Tri-County Office on Aging
A Consortium of Clinton, Eaton & Ingham counties, and the Cities of Lansing
& East Lansing since 1974.
Tri-County Aging Consortium Advisory Council
Our mission is to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of
the aging population
April 14, 2011 Minutes
Members Present Members Excused Representatives Present
Allen, Regina Cekel, Betty Bridgeland, Ann
Beach, Duane McCarthy, Julie
DeRose, Frank Swain, Al
Elsinga, Jane Webb, Donna
Fox-Elster, Stacy
Gostnell, Brenda Guest Present
Greenslit, John Cook, Jenny
Johnson, Chad Farmer, Andrew
Kaufman, Don Members Absent Thelen, Justin
Kovnot, Gloria Carrigan, Paul
Lafferty, Valerie
Neve, Kelly
Thelen, Elaine Staff Present
Thomas, Gloria Aikman, Sara
Wilson, Rudy Allen, Jim
Yonker, Jan Levine Sara
Owen, Marion
`
I) Call to Order: G. Kovnot called the meeting to order at 1:02 PM.
II) Introductions and Welcome New Members: G. Kovnot welcomed and introduced two new
Advisory Council Members. Duane Beach is the new Eaton County Representative. He is
retired from the Lansing School District. Valerie Lafferty the new representative from Ingham
County. She is also on the Commission on Services to the Aging.
III) Approval of the Agenda for April 14, 2011: R. Wilson made a motion to approve the
agenda of April 14, 2011. J. Greenslit seconded. Motion carried.
.
IV) Approval of the March 10, 2011 Minutes: J. Greenslit made a motion to approve the
Minutes of March 10, 2011. C. Johnson seconded. Motion carried.
V) Public Comment and Correspondence: S. Levine addressed several informational
handouts. The handouts were distributed in each member packet.
Tri-County Office on Aging Page 2 of 4
Advisory Council Minutes 4/14/11
VI) Presentation: Affordable Care Act: Andrew Farmer, AARP Associate State Director for
Health & Supportive Services gave a presentation on the Affordable Care Act. The affordable
Care Act is also known has Health Care Reform. Most refer to it as “PPACA” Patient Protection
& Affordable Care Act. The presentation focused on Policy areas under the PPACA. The
presentation focused on Medicare including prevention and wellness, combating Waste, Fraud
and Abuse, closing the Part D Coverage gap “Donut Hole”, and extending trust fund solvency.
Mr. Farmer also spoke about extending affordable coverage to the uninsured, focusing on high
risk pools, Medicaid expansion and private health insurance exchange markets. Other policies
addressed during the presentation included Long Term Care Community Options, Workforce
shortages and investing and Total Cost and Savings. Mr. Farmer also touched upon policy areas
not addressed under the PPACA. Those issues are payment to doctors and the existing private
health insurance markets. Question and answers followed, as well as discussion.
VII) Executive Director’s Report: M. Owen stated that Stacey Humphrey, Tri-County Office
on Aging’s (TCOA) Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) Coordinator and our
region's MMAP Volunteers received the Helping Hand Award. This is a statewide award given
quarterly to the region that enrolls the most beneficiaries into extra help with Medicare
Prescription Drug coverage or help with their Part B premium. This is TCOA's first time to
receive the award. It is currently displayed in our lobby. M. Owen spoke about the Area
Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan, Age of Change: 24th Annual Conference. This
conference will be held at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing on May 25 and 26, 2011.
Members who would like to attend are encouraged to contact Sara Levine to register. M. Owen
distributed TCOA’s new agency brochure to members. M. Owen also reported that the Federal
vote regarding the budget is happening today, April 14, 2011. Last we heard, it is expected that
Aging Programs will be cut 2% for this year. The next hurdle will be what happens in the next 6
months. There may be a lot more cuts than this year. At the state level, we do not have any new
news regarding the budget. Governor Snyder would like to have the budget done by the end of
May. M. Owen addressed the handout that Area Agency on Aging, 1B completed. The handout
examines the impact of Governor Snyder’s proposed FY 2012 budget on Older Adults. M.
Owen reminded members that Older Michiganian’s Day will be June 15, 2011. TCOA has 40
tickets this year. We also plan to have T-shirts and a banner this year. Members are encouraged
to attend. The theme of Older Michiganian’s Day is “The Senior WAVE” We Advocate, Vote,
and Enrich Communities. G. Kovnot asked about the Village to Village Project. M. Owen
reported that the Allen Neighborhood Center board decided not to move forward with the
project. It became too large for them and they didn’t like the idea of low income residents
paying dues. They are now looking at something on a much smaller level. They have some new
ideas. They are looking at having a cluster of bungalows so individuals can age in place. At this
time nothing is concrete, they’re just ideas. M. Owen mentioned that the Elder Abuse Coalition
had their first statewide coalition meeting. They will try to get some of the Elder Abuse Bills
through. Discussion followed.
Tri-County Office on Aging Page 3 of 4
Advisory Council Minutes 4/14/11
VIII) Old Business
A. Conflict of Interest Forms: S. Levine asked Members to turn in their Conflict of Interest
Forms if they haven’t already. For those who needed a new form, Conflict of Interest Forms
were distributed to Members.
B. Advocacy Committee Update: G. Kovnot mentioned the April 21, 2011 Town Hall Meeting
with Joan Bauer. It starts at 5:30 pm at the Lansing Center. Information on this meeting was
distributed in member’s packets. She encouraged members to attend. G. Kovnot read in the
newspaper that in Washington, the House votes to kill Preventive Health Care Funding. G.
Kovnot encouraged everyone to contact their Legislators. Discussion followed.
IX) New Business: G. Kovnot announced that Kelly Neve and Abbey Brooks from the Advisory
Council attended the March Administrative Board Meeting and that Julie McCarthy is scheduled
to attend in April. G. Kovnot asked for ideas regarding fundraising for In-Home Services and
Meals on Wheels. She encouraged members to bring new ideas to the table. Any new ideas will
be brought to the Friends for Independence Council for approval. Discussion followed.
X) Council Reports
A. Social Security Administration: No report at this time
B. Michigan Senior Advocates Council: No report at this time. Meeting did not occur due to
bad weather conditions.
C. State Advisory Council: R. Allen reported that there is a conference call scheduled for next
week. No report at this time.
D. Nutrition Council: J. Allen reports that they are still searching for a Nutrition Council
Representative. J. Allen states that he is waiting on new budget information before The Capital
Commons Resolution can be presented to the Advisory Council. He also mentioned that he is
looking into a new computer database to streamline the Meals on Wheels menu process.
XI) Member's Time and/or Announcements: G. Kovnot announced that Gloria Thomas was
just named the recipient of the Michigan Lifetime Achievement Award for 2011 by the National
Association of Social Workers, Michigan Chapter. It's the highest honor in the social work
profession. She was honored at the NASW's state convention last week. G. Thomas would like
to honor Nancy Weber’s memory by doing something to remember her. She asked for ideas and
suggestions from the Council. She would like to see something at the auction, maybe a
Tri-County Office on Aging Page 4 of 4
Advisory Council Minutes 4/14/11
certificate or a free dinner. G. Kovnot mentioned that due to reorganization at Sparrow Specialty
Hospital, Toby Powell will no longer be the representative for Sparrow on the Advisory Council.
R. Allen thanked Marion Owen and TCOA for the referral and assistance provided for her friend.
R. Allen made a motion to adjourn. D. Kaufman supported. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned
at 2:35 PM.
ACTION ITEM LOG
Description Assigned Status
Community Dialogue/Advocacy Advocacy Committee In Process
Committee
Federal Advocacy M. Owen In Process
Presentation to each Unit of Government Advocacy Committee Pending
Youth Volunteering Advocacy Committee/TCOA staff person Pending