Minutes
Bexar Senior Advisory Committee
Friday, September 12, 2003 – 10:00 a.m.
Members Present:
Sue Ackerman rep by Julia Castellano-Hoyt Laura Cisneros rep by
Sharon Baughman Barb Dampman Blanca Cook
Alex Davila Elsa Davis Victor Garcia
Santos Hernandez rep by Suzanne Huber Jan Jarosek
Mary Will Ida Kenny Lewis Marshall
Hon. Ruth Jones-McClendon rep Tito Villalobos Moreno Winn Murnin
By Bill Heinemann Sterling Neuman Nancy Rheams
Alicia Rodriguez Steve Saldana Rev. Gene Sheppard
Jimmy Toubin Dorothy Whitenack
Members Absent:
Chris Alderete Norma Cheeves Ray Foley
Oscar Garcia Maria Hernandez Marcia Katz
Yvonne Lozano Lily Porter-Tarrillion
1. Call to Order – Mr. Jimmy Toubin, Chairperson called the meeting to order.
2. Roll Call – Ms. Alicia Rodriguez, Secretary called roll as reflected above.
3. Citizens To Be Heard (Limit to Three Minutes) – None
4. Bexar Area Agency on Aging Director’s Report – Ms. Carol Zernial reported on the following:
§ Status of Prescription Drug Bill
§ States cannot keep persons on waiting lists for Medicaid Benefits if funds for such services remain unused.
§ Centers for Disease Control have said production of the flu vaccine has been increased so that prioritizing the distribution should not be necessary.
§ Chris Kyker was appointed to the TDHS transition team for the new Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS). There are hearings being scheduled, however, none in San Antonio. The final hearing will be October 20th in Austin and invited anyone interested in testifying or attending. Ms. Ida Kenny made a motion to send a letter asking that one of the hearings be held in San Antonio. Motion was seconded by Ms. Julia Castellano-Hoyt. Motion passed.
At this time, Mr. Steve Saldana informed that the head of the National Council on Aging came to San Antonio along with the head of CVS Pharmacy, a pharmacy compared to our Walgreen’s, Eckerd’s. Mr. Saldana further informed that when CVS moves to a State, they make an award to a premier, not-for –profit organization as recognition of the work especially on behalf of the elderly. This group came to San Antonio to present 5,000 to Ms. Barb Dampman on her behalf to Catholic Charities in recognition of the work that she has done for the Senior Employment Program. BSAC members applauded Ms. Dampman.
Ms. Dampman thanked Mr. Saldana and Ms. Carol Zernial for the support and attendance.
§ Benefits Checkup Bookmarks were promoted.
§ Bexar Area Agency on Aging passed the Performance Measure Testing (PMT) for Care Coordination and Homemaker.
§ Will be attending an Administration on Aging Summit the week of September 22 and also will be attending the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC) in College Station. Ms. Zernial further informed that AACOG will be hosting the TARC Conference in 2004.
5. Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of August 8, 2003 - Upon consideration, Mr. Sterling Neuman motioned that the Minutes be approved as presented. Motion seconded by Mr. Saldana and passed.
6. Chairperson’s Report
7. Subcommittee Status Reports
1. Program Updates – Ms.Suzanne Huber reported:
§ The AAA’s shortfall of $180,000 less in FY04 and the subcommittee strategized on how to make up this difference. Ideas presented were possibly providing private pay Care Coordination and consider partnering with the private sector.
§ Partnering with COIL to provide the service of Telephone Reassurance as there are over 600 persons on the waiting list.
§ Looking to form a Task Force to design a “telephone tree” and asked for volunteers for this project.
Ms. Tina Richards briefed on the “Southwest Home for the Holidays” project. Ms. Richards informed that the reception for the presentation of the tickets will be on November 18, 2003 – 9:00 a.m.
B. Allocations and Monitoring – Mr. Sterling Neuman presented the following:
1. Approval of FY04 Provisional Budget – Upon consideration, motion passed. Representatives of the following agencies abstained: City of San Antonio, Christian Senior Services.
2. Approval of fifth NSIP (formerly USDA) allocations – Ms. Carol Zernial asked the committee to consider an amendment to the distributed allocation, stating that the Administration on Aging over-allocated the funds by $8,087 so that the new amount that is being allocated is $215,561.00. The allocations would be distributed as follows: Christian Village $1,665; City of San Antonio $160,520; and Christian Senior Services $53,376. Upon consideration, motion passed. Representatives of the following agencies abstained: City of San Antonio and Christian Senior Services.
3. Update on Guardianship – Ms. Zernial clarified that a Request for Proposal was re-released and those proposals would be due next week with the review team meeting thereafter to consider the proposals. The Review Team is comprised of representatives from United Way, Bexar County and AACOG.
C. Family Caregiver Support Program – Mr. Saldana presented the following:
1. Authorization to approve FY04 Vendors – Upon consideration, motion was seconded by Rev. Gene Sheppard and passed.
2. Approval of FY04 Provisional Caregiver Budget – Upon consideration, motion passed. The following representatives abstained: Suzanne Huber, Nancy Rheams, Steve Saldana, Barb Dampman, Sharon Baughman, and Blanca Cook.
D. Information, Special Events and Vista – Ms. Sharon Baughman presented the following:
§ Update on Caregiver’s Month and would schedule a meeting to discuss activities
§ The United Way report reflecting the Home-delivered meals program was just completed stating that for the fiscal year ending June 30th, there were 845 clients over the age of 85, representing 25% of the population and 8 clients over the age of 100 living at home.
§ Southwest Home for the Holidays information was distributed and presented by Ms. Richards.
§ At this time, Ms. Elsa Davis presented the calendar of events for the 16 de Septiembre.
§ Mr. Nick Monreal briefed on the Health and Wellness project through the City of San Antonio, YMCA, the Texas Department on Aging and AACOG. The vision is that an exercise program be developed at the nutrition centers and residents from the long-term community be brought to participate and providing the socialization for seniors that they currently do not have.
E. Nominations/Bylaws and Legislative – Ms. Julia Castellano Hoyt presented the following for Mr. Lewis Marshall:
1. Consider and approve Alternate Members of: Rosetta Williams – Alternate for: Yvonne Lozano and Stephanie Smith – Alternate for Ray Foley. Recommendation was considered and approved.
2. Upcoming BSAC Term Expirations were announced and members were reminded of the recent Bylaws change concerning re-appointment. Encouraged BSAC members to recruit individuals for possible membership.
8. Information Items – It was brought to BSAC attention, that there are still several Subcommittees who do not have adequate representation, especially the Allocations Subcommittee. There is difficulty in making decisions when there is not enough committee members.
Mr. Alex Davila announced the upcoming Fraud Conference on September 30th at the Municipal Auditorium at 9:30 a.m.
9. Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.