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!!

Interagency Council Meeting December 13th, 2012:

Agency Announcements:
House of Grace had an open house for the public on Thursday December 13 11am-7pm.
Attendees were able to visit and learn about the House of Grace and meet with the Director of Operations and well as members of their.

Home Instead Senior Care- Agency Spotlight

Maria Geizer,mgeizer@homeinstead.com (Community Relations) and Linda Powers (Client Care Coordinator)

 

Non-medical senior service (Saratoga, Warren and Washington) this can include home services including help with light housekeeping, companion care, and access to quality caregivers who are extensively trained (especially in dementia care).

 

Home Instead has free online training available to the community to help keep their community close to excellent resources. (caregiverstress.com/professionaleducation)

 

Caregiverstress.com is a great free resource available in to anyone seeking more information, support or training is free public education classes, support groups for family members, working with family members to agree on care for their loved one.  Questions? Reach out 24/7 on the phone or in their office 9am-5pm

 

There are benefits to hiring an agency (about $20 an hour depending on what the need and number of people being served is) you get criminal background checks, someone to fill the shift if the care giver is ill, and all the support services of the agency.

 

Mediation Matters: Educational Spotlight Arielle Bernard <arielle@mediationmatters.org

Mediation is not counseling but coming together to move the conversation when there is a problem that people need to reach an agreement on. It is a confidential neutral process where the mediator doesn't take sides but allows there to be an open discussion. This service is voluntary, both parties have to be willing to do a session. The session can be up to two hours and more than one session may be needed. The volunteers that do the mediation is there to just listen and make sure the conversation moves forward. We welcome everyone to the table if it is okay with everyone involved, landlord tenant, family court, parents and teens, elder care, school situations with parents, re-entry mediation post incarceration. An outcomes document is created by the end of the meeting that puts in writing the basics of what the agreement between parties will be.

 

Mediation Matters Covers Saratoga Warren Washington Albany Rensselaer Counties

Mediation training begins with a 30 hour training and follows up with an apprenticeship followed by co-mediation with a senior mediator. Once a month there are ongoing trainings and in-services for mediators. If you are interested in becoming a mediator feel free to contact Mediation Matters and is around $500 for the training.

Right now for mediation services it is free from a referral from the court services. There is a small fee that may be charged ($25) if no grant funding is available to cover that administrative cost.

Good Morning,

It was brought to my attention that SAIL has a food pantry collection box in the lobby where Interagency meets on the first Thursday of the month.  If everyone could please bring one non-perishable food item this Thursday to place in the box it would be great to fill it up for the Holiday.  It is brought to the food pantry by a SAIL employee every Thursday.

Lets help fill someones table this season!  Thank you and we'll see you on Thursday!!!