AACOG Region June 2005 Newsletter

South Texas Resource Recovery Roundtable

On Friday, June 10, 2005, from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., AACOG will co-sponsor the 5th Annual South Texas Resource Recovery Roundtable Conference. The conference will be held in the St. Philip's College Heritage Room, Campus Center Building, 1801 Martin Luther King, San Antonio, TX 78203. Other sponsors are Bexar County, the City of San Antonio, the Corporate Recycling Council, and Keep San Antonio Beautiful. The theme of the conference is "Moving Towards Zero Waste and Achieving Greater Recycling".

The goals of the roundtable are to 1) highlight resource recovery as an everyday occurrence, 2) highlight new items that are being recycled and new places that are participating in recycling our valuable resources, and 3) to encourage innovation and changes which further promote earth friendly resource recovery. For more information, view the registration form or call (210) 362-5243.

Resource Recovery Point of Contact: Georgia Zannaras

Top

Aging Issues to be Focus of White House Conference on Aging Forum

Go to webpage

2005 White House Conference on Aging Logo AACOG’s Bexar Area Agency on Aging (AAA), the City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs, and their community partners are seeking input for the upcoming White House Conference on Aging to be held in December 2005 in Washington, D.C. The conference will explore various aging topics, including financial preparedness, the workplace of the future, developing community infrastructure, health and long-term living, social engagement, and changes in the marketplace for older Americans.

The Bexar AAA is researching information on local issues of concern to older Texans. A White House Conference on Aging Issues Forum will be held on June 7, 2005, at the VIA Metro Center, 1021 San Pedro, San Antonio, TX, 8:00 a.m. - Noon. Input from this forum will be used to prepare a report for the national conference planning committee as well as the Texas video conference on July 11, 2005.

Local appointed delegates to the conference, Homer Lear (appointed by Congressman Bonilla), Barbara Effenberger (appointed by Congressman Cuellar), Carol Zernial (appointed by Congressman Smith), and Steve Saldana (appointed by Congressman Gonzalez), will also be in attendance at the forum. Call Bexar AAA at (210) 362-5268 for more information.

Bexar Aging Point of Contact: Debbie Billa

Top

National Association of Regional Councils (NARC) Conference

Go to webpage

The National Association of Regional Councils 39th Annual Conference & Exhibition will be held Friday, June 24 through Tuesday, June 28, 2005. The conference will be hosted by the Association of Monterey Bar Area Governments, and will be held in Monterey, California. Members of the AACOG Board will attend. AACOG will host the 40th Annual NARC Conference & Exhibition in 2006, and are currently soliciting sponsors for this event. If you would like sponsorship information, please contact Melissa Pulido at (210) 362-5281.

2006 NARC Conference Point of Contact: Melissa Pulido

Top

Office of Rural Community Affairs announces recommended allocation of funds for the
Texas Community Development Program

Go to webpage
(click on Alamo Area link)

The Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) announced the preliminary scores and recommended allocation of funds in the AACOG region for the Texas Community Development Program. A total of 25 communities and counties in the AACOG region applied to the ORCA for community improvements. All applicants recommended for funding requested assistance to improve their water and sewer systems. The applicants recommended for 2005 funds will receive their funds by August 2005. The applicants recommended for funding in 2006, however, must await Congressional action on the FY 2006 Federal Budget.

Community Development Point of Contact: Claude Guerra

Top

June Is Home Ownership Month

More Housing News

The AACOG Board of Directors passed a resolution recognizing the month of June as Home Ownership Month. Home ownership is a part of the American dream. It promotes stronger families, more cohesive neighborhoods, and greater educational and economic opportunities. AACOG works to increase home ownership opportunities within the region through the First-Time Homebuyer Program, sponsored by the Alamo Area Housing Finance Corporation. AACOG also works with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and other public, private and non-profit organizations in efforts promoting the many benefits of home ownership. During the month of June, AACOG especially encourages all citizens to consider the benefits of home ownership, and to familiarize themselves with the resources available through HUD, AACOG, financial institutions, and other organizations in the achievement of home ownership. For more information, contact the Alamo Area Housing Finance Corporation at 1-800-749-2010 or (210) 362-5211 for a free brochure on its First-Time Homebuyer Program.

Housing Point of Contact: Rose Jackson

Top



Join our "Tough Enough to Care...Be There Campaign"!	Go to webpage
AACOG's Alamo and Bexar Area Agencies on Aging are looking for caring individuals to become Certified Volunteer Ombudsmen. Ombudsmen are advocates for Elders' Rights. The AACOG Alamo and Bexar Area Agencies on Aging Ombudsman Programs are composed primarily of volunteers. AACOG staff administers a specialized training program, certified by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services, to teach volunteers how to advocate for the elderly in long-term care. Ombudsman are extraordinary volunteers, who are frequently the only visitors or source of contact with the outside world for a nursing home or assisted living facilities resident. Volunteer Ombudsman develop trusting relationships, advocate for quality of life and care of residents, and assist in the development of resident and family councils. Volunteer Ombudsman investigate and resolve complaints made on behalf of residents living in long-term care facilities. They also educate the public and facility staff on complaint filing, neglect and abuse issues, new laws governing facilities, and best practices used in improving the quality of life and care for the elderly. Want to make a difference for the elderly? Please call AACOG at (210) 362-5226 or click here for more information.
Ombudsman Program Point of Contact: Nick Monreal	Top

AACOG Award Winners to be announced at upcoming reception following Semiannual

Go to webpage

AACOG will have its Semiannual Meeting of the Area Council and Board of Directors on Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. in the AACOG Board Room, 8700 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX. AACOG will announce the winners of the 2005 Regional Awards at a special ceremony and reception following the meeting at approximately 2:00 p.m.

Regional Awards Point of Contact: Tiffany Pickens

Top

Newsletter and calendar submissions are encouraged. Please submit any newsletter ideas to mail@aacog.com.

Some publication links were created as PDF files. If you do not have the most current version, you may access your free version here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.