R
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PORT ON THE FEBRUARY 21, 2014, MEETING OF THE MICHIGAN COMMISSION ON SERVICES TO THE AGING
This was a conference call.
I. OSA Director Report (Kari Sederburg)
Special Message on Aging
The governor will be delivering a special message on aging. We are working with the governor’s office, but details have yet to be finalized. We are looking at sometime this spring. More details to come soon.
State FY15 Budget
As you know, Governor Snyder has recommended significant increases in general fund dollars for aging-related programs in his FY 15 Executive Budget recommendations, including in-home services, home delivered meals, the MI Choice Waiver program and Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) expansion. In addition, he has recommended funding for elder abuse prevention.
The governor’s proposed funding (general fund) is broken out by program below:
-Home delivered meals & In-home services – $5M -Elder abuse prevention – $1M
-PACE expansion – $5.7M (transfer) -MI Choice – $9M
I presented the budget recommendations to the House Appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday and it went well. There were not many questions or concerns raised about the funding. The Senate Committee also seemed to receive the information without objection, so OSA is optimistic.
State LTC Ombudsman Program
We have reached out to the contracting offices at DCH and DTMB, and are in the process of setting up a meeting to kick this process into full swing. But, as mentioned before, this is quite a time intensive process. In the meantime, we are pulling together all the pieces that should be included in the RFP. As a reminder, the RFP would not change the configuration of the Local Ombudsman programs.
Senior Citizen of the Year
http://michigan.gov/osa/1,4635,7-234–321794–,00.html
We are now accepting applications for the Senior Citizen of the Year award! I’ve attached the nomination form, should you want to nominate any fabulous candidates. The forms need to be submitted by April 15 to Shirley Bentsen at bentsens. And a big thank you to Commissioner Renee Reid-Smith for agreeing to sit on the review committee!
OSA’s Deputy Director
As you know, our fearless deputy Rhonda Powell has taken another job – can you hear me weeping?! Rhonda’s last day will be February 21st. Please help me thank Rhonda for all of her help during her short time at OSA. We have already reposted the position and will start the interview process in March. Keep your fingers crossed for another fabulous candidate!
II. Business Items
a) Approval of Prevention Grant Year One Carryover Funds for Diabetes Self-Management Master Training through Stanford University (Presented by Sherri King, OSA Staff) <Unanimously approved>
$16,000 to conduct the Master Training to be held April 21 – 25 at Senior Resources, 255 West Sherman Boulevard, Muskegon Heights, Michigan. The training will equip up to 25 new Master Trainers, who may train workshop leaders as well as conduct workshops themselves. The Stanford Master Training programs are proprietary, so we must use Stanford as the vendor. NOTE to Northern Michigan: if you are interested in taking the training, contact Sherri King at KingS1
III. Informational Items
a) June 3 is Older Michiganians Day. Feel free to nominate hard-working senior volunteers: http://michigan.gov/osa/1,4635,7-234–321794–,00.html
b) OSA is aware of the RSVP jeopardy in several regions of the State. They are working to get more detailed information from the Corporation for National & Community Services. It would be good to get a local dialogue going. When I hear from Lansing, I’ll pass the information along.
IV. Announcements
The next Commission on Services to the Aging meeting will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, March 21, 2014, at Region IV Area Agency on Aging, 2900 Lakeview Avenue in St. Joseph.
The next meeting of the State Advisory Council on Aging will be held jointly with the Commission on Services to the Aging on Friday, April 18, 2014, at 10:00 AM at Ramada Lansing Hotel and Conference Center, located at 7501 West Saginaw Hwy., in Lansing.
Please note these meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to attend can do so at this same location. Those needing accommodations to attend meetings should contact Carol Dye at (517) 373-7876 at least five (5) days prior to the meeting date.
Submitted by Commissioner Michael J. Sheehan
Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging and
Chairman, State Advisory Council on Aging
Michael Sheehan
The Senior Corner:
http:///www.co.grand-traverse.mi.us/departments/Commission_on_Aging/The_Senior_Corner__By_Michael_Sheehan.htm
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