HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Leadership Committee For Senior Services - 11/07/2013 Leadership Committee for Senior Services
Meeting Minutes
Garden Senior Center
Thursday, November 7, 2013
► The Meeting was called to order at 3:35 p.m. by I. Hobbs, Secretary.
►Roll Call
Roll call was conducted by I. Hobbs. Members present: E. Savoy, S. Beltz, E. Flores, W. Hardeman, H.
Lopez, R. Irwin,A. Martinez,V. Salinas, and B. Sayles.
Members absent: A. Cabral, B. Rye, and L. Hardeman.
►Consider Committee Member Attendance Issues
• I. Hobbs reported that B. Rye has 5 absences and L. Hardeman has 6 absences.
• E. Munoz stated the City Secretary's staff will follow up with members to review their intentions
about remaining on the LCSS. They will also discuss any extenuating circumstances which may
determine their ability for continued participation.
No-Approval of Minutes
• Minutes from the October 3, 2013 meeting were distributed for review. A motion was made by
E. Savoy and seconded by S. Beltz to approve the minutes. The motion was unanimously
approved.
No-Old Business
Strategic Plan—Review of Subcommittee Assignments
Funding and Resource/Special Events
• R. Irwin addressed the subcommittee's assignment of Promotion/Marketing which include
components: social Media, flyers, and community partnerships. Mr. Irwin reported that Senior
Community Services currently has a Facebook page and added that the subcommittee would
like to create a Twitter account. He also reported that the subcommittee would like to further
review how to make better use of social media. The subcommittee suggests sending an email to
the LCSS committee members to inquire how many would like to receive training to utilize
Facebook.
• R. Irwin added that the subcommittee will be reviewing the most effective way to reach seniors
beyond social media, such as churches, retailers, and/or utility bill inserts. Mr. Irwin requested
a list of community partnerships, already established with SCS, be provided to the Funding and
Resource/Special Events subcommittee. They will then review it for possible added avenues of
partnerships.
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Program Evaluation
• W. Hardeman addressed the subcommittee's assignment of Attracting 50+ Seniors (Baby
Boomers) which include components: name change, field trips, and monthly senior luncheon.
Mr. Hardeman reported that most of the individuals consulted regarding a name change for
senior centers, stated a name change was not needed. Mr. Hardeman added that the
individuals stated that the majority of them are still working, due to economic and other factors.
The same persons are interested in evening activities, with the centers remaining open until
8pm.
• W. Hardeman added the subcommittee is aware of classes available through the Del Mar
College Economic Center for Development and suggested that those types of classes be made
available to the senior centers. Mr. Hardeman added that field trips are not necessarily
effective in attracting baby boomers.
• H. Savoy reported that a monthly luncheon has been done in the past and that it should be
considered for the priority choice.
• E. Munoz suggested for the subcommittee to explore avenues beyond individual daily contacts
regarding the name change, such as the National Institute of Senior Centers and how they have
pursued the possibility of name changes. Additionally, have dialogue with other professionals
about the name change before making a final determination. She added that the question could
possibly be posted on Facebook for a public determination.
• I. Hobbs commented that she has had a total different experience with other individuals of the
community not liking the "senior" connotation.
►New Business
New LCSS Member Endorsement
• The committee reviewed three Bio Forms from candidates seeking to fill two of the Community
at Large vacancies.
• After profiles were reviewed, two recommendations were made to endorse Margaret Fratila
and Angela Munselle-Woods.
• E. Munoz reported that the City Secretary's office will be notified of the endorsements. The
endorsements will then be presented to the City Council for approval.
►LCSS Subcommittee Reports
Funding and Resource/Special Events
• R. Irwin reported there will be a Veteran's Day Breakfast at Lindale Senior Center on Monday,
November 11 at Sam. Additionally, there will be the 30th Annual Holiday Dinner on Thursday,
December 12 at 10am-3pm. Each committee member will be receiving an invitation to the
Holiday Dinner. I. Hobbs encouraged the committee to attend the Holiday Dinner.
• D. Henry reported that for the Veteran's Day Breakfast the keynote speaker has changed to VFW
Commander Pablo Garza and that the Veteran's Band will not be able to perform. Music will be
provided by Mr. Hector Garza.
• R. Irwin reported that 2014 will bring ample opportunities for the visibility of LCSS and the
senior centers, through the monthly events held. Mr. Irwin suggested that the LCSS committee
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members make themselves more visible at the senior centers and activities and this includes
possibly having name badges and interacting more with the senior center members.
• R. Irwin reported that the Harvest Moon Masquerade raised approximately $8000.00 for the
Meals on Wheels program and approximately $15,000.00 was raised for the Walk for Memory;
$2,500.00 came from the senior centers.
• I. Hobbs commended R. Irwin and E. Flores for their work and effort with regard to the Harvest
Moon Masquerade and the success of the event.
Program Evaluation
• H. Savoy reported 91 comment card responses had been received this month. From the 91
comments only 1 requested a call back and that will be conducted by the subcommittee. There
were no negative comments received this month.
• D. Henry reported that the members from Ethel Eyerly are appreciating the opportunity to pick
up their meals from Fun Trackers. She added that the members want to not just go through the
"drive-thru" but want to get out of their cars so they can visit and that they are ready to get
back to the Ethel Eyerly Senior Center.
• K. Weaver reported the subcommittee has developed a draft form of a new client satisfaction
survey. That survey was partially reviewed and will be reviewed again at the next meeting, due
to time constraints for editing.
• I. Hobbs requested for the subcommittee to address how the new survey will be distributed.
The suggestion was made to have the survey available at all times, at group meetings, and at a
new senior center member's 3 month intake anniversary,for follow-up.
Program Operations
• I. Hobbs reported that the subcommittee has reviewed the Senior Center Standards of
Behavior/Personal Conduct and that the documentation will remain mostly as is, with few edits.
• I. Hobbs reported that a new Center Member Incident Report has been developed and reviewed
to document incidents such as disagreements and unacceptable behavior. It will aide in proper
documentation and determining levels of action for disciplinary action. Mrs. Hobbs added there
will no longer be senior center terminations. She stated for any behavior of a serious level,
CCPD will be contacted. The Center Member Incident Report will be provided to all new senior
center members, during the annual assessment period, and will be posted in each senior center.
• I. Hobbs reported a Complaint/Appeal process has been developed and reviewed for those
individuals that feel they have been treated unfairly. She added the Disciplinary Subcommittee
will only hear appeals for suspensions.
• A motion was made by I. Hobbs and seconded by R. Irwin to accept all the changes for each
document. The motion was unanimously approved.
• E. Munoz suggested the subcommittee review the one (1) Senior Center Standing Rules that has
been received at the Site Council Summit.
►SCS Division Program Updates
General Highlights
• E. Munoz acknowledged the Garden Senior Center Site Council for the delicious refreshments
provided at the LCSS Committee meeting.
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• Marilyn Mueller, representing the Garden Senior Center Site Council, reported on the types of
events they have had, such as a Halloween Party, morning breakfasts, and a yard sale in
conjunction with a health fair. Ms. Mueller stated the Site Council raised $1,435.00 at the yard
sale.
• E. Munoz reported the October Medicare Open Enrollment event attracted approximately 100
individuals and that SCS has the four trained and certified Benefit Counselors at the event to
aide in reviewing Medicare plans. A second event will be hosted on Monday, November 25 at
the Del Mar College Center for Economic Development. This event will contain a Medicare
component which will include an educational overview from 3 to 5pm and a Healthcare
Marketplace, hosted by community partners Amistad, Coastal Bend Community Action Agency
of South Texas, and the Coastal Bend Center for Independent Living from 5:30 to 7pm.
• E. Munoz reported the preliminary planning figures for the Federal 2014 budget indicate an
approximate 7% decrease from $785,000 to $603,063. The formal contract has not yet been
received. The decrease was anticipated and planned upon. This budget is allocated for our
congregate meals, home delivered meals, benefits counseling, Title 20, Superior HealthCare,
United Healthcare, and fee for service. Ms. Munoz added these funds allow us to operate for
another year and ensures the need to maintain the SCS Adopt a Meal inniative.
• E. Munoz reported that SCS has received notice of tentative approval from the Texas
Department of Agriculture Grant, Texans Feeding Texans. The grant provides approximately
$62,000 to support additional meals and is directed for the county beginning on February 1,
2014-January 31, 2015.
Senior Center Operations
• E. Munoz reported that three senior centers have been approved for an update in the fire alarm
systems: Northwest, Greenwood, and Ethel Eyerly. Ms. Munoz added that senior center
supervisors are encouraged to be performing fire drills.
• E. Munoz reported that the four (4) Benefit Counselors have been assigned to the Area Agency
on Aging during the Medicare Open Enrollment period for benefits counseling. Ms. Munoz
advised that if any committee members receive complaints that the supervisors are not at the
senior centers to be aware that the reimbursement for benefits counseling is vital and needed
to meet the contract goals.
• E. Munoz reported that there is still not a comfortable projection of completion date for the
Ethel Eyerly Senior Center. Ms. Munoz added she conducted a site visit on Tuesday, November
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Program Performance Review
• C. Reschman reported that she is working on the numbers for the new grant year.
• C. Reschman stated that the vacant positions for a Kitchen Supervisor and Outreach Worker at
the Nutrition Education Service Center have been posted and will be conducting interviews to fill
the vacancies permanently.
►Identify Items to be Placed on Next Agenda
• None.
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►Public Comment
• E. Munoz commended the subcommittees for the momentum that has been established for the
21s'Century Senior Centers.
►Adjournment
A motion was made by E. Savoy and seconded by R. Irwin to adjourn the meeting. The meeting was
adjourned at 4:55 p.m.
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