OFA gets $18K of stimulus
By MICHAEL ANICH, The Leader-HeraldJOHNSTOWN - The Fulton County Office for the Aging's Meals for Seniors of Fulton County program received a recent shot in the arm - $18,971 in federal stimulus funding.
OFA Director Andrea Fettinger informed the Board of Supervisors' Social Services Committee last week that some part of the federal money will go toward congregate site meals, and some of it will support the program's home-delivered meals.
"We're only eligible for federal nutrition money," she said.
The committee voted to amend the OFA's 2009 budget to accept the federal stimulus funds - a move due to be reviewed by the Finance Committee next week before it goes on to the full board July 13.
Meals for Seniors of Fulton County offers services including congregate dining at local sites, home delivered meals, nutrition counseling, socialization and a volunteer program to people over 60 and their spouses. Congregate dining sites throughout the county are open between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Fettinger also reported the OFA has coupons available to people 60 and over to purchase food at local farmer's markets.
In other OFA matters, Fettinger received permission from the Social Services Committee to have some staff members attend annual mandatory state ombudsman training Oct. 7 to 9 in Syracuse. The total cost for the attendance of the county's long-term care ombudsman coordinator and three volunteer ombudsmen was listed as $460 - half paid by the state and half by the federal government.
Fettinger also reported the OFA's annual Senior Picnic is set for July 23 at Concordia Park in Gloversville. Tickets are available at the OFA front desk or any senior citizen club.
The committee authorized county Director of Community Services Ernest Gagnon to attend a two-day workshop Sept. 21 and 22 for the fall meeting of the Conference of Local Mental Health Directors in Ithaca, Tompkins County. The county cost of the conference is $188 and Gagnon said it is already in his 2009 budget.
Gagnon said he expects to meet with state Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael Hogan and hear a discussion involving a review of mental health financing for clinics at the conference.
The committee also approved the purchase of a new $275 chair for county Veterans Service Agency Director Frank Ruggiero.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com
