August 2010 AACOG Region Newsletter

On July 20, 2010, the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) announced the 2010 recipients of its prestigious Aging Innovations and Achievement Awards at its annual conference in St. Louis, MO. The awards program recognizes n4a member Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American aging programs, and showcases innovative and successful aging services that assist older adults and caregivers in communities across the country. The n4a announced the Bexar Area Agency on Aging, and the only AAA in Texas to receive recognition, is a recipient of the award in three categories: Elder Abuse Prevention Category; Home/Community-Based Care Category; and You Name It.

Elder Abuse Prevention Category: Bexar AAA Assisted Living Task Force
Home/Community-Based Care Category: Health Care Consortium/Long Term Care
You Name It: Elders Advocacy Network: Education and Training

The association, in their announcement, stated “you and your colleagues should be extremely proud of this honor recognizing the outstanding contribution these programs make to the quality of life for older adults.”

In the Elder Abuse Prevention category, the Bexar AAA Assisted Living Task Force is committed to making a difference in the lives of the elderly, disabled, and persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities, who have been exploited, abused and neglected at the hands of "predators" that have profited from the pain and harm they inflict on these targeted populations.

In the Home/Community-Based Care category, the Health Care Consortium/ Long Term Care Services (HCC) serves as an umbrella for a network of healthcare industry stakeholders, which address work-based education that advances skill and career development of a new and incumbent frontline healthcare workforce. Examples include the creation of the Alamo Colleges Health Professions Academy, and the Goodwill Industries / Good Careers Academy.

In the You Name It category, the Elders Advocacy Network: Education and Training Workshops represent a planned series of aging advocacy (full-day) educational workshops; addressing the training needs of long term care providers, state surveyors, staff and volunteer Ombudsmen, and other community advocates; by networking with local, state, and federal practitioners, to ensure that collaborative strategies are designed to provide the best quality of life and care for the elderly in our community.

For additional information, please contact Martha Spinks, Bexar AAA Director, at (210) 362-5268.

Officials visit local home receiving free services through AACOG's Weatherization Assistance Program -- Written by Gloria C. Arriaga, AACOG Executive Director

For three decades, AACOG has served the 12 county Alamo Area region with its Weatherization Assistance Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and administered on the state level by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

The program is designed to assist low-income and families, particularly the elderly and handicapped, overcome the high cost of energy. The homeowner benefits by saving money with reduced utility costs. Eligibility is based on household income; which cannot exceed 200% of low-income guidelines. In addition, an applicant may be income eligible, but the home may not if any of the following applies: poor electrical wiring, or knob and tube wiring; foundation problems; roof leaks; or plumbing problems.

On July 13th, State Representative Doug Miller (73rd) and Comal County Commissioner (Precinct 2) and AACOG Board Chairman Jay Millikin visited the home of Ms. Shirley Lawrence. Her home is currently being weatherized through AACOG’s Weatherization Assistance Program. During their visit, they witnessed first-hand, examples of improvements such as replacement of appliances with Energy Star ones, adding of insulation throughout the home, and installation of window solar screens.

Representative Miller stated “our reason for being here today is to promote AACOG’s Weatherization Assistance Program and inform the public that monies are available to help the disabled, elderly and low-income households. Commissioner Millikin and I want to make sure residents of Comal County are aware of this program so our residents get their fair share of these funds.”

Qualified households receive professional installation of energy conservation measures such as attic, wall and floor insulation, weather-stripping and caulking, complete ductwork, and new doors, windows or storm windows. Additional assistance may include the installation of new Energy Star home appliances, such as gas water heaters, gas stoves, furnaces, space heaters, central HVAC systems, and window air conditioners.

Commissioner Millikin added “AACOG has many years of experience in weatherizing homes in our region. In 2010, AACOG saw an infusion of many millions of federal stimulus dollars to fully broaden the reach of the existing Program within our 12-county region. I consider the added weatherization dollars to be exceptionally well administered and allocated by AACOG. First, we are stimulating small business opportunities in our region by hiring professional and well qualified contractors to meet the requirements established by DOE in improving the environmental efficiency of homes that are selected for program upgrades. Second, we are assisting low income families in reducing the high costs of their utility bills so they can reallocate those expenses to meet other family needs. Finally, we are improving air quality by assisting in reducing the demand for added local power generation for summertime and winter comfort by not continuing to wastefully heat and air condition the out-of-doors.”

Since its inception, AACOG has installed conservation measures in over 6,000 homes and produced an average reduction of 45% in total utility consumption. In FY 2009, 372 homes were weatherized utilizing $1,709,517 in federal assistance. In 2010, the Program will utilize $15 million in federal stimulus funding to improve the energy efficiency of 2,000 homes in the region.

For more information about AACOG’s Weatherization Program, call toll-free 1-800-749-2010, e-mail mail@aacog.com, or visit www.aacog.com/housing.

State Representative will host a service fair on Wednesday, August 4, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Harlandale Community Center, 7227 Briar Place. The service fair, entitled "Sustain Today, Thrive Tomorrow; Act for the Future", will provide information about services available to families and individuals in the AACOG Region.

AACOG will have representatives providing information on the Bexar Area Agencies on Aging, Bexar MRA, Air Quality, and more. Other vendors will be the Alamo Service Connection, Animal Care Services, Casa Verde, CPS Energy, San Antonio Food Bank, SER Jobs for Progress, United Way (2-1-1), Bexar Met, San Antonio Water System, and more. To find out more about the upcoming fair, click here or call (210) 923-0908.

AACOG will host a Planning and Zoning workshop for planning commissioners, elected officials, and staff, on August 16, 2010, in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78217. This workshop is sponsored by the Texas Chapter American Planning Association in cooperation with the City Planners Association of Texas, the Texas Association of Regional Councils, and AACOG. Click here for more information or to register for this upcoming workshop.

AACOG is hosting the annual University of North Texas Public Funds Investment Act Workshop August 19-20, 2010, in the Al J. Notzon III Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78217. The training provides a total of 10 hours of PFIA training and CPE credits. Registration for both days (10 hours) is $270 on or before August 9th or $290 after August 9th; registration for one day (5 hours) is $135 on or before August 9th or $145 after August 9th. Click here for more information or to register for this upcoming workshop.

AACOG recently published the third edition of Business Images of the Alamo Area, a spectacular magazine promoting economic growth and development in the Alamo region.

Business Images of the Alamo Area is part of a complete publishing program that also includes an online edition of the magazine, a photographic streaming-video tour of the region, a targeted distribution network and a customer retention and acquisition program.

AACOG and key area businesses distribute this magazine to prospective new businesses, employees and residents. Copies are also given out to attendees at various trade shows, conferences and events throughout the year.

Copies of the Business Images of the Alamo Area magazine are also available free of charge to all AACOG members. If you are interested in distributing the magazine at your location, please click here.