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.