REVISED MINUTES 8/8/03

Bexar Senior Advisory Committee

Friday, June 13, 2003

Members Present:

Sue Ackerman rep by                                   Chris Alderete                            Julia Castellano-Hoyt

  Sharon Baughman                                      Norma Cheeves                         Laura Cisneros

Barb Dampman                                            Elsa Davis                                   Ray Foley

Oscar Garcia                                                 Victor Garcia                              Santos Hernandez rep by

Jan Jarosek                                                   Ida Kenny                                       Mary Will

Honorable Ruth Jones-McClendon             Yvonne Lozano                           Lewis Marshall

Tito Villalobos Moreno                                  Marcia Katz                                Sterling Neuman

Nancy Rheams                                               Alicia Rodriguez rep by            Steve Saldana

Rev. Gene Sheppard                                          Patti Gunter                           Lily Porter Tarrillion rep by

Jimmy Toubin                                                                                                         J. Elaine Talarski

Members Excused:

Alex Davila                                                                Maria Hernandez                                Winn Murnin

Dorothy Whitenack

1.       Meeting Called to Order  - Mr. Jimmy Toubin, Chairperson

2.       Roll call was taken by Ms. Patti Gunter in the absence of Ms. Alicia Rodriguez.

3.       Citizens to be heard – Mr. Homer Lear, Speaker Emeritus of the Texas Silver Haired Legislature commented on the following:

• Complimented the Texas Silver Haired Legislature on the efforts accomplished.  BSAC members were provided with a summary of the Top Ten Resolutions with seven of the ten being passed and incorporated in some form of legislation. 

• The one resolution that TSHL members fought real hard was to maintain the Texas Department on Aging. 

• Complimented Mr. Lewis Marshall on his efforts on HB867 proposing Air Conditioning Senior Housing Units.

• Also proud of HB4 Tort Reform and the five members of the Bexar TSHL delegation,

• Complimented Ms. Doris Griffin and Ms. Ida Kenny for their advocacy efforts as well.

• Thanked Carol Zernial for keeping BSAC members informed on the Legislative Updates

4.       Bexar Area Agency on Aging Director’s Report – Ms. Carol Zernial presented the following:

• Reorganization chart for the Health & Human Services Commission Organization Chart that will go into effect on September 1, 2003, combining Health & Human Services (HHS) state agencies into four, under the control of H & HS Commissioner with the Texas Department on Aging falling under the Department of Aging and Disability Services. 

• Reported on the TDHS Community Care for the Aged and Disabled citing several statistics (copy filed with official minutes)

At this time, Representative Ruth Jones-McClendon was introduced and stated that Ms. Zernial did a great job outlining HB2292.   Representative Jones-McClendon provided statistics regarding the State Budget cuts and the affect on the TDHS Community Care for the Aged and Disabled as well as the impact on the Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program).   Legislators are now gearing up for the next session and committees’ such as BSAC are very instrumental in preparing legislators regarding senior needs in our community.

• There will be no July BSAC meeting

• An interest list was circulated requesting BSAC members to sign up for one of the following:  Joint Guardianship RFP Review Team scheduled to meet June 24, 2003 – 11:00 am  - 1:00 pm; Joint Resource Directory RFP Review Team scheduled to meet June 25, 2003 – 9:00 am – 11:00 am; Medication Management RFP Review Team scheduled to meet July 9, 2003 – 9:00 am – 10:30 am; and FY2004-2006 Proposals RFP Review Team scheduled to meet July 29, 2003 – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

5.       Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of May 9, 2003 – Motion was made to approve the minutes as presented.  Upon consideration, motion passed unanimously.

6.       Chairperson’s Report - None

7.       Subcommittee Reports

A.      Access & Assistance – Ms. Carol Zernial presented the following:

1. Authorization to submit an application to private foundations for up to $10,000 for a Money Management Program.   

2.          Authorization to submit an application to private foundations for up to $60,000 to continue Ombudsman services in assisted living and private board and care homes in Bexar County.   

3. Authorization to submit an application to the Administration on Aging and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services through the Texas Department on Aging for up to $800,000 over 3 years to develop Aging and Disability Resource Centers.

4. Authorization of Residential Repair Vendor:  MHR Construction specializing in small ADA repairs

5. Authorization to submit an application to the Texas Department on Aging for up to $12,000 for Benefits Counseling

6. Authorize Chairman of the AACOG Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the AACOG Executive Director to approve the selection of a contractor for the Joint Bexar and Alamo Senior Directory. 

At this time, the Chairman asked for a vote on Item #1, 3, 4, 5, and 6.  Upon consideration, favorable review was recommended.

Item # 2 was opened for discussion, and Ms. Lozano added her concern for not having the Assisted Living Pilot Project here in Bexar County as she is presently testifying in a Court Case where several elderly persons passed away in a Boarding Care Facility fire, one being her Grandmother.  Upon consideration, Item #2 received favorable review.

B.      Allocations and Monitoring – No Report

C.      Family Caregiver Support Program – Mr. Steve Saldana informed that they had met and continue to analyze the rates for the the vendors.

1.          Consider and approve FY2003 Vendors for Access & Family Caregiver Support Program – Recommendation:  Favorable Review.

At this time, Ms. Carol Zernial informed that Terra Health who was administering the Grandparent Program has decided that effective June 30, 2003; they will no longer be operating this program.   Several successes were reported in working with the schools.  A focus group has been scheduled for 6/19/2003 – 1:00 pm to determine what the needs are as the AAA is looking for new partnerships.

Mr. Saldana read a letter received from the Community Alzheimer’s Resources and Education program expressing the sincere appreciation to Nellie Garay for the excellent work performed.

D.      Information, Special Events and VISTA

1.          Update on Older American’s Month Activities – BSAC members viewed a PowerPoint presentation on all of the activities conducted during the month of May. 

  E.  Nominations/Bylaws and Legislative – No Report

Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.