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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 12192006 - C.130 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS E s '°'� Contra _ CostaFROM: JOHN CULLEN, County Administrator DATE: DECEMBER 13, 2006 a��:, County STA � SUBJECT: 2006 ANNUAL REPORT FROM THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATION: - Z� RECEIVE 2006 annual report from the Advisory Council on Aging. BACKGROUND: On June 18, 2002, the Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution No. 2002/377, which requires that each regular and ongoing board, commission, or committee shall annually report to the Board of Supervisors on its activities, accomplishments, membership attendance, required training/certification (if any), and proposed work plan or objectives for the following year, on the second Tuesday in December. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: ❑ YES SIGNATURE: [RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ❑RECOMM D TION OF BOARD COMMITTEE D-CPPROVE ❑ OTHER SIGNATURE(S)Q--r'-4,,"—'- ACTION IGNATURE(S):ACTION OF BO ON lot 110(- APPROVED O(oAPPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER ❑ VOTE OF SUPERVISORS: I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AND UNANIMOUS(ABSENT ► ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF AYES: NOES: SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. ABSENT: ABSTAIN- ATTESTED: DECEMBER 19,2006 V'ACA-J-r- sEA-r':� Contact: JANE PENNINGTON(925)335-1900 JOHN CULLEN,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR cc: CHIEF CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPVS BOB SESSLER,EHSD By: Deputy Annual reports shall follow the following format and shall not exceed two typewritten pages: Advisory Body Name: Advisory Body Meeting Time/Location: Chair (during the reporting period): Staffperson (during the reporting period): Reporting Period: I. Activities ('h page) II. Accomplishments (%2 page) III. Attendance/Representation ('/4 page) IV. Training/Certification (Y4 page) V. Proposed Work Plan/Objectives for Next Year ('h page) Advisory Council on Aging Contra AREA AGENCY ON AGING Costa 2530 Arnold Drive,Suite 300 County Martinez,California 94553-4359 (925)335-8700 FAX(925)335-8820 i •I L l December 12 2006 SQA-Calf— The Honorable John Gioia, Chair Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors 651 Pine Street Martinez, CA 94553 Dear Supervisor Gioia: Enclosed please find the 2006 Annual Report for the Contra Costa County Advisory Council on Aging. We think you will find of interest the many activities and advocacy efforts of our work groups, committees and full Council. As.you will note, some efforts are ongoing: members keep working towards resolution of some very big issues, such as senior homelessness. Others have more tangible results, such as the growth of our Strokes Campaign. As in years past, we feel pleased and lucky to work with such an active and passionate group of seniors. Thank you again for all of the support and positive feedback received from the Board and Board staff. On behalf of all of the Advisory Council members, have a happy and peaceful holiday season. Si erely, _ �1 Vernon Jones, President Kitty Barnes, Advisory Council Consultant THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING IS APPOINTED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO ADVISE THE AREA AGENCY ON ALL MATTERS RELATED TO THE DEVELOPMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE ANNUAL AREA AGENCY PLAN AND OPERATIONS CONDUCTED THEREUNDER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH MANDATES FROM THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT. ANY COMMENTS OR RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COUNCIL OR ITS INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS DO NOT REPRESENT THE OFFICIAL POSITION OF THE COUNTY OR ANY OF ITS OFFICERS. CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING ANNUAL REPORT JANUARY - DECEMBER 2006 fes` .. g +m 4 ♦ ,Y coUl`j�i"� DECEMBER 19, 2006 CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ADVISORY COUNCIL ON AGING Officers: ➢ Vernon Jones, President Reva Clark, First Vice President Dr. A.C. Hollister, Second Vice President Mim Carlson, Secretary ➢ Janine Clausen, Treasurer Current Roster of Members [As of November 20061: Charlotte Bernard Audrey Formosa Leon Morphew Jean Bolds Gail Garrett Gerald Richards Audrey Bramhall Linda Groobin Nick Rodriguez John Cambus Gerhard Heinrich Joanna Kim-Selby Esther Nicastro-Capon A. C. Hollister' Gerald Sharrock Deborah Card Vernon Jones Bertha Stobb Mim Carlson Arnie Kasendorf Beverly Wallace Reva Clark Anne Kelly Elaine Welch Janine Clausen Shirley Krohn Patsy Welty Muriel Clausen Jim Lamenti Kathryn Williams David Farr Robert Leasure Gerard Witucki Rudy Fernandez Alberto Lemos Samuel Yoshioka Advisory Council Objectives The Council shall provide a means for countywide planning, cooperation and coordination for individuals and groups interested in improving and developing services and opportunities for older residents of this county. The Council shall provide leadership and advocacy on behalf of older persons and serve as a channel of communication and information on aging. The Council shall advise the Area Agency on Aging (Board of Supervisors) and the Area Agency on Aging Division on an Area Plan. This plan shall be based on the unmet needs and priorities of older persons, as determined by assessments and input from the senior network throughout the County. ANNUAL REPORT TABLE OF CONTENTS REPORT PAGES President's Report 1 Committee Reports Planning 3 Membership / Nominating 5 Work Group Reports Health 7 Housing 9 Legislative Advocacy 1 1 Transportation _ 13 Special Reports RSVP 15 Nutrition 17 PRESIDENT'S REPORT January- December 2006 Purpose and Goals: The Advisory Council on Aging provides a means for countywide planning, cooperation, and coordination for individuals and groups interested in improving and developing services and opportunities for the older residents of the county. It advises the Area on Aging and the Aging and Adult Services Division on the development, implementation, and evaluation of an Area Plan and programs, which address the need of the County seniors. The Council works toward the development of a seamless continuum of care. 2006 Officers Vernon L. Jones- President Janine Clausen- Secretary Reva Clark- 1" Vice President Mini Carlson- Treasurer A.C. Hollister- 2"� Vice President Committees and Work Groups The following committees and work groups operate in numerous areas which affect seniors now and in the years to come. Most of the work of the Council takes place within these groups. • Executive • Housing • Planning • Transportation • Membership • Health • Liaison • Alzheimer's/ Dementia Ad Hoc • Legislative Advocacy Please see the individual committee and work group reports attached here for specific information on their priorities, activities, accomplishments and goals for 2007. Ethics Training: In compliance with AB 1234, the Advisory Council was trained on November 15, 2006. California Senior Legislature: The Advisory Council on Aging elected the following to the California Senior Legislature: Vernon Jones and Shirley Krohn, Assembly; Joanna Kim-Selby, Senate. Terms are for four years. I. Specific Areas on Which the Council Focused in 2006 (Partial) Health • Strokes Awareness Campaign - Stroke is a 911 • Mental Health Issues of Older adults—Re-establish a geriatric mental health system of care. 1 • Alzheimer's and Dementia—Address the issue of carve out of Alzheimer's / Dementia diagnoses from mental health mandated services and funding. Transportation • Advocacy and involvement with numerous activities to expand senior transportation by creative local volunteer programs. Input on brochure: "Way to Go Contra Costa" and "Mobility = Independence" Conference. Housing/Homeless Issues • Participation in County Homeless Count, active solicitation of support for Shelter Plus Care of County Homeless Program, presentations to City Councils about homeless issues. Liaison Committee • Reactivation of committee, which creates one-on-one relationships between our Advisory Council, appointed liaisons and each member of the Board of Supervisors. California Senior Legislature • Three members of the Council are the Contra Costa California Senior Legislators. II. Other Areas /Initiatives with Intense Involvement of the Advisory Council: Acute and Long Term Care Integration Contra Costa for Every Generation Older Adults Committee of the Mental Health Commission Central, West, and East County Senior Coalitions Public Authority 2006 Priorities (See attached work group reports for more detail.) • Expand Strokes Campaign. • Become involved with the Contra Costa Housing Trust Fund. • Develop anti-predatory lending campaign and legislation. • Research / advocate for the County's Disaster Planning. • Continue Homeless Awareness Campaign. • Working with the Mobility Manager, continue to advocate and develop expanded transportation options for seniors. Vernon L. Jones, President PLANNING COMMITTEE REPORT January- December 2006 The Planning Committee is made up of Advisory Council members only. This committee strives to have broad representation with respect to geographic areas,ethnicity, and background of experience. The Planning Committee reviews the Area Agency contractor programs once a year. At that time, we examine the important aspects of each and assess how well the program is working. Area Agency on Aging staff attend Planning Committee meetings to provide information and guidance to the Committee. In addition to the above, the Committee receives a quarterly report from the AAA staff. This report also reviews the goals and progress of the contractors. Unmet goals are rare and staff is able to provide ways for overcoming deficits. Most of the time, the contactors exceed their goals. Where programs have not used all the funds at the end of the fiscal year, the funds come back to the AAA as "one time only funds" At that time, we have the opportunity to distribute funds to the contractors that are able to demonstrate the use of funds for a special need. One of our fundamental activities is to see if the projection of funding made in the early months of the year matches the May Revise report, passed down from the State and Federal Government. Committee Members Reva Clark Muriel Clausen Jerry Sharrock Nick Rodriguez Beverly Wallace Dr Kathryn Williams Staff Mary Sherman Barbara McNair Scott Danielson Jaime Ray Respectfully Submitted, Leon F Morphew. Chair: Planning Committee 3 MEMBERSHIP AND NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT January- December 2006 Current Membership Committee Members: Beverly Wallace Chair Arnie Kasendorf District I Gerald Richards District II John Cambus District III Janine Clausen District IV Rudy Fernandez District V Patsy Welty Member at President's Discretion During the calendar year, the following new members were appointed to the Advisory Council: David Farr Member at Large Linda Groobin RSVP Member Gail Garrett Nutrition Council Member Samuel Yoshioka District IV Withdrawals from the Advisory Council included the following: Margaret Dowling Member at Large Scott Kiepen Member at Large Edgar Monk Nutrition Council Narayan Nayak District II Natasha Ong District III The following cities have vacancies on the Advisory Council: Lafayette and San Ramon. Currently, there is one open seat for a Member-at-Large; and the Membership Committee is interviewing individuals at this time. The Membership Committee did not recommend individuals for Emeritus status this year. The Nominating Committee has presented the following slate of officers for the calendar year 2007: Reva Clark President A.C. Hollister ls` Vice President Mim, Carlson 2nd Vice President Gerald Richards Secretary Samuel Yoshioka Treasurer The Membership Committee would like to extend our sincere appreciation and thanks to our great support staff, Kitty Barnes, Consultant and Jaime Ray, Secretary. Respectfully submitted, Beverly Wallace, Chair 5 HEALTH WORK GROUP REPORT January- December 2006 Goals For 2006 1. Continue Strokes Campaign. ?. Continue advocacy for universal health care, especially a single payer plan. 3. Encourage the passage of the Older Americans Act, as amended. 4. Continue to monitor the progress of the Mental Health Services Act and other aspects of senior mental health. 5. Continue involvement and collaboration with the Acute and Long Term Care Integration (ALTCI) Advisory Committee. 6. Advocate the reform of Part D of Medicare. Actions Taken I. We continued to develop education programs, posters, and other modalities used to promote stroke as an emergency. IHSS providers received stroke presentations, which included a shortened DVD developed from our CCTV program, Stroke, Time Lost is Brain Lost. 2. Letters of advocacy were written to various political entities regarding Older Americans Act, universal health, voting, and mental health. 3. Various guests presented material to our committee to help us educate ourselves on the health needs of the elderly. 4. We continued to monitor the Mental Health Services Act. 5. We took part in the ALTCI day-long summit and wrote letters of support for legislation to implement the program. 6. We wrote letters promoting Medicare Part D improvement: allowance of negotiated drug prices, elimination of the "doughnut hole" and improvement and standardization of Part D providers. Representation The committee consists of a wide variety of citizens, most of whom have a particular interest in health matters: active and retired doctors, active and retired nurses, health providers, and care givers. Attendance has been excellent and we always have a quorum. Goals For 2007 1. Continue strokes campaign; Make available literature, TV programs, newspaper articles; Coordinate and collaborate with County Health Services, John Muir, American Heart Association, etc.; Develop next phase, such as prevention and/or rehabilitation 2. Continue to advocate universal health care 3. Continue to work towards implementation of ALTCI. 4. Continue to push for Medicare Part D reform 5. Continue to monitor the Mental Health Services Act implementation. 6. Coordinate with the following organizations: • Alzheimer's Association • Coordinate with Parkinson's Association • Coordinate with Contra Costa for Every Generation 7 7. Promote Older Americans Voter Participation • Absentee ballots • Transportation to polls Conclusion The Health Work Group has been an extremely busy and focused group, and it is my opinion as co-chairman, that it will continue to be a strong advocate for health issues. Robert D. Leasure, M.D., Co-chair A. C. Hollister, M.D., Co-chair 8 HOUSING WORK GROUP REPORT January- December 2006 Meeting time and location: First Thursday of each month at 1:30-3:30 PM, 2530 Arnold Drive, Martinez—Diablo Room or Site Visit. • Chair: Reva Clark • Staff: Kitty Barnes, Consultant; Jaime Ray, Secretary Membership: Charlotte Bernard, Deborah Card, Reva Clark, Rudy Fernandez, Vernon Jones, Arnie Kassendorf, Anne Kelly, Robert Leasure, Alberto Lemos, Jim Lamenti We are a very diverse working group with a high level of participation by all members. All members share housing-related information regarding the region in which they reside. Information addresses the following areas: senior and affordable housing being built, city council meetings, faith-based organizations, the work of and information from related committees, changing patterns of homelessness, how housing funds are spent, housing grants available. Mission To increase the availability of adequate, affordable, secure living arrangements for the elderly. To inform community leaders of the housing needs of seniors. Housing Work Group Goals for 2006 • Continue to be advocates for the funding & development of affordable Housing for Contra Costa County. • Participate in active advocacy with homeless and senior entities and other advocates to address the issues of homeless seniors in the most effective manner. • In collaboration with Contra Costa for Every Generation project, the work group will continue conducting reviews of the Housing Elements of those cities whose elements aren't completed yet. • Conduct site visits to senior residential facilities that vary in type, income target and geography. Refer information to Information and Assistance. • Continue to collaborate with the Transportation Work Group in areas that overlap. • Participate in advocacy with homeless and senior entities to effectively address the issue of homeless seniors. Activities and Accomplishments Raise Awareness and Promote Affordable Senior Housing • Rudy Tamayo, County Housing Authority Director, spoke to the Advisory Council on Aging regarding Section 8, fund cuts, rapid increase in the Senior population and the probable count of Homeless in the County, (between 14,000- 21,000). • Updates from AAA Information and Assistance regarding senior housing needs and development. • Support of legislation and public policy that meets the housing needs of seniors • Encouragement for the implementation of shared-housing projects 9 • Reviews of the housing elements of those cities where elements are not complete • Independent Living Resources presentation on Senior and disability housing options • California Senior legislature advocacy for senior housing (Vernon Jones, member, is CSL Assembly person and chaired the CSL Housing & Transportation Committee.) Site Visits • The Housing Work Group joined the Contra Costa for Every Generation Housing Initiative to tour De Anza Gardens in Bay Point. • The Housing Work Group visited Sycamore Valley Senior Housing in Danville. Raise Awareness and Promote Solutions to Senior Homelessness Continued efforts: help with County homeless count, drive homeless to ambulatory care clinics, donate items and.services to homeless and supportive housing programs, review /provide updates to the Contra Costa County Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness; participate in the Contra Costa County Project Homeless Connect 12/7/06, Richmond Auditorium. Regular updates: homeless statistics and updates from the County's Homeless program, Supportive Housing program (Shelter Plus Care), Homeless health program issues and services, Homeless Continuum of Care Board and Program Committee. Letters of support/ advocacy: County Senior Homeless Respite Center, Contra Costa Housing Trust Fund, Mental Health Services Act—timely implementation of the Older Adults piece Other Areas Addressed Reverse Mortgages, Predatory lending, Senior Financial Abuse: numerous presentations plus campaigns for legislation to address these problems. Disaster Preparedness—Presentation on CERTS training in the Community. ?007 Goals The Work Group will continue advocacy for affordable housing for seniors (and with developing best practices for same), with the homeless awareness campaign, on advocacy and assistance for supportive housing for the homeless, and in continuing open communication between the Housing and the Transportation Work Groups. The Group will complete development of guidelines to recommend Senior and Disabled Housing Best Practices under the headings: Accessibility, Affordability, Amenities, Support Services, Application Process, and more. (In conjunction with Mickey Sherman, AAA Program Manager and senior focus group of Housing Work Group.) Respectfully submitted, Reva Clark, Chair 10 LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WORK GROUP.REPORT January- December 2006 Meeting Place: 2530 Arnold Dr., Ste. 300, Martinez, CA 94553 Date: The fourth Wednesday of each month, excluding August 2006 Time: 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM Chair: Joanna Kim-Selby: Staff: Kitty Barnes and Jaime Ray Goals For 2006 1. California Senior Legislature Funding and Proposals 2. Older Americans Act Reauthorization 3. Elder Abuse: Predatory Lending, Frauds, Scams, Identity Theft 4. Legislation and Lnplementation for Acute and Long Term Care Integration 5. Universal Health Care 6. White House Conference on Aging Recommendations 7. Medicare Reform Issues 8. Social Security Preservation Key Accomplishments (Partial List) 1. The Legislative Advocacy work group strongly supported preservation of the California Senior Legislature and enlisted the aid of Senator Elaine Alquist who authored SB 1249. This resulted in the Franchise Tax Board's keeping Line 54 for the CSL funding, on the State tax form 540. 2. CSL member Joanna Kim-Selby's proposal "Stroke Education Campaign in May of Each Year" was authored by Senator Alquist as a Resolution that was chaptered The CSL election was held in April and the following people were elected: • Joanna Kim-Selby, Senior Senator Vernon Jones, Senior Assembly Member • Shirley Krohn, Senior Assembly Member 3) The committee worked hard for Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization, as many senior programs are dependent upon OAA funding. The committee worked with CSL, CA Commission on Aging (CCOA), Area Agency on Aging Council of California (TALC) and many advocacy groups. This issue was paramount at the White House Conference on Aging, as its top priority. Congress passed the OAA reauthorization. 4) The committee focused specifically on the issues of financial abuse and predatory lending. We hosted Cherisse Baptiste of ECHO housing and Shirley Hochhausen of Fair Lending Consortium to address reverse mortgage counseling requirements and predatory lending. Our member, Shirley Krohn, was heavily involved with Senator Simitian's SB 1609, Reverse Mortgage, and it was chaptered. As a result of the bill, she testified at the Federal Reserve Board and participated in a radio program called "Your Rights". 5) The committee strongly supported legislation and implementation for Contra Costa County's Acute and Long Term Care Integration. The County held a summit and many members of the committee participated. 11 6) Universal Health Care SB 840 by Senator Kuehl was strongly supported. Dr. A.C. Hollister spearheaded these efforts for us, working with both this committee and our Health Committee. The committee wrote and sent the strong support letters to various advocacy organizations. It passed both Chambers but the Governor vetoed it. 7) Joanna Kim-Selby was a delegate to the White House Conference on Aging. After the conference, she participated in three teleconferences to formulate how to carry out the Resolutions in California. On November 29 and 30 there will be a conference in Sacramento to discuss which Resolutions are feasible to implement in California. 8) The committee has worked with our Health committee to promote reform of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003. We also invited HICAP leader Lennis Lyon to explain the effects of the current Part D for the Medicare recipients. We are still working with the Health committee on Part D. 9) We continue to work for Social Security preservation and to oppose privatization. Membership We are a diverse and representative committee. Members: Audrey Bramhall, William Burns, John Cambus, Esther Nicastro-Capon, Muriel Clausen, Audrey Formosa, Gerald Richards, A.C. Hollister, Vernon Jones, Shirley Krohn, Beverly Wallace and Kathryn Williams Collaboration We work with many advocacy groups: California Commission on Aging (CCOA), Area Agency on Aging Council of California (TACO), Older Women's League of California (OWL), California Congress of Seniors (CCS), AARP, Gray Panthers, California Association of Retired Americans (CARA) and California Coalition of Seniors (CCS) Goals For 2007 • California Senior Legislature Funding and Proposals • Older Americans Act Appropriations • Predatory Lending, Frauds, Scams, ID theft; • Adult Protective Services: local and federal funding (Increase Awareness and Reporting for Both) • Economic Security for Seniors: Social Security Preservation and Expansion and Pension Preservation • Universal Health Care • Legislation and Implementation for Acute and Long Term Care Integration • White House Conference on Aging Recommendations • Medicare Reform Issues • Implementation of the Mental Health Services Act/Local Recommendations for Older Adults • Priorities and Activities of Contra Costa for Every Generation Respectfully Submitted, Joanna Kim-Selby, Chair 12 TRANSPORTATION WORK GROUP January- December 2005 Purpose To assess the various transportation issues and needs of Contra Costa County seniors, to develop goals and action steps to address these needs, and to advocate for these goals in the transportation service system. Membership: Earle Ormiston (Concord Community Services Commission), Chair; Gerry Witucki (Advisory Council on Aging and Paratransit Coordinating Council), Co-Chair; Alice Armes (County Connection); Gretchen Hansen (Rossmoor Transportation); Jack Campbell (Independent Living Resources); Mary Lou Laubscher(Monument Senior Action Team); Joe Partansky (Concord Resident); Joanna Kim-Selby (Advisory Council on Aging); Linda Groobin (RSVP Program); John Rudolph (West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee); Ellen Paasch (EI Cerrito Senior Center); Debbie Toth (Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health Care); Elaine Welch (Advisory Council on Aging and Senior Helpline Services); Peter Behr (Guardian Adult Day Health Care) Staff: Paul Branson, Tighe Boyle Goals for 2005-2006 1. To actively advocate for the formalization of the County Senior Mobility Management project as a permanent part of the Area Agency on Aging. 2. To actively advocate and work with other agencies and advocacy groups in the development of senior transportation policies, funding and services at the city, county, regional and state levels. 3. To encourage new membership in the Transportation Work Group [TWG] through outreach to individuals and agencies who are interested in action on improving transportation for seniors. 4. To increase public awareness, countywide, on senior transportation issues. 5. To encourage the coordination and more efficient use of transportation resources. This past year, the Transportation Work Group was successful in fulfilling several of these goals. The Mobility Manager Program and members of the Work Group continued to take an active role in advocating for improved transportation for seniors and made additional progress in facilitating the development of new services. Examples include: • Working with the Paratransit Coordinating Council to improve coordination of services, particularly transit travel training and a mobility management function. • Continuing distribution of the countywide transportation resource guide, "Way To Go! Contra Costa". • Following up on the countywide conference on senior transportation, the "Mobility=Independence Conference" which took place in October 2005. Many of the outcomes illustrated in this report were developed or enhanced as a result of information or contacts obtained through this conference. • Participating in the Transportation Committee of Contra Costa For Every Generation (CCEG). Work was continued on the transportation component of CCEG's mission to make Contra Costa an aging-friendly community. 13 • Implementation of the new Ilene Lubkin Annual Senior Transportation Award Program, recognizing both the annual Volunteer and the Provider in Senior Transportation categories. Program development efforts have continued to focus on assisting local communities within the County to improve or develop senior transportation alternatives: • The Mobility Management staff has continued to work directly with several communities on developing senior transportation services. These include everything from volunteer driver programs to new shuttle bus programs, and coordinating with existing services for other populations. A number of the Work Group members are involved in designing these services in their communities. Specific services that were launched in 2006 included the Lamorinda Senior Transportation Project, the combined Mt. Diablo Center for Adult Day Health/Concord Senior Shopping Shuttle Program, and the Rides For Seniors Program, a volunteer driver program by Senior Helpline Services. • Planning for the development of community-based senior transportation services is currently taking place in both Hercules and Brentwood, for new services. On the issue of increasing publicity concerning senior transportation success stories, in addition to the efforts noted above, the TWG and the Mobility Management staff had success in placing articles on senior transportation issues in several local senior center newsletters, and in the County's Senior Information Newsletter. The Transportation Work Group has also been involved in extensive outreach efforts to more fully understand the mobility issues faced by seniors and persons with disabilities in Contra Costa. These included holding outreach meetings in Hercules, Pittsburg and Brentwood. Goals for 2006-2007 1. To actively advocate and work with other agencies and advocacy groups in the development of senior transportation policies, funding and services at the city, county, regional and state levels. 2. To encourage new membership in the Transportation Work Group through outreach to individuals and agencies who are interested in action on improving transportation for seniors. 3. To increase public awareness countywide on senior transportation issues. 4. To encourage the coordination and more efficient use of transportation resources. 5. To support/advise the Mobility Manager and his assistant in fulfilling senior transportation goals and action plans for the coming year. Meetings: Transportation Work Group meetings are held on the fourth Monday of the month from 9:00 until 11:00 AM. Meetings are generally held in Concord. Respectfully Submitted, Earle Ormiston, Chair 14 RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM REPORT January- December 2006 The Retired Senior Volunteer Program [RSVP] Council has a designated seat on the Advisory Council on Aging in order to ensure the collaboration of volunteer efforts and advocacy. Purpose The mission of the RSVP program is to provide a wide variety of meaningful, county- wide community service opportunities for individuals 55 years of age and older by employing their talents through volunteer service. Results The Volunteer Center of the East Bay became the new sponsor of RSVP, effective July I, 2005. From January 2006 to date, we have registered 108 new volunteers. These volunteers are working in agencies in East, West and Central Contra Costa County. 2006 Milestones Our fiscal year is from October I through September 30. Since taking over the program July 1, 2005, we have achieved the following results: • Created an active 10-member Advisory Council consisting of community leaders and senior participants residing in East, West and Central County • Created new Mission and Vision statements and a new brochure • Hosted two recognition events (October 2005 and October 2006) • Our volunteers reported over 80,000 hours of service at participating RSVP agencies. We do continue to have challenges in assuring that the volunteers are remaining active and have hired a new volunteer coordinator to assist in this process. 2006-2007 Goals 1. Locate and assign 100 new RSVP volunteers. 2. Maintain our current base of volunteers. 3. Create new volunteer assignments to engage the Baby Boomers. Respectfully submitted, Linda Groobin, RSVP Program Director Area Agency on Aging Representative (925)472-5771 15 Nutrition Council Report January- December 2006 The Nutrition Council has a designated seat on the Advisory Council on Aging in order to ensure the collaboration of volunteer efforts and advocacy. Health care studies have shown that humans can and do live longer lives— a potential of 120 years. To be able to live a long healthy life, one needs proper nutrition and activity, physically, socially and mentally. Purpose . The Senior Nutrition Prourarn's goal is to provide a delicious, nutritional meal for seniors and an opportunity to socialize with other people of their own age and interests. Results For more than 36 years, the Contra Costa Senior Nutrition program and its companion agency, Home Delivered Meals, have provided health and wellness safety nets for thousands of seniors who are at least 60 years of age, allowing them to live independently, well into their 70's, 80's and 90's. Often forgotten are frail, and in some cases, disabled seniors who are assured of receiving at least one hot meal each day and a visit by a friendly, caring volunteer from Home Delivered Meals. 2006 Milestones In this past year we achieved these milestones: ■ Served 187,295 congregate meals ■ Delivered 272,022 home delivered meals ■ Mobilized 1, 100 volunteers ■ Created 160 jobs for low-income residents Our successes have been significant, but we are challenged to keep pace with the growing numbers of aging persons. Hot, delicious meals will continue to be served to homebound seniors that may be in need. Multi-vitamins could be distributed through nutrition programs. Nutrition advocates are not supportive of this language. Goal for?007 We want to increase participation in the CCC,Cafe. Many people are unaware of the different sites. Cafe location brochures are available at all Advisory Council on Aging meetings. We are committed to informing senior citizens about the wonderful advantages of their spending time with their peers in a safe, friendly environment. Respectfully Submitted, Gail Garrett, President of the Nutrition Council & Representative to Advisory Council on Aging 17