Annual Report 2007-2008(color).pub - Town of South Windsor

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Adult and Senior Services • 121 thanksgiving baskets were distributed benefiting 238 people • 36 families with 79 children received Holiday gifts along with 52 Seniors • 18 families with 30 children received backpacks and shoes from a cooperative program with the Salvation Army • AARP Tax Preparers saw 112 clients, 74 Tax returns were filed Health Information Wellness Clinic - A major health emphasis continues to be made to provide wellness clinics each week as well as health care screenings and informational talks. Visiting Nurses & Health Services of Connecticut, Inc. staff monthly Elder Wellness clinics, which include blood pressure and cholesterol screenings. A yearly flu clinic is also held as well as other safety & health related seminars such as vision, hearing and skin cancer screenings. Foot care is also available as well as therapeutic massage. Wheeler Clinic - The Town continues to participate in a regional approach to substance abuse dependency via a program of outreach counseling through Wheeler Clinic and a monthly support group at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Funding for this program comes from grants from the Area Agency on Aging and Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Breast Cancer Screening for 65+ - Working cooperatively with the ECHN Women’s Center for Wellness through a grant, Human Services undertook a program in which identified women in the community who were homebound or not seen by a doctor received a mammogram. Outreach Social Work with multigenerational older adult family caregivers, extended support and need for professional caregivers and affordable housing are of primary concern to those seeking help from Senior Services. Cases are managed with an intergenerational approach. Advocacy and/or a coordination of services for these clients coupled with applications for entitlement programs, short-term crisis intervention & social contact in the continuum of care is the primary focus of the outreach component of Human Services. During this fiscal year, a total of 550 home visits were made by social services staff. Recreation Therapy is offered to a special population of older and frail elderly through the ‘CARES’ (Center Activity, Recreation, Education and Socialization) Program. This program is offered 3 hours a day 3 days a week providing services for elderly who are high risk for premature institutionalization. This program has proven to be a primary community support service that prolongs ones ability to remain in the community several more years before having to look to a more restrictive setting. SENIOR CENTER The North Central Area Agency on Aging has designated the multi-purpose Senior Center as a Focal Point for Older Adults. As such it is a multi-purpose center, providing a program of health, recreational and educational activities for residents aged 55 and over. The Senior Center is open 5 days and 3 evenings per week as well as some weekend days for trips each month. During the Fiscal Year 2007/2008, the Senior Center offered a hot meal to seniors 60 years of age and older every day except holidays and weekends (average of 585 meals per month.). The center offered over 191 on-going and special programs with more than 3800 attendees throughout the year in a variety of social, educational, health, recreational and/or supportive programs. Much of the information regarding programs at the Senior Center is delivered in the monthly newsletter that goes out to approximately 1,800 households. The TRIAD initiative continues with the focus continuing to be on senior safety, a highlight was a presentation of Avoiding Bank Fraud was 34 | Town of South Windsor: Annual Report 2007/2008
Adult and Senior Services arranged by People’s Bank. The Center’s programs include day, evening and weekend trips to museums, theaters, Dine Outs, Red Hat, Super 60’s activities and events. Additionally on-going and special events such as a New Year’s Eve Party, Mexican Train Dominoes, setback, poker, bridge, Rummykub, collaborative events with other towns, Memorial & Veteran’s Day celebrations, Mystery Trips, Breakfast Bunch, Guided Imagery, Mother’s & Father’s Day events, Valentine’s Day, ‘Lights of South Windsor’, yoga, Tai Chi and exercise for those with arthritis, Strawberry Shortcake Day etc., provide opportunities for socialization, fun, and exercise. Special events draw from 75 to 200 participants and are limited to available space. The Center through its transportation system, offers at least two shopping opportunities per week as well as ‘ three ’errand’ mornings and two ‘mall trips’. In Spring 2008, one enhanced and two new recreational opportunities came to the Senior Center. Thanks to a grant from the State, the Center was able to purchase and electronic BINGO board which greatly enhanced the Bingo experiences. In addition, the grant funded a shuffleboard court that was used throughout the summer months. Through an initiative by Health Net, our Senior Center was one of several that received a Wii game. Seniors have been enjoying Wii bowling weekly and a group even took part in a Wii tournament Travel opportunities continue to provide a resource for the ‘active’ seniors. During this fiscal year, longer trips were provided to Hawaii, Lancaster, PA, California, Martha’s Vineyard, and Cape Cod. Special Activities at the Senior Center The Senior Picnic had a turnout of 125 seniors. Another annual event, Halloween Happenings, with a Haunted House designed by the Teen Center, Trick or Treating served approximately 85 preschoolers and 80 seniors. Our New Year’s Eve Party was attended by 75 seniors with an intergenerational boost from the South Windsor High School Interact Club. The Senior Center takes part in a variety of Intergenerational community activities including grandparent/grandchild BINGO’s and breakfasts attended by 160 as well as visits by local school classes and r e g u l a r c o o p e r a t i v e planning with the High School Interact Club including a new event, Tip a Teen. The Senior Center continues to offer Mature Driver Safe Driving Classes for older adults by cooperating with the Police Department who has two officers trained to teach the class. A total of 7 sessions are held per year; a total of 116 people took part during the past year. The center has a partnership with the Timothy Edwards Middle School to use their Computer Lab twice each week during the school year to teach seniors how to use computers and the Internet, 50 seniors took part. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the Human Services Department. Our goal is to utilize the valuable skills of the senior community in the Senior Center, local schools and as Health Screening volunteers. Over 150 volunteers took part throughout the year in a wide range of capacities ranging from Meals on Wheels drivers, Friendly shoppers, Flu clinic volunteer staffers, newsletter collators and activity coordinators here at the Senior Center. Town of South Windsor: Annual Report 2007/2008 | 35
Page 2 and 3: Cover Design Major Michael Donnelly
Page 4 and 5: General Information Website: http:/
Page 6 and 7: Town Council Cary Prague Mayor Our
Page 8 and 9: Board of Education Dr. Robert Kozac
Page 10 and 11: Department of Public Works Michael
Page 12 and 13: Department of Public Works Departme
Page 14 and 15: Department of Public Works our wint
Page 16 and 17: Department of Public Works assorted
Page 18 and 19: Department of Public Works Since th
Page 20 and 21: Police Department department member
Page 22 and 23: Police Department Awards In June of
Page 24 and 25: Fire Department and computer commun
Page 26 and 27: Building Department Christopher J.
Page 28 and 29: Health Department Dr. Gerald Schwar
Page 30 and 31: Historic District Commission Virgin
Page 32 and 33: Department of Human Services Dennis
Page 36 and 37: Youth and Family Services The Youth
Page 38 and 39: Youth and Family Services • Novem
Page 40 and 41: Youth and Family Services the South
Page 42 and 43: Youth and Family Services counselin
Page 44 and 45: Human Relations Commission “her a
Page 46 and 47: Town Library cards” contributed t
Page 48 and 49: Recreation Department youth basketb
Page 50 and 51: Recreation Department Recreation Ar
Page 52 and 53: Planning Department Marcia A. Banac
Page 54 and 55: Zoning Board of Appeals Thomas Bers
Page 56 and 57: Finance Department Melanie D. Cruci
Page 58 and 59: Inland Wetlands Agency/Conservation
Page 60 and 61: Patriotic Commission Robert C. Moel
Page 62 and 63: Economic Development Commission Jan
Page 64 and 65: Collector of Revenue Bonnie Rabin C
Page 66 and 67: Five Year Summary FIVE YEAR SUMMARY
Page 68 and 69: Auditor’s Report STATEMENT OF REV
Page 70 and 71: Services SERVICE DEPARTMENT PHONE -
Page 72 and 73: Services SERVICE DEPARTMENT PHONE -
Page 74 and 75: Hours of Operation TOWN HALL - 1540
Page 76: TOWN OF SOUTH WINDSOR 1540 SULLIVAN

Annual Report 2007-2008(color).pub - Town of South Windsor

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?