Report on the March 16, 2012, Meeting of the
Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging
The March 16, 2012, meeting of the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging was held in Grand Rapids. It concluded with a public hearing on the Office of Services to the Aging State Plan.
OSA Director Kari Sederburg reported on a few items:
- Budget hearings so far indicate that senior funding levels will be no lower than last year. There should, in fact, be a $1.1 million enhancement earmarked for Alzheimer’s, elder abuse, and regional collaborative initiatives.
- Fourteen bills involving elder abuse are moving through the legislative process.
- OSA is working on revamping its web site.
- Interviews to find a new deputy director and three other positions continue.
The Commissioners approved three items.
(1) They approved a request to de-obligate Evidence-Based Disease Prevention grant funding. Originally, two grants were to go to Stanford University for specific training programs. One of these, Stanford Tomando Training, is no longer needed due to lack of interest. A separate grant for Chronic Pain Self-Management needs to be reduced because of a change in costs. Thus, $31,500 will be redirected.
(2) They approved a request for additional funds to be used in Evidence-Based Disease Prevention workshops and leader training. AAA-2 will receive $20,000, AAA-8 will receive $32,000, and AAA-11 will receive $28,910, for a combined total of $80,910.
(3) They approved distribution of up to $146,655 (depending on available funding) to the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition for the Money Follows the Person Project, Option C. These are federal funds (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services), and will be used to develop and provide advocacy to people around the state who move into licensed residential facilities or into their own homes, and who use MI Choice Home and Community-Based Waiver supports and services. Sarah Slocum, State Long Term Care Ombudsman, will oversee and supervise the program.
Presentations:
- Overview of Project Fresh, by Sheri King. This is designed to benefit both senior nutrition and farmers markets by promoting locally grown, non-processed foods. Participants must be at least 60, must live in a county that participates, and must have a total household income of 185% of poverty or less. Participants receive at least ten $2 coupons to use like cash when buying from farmers registered in this program. Some counties purchase additional books to distribute. The season runs from May 1 to October 31.
- Clarify Five Percent Adjustment Clause on CSA Memos, by Scott Walmsley. The 5% adjustment clause exists to give OSA needed flexibility. Projections and ultimate awards are often different. Medicare/Medicaid frequently comes up with unexpected funds. Competitive grants operate under different rules and need a margin for efficient maneuvering.
- Overview of the Governor’s Dashboard, by Kari Sederburg. OSA must report twice a year on progress towards its goals. The current plan has four overall goals:
(1) Work to improve the health and nutrition of older adults.
(2) Increase access to information and services to give seniors choices.
(3) Protect older adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
(4) Improve efficiency and quality of services from the Michigan Aging Network. - SAC Bylaws Revisions Review, by Tony Pawelski. A committee has completed work on updating and clarifying the bylaws for the State Advisory Council on Aging. The full Commission on Services to the Aging will vote on the document during their April meeting.
Announcements:
The Commission on Services to the Aging and the State Advisory Council on Aging will hold a joint meeting at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, April 20, 2012, at the Ramada Lansing Hotel and Conference Center, located at 7501 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing, Michigan.
The Senior Citizen of the Year Awards will be announced on Wednesday, June 20, 2012, on the lawn of the State Capitol in conjunction with the 5th Annual Older Michiganians Day. Nomination forms have been sent out, and they are available on the Office of Services to the Aging website at www.michigan.gov/miseniors
Submitted by
Michael J. Sheehan, Commissioner
Commission on Services to the Aging
