Minutes

•  Review Agenda, Approve Minutes and Set New Agenda Items

Present: Charlene Hill, Rutherford County Representative, Judy Pelt, Wanda Neidig, Kay Barrow, Renee Bynum, Karen Wilson, Paul Polinski, Sheri Slater, C. Ed Moss, Susan York, Bill Duke, Laura Cockman, Rhonda Caballero, Denise Clemmer, Evelyn S. Johnson, Carol Wright, Susan Harmuth, Suzanne Merrill.

Conclusion: Approval of minutes for the June meeting was postponed, as Beverly Warren, previous co-chair, had not completed the minutes.

Action Items:

•   

Person Responsible:

Deadline:

•  North Carolina Association of Direct Care Workers – Susan Harmuth

Discussion: Ms. Harmuth from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services stated that her organization has attempted to improve the recruitment and retention of direct care workers. A video was developed and aired on television to aid in the recruitment. She had videos available that were shared with committee members. An Association of Direct Care Workers has been organized. It is a 501C-3 organization with by-laws and a board of directors. The goal of the association is to provide personal and professional development and education to direct care workers. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services received a grant to start this association but plans are for it to be independent by 2005. The Association has approximately 300 members and is working towards providing health insurance for direct care workers. The Center has also received a Robert Woods Johnson grant to improve retention of direct care workers. There are four domains, which will be considered: supportive workplace, training, career opportunities, and balanced workloads. The project will be piloted in 2005 in 60 facilities.

Conclusion:

Action Items:

•   

Person Responsible:

Deadline:

•  Legislative and Budget Update – Suzanne Merrill

Discussion: Ms. Merrill shared a handout on budget information for the Division of Aging and Adult Services. As a result of the recommendations of the Aging Commission, funding improved for the Division. SSBG remained the same, funding for senior centers was restored from the reduction last year, rates for Adult Day/Health Care providers was increased, Home and Community Care Block Grant was increased, and State/County Special Assistance rate was increased by $18 a month. There was a change in the Guardianship statute, which allows the Clerk of Court to intervene more quickly to remove a guardian. There was also a change in the statute on Health Care Personnel Registry to allow an individual to dispute the findings against the individual. Also, there was a legislative study commission on state guardianship laws created. A county director of Social Services will serve on this commission. One of the areas to be studied by the Commission is a review of the State's adult protective services law. The Division is hopeful that Commission will use the work being completed by the APS Task Force. This Task Force began work in the Fall of 2002. Workgroups were formed and have been meeting over the past year. The full Task Force met in May and July and will be meeting again in September. Most of the work of the Task Force has centered on changes needed in the law. The Task Force is hoping to complete the changes to the law in September. The Guardianship Commission will provide an avenue to get the work of the Task Force before the Legislators.

Conclusion:

Action Items:

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Person Responsible:

Deadline:

•  Adjournment