2000-05-25 - Committee on Aging - Minutes Buffalo Grove Joint Commission on Aging
Meeting Summary for May 25,2000
Alcott Center
Members Present—Chairman Bonnie Factor, Steve Perlis,Ernie Karge,Gina Sheade,Village
Liaison Phil Versten,and Park District Liaison Dan Schimmel.
Members Excused—Karolyn Swanson
No guests were present.
Bonnie Factor called the meeting to order at 7:10 PM.
Planning the Future of the Joint Commission on Aging
Bonnie shared the Commission's Annual Report materials presented to the Village Board on our
behalf. Bonnie thanked Steve for being kind enough to make this presentation to the Village
Board. Bonnie also encouraged everyone to review these materials on his or her own. Below
you will find a brief review on how we will address our Goals and Objectives for 2000-2001.
1. Increase senior involvement in the community.
Discussion on this was held off initially. We did return to it later. It was felt that some of
how we addressed this was dependent on what happens with our efforts below. However,
Phil did point out that the Village hopes to get senior involvement and representation on a
variety of commissions&committees now being formed by Village President Elliot
Hartstein.
2. Establish Advocacy Process for seniors
Objective A—Research other communities to determine how they provide an outlet for
information and guidance,referral, legal services and grievances. Implement and
promote program.
Action—Dan volunteer park district staff and intern resources to develop a
phone or written survey that would go out to villages,park districts and township
offices in the area to determine how referrals and advocacy issues are handled.
A preliminary draft of this survey is to be presented at the June 15 Joint
Commission Meeting.
Objective B—Arrange and offer space to provide for initial legal,public health,etc.
contacts.
Action—Originally, this was discussed in the context of the possible successful
passage of the park district referendum. However,Dan did review some of the
services already available at the Alcott Center for seniors and committed his staff
and facilities to expand this effort. Dan will ask Terri Ebner to present a
complete report on park district supported services will be provided at the June
15th meeting.
3. Maintain/Enhance Bridge to Police Department
Objective A—Review and become more familiar with programs created to date.
Research programs in other communities. Review SALT and similar programs that link
seniors to law enforcement.
Action—The action item in 3b addresses becoming more familiar with the SALT
program. However, Steve Perlis mentioned the FLAG program that is also
available. FLAG addresses law enforcement and financial institutions working
together to help combat situations where people use older adult funds and
financial resources in a fraudulent manner(such as, withdrawing large sums of
money out of accounts). Part of it is teaching bank tellers and officials on how to
recognize when a problem is developing. Steve mentioned several contacts
including Jan Carrol, Sherri Fox and Sany Pelka. Steve offered to initially serve
as our point person to make contacts and find out information.
Our plan is....
1. Determine the specifics of the FLAG program.
2. Pursue offering the program as a co sponsored event with the Chamber of
Commerce and the Police Department. The initial program would be
informative to banking officials to gain support and to encourage training for
their staff
3. Train bank staff
4. Present the cooperative program to the Chamber members as one of their
regular monthly programs.
Objective B—Establish dialogue between the Commission and Police Department.
Action—Phil Versten will invite Crime Prevention/Community Relations Officer
Steve Haisley to the June 15 Joint Commission on Aging Meeting. The purpose
would be to have Officer Haisley report on current programs and services
offered by the police department on behalf of older adults. In addition, it would
serve as the start of possibly initiating new programs and services such as FLAG.
4. Communicate existing public services offered for seniors by Agencies, Townships,eta
Action—The commission will review Directory of Senior Services for necessary
updating. Also,plan for offering a Service Providers Summit during this
programming year.
Vacancies and Appointments on the Joint Commission on Aging
Dan reported that Martha Weiss will confirm the park district's three current appointments to the
Commission at the June Board meeting. Terri Ebner has indicated an interest in joining the
commission and Dan asked for opinions on whether there would be any problems seen with that
type of appointment(Terri is our senior programs coordinator). If Terri was appointed by the
Board of Commissioners,the Joint Commission asked that Terri abstain from votes regarding
money issues and referendum issues to avoid the perception of conflict of interest.
Phil reported that Village appointments should be confirmed within the next month or two. He
will pursue. All Commission Members present indicated an interest in continuing to serve the
community on the Joint Commission.
The meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.
Joint Commission on Aging
Year 2000 Goals
I. Increase Senior Involvement in Community
Objective:
Appoint a sub-committee to research and report on ideas for promoting senior involvement in
volunteer service to the community,and to administer as an ongoing program to match talent to
needs. Action items to come out of the sub-committee could include the collection and
communication of volunteer opportunities,etc.
II. Establish Advocacy Process for Seniors
Objectives:
a) Research other communities to determine how they provide an outlet for information and
guidance,referral, legal services and grievances. Implement and promote program.
b) Arrange and offer space somewhere to provide for initial legal,public health,etc. contacts.
III. Maintain/Enhance Bridge to Police Department
Objectives:
a) Review and become more familiar programs created to date,research programs in other
communities,review SALT and similar programs that link seniors to law enforcement.
b) Establish dialogue between Commission and Police Department.
IV. Communicate Existing Public Services offered for Seniors by Agencies,Townships, etc.
•
Joint Commission on Aging
Annual Report, Calendar Year 1999
Trustee Liaison: Glover
Chair: 1999 - Harriet Rubinstein (relocated out of town in October)
Current - Bonnie Factor
Membership:
The Park District appoints three members and the Chair. The Village appoints three
members:
1. Chair,Bonnie Factor-appointed by the Park District 5/15/93,term expires 4/30/00
2. Karolyn Swanson-appointed by the Village 6/7/93,term expires 4/30/2000
3. Gina Sheade-appointed by the Park District 6/28/93,term expires 4/30/2000
4. Steven Perlis-appointed by the Village 6/19/95,term expires 4/30/2000
5. Ernest Karge-appointed by the Park District 9/1/98,term expires 4/30/2000
6. Open seat to be filled(Village)
7. Open seat to be filled(Park District)
A. Issues Referred by Village Board or Staff to the Commission During the
Past Year
2/25/99-Village staff gave a presentation on Buffalo Grove's approach to Y2K. Notified
Commission of plans, strategies and methods of communication. "Village staff reviewed base
tenets of the issue and provided an overview of the Villages preparedness plans... citing
communications as a key part of that effort both leading up to Y2K and during any Y2k event
that may occur." Flyers were left with the commission for dissemination to the Senior's Club,
etc.
B. Status of Issue Recommendations Made By the Commission to the
Village Board or Staff During the Past Year
1. -N/A
2. -N/A
3. Major issues or recommendations still open at year-end, and date
anticipated for final action...
As of this writing,the structure of the Commission needs to be reviewed. A Village seat on
the Commission has been vacant since February'99. A Park District seat has been vacant
since late October'99.
4. New initiatives that the Commission anticipates and/or desires to
research in the coming year:
The following notes are based on a meeting requested by Chair Bonnie Factor and attended
by Ms. Factor, President Hartstein and staff liaison Versten:
Ms.Factor stated that she requested the meeting in order to gather information that will help
to establish more clearly an identity for the Commission and it's role as an advisory body,
monitor of community needs,etc.
Ms. Factor shared some of her ideas about how the Commission could become more
productive,among them:
1. Monitor the needs of existing services agencies.
2. Assess community needs relative to older residents and issues related to aging.
3. Serve in an information gathering/disseminating role.
4. Meet as required.
President Hartstein agreed with the idea of the Commission in a networking role. He
elaborated on some of Ms.Factor's ideas,stating that he would like to see the Joint
Commission:
1. Give emphasis to serving as a clearinghouse and networking agent,matching information
regarding senior services/programs offered by regional agencies with the needs of our
older residents.
2. Develop programmatic approach to involving seniors more in the community. Serve as a
resource for community agencies by establishing a talent bank pool of senior volunteers
and matching them with volunteer opportunities.
3. Advocate for the development of new programs, such as intergenerational programs with
the schools and the Youth Commission.
4. Explore jointly common or overlapping areas of service with other Village commissions,
such as the Health Department and the Commission for Resident with Disabilities;
brainstorm on possible program services/solutions.
1. Professional training that would be helpful to the membership.
-N/A
2. Any issue that the Commission would like to informally discuss with the
Village Board:A.Establish a common understanding of when to involve and rely upon the Commission as a
resource.
3. Goals/objectives/needs for the coming year:
See#4. These will be reviewed as suggestions by the Commission and considered in
upcoming goal planning discussions.
4. Any other issues of relevance to both the Village Board and the
Commission:
-N/A
. � u �
C. Other Comments relevant to this annual report:
-N/A
. _ ' �� �
Joint Commission on Aging
Year 2000 Goals
I. Increase Senior Involvement in Community
Objective:
Appoint a sub-committee to research and report on ideas for promoting senior involvement in
volunteer service to the community,and to administer as an ongoing program to match talent to
needs. Action items to come out of the sub-committee could include the collection and
communication of volunteer opportunities, etc.
II. Establish Advocacy Process for Seniors
Objectives:
a) Research other communities to determine how they provide an outlet for information and
guidance,referral, legal services and grievances. Implement and promote program.
b) Arrange and offer space somewhere to provide for initial legal,public health, etc. contacts.
III. Maintain/Enhance Bridge to Police Department
Objectives:
a) Review and become more familiar programs created to date,research programs in other
communities,review SALT and similar programs that link seniors to law enforcement.
b) Establish dialogue between Commission and Police Department.
IV. Communicate Existing Public Services offered for Seniors by Agencies, Townships, etc.