NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The SARPC Board of Directors approved the engagement of the firm, Ascendant Strategy Management Group for the purpose of facilitating the development of essential goals and a "Strategy Map" for SARPC. The process of developing these goals and Strategy Map will commence in mid-summer and will involve high-level interactions among the Board of Directors, staff and SARPC's member governments and other organizations in shaping SARPC's future direction. Stay tuned for more information on this exciting opportunity for SARPC.
On a sad note, SARPC and the entire South Alabama region lost a true "public servant" with the passing of Mr. William J. Lovett, Jr. on March 8, 2015. Mr. Lovett served on the SARPC Board of Directors from October 15, 1980 until his passing and served as Secretary of the Commission from 1984 until his passing. His dedicated and unselfish service to SARPC and the region serves as a great example of what we should all aspire to in our lives when seeking to give back. Mr. Lovett will forever be linked to the SARPC and its service to the region. On behalf of the Board of Directors, staff and member governments of SARPC, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Lovett and my deepest sympathies
to his family and friends for their loss. Mr. Lovett will be sorely missed!
Chris Miller
SARPC Executive Director
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TRANSPORTATION
On March 2-3, SARPC assisted in hosting a 2-day funding workshop concerning the I-10 Mobile River Bridge presented by the FHWA to ALDOT and elected officials. The workshop is provided by FHWA to communities that are in need of funding large transportation projects, such as a bridge. The workshop was suggested at the SARPC Highway Funding Conference in May, 2014, and more recently to the elected official delegation that went to Washington D.C. in September. Tolling seems to be an underlying theme to some of the federal programs that were presented to the group. No decisions on funding the bridge were made, but it was an interesting 2 days of where we were educated on the various federal programs. Topics included: Tolling, Public-Private Partnerships, Alternative Revenue, Federal Credit Assistance and Federal-Aid Innovative Finance Tools.
The Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) met on March 4th and had a brief summary of the workshop. Also at the MPO meeting, the Destination 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan was adopted. A couple of projects were added to the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), therefore some projects had to be moved out of our STP Attributable Funding Schedule. We had the FHWA review with the Policy Board the Certification Review Process, and it allowed members to comment to the FHWA on the performance of the Mobile MPO staff. Finally we had an update as to the effectiveness of our public participation program, and a listing of our fiscal year 2014 authorized projects. The Destination 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan can be found at www.mobilempo.org.
In conclusion, SARPC has contracted with Toole Design out of Washington D.C. to assist us with the Non-Motorized Mobility Study for Downtown Mobile. The City of Mobile requested a more detailed analysis of Water Street with a faster deadline than we could have provided. We revised the scope of work with Toole Design Group. They will now focus more on Broad Street and other areas than detailed in the previous scope of work.
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MOBILE SENIOR EXPO - SAVE THE DATE
 Mobile Senior Expo is coming May 6
Spring is in the air and planning is underway for the Mobile Senior Lifestyle Expo Wednesday, May 6, at the ABBA Shrine Center at Hitt and Schillinger roads. The event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 1:30 p.m., and area seniors are invited to come and learn about healthier, happier aging from around 100 businesses and organizations.
Attendees will be treated to a complimentary hamburger lunch, the ever popular Wheel O' Fortune were everyone goes home a winner will be present again, and the Medical Pavilion will offer free medical screenings and health education.
This year expect the farmer's market to be bigger and better than ever, attendees may shop for locally grown preserves and honey; vegetable plants and flowers; locally produced goat milk products; fresh-baked goods; hand-made jewelry and more. Don't be surprised if there are a few cute animals there too, to add to the fun.
We are pleased to announce WKRG has once again signed on as the event's media partner, and members of the WKRG News team will be there to pose for photos and meet their fans. They will also help get us ready for the upcoming hurricane season.
As always, admission and parking are free, and everyone is encouraged to bring a friend.
For information about the Expo, or to ask about sponsorship opportunities or reserve a booth, contact Gay Watson at (251) 706-4671 or
[email protected]
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Area Agency on Aging
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A FAMILY STORY
Nikki Phillips, SARPC case manager, serves a very special family, the O'Brien's who live in Semmes. She meets with Connor O'Brien, age 11, and his family every month to oversee the delivery of home care for Connor, who has cerebral palsy. Connor inspired his father, Richard O'Brien, to help create the series "C J and the Angel Kids" children's books intended to increase awareness that children with special needs have unique gifts and should be recognized as differently-abled, not disabled. See Connor and his dad's story at:
http://www.al.com/news/mobile/index.ssf/2015/02/11-year-old_with_cerebral_pals.html
 Photo Courtesy of www.al.com . Connor O'Brien, 11, is pictured with his father, Richard O'Brienm in their home in Semmes, Ala. Connor, who has cerebral palsy, inspired his father to help create the series of "CJ and the Angel Kids" children's books intended to increase awareness that children with special needs have unique gifts and should be recognized as differently-abled, not disabled. (Mike Brantley/[email protected])
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MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAM SERVES ALL AGES
The South Alabama Regional Planning Commission is expanding its Medicaid Waiver programs April 1st with the addition of the Technology Assisted Waiver for adults, and the Alabama Care Transitions Waiver. Existing programs include the Elderly and Disabled, HIV/AIDS and Personal Choices programs. All programs have financial and medical eligibility criteria. Generally clients must be on SSI and Medicaid or become deemed eligible for Medicaid; and meet medical criteria that would otherwise require them to be in a nursing home if these home and community based services were not provided. For information about any of the below programs contact SARPC's Area Agency on Aging's Aging & Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 433-6541 or 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463).
Elderly and Disabled Waiver (E&D Wavier)
For over 20 years SARPC has managed the Elderly and Disabled Program, which is designed to provide services to seniors and persons with disabilities of all ages whose needs would otherwise require them to live in a nursing home. Our goal is for clients to retain their independence by providing services that allow them to live safely in their own homes for as long as it is appropriate.
Case managers work with clients to develop a care-based plan according to the clients' medical needs. Depending upon their plan of care, individuals in this program may receive personal care, homemaker, respite, adult day health, companion services, or home-delivered frozen meals.
Personal Choices - Alabama's Option for Self-Directed Home and Community-Based Services
The Personal Choices program is Alabama's option for self-directed home and community-based services and is based on a national model of self-direction called the Cash and Counseling program. It is designed to offer seniors and people with disabilities more choice and flexibility in the type of care they receive. Personal Choices fosters independence as participants have greater control over their finances and decisions directly related to their care. SARPC and West Alabama Regional Commission are the only two agencies currently offering the Personal Choices program.
Medicaid HIV/AIDS Waiver (530 Waiver)
This program is designed to provide services to individuals with a diagnosis of HIV, AIDS, and related illnesses whose needs would otherwise qualify for placement in a long-term care facility.
Technology Assisted Waiver for Adults (TA Waiver)
This program is for individuals who are 21 years of age or older with complex skilled medical conditions who are ventilator dependent or who have a tracheostomy. The TA Waiver is a community-based alternative for those adults who would otherwise require the nursing facility level of care if these services were not available. Covered services include private duty nursing, personal care/attendant services, medical supplies, assistive technology and case management.
Alabama Community Transition Waiver (ACT)
The ACT Waiver provides services to individuals with disabilities or long term illnesses who currently live in a nursing facility and who desire to transition to the home or community setting. There is no age requirement, but the individual must have been in a nursing facility for 90 days or more; and are expected to move into the community within 180 days. Individuals must be determined to be eligible for transition into the community based on an assessment. Most will already meet income criteria, with incomes up to 300% of the SSI income limits. Depending upon their plan of care, individuals in this program may receive personal care, homemaker, respite, adult day health, companion services, home-delivered frozen meals or skilled nursing, up to $1,500 in expenses needed to move back into an apartment or home; home modifications, assistive technology, personal emergency response systems and medical equipment.
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GOVERNMENT & ECONOMIC PLANNING
Government Planning Activities
Staff has recently assisted Town of Perdido Beach with a Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Grant Application for a stormwater management plan and also prepared a Coastal Zone Management Grant Application for the Town of Creola for a Comprehensive Plan. We continue to work with the City of Bayou La Batre Utilities Board, assisting with the CIAP Sewer Project.
We are currently rewriting the City of Chickasaw's zoning ordinance, incorporating recommendations from their Comprehensive Plan. We also recently prepared the City of Brewton's Single Member Voting District
Economic Development Activities
The Economic Development Administration has issued new guidelines for the creation of the CEDS and the composition of the CEDS Committee. Regional economic resiliency is the primary focus. Additional training will be provided by our State EDA Representative. The date of the training has not been set.
The State Regional Planning Taskforce will meet March 18th , in Montgomery to discuss the Community Rating System (CRS). Katlin Meadows, ADECA, will attend this meeting and provide information about the CRS process and discuss strategies that can reduce wind and flood insurance rates for each community in the State.
CRS Workshop
Our Governmental Planning staff continues to work with the Community Rating Systems (CRS) User Group each month via conference calls. The User Group consist of representatives from: NOAA, ADECA, SeaGrant, along with Mike Shelton, Lannie Smith (Certified Floodplain Manager) and SARPC. The User Group hopes to become or form a Program for Public Information (PPI) Group for Alabama CRS members so they can earn credits for attending meetings.
We will host a CRS Workshop #2, on Thursday, June 25, 2015, from 8AM-noon at our office. This workshop will be a continuation of the first workshop SARPC hosted in October. Main topic points will be:
- how to sell CRS to Councils-cost/benefit explanation
- how to join and schedule a Quick Check w/ CRS rep
- how CRS is used in planning w/ zoning and subdivision regulations
- provide a list of CRS support contacts-who the local CRS reps are and how to contact them for assistance and questions.
SeaGrant is creating a registration page for the event and a link to the page will be emailed to all who were invited to the last workshop, along with local Coastal Floodplain Managers. Lunch will be provided by SeaGrant and Mike Shelton. There will be no registration fee for this workshop.
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