Minutes

Bexar Senior Advisory Committee

Friday, May 10, 2002 – 10:00 a.m.

1.       Call to Order – The meeting was called to order by Pastor Ernie Lantz.

2.        Roll Call – Roll call was taken as reflected above by Laura Cisneros.

3.       Consider and act upon approval of the Minutes of April 12, 2002 – Upon consideration, motion was made by Jimmy Toubin and seconded by Barb Dampman to approve the minutes as presented.  Motion passed.

4.       Citizens to be Heard (Limit to Three Minutes - None

5.       Staff Report – Carol Zernial, Bexar Area Agency on Aging Director reported on the following:

§         Budget recently reviewed by BSAC and AACOG Board was approved by the Texas Department on Aging

§         Updated members on legislative briefings concerning Medicare payment increases for physician, not sure about skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies.   There is a move to increase Older Americans Act funding and double funds for the national family caregiver support program

§         Texas Department on Aging (TDoA) Board met and they are predicting a $5 – 6 billion shortfall in the State of Texas.  Also, they are going to allow the AAA’s to submit a plan by October 1^st to carry-over caregiver funds and have changed the match once again for the 2001 funds, matching the funds by 10%.    The funding formula for the AAA should be received within the next week.

§         Encouraged BSAC members to attend the annual Ombudsman Recognition to be held May 16^th; also encouraged BSAC members to attend the half-day Mental Health Symposium on May 23^rd at the Ruble Center

§         Provided statistics concerning in-house programs

§         Extended a special “thanks” to Elsa Davis and Laura Cisneros, Special Events Subcommittee for the wonderful Breakfast honoring seniors.

6.       Citizen’s Advisory Council Report – Julia Castellano-Hoyt, Representative reported that she had attended the recent Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) meeting in Austin.  Ms. Castellano-Hoyt informed that it was a most productive and interesting meeting.  She stated that Mr. Tom Oliver extended an invitation to CAC members to attend all TDoA Board meetings and proceeded to inform BSAC members on the purpose of CAC, and the Texas Department on Aging’s Marketing Plan.  Ms. Castellano-Hoyt further indicated that there was quite a discussion on rural and urban issues.

7.       Chairperson’s Report – Pastor Ernie Lantz reminded BSAC members on the 2002 Regional Awards Nomination Form

8.       Subcommittee Status Reports

A.      Access & Assistance – Ms. Suzanne Huber reported the committee had met and asked for consideration of LaEstrella Adult Day Care to provide only Adult Day Care.   Recommendation:  Favorable Review

B.      Allocations and Monitoring – No Activity

C.      Family Caregiver Support Program – Mr. Steve Saldana reported the committee had met and reissued a second RFP and an Ad-Hoc Committee is in place to review the proposal.

Mr. Saldana further reported that that the Ad-Hoc Committee had previously reviewed three proposals and asked Ms. Carol Zernial to elaborate.  Ms. Zernial reported that the three proposals that were approved were:  Christian Senior Services Senior Companion Program to expand services to provide respite; TV program co-hosted by Doris Griffin and Chris Alderete to have three original TV shows and one in Spanish for caregiver related programs; Alterra Health to provide direct services, mental health counseling, crisis intervention to grandparents with grandchildren.  Upon consideration, BSAC members ratified the recommendation.  The following members abstained:  Sue Ackerman and Chris Alderete.

Mr. Saldana further reported that due to the short timeframe and the fact that the recommendations will need to be sent to the AACOG Board, would like authorization to be given to the Caregiver Ad-Hoc Committee to forward Request for Proposal recommendations directly to the AACOG Board of Directors.  Recommendation:  Favorable Review

D.      Information, Special Events and VISTA – Ms. Elsa Davis thanked the committee for all their work in conducting the recent Senior Breakfast recognition.

§         Update on Older Americans Month – Ms. Zernial reported that Proclamations from the City Council and County Commissioner’s were signed and read.

§         Update on N4a – Ms. Zernial reported that volunteers for the conference are being recruited with 156 slots to be filled and asked each BSAC member to submit a form.    There is a $40,000 negative in the fundraising efforts and the way to take care of this shortage is through increased conference attendance

E.       Nominations/Bylaws and Legislative – Mr. Lewis Marshall reported that he had discussed several issues as they relate to BSAC Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation and distribution of SALT TRIAD funds. 

F.       Senior and Lawmen Together (SALT) –   Mr. Santos Hernandez reported that the next meeting will be held Monday, April 13^th – 9:30 a.m. at the Commander’s House.

G.      Texas Silver Haired Elections Steering Committee – Ms. Nancy Rheams reported that the committee had met and a Press Conference was scheduled 5/2^nd.    She further reported that the Absentee Balloting had begun (May 1^st and will continue through May 21^st ).    Ms. Rheams proceeded to update BSAC members on the Absentee Balloting Procedures and the Poll Worker Training will be held on May 21^st, 1 – 3 pm.

10.        Informational Items –  Ms. Ida Kenny commented on the need for BSAC members to have some sort of pin to identify them as BSAC members.  Upon discussion and consideration, motion was made to review this possibility.  Motion passed.

Ms. Laura Cisneros distributed flyers regarding the upcoming Annual Jamaica scheduled for 5/24/02 at Rosedale Park from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.

Mr. Jimmy Toubin  reported that the Food Bank has received a grant to provide 85 of the largest freezers available to the different agencies who serve food. 

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