Davis County Health Department

Senior Services Advisory Board

July 29, 2016 Minutes

Present: / Department Staff Present:
Lorna Koci, Chair
Laura Owen-Keirstead / Kristy Cottrell
Cindy Nielsen
Ralph Vaughan / Elizabeth Carlisle
Shelly Nettesheim / Shawna Mahan
Dr. Johnnie Cook / Debbie Draper
Becky Weisner / Viki Bowman
Commissioner Jim Smith / Anna Dillingham
John Cowan
Robert Ballew
Excused:
Mark Perry / Guests:
Larry Millward / Louenda Downs

Davis County Senior Services Advisory Board held their regularly scheduled meeting on July 29, 2016, at the Davis County Health Department, 22 South State, Clearfield, Utah.

Call to Order/Welcome: Lorna asked for board members to review the minutes. Ralph moved to accept the minutes as presented. Johnnie seconded. All were in favor.

JustServe.org -Volunteer Opportunities – Louenda Downs

Just Serve is a resource, not a program, to connect volunteers with service opportunities, which in turn lifts the community. Registration is simple and quick. Registration gives people access to opportunities that include information on what is needed and when. Their goal is to have 100 projects on the website and an increased number of volunteers by the end of August. The site is not for individual projects or fundraisers. Can’t ask volunteers to bring money, but they could bring a bucket of paint or a can of food.

RSVP Update – Debbie Draper

Debbie presented a handout on the current progress of the RSVP program. Healthy Futures is their main focus and encompasses 55 percent of volunteers. Out of the 500 required volunteers, they must have at least 232 volunteers in the Healthy Futures area. They are currently at 68 percent of their primary focus area with 20 months left to complete their goals. Debbie encouraged all advisory board members to sign up as volunteers.

RSVP Quality Improvement Project – Anna Dillingham and Viki Bowman

Viki gave a brief description of the RSVP program. After a review of their volunteer numbers, Viki contacted Anna and asked to participate as a quality improvement project. Their proposal was accepted, and the Quality Improvement Council will assist with ideas to help recruit volunteers. The group is currently in the planning stage and conducting research. They’ve recently interview 20 volunteers to discover what about volunteering attracted them so the council can brainstorm possible solutions. Viki also discussed ways that RSVP is working to keep current volunteers engaged and attract new volunteers.

Elder Abuse Prevention Committee (CAPE) – Laura Keirstead

Laura reported on the Elder Abuse Prevention Committee. The group decided on a formal name and mission for the group: Coalition for Abuse Prevention of the elderly. The group is currently looking for someone to represent the financial sector. Lorna suggested Martha Wonderly, executive director of AAA Fair Credit, non-profit counseling organization. Lorna will pass along her contact information to Laura. The committee is also currently working on a brochure to help educate and assist police officers and others when they come across financial elder abuse victims.

Seniors & Legislative Advocacy – Kristy Cottrell

Instead of Senior Day at the Legislature, Davis County will present issues to seniors during October and November. Senior Services is putting together a packet to provide education after lunch concerning senior issues and funding, and provide information on how to contact their legislators.

Director’s Report – Kristy Cottrell

  • Davis County will receive one-time funding to allow us to purchase three replacement Meals On Wheels vehicles, which the senior centers desperately need.
  • The health department is in transition. Cindy has moved to Health Administration. Kristy has been appointed as deputy director over Senior Services at the Health Department.
  • Kristy presented information on the Second Annual Northern Wasatch Advocates for Aging Awards. Four categories are available for nomination including Professional Individual, Volunteer, Political Leader, and Business.
  • Kristy discussed connecting veterans to veteran’s benefits with the Cover to Cover Program. Bear River Aging recently received an award for their program. Kristy noted this will bring more funding into our community.
  • We received a nice donation from Humana which will be used in the Stepping On program.
  • Davis County will be working with UTA, Weber Human Services, and Roads to Independence for a transportation pilot project using vouchers. The project is in the early working stages.

Chair’s Report – Lorna Koci

  • Lorna is excited for the Just Serve program. She discussed how the Bountiful Food Pantry has been working with an assisted living facility to give them volunteer opportunities.

Community Announcements – All

  • Lorna mentioned they are doing a book pantry with a women’s service club. Older clients can take home donated books. They may return or keep them, and the seniors are excited for this opportunity.
  • Laura presented on the Faith Based Caregiver Education workshops created by the Cache County Coalition to help faith-based leaders to know what is available in the community for the people they serve. Laura would like to create something similar for Davis County.
  • Alzheimers Walk will be in September in Layton. She’ll be looking for volunteers to help set up.
  • Ralph added to the previous information presented on the transportation pilot project program. Will include dental visits and may include stopping to fill prescriptions. Family members will be eligible to be providers for this service once they’ve completed the screening process.
  • Debbie invited everyone to attend Senior Day at the Davis County Fair at August 18th.

Next meeting: Friday, September 30, 2016.

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