETING: NOVEMBER 14, 2013: HEAP update & Glens Falls Hospital Diabetes Info-Sandra McNeil Pam Wickberg cannot serve as Co-Chair of Interagency, as she is not longer with Home Front. She will be missed--we wish her all the best in her new endeavors. Sue Gillingham of High Peaks Hospice is the Treasurer. If you haven't paid your $10 Membership Dues, please do so ASAP. Thank you. The Have a Heart Scholarship Committee has been formed and will review Applications (available at the Interagency meetings) in November. If your organization would like to be considered, the Application is DUE NOVEMBER 10, 2013. Community Connections Day will once again be held in conjunction with Glens Falls Rotary Club's annual Water Walk, this year scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2013 in Crandall Park. Committee Members from Interagency are needed! Contact Allison Reynolds at allisonreynolds@councilforprevention.org to sign up. PSA's about Interagency meetings/location has been submitted to the PostStar (thanks to Sue Dornan & Allison Reynolds), so hopefully we will get more organizations to attend! If you know someone in a human service organization who has never been to an Interagency of the Adks meeting, please invite them! October's Speaker was Kevin O'Brien of O'Brien Insurance Agency, 83 Bay Street in Glens Falls, 518-793-5173 or kobrien@obrienagency.com Kevin informed us about changes in the auto insurance industry which affects premium rates. 10 years ago the industry went to a credit score model to determine rates that customers will pay.Therefore, poor credit scores = higher rates. For senior citizens 65+ years, this model may result in higher auto insurance rates because they are more likely to pay bills with cash rather than accruing credit card debt--no credit = no credit score = poor credit rating. Also, new age classifications have been implemented: 65 years of age USED to be the ceiling for insurance classifications; now there are 3 age range classifications: 65-68, 69-72, and 72+. How to save $$ on auto insurance: 1. Take a Defensive Driving Course 2. Drive less miles per year If you have questions about your insurance rates, feel free to contact O'Brien Agency, above Kevin O'Brien also appealed to Interagency Membership to volunteer for the VITA Program (income tax preparation) Volunteers are needed for Feb/March, the computer program volunteers use to prepare taxes ensures quality control and no mistakes, IRS does provide training, and all new volunteers will shadow the experienced volunteers. Questions about VITA can be directed to Kevin O'Brien, above, or Retired & Senior Volunteer Program at 518-743-9158. DATES TO REMEMBER: **Long Term Care Council, Preparing & Responding to Local Emergencies, Tues, Nov 26, 2013 9a-noon, Warren Cty Human Svcs Bldg, 1340 State Rte 9, Lake George. Contact Susan at NY Connects 1-866-805-3931 Open House to meet LTCC members is 9-9:30a **COFAMH (Coalition for the Advancement of Mental Health) meets the first Thursday of every month from Noon-1p at 230 Maple Street, Glens Falls in the Conference Room. Info: Robert York, Dir. of Community Svcs, 518-792-7143 or yorkr@warrencountyny.gov REMINDER: MEETINGS ARE NOW HELD AT THE HUMAN SERVICES BLDG AT WARREN CTY MUNICIPAL CENTER HAVE A HEART SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DUE NOVEMBER 14TH! NEXT MEETING: NOVEMBER 14, 2013: HEAP update & Glens Falls Hospital Diabetes Info-Sandra McNeil

Meeting Minutes September 12,2013

Welcome back everyone! Thank you so much for attending the our first meeting back from the summer. We started are new season with an overview of some updates. We now have some cards that you can pick up at the meeetings to pass along to people you meet and want to invite to the meetings. We are gearing up to start the committe for the Have a Heart Scholorship. If you are interested in being in that committe please come to the next meeting to join. We will need five volunteers for the committe. If you would like to submit an application for consideration they will be due by October 31, 2013. Our presentor for September was Laura Marx from the AMerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The AFSP is a national organization that does research on understanding suicide and prevention of suicide through education and advocacy. The not for profit strives to reach out to individuals with mental disorders and those who have been impacted by suicide to provide them with resources and support. The AFSP covers sixteen counties in New York with about 60 chapters. They provide programs for youth in the school as well as doing advocacy to work with legislators to change policy. March is mental health matters day and the AFSP goes to our capital to bring awareness and reduce the stigma of suicide. They have many different prgrams and do walks and runs to build support and awareness in the community. You can contact Laura Marx with furthur questions and information at (518)-791-1544. or lmarx@afsp.org. Next Meeting October 10, 2013 at the Waren County Human Services Building from 8:30am-10:00am Speaker for next month is: Kevin O'Brien from O'Brien insurance. Who will presenting on changes to car insurance policies for seniors and how that could effect them.

Upcoming Training

Change of Location For Interagency Meetings

Hello Everyone!

Wow!  It seems I blinked and summer was nearly over.  Well, we all know what that means…  Yes, the Adirondack Inter Agency Council will be meeting again.  We want you all to mark your calendars and make note of the changes below:

·         Day – Second Thursday of every month, September – June.

·         First meeting - Thursday, September 12, 2013 at 8:30AM

·         Time – 8:30AM – 10:00 AM

·         Place – Warren County Human Services Building, 1340 State Route 9, Lake George, NY 12845.

The new venue is the new building at the Warren County Municipal Center.  (It is the building to the right when you pull in the main entrance at the traffic light.)  There is plenty of parking and we will have the use of a kitchen and restroom. 

If you know of anyone who could benefit from attending these meetings, please invite them.  We would like to see our membership grow! 

The Adirondack Interagency Council is a collaboration of health and human service agencies from Warren, Washington, and Saratoga Counties dedicated to developing resources, building relationships and supporting agencies in creating a communication network to build stronger healthier communities.

We would also like to apologize in advance.  We are working on an efficient contact system, but we will probably have some kinks, so you may get two notices for this meeting.  Bear with us while we get this worked out.

Hope to see you all there. 

Allison Reynolds and Pam Wikberg, Co-Chairs

The Adirondack Interagency Council

The following was forwarded to me by Allison Reynolds for everyones information. Have a great weekend.

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

WARREN WASHINGTON AND SARATOGA COUNTY EVENTS

Tuesday May 7th 630 pm Crandall Library Film Series "BULLY". Panel discussion to follow.

Wednesday May 8th 9a-12p Charles Wood Theater, Safe Talk Suicide Prevention Training, Sponsored by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Coalition for the Advancement of Mental Health.

Wednesday May 8th 5p-8p Charles Wood Theater, Psychotropic Medication Use in Children and Adolescents, Jeff Daly, MD Child Psychiatrist

Friday May 10th 11a-2p Charles Wood Theater, Mental Health Matters! Mental Health Celebration and Awards, Sponsored by the Warren-Washington Association for Mental Health

Sunday May 19thProspect Mountain Road, Lake George Hike for Hope- Codys Climb Check in: 8a, Hike: 9a Donations appreciated

The following information was forwarded to me by Jocelyn Blanchard for everyones information.  Have a great weekend.

The HUD Continuum of Care money in our region goes through our local Housing Coalition/Alliance in Warren, Washington, Hamilton, and Saratoga Counties. This will represent the first united meeting of this group where the Saratoga and the North group will be meeting at Wilton Town Hall, May 14th at 10am. This is were the funding applications and communication about HUD funding for individuals facing homelessness in our communities comes out of. The hard work of the Warren County Office of Community Services and Saratoga Springs Offices allows our community to benefit from these federal funds and to expand and continue needed prevention and intervention options for many of the people we serve! Come if your agency is interested in advocating and working to end homelessness in our communities.

Thank You,

Jocelyn Blanchard

Interagency Notes for April 11, 2013

Congrats to Courtney Shaler-Smith for her new position as the Executive Director at Habitat for Humanity.

Attached are a couple important flyers that were passed around during the meeting.

            Home Instead webinar, AIDS Council Dining Out for Life, Safe Job Save Lives, WWSARC Garage Sale.

Kingsbury and Fort Edward Senior Center hosting a bake sale 04/13 & 4/20 at 78 Oak Street, Hudson Falls.

Homefront Development funds still available.  See/contact Pam Wickberg for more information.

Shared Housing Non profit still looking for interested Board Members- See Pam for this interest as well.

Southern Adirondack Child Care Network reminds us Child Care Appreciation Day is May 10.

Interagency “Have a Heart” scholarship award requirements and specifics:

            Must be a registered 501c3

            Chosen from a selection committee with a previous recipient on this committee

            Must have a specific GOAL for scholarship

            Applications handed out in September

            Votes tallied in December

            January winner notified

            February presentation of scholarship to Agency

Agreed on ONE VOTE PER AGENCY

Community Connections Day vendor deadline is 04/18.  Contact Judith, Deb or Pam for more information.  We are still looking for baskets to raffle.  Bring these to Judith at SAIL or to Community Connections Day.

 

Agenda Change- Allison Reynolds from The Council for Prevention was here to present.

I Am, I CAN Allison Reynolds spoke as a board member. This is a mentoring program for young woman (ages 9-12) to provide support for young ladies identified by their guidance counselor needing some extra help in planning for their future. This is a goal to invest in their future. They are looking for volunteers (mentors who will meet with a girl at least 3X a month) and a board member who has experience with social networking. They are currently in SGF BS HF LG and GF. Meeting times will vary to when it works for

Council for Prevention of Alcohol and Substance Abuse-Allison Reynolds, Outreach ___

They serve all ages, promoting education and training for mental health and substance abuse to help people prevent health concerns and remain healthy. They have a lot of programming in the schools.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions). Currently doing sticker shock (labeling convenient stores with stickers with warnings). They also are working with anti-bullying and preventing texting and driving.

Natural Helpers Groups. They go to a retreat at Silver Bay for three weeks to train them on helping skills, communication, resources, where to go when people need help. This is based on the study that youth will go to peers before they go to adults for help. Students are selected by vote in schools. Follow meetings on a monthly basis also occur. On the 20th there will be a conference on suicide prevention. With a lot of the cut-backs in schools it is even more difficult to get into schools. Most of their activities have to be on a Saturday.

The CHALLENGE program is paired with Center for Recovery Services. They work with family and youth and do a lot of outings. They take Medicaid and any other insurance and the program is for youth facing risk for substance abuse.

A survey in the schools gives a lot of information about where your teens are out and current trends in drug use in our community (anonymous). We are mostly on average but prescription drug use has gone up.

TIPS program- local restaurants and bars send their staff and get trained on safely serving people and drinking and driving.

Grant for publishing a newsletter for Senior Centers and Resources. Every two months, email Allison if you have any ideas to put into the newsletter.

April 29th is Drug Give Back Day- safely get rid of your prescription drugs. How to properly dispose of medications.

May 7th at Crandall Library they are showing "Bully" a documentary. 6:30-9pm there will be a discussion after the program.

OLWEUS- in 4 schools, Bullying Prevention out of- dignity for all students act, no federal funding. Betty Little has been very supportive for this.

NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY MAY 9.  Hope to see everyone at COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS DAY ON MAY 4th at CRANDALL PARK!

I apologize for the delay on March notes.  Thank you for your understanding.

 

Interagency Council

March 14, 2013

Reminder to all regarding $10 dues for those who have yet to pay.  This amount goes towards the “Have a Heart” scholarship and paying SAIL for use of the meeting area.

Criteria, standards and guidelines for the scholarship are being prepared for the April meeting.

For special events and news and meeting notes is has been proposed to have such things emailed to everyone vs just being on the blog.  Please be patient with Barbara as she is also a part of the busy SAIL staff. She will continue to post a meeting reminder and include the speaker on the blog, and will email this information out as well.  Again, patience will be appreciated.  If you notice a discrepancy in the notes you receive, please feel free to send an email to sailexecutiveassist@gmail.com or sailoutreach@gamil.com.  Errors or comments will be addressed asap.

House of Grace received the first annual “Have a Heart” scholarship.  A photo was recently posted in the Community Section of The Post Star here in Glens Falls.  House of Grace reopened on April 1.  There were several successful fundraisers for the House.  A recent fundraiser held at Sandy in Glens Falls raised $1400, organized by Shawn and Brian Kelly.

Heap closed early this year on 3/15.

Shared Housing- New Non Profit to be Advocates for elderly in sharing housing and services.  They are looking for interested people to discuss purpose, services and a prospected Board of Directors.

There was a Care Team Training on 3/20 at the Crandall Library conducted by Sandy Monahan to discuss developing Volunteer Teams.

Patti from Visiting Nurses was with us to give us a brief overview of the VNA history and services provided. Contact them at their Glenwood Ave location by calling 518-798-1450

Michele Nicholson, a SAIL Employee, and Board Member was also with us to discuss a Non Profit of another kind.  Michele is an active Board Member of The Pumpkin Fund.  A no kill Pet Advocacy Program.  This program help individuals with pet related bills when their income and resources have been depleted.  Contact Michele at SAIL if you are interested in finding out more.  They can also be found on Facebook.

Community Connections is drawing close.  This year it will be haled on May 4^th at the Crandall Park on Glen Street.  Vendor Registration Fee is $25.  This fee includes one table, two chairs and lunch for two vendors.  Money is due by April 15.  See Judith McKinnon for additional details.  She can be reached at SAIL 792-3537.  There is always a Community Connections Meeting directly following Interagency Meetings.  Basket donations for raffle are always appreciated.  SAIL generously donates two or three beautiful baskets.  WorldCo is sponsoring again this year. Community Connections/Interagency appreciates their support.

Interagency Agency Update Forms are available from Judith for faxing in information you would like shared if you are not able to make a meeting.

LTCC is having a meeting on April 9^th at the Glen.

Good Morning.  I hope everyone is drying off from the rain.  I just want to remind you of the Interagency meeting this Thursday March 14 at the SAIL Center in Queensbury at 830.

Again, if you are able, we encourage a non-perishible food item to place in the SAIL donation box.  A SAIL employee visits the food pantry every Thursday afternoon to drop off collected items.  We truly appreciate your help.

Reminder as well, Community Connections Day Vendor Registration Forms will be available at the meeting.  Entry fee is $20.00.  Checks can be made out to Interagency Council with COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS DAY written in the Memo.

Thanks to everyone for your involvment and hope to see you Thursday morning.

Good Morning Everyone,

Just a reminder from Judith McKinnon that Community Connections Day is approaching soon!  We are very excited to get eveything moving, it all starts with organization.

Exhibitor Registrator Forms will be available at the meeting on March 14th.  Below is a summary of what will be required for registration and what it affords your agency.

There is a $20 registration fee which includes an exhibit table two chairs and lunch for two exhibitors.  Electricity will NOT be provided.

Information needed to register:
Name of Agency, Address, Contact Person and Special Needs.

Checks can be made out to:
S-W-W Interagency Council
Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center
71 Glenwood Ave.
Queensbury, NY 12804
MEMO line: Community Connections Day

REGISTRATION MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN APRIL 5TH.

For additional information, please feel free to contact Judith McKinnon at 792-3537 ext 312

We are looking forward to your participation and another GREAT Community Connections Day.

Good Morning Everyone.  I am so sorry for the late meeting minutes post.  Everyone here at the RRDC/SAIL have been so busy.  This time of year goes by so quickly!!

Fist, before I post minutes I have to put out an SOS call for a woman in our community, residing in Queensbury, who needs some serious help in her apartment.  I have spoken to her social worker twice and now a case manager from CDPHP on her behalf.  This woman is 65 years old and stricken with MS, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Kidney Disease and is on disability.  She is not Medicaid eligible at this time.  She had a knee replacement quite some time ago and is on schedule to have the knee replaced again because of a poor healing wound.  The wound dressing is filthy with dirt even though it is getting changed.  She is not cooking and not doing her laundry, therefore she is wearing dirty clothes, and also not bathing.  She is open to help, but WE NEED TO FIND IT FOR HER.  We are in fear this woman is falling through the cracks. This woman lives in very deplorable conditions.  APS will not go in until her apartment is cleaned, EISEP will go in with services as well, but only after the apartment is cleaned.  She is not NHTD eligible because she does not yet have Medicaid. I have recommended to the Social Worker and CDPHP Case Manager contact the Red Cross, Salvation Army and local community groups and churches to get help for this woman.  Again, she can have services through EISEP and APS but not until this apartment is cleaned.  I am putting out this note with hopes someone will have a resource to help her.  If anyone ecan help, please call Barb at SAIL at 518-792-3537.  I have the CDPHP Case Manager contact information.  Anything at this point will be a great help.

We had the monthly Interagency Meeting on February 14 at SAIL.  Thank you to everyone who came and also to those who brogh non-perishible items for our pantry box.

Pam from Home Front Deveolpment is looking to start a shared housing non-profit and is looking for those who may be interested in being on the committee.

LTCC Civic Engagement Council is having a work group solution finding training session on March 20 at the Crandal Library.

SAIL still has an opening for the Archetecturial Barrier Consultant and a Advocate position in Ballston Spa.  Both are listed on Craigs List and both Chambers of Commerce.

SAIL is also in process for developing a "Handyman Program".  A small project for those little things at home someone may need done, but cannot do them for themself.  This is funded by the Leo Beech Cox grant.

SAIL also has a fundraiser coming up. "Sunlight Celebration" is scheduled for 03/10/2013 at 1:30 at the West Glens Falls Firehouse. See Jocelyn Blanchard at SAIL or call 792-3537 for more information.

CWI is celebrating 50 years in May!  Congratulations to them!  Their Gala will be held on May 11.

Congratulations to The House of Grace for being awarded the Interagency "Have a Heart" support scholarship.

Roxanne Westcott was here to talk about the Cornell Cooperative Extension located in Warrensburg for the past 98 years!  The Warrensburg office is part of the Land Grant University System, funded by grants to provide information on agricultural and natural resources in the area.

Jeanne Nordsy was also with us from Catholic Charities to discuss Domestic Violence Service in the state.  Developed in the late 80's every county must provide services either within DSS or a private contract.  These programs explores what causes violence against women, victim services and impact on ones life.  Services include free, confidential, 24 hour phone support, live and informational support. 

Good Morning everyone.  I hope you made it through the storm ok.  This is just a reminder to you about the Interagency Meeting this Thursday February 14 at 8:30 at SAIL in Queensbury.

As always, SAIL has a food pantry box located in the lobby where we meet.  A SAIL employee collexts non-perishable items and delivers these to the local pantry every Thursday afternoon.  What a great time to give back.

Have a great week and we will see you on Thursday!

Interagency Meeting January 10, 2013

Welcome to the first meeting of 2013.  Happy New Year everyone.

First a note from our Co-Chair Judith McKinnon

Hi Council Members!

Thank you for your participation in our Jan. 10^th meeting! For those not able to attend, one of our agenda items was to conduct a vote on the distribution of scholarship money [agreed to, by vote, last spring] to a member agency which is facing either an unusually difficult financial/organizational challenge or one which is expanding services programming, or developing a special project/initiative which we feel is deserving of Council-wide support and one which perhaps requires a little additional “seed money” to get started. By unanimous vote, you decided that our first S-W-W Interagency Council “Have a Heart” Scholarship should be awarded to The House of Grace. This years need was urgent, so we moved the vote ahead with the hope to impact the future of our recipient organization. Going forward, I think we might want to consider developing some written criteria for the scholarship award process, keeping in mind that the Council is not a 501C3; we have no obligation for fiscal reporting to government entities and no strict guidelines for financial accountability over and above our internal reporting to the participating members. We are about provider agencies, coming together to support and benefit one another through shared information, resources, and mutual commitment to serve the most vulnerable among us. Here’s the question, should we form a small committee [Ad Hoc only] to work on scholarship criteria in order to have them in place for next year and so they may serve as a guide for our selection process in the future? It makes some sense to have publicity around the presentation of the award at the February 14^th meeting with the hope that it may raise community awareness around the work of both The Council and The House of Grace. We are working on that! Please consider working on the selection criteria committee, I anticipate that we’ll need to meet only once or twice to develop our   guidelines. Looking forward to seeing you all at next month’s most important meeting and thanks again for the work you all do to improve the quality of life for so many residents of the North Country!

                                                    Fondly,  Judith

Pam Wickbern of Home Front Development stated a need for tenants of hers needing a "clean out" of their apartment. Their second bedroom has become a storage area and needs to be cleaned out to  allow for inspection of the unit. Please contact Pam if you have ideas or can lend a hand. She can be reached at 518-747-8250.

Girl Scout Cookie Sales are starting up soon.  Watch for those soon.  They are looking for volunteers for after school activities in the evenings with the girls for cooking and friendship activities.  Contact the Girl Scouts for details on volunteering.

The Long Term Care Council was established to identify emerging long-term care needs, to forge new relationships, and to reinforce existing ones in order to work toward improved communication and a more streamlined long-term care delivery system.  Long term care provides services to those individuals and families with loved ones at risk for Nursing home placement or a need for additional help and education of the LTCC services. Information on shared housing, transportation.

 

An Independent Living Center description was given by Jocelyn Blanchard, Outreach Coordinator at SAIL.  Some may not be too familiar with ALL the ILC's can do.  ILC's provide access and resources to those with disabilities in the community.  We are a NON-RESIDENTIAL consumer support center for those with any type of disability.  ILC's must provide; PEER MENTORING- which helps those individuals with a link between two people to show support and let them know they are not alone and what they feel is not uncommon; INFORMATION AND REFERRALS- making a connection between services and programs, letting those individuals know there are programs designed to help them reach their goals and be able to access all that is available, ADVOCACY- similar to information and referrals, the Advocates offer assistance in research and options and offers education on various programs available to those individuals meet their goals. Advocate help navigate the world of Social Security in assisting with paperwork when needed and understanding the system a bit better. ILC's promote UNIVERSAL DESIGN to increase access to the environment and community to any one of any age and any disability.  ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY opens up independence to those individuals with limited abilities.

 

Vet Help- Leslie Carrol spoke about the availability of assistance to Veterans. Anyone who has served during wartime with an honorable or medical discharge. NOT dishonorable discharge. There are 2 homeless shelters in Saratoga County. One female shelter that can house 11 females and one male shelter that can house 12 male veterans. They have an transitional building in Wilton for families with a two year lease, or as long as needed. Average stay has been about 10 months. All issues need to be addressed, medical, physical and mental before one can be released, and they must have a source of income. There is case management on site for their assistance. Leslie tells us there is a duplex in Ballston Spa as well. These shelters provide a great environment of understanding for Veterans. The shelters provide family counseling, all health services with transportation. Housing/property management is also a new program they have taken on.  They want to provide safe and affordable to low income families, disabled and elderly in Saratoga and surrounding counties. suggestions can be made to Robin Deirlein at housingdirector@saratogarpc.org. Vethelp also has connections with and for transportation in Ride Share due to the fact the homes are in rural locations. Some Vets may not be aware they are or may be eligible for some compensation.  The VA also has housing and nursing services. There are Vet representatives in all counties.  Leslie can be reached at 518-885-0673

Shelters of Saratoga- Bonnie Potter spoke about the availability of housing for those in need.  The have housing for 32 serving Warren, Washington ans Saratoga counties.  They take referrals from DSS and walk-ins as well.  They have a NO TOLERANCE policy, must be clean of drugs and alcohol for 30 days.  Individuals must see a case management twice a week to discuss health and work then are re-evaluated after 30 days.  Stays can be extended after that. Individuals must be at least 18 years old.  They must be out at 9am and are able to return at 4pm.  Each person is responsible for chores such as cooking cleaning and grounds work.  Individuals are also responsible to keep their person area clean and today as well.  All walks of life are welcome, goal setting with independent living skills.  There are two buildings with 7 apartments and 6 management staff.  Outreach with the  Friendship and Hammond House are also common. There is an extensive INTAKE to be allowed into the houses. There is also a mobile outreach RV that travels to soup kitchen and motels with blankets, food, brochures and information.  The BOCES in Saratoga partners their Culinary Arts program with the shelter.  The shelter supplies food and the students prepare the food.  They provided 1600 meals last year.  There are Independent Living apartments as well, which are income based.  They always have the need for volunteers as well.  PLEASE contact the shelter at 518-581-1097 for additional information. 

Hope to see you at the next meeting on February 14 at SAIL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Just a reminder about this months Interagency Meeting at SAIL on Thursday January 10th at 830. 

SAIL has a food pantry collection box in the lobby where we have the meeting, it would be great to see that FULL!  If you can, bring a non-perishable food item to donate to our local food pantry.  A SAIL staff member brings it to the pantry every Thursday afternonn.  Lets help those who need it most.

Have a great week and we hope to see everyone Thursday.

Its going to be a wonderful year!!