SPECIALIZED SENIORS PROGRAM

The mission of the Specialized Seniors Program is to reduce and/or alleviate the effects of poverty for Mecklenburg's senior population as it relates to insufficient funds for safety and health, survival and socialization needs.

The purpose of the Specialized Seniors Program (SSP) is to provide 65 Mecklenburg County senior adults with comprehensive case management services to assist in reducing and/or alleviating the effects of poverty and ensure equal access to other resources and services. The program will provide services, which are currently non-existent or where gaps exist for seniors in this income bracket.

Recuritment will be accomplished through referrals from existing agencies and programs. Seniors who apply for services at CAF, but cannot be served because of other program restrictions, including an employment track, will be eligible to apply for SSP. The eleigility criteria will consist of need and income guidelines up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Income used to determine eligibility will be based on the 90 days prior to the application date. Applications will be completed and income verified prior to program participation. The Case Manager and Project Manager will be responsibility for ensuring the elegiblilty of all program participants.

All of the following services will be coordinatied and/or provided by the Case Manager and Project Manager:

• Limited temporary medication assistance for those individuals not currently recieving Medicaid or being served by the County's MedAssist or Community Health Service Programs will be proveded on an emergency basis. Our research indicates that many seniors do not take their medications as prescribed because of insufficient funds or inability to access programs providing such assistance. Referrals will be made to DSS for MedAssist services, Community Health Carolina Medical Center and other private organizations/resources. CAF will use grant funds to purchase medication for situations where medication assistance is not available because of time contraints or lack of funds.
  

• The installation or repair of safety devices, such as handrails, ramps, steps, etc. as well as the coordination of resources to purchase or provide other safety devices such as carbon monoxide dectectors, fire extinguishers, etc. to ensure the safety of our seniors will be a service also provided under this program. Many seniors who express an interest in our Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) are in need of the safety devices, but unable to purchase them due to lack of funds. WAP provides energy conservations services, but not the necessary safety services seniors need. CAF has in the past coordinated with Love, Inc. for the installation of handicapped ramps. We have obtained verbal agreements for donated materials and labor for the installation of handrails, ramps, stamps, etc. CAF will coordinate with the Fire Department to conduct fire prevention classes and safety checks in the seniors' homes such as inspections of batteries in smoke/carbon monoxide dectectors, fire evacuation plan, etc. to ensure other safety precautions. The Police Department will offer self-defense workshops and information on personal safety.
  

• The provision of low-cost or free food to program particiants is another activity of SSP. Many seniors choose between the purchase of medication and food everyday. Those receiving food assistance through various programs such as Meals on Wheels and Friendship Trays do not receive the services for the evening, weekend and holiday meals. The program will provide food through the distribution of monthly food boxes from the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and other low-cost vendors. Other nutritional needs may be met using a voucher system. This may include special foods for persons on restricted diets and emergency food for those without.

• SSP will provide education/skills training to program participants. It is estimated that of the 60,000 seniors in Mecklenburg County who are aged sixty-five plus, 20.000 lack a high school education and another 11,000 have only a high school diploma. Thus, CAF is an established ABE/ABLE and GED preparation site. Those participants who do not have high school diplomas will be encouraged to attend these classes. In addition, SSP participants may take advantage of the on-site basic computer instruction provided by CAF. The program will also sponsor other training of interest to the participant at certified facilities to enhance the seniors' education and skills level.

• Seminars and workshops regarding senior issues, i.e. healthy living, Diabetes, Alzheimer's, Pain Management, Nutrition, will be provided on a bi-monthly basis. Professionals trained in the fields of interest will conduct these workshops. CAF's Consumer Education Project staff will conduct money management workshops, inclusive of budget management and comsumer education tips. Socialization activities will also be provided on a quarterly basis and will be coordinated with other entities, i.e. Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Department.