March 31, 2014

 

Douglas County Board of Commissioners

Lawrence City Commission

 

Re: 1st Quarter Report 2014

 

Per the City/County/DCSS Cooperative Agreement signed in the fall of 2013, I am submitting a report regarding the activities of the Douglas County Senior Services (DCSS).

·         Executive Director Kristin Scheurer’s 90-day performance review resulted in the DCSS Board of Directors recommending continuance as executive director.

 

·         The 2014 slate of officers established by unanimous vote: Pattie Johnson, Chair; Dennis Domer, Vice Chair; Judy Wright, Secretary; Jason Hornberger, Treasurer.  

 

·         The Human Relations Committee is reviewing and updating personnel policies for 2014, and they are near completion.

 

·         The Finance Committee is soliciting competitive bids from accounting firms to complete the FY 2013-2015 DCSS financial audit.

 

·         The Marketing Committee has made significant progress in moving the ReINVENT Retirement project forward. Completed deliverables include: a marketing plan and financials, a volunteer team structure to manage and execute the campaign has been determined. Co-leads Hank Booth and Judy Wright will lead this team and initiate the selection of the remaining team. This team will solicit time, talent and dollars to support this effort.  Kern Marketing creative team have designed a logo, a campaign name, letterhead, business cards, note cards, and they are scheduled to complete the sales kit and website by April 30.

 

·         The 2013-2014 annual giving campaign, “Pay it Forward” resulted in $15,000 donations.

 

·         The Kansas Health Foundation awarded DCSS a grant totaling $1,550.00 to support a community health program called Stepping On. This initiative educates seniors who are at risk for falling, and the program facilitation is a partnership with DCSS, Lawrence Memorial Hospital and Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority. Response following the first workshop was positive, and enrollment for the second workshop is at capacity.  

 

·         Senior Meals: The month of March mobilizes March for Meals, a nationwide effort to build support for senior meals programs.  As part of this campaign, DCSS invited citizens to assist the senior meals team to deliver lunchtime meals.  Four board members (Schwartz, Domer, Wright and Bellome) participated.  

 

·         During the month of March, the Senior Meals program collaborated with The Community Mercantile on an in-store promotion to raise donations for Senior Meals. Approximately $2,500 was raised.

 

·         The Lawrence Area Partners in Aging Resource Fair held at the Hy-Vee grocery store on March 12, had a record attendance of 400 seniors and caregivers. Tina Roberts is the president of the organization and was instrumental in leading, and implementing this community initiative.

 

·         DCSS is an active member of the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, a trade group of local transportation providers with a goal to communicate and coordinate services so there is little or no duplication in the community. March 1, DCSS established a collaboration to use MV Transportation service resources. In the future, if DCSS has a vehicle breakdown, DCSS can access immediate mechanical service, and avoid extended transportation disruption for seniors.

 

·         In 2013, SHICK Medicare Counselors helped 2,012 Medicare beneficiaries get answers and find the best plan to save them money. Medicare counselors helped 1,218 seniors in-person at DCSS and the volunteer, one-day-a-week call center assisted 794 seniors. In-person help increased 33% versus the previous year, and it increased 100% versus 2011.

 

·         The Strategic Planning Committee tabled discussions until the executive director delivered an organizational assessment.

On behalf of the Board, we appreciate your attention to this report and welcome your questions.

 

Pattie Johnston, President, DCSS