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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Interagency Meeting Minutes

Minutes: 1/12/12

Next Meeting: February 9, 2012

Chairwomen: Debra Obenhoff and Judith McKinnon

Treasurer: Fred Ratto

Secretary: Allison Reynolds


New Hire Minute: None at this time.

Updates:
Homeinstead-Hosting a free webinar monthly on care giving.
Home Front Development Corporation
- Has been awarded a new grant to to help individuals with environmental issues to their homes such as mold mildew, etc.
Warren County Cooperative Extension
- Is looking for applicants for their Eat Smart NY program. The program deals mostly with families with children but may help other individuals. Other programs they have are Supporting Healthy families. Which helps to teach parents and caregivers of preschool age children parenting skills over 6 weeks incentives for participating. Tuesday Feb 28-April 3 6;30-8 at the Queensbury Location.  VITA is another program that helps individuals who qualify to get their taxes done for free.  
Southern Adirondack Child Care Network
- Is doing a quality assurance study. They need individuals to take a survey.
Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center
-February 14 Advocacy Day in Albany call for details 792-3537

Agency Spotlight: Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center
Jocelyn Blanchard discussed the programs that SAIL has to offer. We are not a residential living facility. We help individuals with many different types of disabilities. We work with all age groups.  We provide a variety of services such as advocacy, accessibility surveys, computer classes, independent living skills training, information and referrals and trainings.
SAIL also houses the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion and Traumatic Brian Injury Medicaid Waiver Programs. The two programs serve about 400 people preventing them from being a nursing facility and able to receive services in the community. We also house the Money Follow the Person Demonstration which helps get information to nursing home residents about what their options are. SAIL has served over 1453 people last year and saved NY State $4,541,516 by helping individuals either avoid nursing home placement or bring them out of a nursing home facility.
Long Term Care Council Initiatives
Workforce Development
- Looking to start Aide trainings locally. So that more people could attend.
Housing
-Working on having forums about senior care and accessible housing issues. Also discussing downsizing, waiting lists for housing, planning ahead of time, and solutions for those who live rurally.
Transportation
- Working on updating the Aging in Place transportation guide and making it more usable and more widely distributed
Advocating for more accessible transportation options
Civic Engagement
-Care teams initiative for faith base groups to have free training on how to create and run effective care teams.
-Commuinty forum on decreaseing duplication and unity for best service provision
-Volunteer recognition commuinty day and commuitny vounteer recognition fintiatives

Interagency Meeting Minutes

Minutes: 12/8/11

Next Meeting: January 12,2012

Chairwomen: Debra Obenhoff and Judith McKinnon

Treasurer: Fred Ratto

Secretary: Allison Reynolds

New Hire Minute: High Peaks Hospice is has two positions for RN Hospice Coordinators.

Speaker: From National Grid JoAnn Zales
Discussed the Home Energy Efficiancy Program (HEAP). For those who are disabled or over the age of 60 they chould contact their County OFA for assistance. If an individual is under 60 and gets SSI and Food Stamps they are automatically elligible for HEAP.
Another program is the Care and Share program that helps individuals 60 or older. It is a last resort program that may be able to help those who have emergency situations but do not normally qualify for HEAP.
For eldery individuals that need help filling out the application for HEAP NY Connects may be able to go out to the individuals home and help them with the application.  If you need to coantact JoAnn Zales with any questions you can contact her at (518) 761-5942 or JoAn.Zales@us.ngrid.com

Speaker: From High Peaks Hospice Deanna Webster
Discussed Compassion Fatigue or caregiver burnout.  What is compassion fatigue? It refers to a physical, emotional and spiritual fatigue or exhaustion that takes over a person and causes them to not experience joy or feel and care for themselves. Deanna talked about all the stress that can come along with being a caregiver and working in the Social Services field. Deanna gave examples of how to destress our lives with mental imagery, breathing techniques, and relaxation techniques. Simple things that we dont think about like taking a hot shower or preparing ourselves a healthy meal, listening to music, taking a walk, turning off our phones for a short period of time.  High Peaks Hospice and Pallative Care Inc. (518) 743-1672

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Interagency Meeting Minutes

Minutes: 11/10/11

Next Meetining: December 8, 2011

Chairwomen: Debra Obenhoff and Judith McKinnon

Treasurer: Fred Ratto

Secretary: Allison Reynolds

New Hire Minute: NY Connects Susan Doren siad they are looking for a Junior Accountant and Admintrative Assistant. Please Contact Susan at 761-6347 for more info. Home Helpers and Direct Link is looking for PCA's and CNA's they also provide training. Please contact Debra Obenhoff at 584-5885 for more info.
Events:
-Home Instead is doing a Be a Santa to a Senior Program. Christmas trees are located in Price Choopers in Saratoga Springs where you can pick a card off a tree and help a senior receive a gift this Christmas. Need for info contact Home Instead Senior Care at 580-1042.
-Assocaition for the hearing Imparied is having their holiday party Sunday December 11, 2011 from 2-4.
-The Aids Council is hosting a presenter at the Charles Wood Theater on December 1, 2011 starts at 6:30pm tickets are free. The speaker is Lindsey Skelli who is 24 years old and was born HIV positive. She will speak of her journey through life so far.
-The Aids Council is also collecting tolietries for their pantry. They give toiletry baskets to individuals who are struggling to afford such things. They are particulary looking for things like toilet paper, shavers, laundry detergent, shampoo, soap and anything else to fill their pantry. Please bring doations to the Aids Council.
-SAIL advocate is collecting old sneakers and any rubber soled shoes to be taken to Rooms of Hope. Rooms of Hope provides needy families with sheetrock and other supplies to rebuild their homes after the devastation of Irene. Rooms of Hope has paired with GreenSneakers who will take the shoes and recycle them. The money from the recyling will go to Rooms of Hope for supplies. Please bring your shoes to SAIL. A box is in the main lobby. Shoes will be taken until 12/2/11.
-SAIL is also doing a food drive for the Salvation Army. The most needed items are things like soup, Chef Boyardee canned food, and anyother non perishable foods. There is a box in the main lobby at SAIL if you would like to donate any items.
Agency Spotlight:  Maria Geizer from Home Instead Senior Care
Home Instead provides services to individuals in their home. They assist people to remain in their home. Home Instead staff can help with activities of daily living. They have companion care and home helpers. For more information contact Maria at mgeizer@homeinstead.com.

Agency Spotlight: Judith McKinnon MFP, Allison Reynolds NHTD and Fred Ratto TBI
Judtih began by explaining the Money Follow the Person program. which is a program through DOH that highlights individuals who are in nursing homes and would like to return to their home. Judith goes to visit them and discuses the programs and services that may be available to them in their commuinties. To see if it would be posssible for them to come home.
If the individual has Medicaid or is illegiable for Medicaid and needs supports and services to return to the commuinity she may refer them to the Nursing Home Transition and Diversion Program. If they have suffered Tramatic Brain Injury she may refer them to the TBI Medicaid Waiver Program. Once we have received the referal Fred or Allison may contact the person and discuss the program then we schedule to meet them in their home to see if they are illegible for the waivers.
To be illegible for the TBI waiver the person has to have had a TBI they have to have Medicaid or be illegible for Medicaid. They have to be between the ages of 18-64. They also have to need the services on the program or they would eventually need to in a nursing home.
To be illegible for NHTD waiver program the person needs to be 18-64 with a physicall disability. Or 64 an older those who are medically fraille and elderly They have ato have a need for the services to prevent nursing home placement and they have to have Medicaid or be illegible for medicaid.
Some of the services on the waiver programs are Service Coordination, Commuinty Integration Counseling, Home and Commuinty Supports, Structured Day Program etc. If you have questions about the waivers Contact: Allison Reynolds or Fred Ratto at 792-3537. 

Next Meeting: December 8,2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Interagency Meeting Minutes

Minutes 10/13/11

Next Meeting: November 10/2011

Chairwomen: Debra Obenhoff and Judith McKinnon

Treasurer: Fred Ratto

Secretary: Allison Reynolds

Welcome

Update: The Long Term Care Council Workforce Development meeting that was held on 10/12/11 had a great turnout. The goal of the meeting was to create work groups that will focus on the topics of housing, transportation, civic responsibility, and employment. If anyone was not able to attend the meeting and would like to participate in one of the groups please contact Jocelyn Blanchard at jblanchard@sail-center.org.

New Hire Minute: Warren County Has Cival Service Job openings.

Agency Spotlight: Moreau Commuinty Center
Speaker: Donna Nicholes

The Moreau Commuinty Center offers an array of services to the commuinity. They provide senior programs such as a congregate mealsite. They have childcare before and after school programs in four surrounding schools. They have a summer camp program. A nursery school for ages 2-5. They have been doing a backpack program which fills a childs backpack with food items to get them through the weekend if their family is not financially able to provide. They make holiday baskets and work with surrounding churchs to serve people in need of a holiday meal. They have a food pantry and thrift store on site.
They are currently working with a grant they just got to be a crisis call center for the area. The call center will provide individuals in need that are feeling helpless and need assistance. If anyone is interested in going through the training to work with call center please call Donna at the commuinty center.

Educational Speaker: Northeast Region 211 United Way
Speaker: Anne Disaro

211 is a phone number for individuals to call and receive access to information, referral to other services, and crisis help. 211 is a non-emergency health, crisis and human services information anf referral resource. They are a crisis and suicide prevention hotline offered via phone and chat. The resource help individuals to gain a better understanding of what resources are in their area.  It is an easy why to get information. It is confidential and the individual can talk with a person. Call specialists will ask the person questions to get a better understanding of what their need is then they will help with a safety plan and referrals as needed. They serve 12 counties right now. They are getting 1,300-2,600 call per month and the database includes over 1,750 agencies to refer to. Data is collected from each call and used to track trending in commuinty needs. If you would like to change our agency information or add your agency to their database please email jwolski@211neny.org.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Interagency Meeting Minutes

Minutes 9/8/11

Next Meeting-October 13,2011

Chairwomen: Debra Obenhoff and Judith McKinnon

Treasurer: Fred Ratto

Secretary: Allison Reynolds

Welcome Back Everyone!

Update: We will be having a new format for our meetings. Where individuals can discuss any job openings in their agency. We also have name tags for people to wear for those who are not supplied one by their agency. So that everyone can get to know each other better.
We will be discussing the Commuinity Connections Day next meeting. Please keep in mind we will be forming a committe to work on the preparations for that day if you are interested we will be meeting after the regular meetings.

New Hire: Homehelpers and Direct Link is  now a Licensed Home Health Care provider who covers Saratoga, Warren, Washington, and Schnectady counties. They are hiring PCA's and will provide trainings. Contact Debra Obenhoff at 584-5885.

Round Table:

  • American Cancer Society is having a Breast Cancer Walk on October 23, 2011. Contact info: 798-1373 or 744-7897.
  • Amanda's House on 22 Henry Street Glens Falls, NY 12801 provides people with care in a comfortable setting while receiving cancer treatments. For more info http://www.amandashouse.org/.
  • Asscociation for the Hearing Impaired Inc. has American Sign Language Classes for adults. They also have the Fabulous Flying Fingers for children if interested contact Ben Driscoll or Kassy Granger at 761-0554.
  •  The Senior Center in Kingsbury is having a Par 3 Golf Tournament and Harvest Dance on October 16, 2011 at the Fort Edward Fire House food, music and fun for all ages. Call 747-9352 for more info. 
  • The AIDS Council of NENY is having free AIDS testing for anyone who wants it. For more info contact Laurie Lanphear 222-4344.  

Agency Spotlight: I am I can
Speaker: Avon Sherff

I am I can's mission  "Encourage young women to discover their dreams, to believe their future hold endless possibilities and empower them to make it happen."
They typically serve girls ages 9-12 but will take older girls if they have a need.
They usually get referrals from school guidance counselors for the girls that just seem to be slipping through the cracks. They usually have poor self esteem. Lack of supports. They usually are not doing well in school but have the potential to do well.
I am I can has women volunteers who work with the girls to help them come up with a plan for getting through highschool and what they are going to do after school. The volunteer may get them hooked up with a job shadowing opportunity to see if that career is something she would like to go to school for or any other public services.  If you would like more information call 688-3010 or iamicanachieve.org.

Next Meeting is October 13, 2011 at 8:30-10:30
Speaker: Donna Nichols form the Moreau Commuinty Center
Educational Speaker: Ann Disarro from Funding Resources.

 

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Update

Hi Everybody!

I just wanted to remind everyone that our first Interagency Council Meeting will be on September 8, 2011 at 8:30.
I also wanted to let everyone know that Northeast Career Planning is having an open house at their new location on 16 Pearl Street in Glens Falls. It will be on Thursday August 18th from 2:00pm-5:00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend to see their new site and the services that they offer. If you have any questions contact Wesley MacKay at wmackay@northeatcareer.org.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Minutes 6/9/11

Interagency Council

Next Meeting-September 8, 2011

At the Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center

Meeting Minutes: 6/9/11

Chairwomen: Debra Obenhoff and Judith Mckinnon

Treasurer: Fred Ratto

Secretary: Allison Reynolds

Welome

Update: The Meeting Minutes will be on the blog only at www. adk-interagency.blogspot.com Please log on and sign up. Thank you.

Round Table:
  • Brother James from North Country Ministries will be stepping down. We all thank you for your help and service over the years.
  • High Peaks Hospice and Pallative Care is having a fundraiser called the Wille Schmidt Swim for Hospice. It is a noncompetitive swim in Lake Champlain for more information on how you can participate or volunteer go to http://www.swimlakechamplain.org/ or call (518) 891-9631.
  • The Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center will be having its  6th annual Set Sail for SAIL benefit on September 9, 2011. The benefit includes a crusie aboard the Lac Du Saint Sacrement on beautiful Lake George. There will be live music, dinner and a silent auction. If any agency would like to put a basket together as part of the silent auction we would greatly appreciate it.  To purchase boat tickets or 50/50 raffle tickets please call (518) 792-3537 and ask for Marisha or stop into our center.
Agency Spotlight North Country Ministries

Christine Langworthy gave a presentaion on the services that North Country Ministries provides in the commuinty. The agency provides services to over 1,000 people a month over 650 miles of the Adirondack Park. They have two facilities one in North Creek and one in Warrensburg. Some of the services they provide are counseling, advocacy and referral, baby place, parenting support, car seat safety, furnature barn, gathering place with home cooked meals, family clothing center, and adult living units. To Learn more about the North Country Ministry or to refer someone call (518) 623-2829. or email wncm@verizon.net

Info: Commuinty Connections Day will be set for May 5th 2012. We will be pairing up with the rotary again. Anyone who would like to be part of the planning for the day we will have our first meeting on November 10, 2011 please join us.

Have a great summer!! See you in September