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July 2006 Minutes

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SAN MATEO COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING Health Department, 225 37th Avenue, Room 100, San Mateo MINUTES July 10, 2006 PRESENT: Andre Belarmino, Suzanne Black, Dorothy Borbidge, Robert Collins, Aurea Cruz, Arline Elliott, Janet Galeno, Janet Hofmann, Cheri Jackson, Sandra Lang, May Nichols, Mary Pappas, Susie Pearsall, Leslie Wong and Kevin Worth EXCUSED: Rubelia Horton, Claire Jun, Jerry McCarthy, Sylvia Merkadeau, Annie Sadler and Aaron Straus ABSENT: None GUESTS: Elizabeth Furber, CoD Liaison; Adrienne Tissier, Board of Supervisors; Bill Chiang, Board of Supervisors; Sheila Burgos-Law; Diane Dworkin, Mental Health; Deborah Owdom, Mills-Peninsula Senior Focus; Marshall Loring, MTC/EDAC; Helen Loring; Marvin Goldman, California Senior Legislature; STAFF: Marsha Fong, Health Services Manager, Aimee Wong, Administrative Secretary (filling in for Mary Robblee) 1. CALL TO ORDER: 9:04 a.m. by Chair Elliott 2. CORRESPONDENCE: None 3. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS: Marshall Loring, Metropolitan Transportation Commission/Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee (MTC/EDAC) Coordinator reported on the following: • Attended session in San Francisco at the Commonwealth Club. Ex-Mayor Bogata described what they have done for transit, pedestrian access, and housing in San Francisco during his three year term. • MTC is working on a coordinated public transit human services transportation plan. It is required by federal law under the new Safe Accountable Flexible Efficient Transportation Equity Act. Area Agency on Aging will be involved in the planning. Request for Proposals going out to consultants as well as surveys. • MTC is also working on raising funds to expand the Older Driver Safety Seminars to other areas in the County. • Transit Survey going out for public transportation for long range planning. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: M/S/C –Nichols/Belarmino 5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Approval of minutes from 6-12-06 with two corrections: Commissioner Furber was present and Commissioner Pappas was excused. M/S/C – Pappas/Nichols (five abstentions). 6. CHAIR AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE REPORT: Chair Elliott reported on the following: • Thank you note received from the Family Services Agency for supporting their transportation efforts in South San Francisco. • Thank you note received from Mary Robblee for Get Well card from the Commissioners. • Attended Commissioner Leong’s award ceremony along with Marsha and Commissioners Ludy and Borbidge at the State building in San Francisco. Commissioner Leong was recognized for his extraordinary character and amazing work ethic. Pictures of Award Ceremony were passed around to Commissioners and will be hung up on the bulletin board in hallway. • Attended the Minority Elders Conference on June 29. • CoA Executive Committee will be attending a joint meeting with the CoD Executive Committee on July 13, 2006. The following items will be discussed: promotion of both commissions by coordinating websites, utilization of the Network of Care and marketing strategies, strategic plan for greater cultural competencies, transportation issues, legislation, housing and possibly having a “get to know” party. • Finalized orientation for new commissioners. New commissioners will meet with Chairs of the standing committees along with Marsha and Arline after today’s general Meeting. Everyone is invited to attend but it is not required. 7. STAFF REPORT: Marsha Fong, Health Services Manager, reported on the following: • All Older American’s Act provider contracts are scheduled to go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, July 11, 2006. Thanks to Lori and all the staff for working so hard to get them completed by this date. • The Memorandums of Understanding for Health Policy Planning and Promotion for the Medication Management Program; Mental Health for the Peer Counseling Program; and Peninsula Library System for the Help at Home Booklets are either completed or will be completed by the end of this month. • Year-end Closeout Reports are being completed at this time. As final invoices come in from the providers, our Accounting Department will calculate the expenditures and whatever is not expended, will be used as an estimate for next fiscal year for one-time only funding. • Applications for two Community Program Specialist II positions are being reviewed today. First round of panel interviews are scheduled for next week with the intention that both positions will be filled by mid-August. • Extra-Help Office Specialist has been hired as well as an intern from the Jobs for Youth Program. • People Who Care award nominations have been submitted and are being reviewed by the judging panel. The international known jazz singer, Wesla Whitfield, will be performing. Event will take place on October 6, 2006. • Senior Day at the Fair is scheduled for August 15, 2006, at the San Mateo County Events Center. • West Nile Virus Update: The County is closely monitoring the spread of the virus. As of July 5th, 19 counties in California have reported West Nile Virus activity. One human case has been reported in Kern County and infected birds have been found in San Mateo County as well as other counties throughout California. Avoid mosquito bites by mosquito proofing your home, (i.e. eliminate standing water around your home) and report any dead birds to the County of San Mateo Health Department for testing. • Health Plan of San Mateo would like a representative from the Commission for their Community Advisory Group. Commissioner Pappas expressed interest in serving on the advisory group. Marsha will be in contact with Commissioner Pappas to relay information. • Distributed Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Roadmap for Prevention. Commissioner Sadler was involved in this project in the beginning stages. They will continue to work on implementation of the road map. If anyone is interested, please contact Marsha or Chair Elliott for more information. 8. PRESENTATION: Mental Health Services Act Guest Presenter: Diane Dworkin, Clinical Services Manager 9. DISCUSSION/ACTION ITEMS – Recommendation from the Executive Committee for approval of: • HOPE letter endorsement M/S/C – Jackson/Nichols • Senior Day at the Fair will be August 15, 2006. Craig McCulloh distributed two free tickets to the Commissioners. Senior Day is Free for those 62 and over. If you go to the Fair on August 11, 2006, and bring a canned food item, the admission price will be $1.50 per person. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS: A. Community-Based Continuum of Care – Arline Elliott reported the following: • Divided into workgroups and brainstormed instructions for discharge planners and things that patients should be aware of when discharged from the hospital. B. Legislative/Advocacy – Robert Collins reported on the following: • Tracking three bills that are in the beginning stages. C. Minority Elders – Arline Elliot reported on: • Conference held on June 29, 2006, at the South San Francisco Conference Center was successful- raised $269.00. D. Nutrition Committee – Arline Elliott reported on the following: • Survey sent to Lynda Witzel regarding how many Pet Care, Pet Co. and Pet Smart locations have barrels where you can donate pet food for seniors. E. Housing – Arline Elliott reported on the following: • Joint Housing meeting will be held on Thursday, July 20. Committee has postponed their Community Housing meeting until October, 2006 due to other conflicting events. F. Sunshine Committee – • Card sent to Jerry McCarthy. • Card sent to Mary Robblee. • Cards for Commissioner Sadler and Youth Commissioner Wainwright were passed around for signature. 10. LIAISON AND AD HOC COMMITTEE REPORTS: Ad Hoc Arts Poetry – No Report Ad Hoc Arts Photography – No Report Commission on Disabilities • Approved two letters to support legislation for Board of Supervisors; AB 2634 for housing needs for extremely low income individuals and to oppose AB 1732 requiring paper ballots for provisional voters. • Commission elected new officers: for President, Robert Manchia, for Vice-President, Anthony Aguerre, and for Secretary, Diane Smith. Implementation Coordination Committee – No Report In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority – Continue to plan Caregiver Appreciation Luncheon scheduled for September 30, 2006, in Room 100. Committee is considering combining it with the Family Caregiver Program which is funded with Older American’s Act monies because they both support caregivers. Legal Aid – Commissioner Lang has volunteered to be the CoA representative for future meetings. Legal Aid’s Health Consumer Center – Meetings have been scheduled from every other month to twice a year due to staff time. Met regarding solutions for Medicare and obtained liaison between HICAP and Legal Aid. People are referred to Legal Aid if they do not receive their prescription drugs, usually the medi-medi’s. Meals on Wheels (MOW) – No Report Adult Abuse Prevention Collaborative – Worked on the Fraud Watch event that will be held on October 4, 2006, at the San Mateo County Events Center. New Beginning Coalition – No Report Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC) – Report Submitted California Senior Legislature (CSL) – Still need two volunteers to be CSL Assembly Members. Hope to have the new members for the annual meeting in October. Triple-A Council of California (TACC) – Meeting scheduled for July 26 & 27, 2006. Some topics for discussion will be pandemic flu and Prop 63 monies. Housing and Community Development Committee – No Report Youth Commission – No Report Ombudsman – “Getting to Know” breakfast at the Kohl Mansion in Burlingame was held on June 22, 2006. Half of the invitations were not received but it was still a success. There will be a retreat scheduled next month. Currently helping many individuals who are enrolled in Medicare Part D but who have already hit the donut hole, are without drug coverage or who can not change their plan until November 2006. Website – Commissioner Black will contact new commissioners to ask if they would like some information about themselves posted on the Commission website. 11. OTHER: None 12. ANNOUNCEMENTS: • 2nd Annual Disaster Preparedness Day will be held on September 30, 2006 at the San Mateo County Events Center. • 1st Annual Fraud Watch will be held on October 4, 2006. • Jackie Speir’s Senior’s on the Move Conference will be held on November 15, 2006. • Older Driver Safety Seminars will be held on September 21, 2006, in Menlo Park, October 26, 2006 at the San Mateo Senior Center and November 9, 2006, at the Burlingame Recreation Center. • Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program now underway. Schedule posted on bulletin board. • Peninsula Community Foundation is looking for bi-lingual volunteers for non-profit organizations to help achieve the ultimate goal of Cultural Competency in San Mateo County. • Power-Aging photo exhibit by noted local photographer Mark Brandenburg will be held at the Leslie Foundation on Sunday, July 16, 2006. You must RSVP to Galyn Evans at (650) 726-2741 if you plan on attending this event. ADJOURN: 11:05 a.m. Next Meeting September 11, 2006 9-11:00 a.m.