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Monthly News & Updates:
Oct. 2017
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Andrea Boxill, Deputy Director of Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
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Buckeye Hills to Host
Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting
Join us
October 6 in Marietta for the
Semi-Annual General Policy Council Meeting of Buckeye Hills Regional Council. The meeting will begin at
11 am. with lunch following.
This convening brings together members of the Buckeye Hills General Policy Council (community and business leaders from the 8-county region) and guests including legislators, federal and state funding resource partners and other community leaders. Also joining are service providers to the 60+ population of the region as well as members of the Buckeye Hills Aging & Disability Division's Regional Advisory Council.
To better educate and collaborate as a region on the opioid epidemic we face, our October meeting featured speaker will be Andrea Boxill, Deputy Director of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
Andrea is a highly experienced leader and team builder in behavioral healthcare with a record of achievement in judicial, community mental health and substance abuse programs at state and local levels. Andrea is a counselor knowledgeable in serving adults, young people, and families in a variety of environments with a focus on chemical dependency. Andrea has developed mental health and alcohol and other drug groups, facilitated discussions and trainings regarding specialized court dockets and human trafficking across the United States and in Europe.
As Deputy Director of the Governor's Cabinet Opiate Action Team at the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Andrea monitors service delivery, assists in writing policy, interprets federal and state laws and regulations to ensure compliance and assists in coalition building to address the opioid epidemic across the state.
Special Thanks to Our Gold Sponsors!
Thanks to Our Silver Sponsor:
Thanks to Our Bronze Sponsors:
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Village of Crooksville Celebrates
Water System Improvement
Project Groundbreaking
On a beautiful late summer day in Perry County, Ohio, many gathered to celebrate the collaboration making a $5.9 million water system improvement project possible for the small Village of Crooksville and its approximately 1,609 customers.
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David Goodman, Ohio Development Services Agency Director |
"There's nothing more important than bringing drinking water to a community," said David Goodman, Ohio Development Services Agency Director.
Shown above are leaders from the Village and representatives from various funding programs including the Appalachian Regional Commission, Ohio Development Services Agency (Community Development Block Grant - Residential Public Infrastructure Program); Ohio EPA (Water Supply Revolving Loan Account); and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' 594 Fund, as well as Hull & Associates, Inc.
Fred Redfern, Mayor, Village of Crooksville, thanked everyone who partnered and worked so hard to make the project possible and asked all for patience as the projected year-long project gets underway.
"I thank our Village Council, Clerk and our Administrator, and Buckeye Hills has been such a tremendous partner," Redfern commented. The work includes a $250,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (Federal Area Development) and $600,000 from the Community Development Block Grant - Residential Public Infrastructure Program (CDBG-RPIG). Buckeye Hills assisted with applications and will administer the ARC and all other funds secured for the successful completion of this project.
The aged system, built in the 1920s, is completing a variety of updates that includes replacing approximately 60,000 feet of 3" through 8" waterline including valves, hydrants, service re-connections, and sub-metering vaults. The project also includes constructing a 200,000-gallon bolted-steel, ground storage water tank and demolition of the existing in-ground water storage tank.
Holly Tucker, Chief of the Ohio EPA SE District shared that the project was ranked #18 among Ohio's EPA Water Supply Revolving Loan Account projects statewide and received 50% of those funds in principal forgiveness with the balance in a 0% interest loan.
"We will use Crooksville as an example across the state," she noted. "We heard such positive comments from our staff about how willing they were to work hard to move this project forward."
Lt. Colonel William J. Miller - Deputy District Commander, US Army Corps of Engineers congratulated the community on its receipt of $2.1 million for the project from US Army Corps' 594 funds.
"I'm truly pleased to be here and to see this community. Today helps make what we're doing more than just a line on a spreadsheet called 594. I will look forward to a return visit for the ribbon cutting!"
Photos courtesy of Hull & Associates, Inc.
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Grants Open for Application:
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Misty Casto Elected Treasurer of the National Association of Development Organizations
NADO Officers serve as Executive Directors around the nation and are shown from left: Lynne Keller Forbes (South Eastern Council of Governments (COG), Sioux Falls, SD) Immediate Past President; Doug Elliott (East Central Iowa COG, Cedar Rapids, IA), President; Scott Koons (North Central Florida RPC, Gainesville, FL), 1st Vice-Pres.; Kevin Byrd (New River Valley Reg. Commission, Radford, VA), 2nd 1st Vice-Pres.; Misty Casto (Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Marietta, OH); and Chris Fetzer (Northern Arizona COG, Flagstaff, AZ), Secretary.
Misty Casto, Executive Director of Buckeye Hills Regional Council, was elected as Treasurer of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), at the Annual NADO Business Meeting. The meeting was held in conjunction with the association's 50th Annual Training Conference in Anchorage, Alaska. She will serve as Treasurer of the association through Oct. 16, 2018.
As Treasurer, she will work with the NADO Board of Directors which oversees the association's budget and operations and develops policy on issues affecting regional development organizations. The organization was founded in 1967 to provide training, information, and representation for regional development organizations throughout the United States. Today, NADO member organizations serve local governments and the public within their regions through various programs focused on diversifying local economies, assisting businesses, creating jobs, and providing vital community services.
"We are honored to have Misty Casto serve as Treasurer of our national association. Misty brings a wealth of expertise, knowledge, and leadership on regional community and economic development issues to the national level," stated Joe McKinney, NADO Executive Director. "Most importantly, she is focused on helping our nation's local communities pursue comprehensive regional strategies for remaining economically competitive in today's rapidly changing global environment."
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Buckeye Hills Wins National Innovation Award
Buckeye Hills was honored with a national Innovation Award at the recent National Association of Development Organization's annual training conference in Anchorage, Alaska.
Each year, the
Innovation Awards
program honors NADO members for their creative approaches to advancing regional community and economic development and improved quality of life. These projects have made significant impacts on their regions and demonstrate the diversity of services and program delivery provided by regional development organizations across the country.
Shown above presenting details about the project to Buckeye Hills region conference attendees is Development Director
Bret Allphin.
Buckeye Hills' award was for the Marietta Collaborative Parking Inventory project that was a result of a partnership between Buckeye Hills, Marietta College and the City of Marietta.
As a result of the partnership, the City of Marietta's central business district has an updated parking inventory and the Marietta College students had a real-world project to work on with a local partner.
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When Dr. Matt Young approached us to assist with his new GIS class, we thought this would be a good opportunity to have the school accomplish something directly useful to the City of Marietta. This wasn't a canned lab experiment, it was a real-world project," said Development Director Bret Allphin.
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$ponsor a $enior a $uccess to Date
The annual Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is so popular that inevitably the demand outpaces the available funding. Year-over-year, the Buckeye Hills region in southeast Ohio maintains waiting lists with hundreds of seniors who never get coupons for fresh market items.
But, since its launch this summer, $7,000 has been pledged to support taking 140 seniors off the region's Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program waiting list!
The Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) provides income-eligible senior citizens with special coupons worth $50 to enjoy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey. Program coupons may be exchanged for eligible foods from authorized farmers.
You can still give!
We will continue to take $ponsor a $enior donations in preparation for the 2018 season and also to support the Project Lifesaver program ($25 has been given to date).
Project Lifesaver technology, in the hands of certified law enforcement partners, helps find people with a cognitive disorder such as Alz heimer's disease or Autism when they wander from a caregiver. Clients are outfitted with a transmitter about the size of a watch - worn on the wrist or ankle. Should the client wander, the caregiver notifies 911 and the local Sheriff's Office begins a search immediately using Project Lifesaver equipment. Without the technology, searches can last hours or days. Through community donations, the program is offered free to seniors and $350 will sponsor one enrollee on the Project Lifesaver Program.
Your donation (of any amount) can help provide services and
support to seniors in need across 8 counties in Southeast Ohio.
Mail donations to: Buckeye Hills Regional Council
Go Fund Me transaction and processing fees will be deducted from from your donation. Donations are not tax deductible as Buckeye Hills is not a 501(c)3.
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Use Your Farmers' Market Coupons While They're Fresh!
The Ohio Senior Farmers' Market
Nutrition Program helps older Ohioans enjoy locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and honey. Just a reminder to seniors enrolled in the region's Farmers' Market Nutrition Program that the coupons can be used like cash with participating farmers.
Program coupons are good through October 31. Now is the time to buy seasonal items like squash, pumpkins and apples. If enrolled seniors cannot physically get to the markets or farmers themselves, they can send their proxy to shop for them.
Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of federal dietary guidelines and are:
- Good sources of fiber
- Low in sugar, fat and sodium
- Nutrient rich, yet low in calories
In addition, fresh fruits and vegetables add flavor and variety to
meals.
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Medicare Education Support Available
Buckeye Hills Regional Council Offers Medicare Resources
Every eight seconds someone becomes eligible for Medicare. According to a recent Medicare Made Clear survey, one in five Medicare beneficiaries describes Medicare as confusing; most adults can't identify what Medicare Parts A, B, C and D cover and 70% of baby boomers describe their understanding of Medicare as "fair" or "poor."
In Southeast Ohio, The Buckeye Hills Regional Council Aging & Disability Division benefits counselors Brandi Hesson, CIRS-A, (shown above) and Gerri VanNoy, SWA, CIRS-A, (shown at left) are trained and ready to help people with Medicare. They can assist them with finding benefits that help them pay for prescriptions, health care, and other necessities, as well as compare Part D plans and more.
In addition, assisting eligible individuals with Medicare prescription benefits is a service provided through the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). This project provides enrollment assistance for individuals who may be eligible for the Low
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Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Program, as well as other Medicare premium assistance programs.
In rural Appalachia, all too often we hear about senior citizens living on fixed incomes who cannot afford medications or other health care needs. The Medicare Extra Help Program can save individuals an average of $325 per month on costs associated with prescription drugs. Many are eligible and just don't take advantage of these real savings. It takes one simple phone call to see if someone is eligible.
The Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), also known as "Extra Help," is a discount plan that can: lower prescription co
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pays; cover all or part of Medicare Part D monthly premiums; or eliminate the "doughnut hole" of coverage for medications. Part D is Medicare's prescription drug coverage and is available to anyone eligible for Medicare Part A or Part B. Those with Medicare may enroll in Part D coverage through either a stand
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alone plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. To be eligible for "Extra Help," income guidelines and qualifications must be met, and Buckeye Hills can help determine whether you might be able to benefit from this program, and if so, assist with the over-the-phone application process.
Seniors who have Medicare questions or who want to learn more about "extra help" with Medicare Part D coverage, should call Buckeye Hills toll
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free at 1
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800
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331-2644 and we can complete the application over the phone in just a few minutes.
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2018 Schedule of Meetings Set
The Buckeye Hills Regional Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) Technical Advisory and Citizens Advisory Committees have set the 2018 meeting schedule:
- Friday, January 19
- Friday, April 20
- Friday, Aug. 18
All meetings will be from 10a.m. - noon at Buckeye Hills' office located at 1400 Pike Street in Marietta. If you have any questions regarding RTPO meetings, please contact Karen Pawloski, Transportation Planning Coordinator at 740-376-7658. To learn more about RTPO, visit
buckeyehills.org/transportation/
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Buckeye Hills Regional Council
740-374-9436 or 740-373-6400 | 1400 Pike St. - Marietta, OH 45750
www.buckeyehills.org
Misty Casto: Executive Director
Rick Hindman, Asst. Executive Director
Bret Allphin - Development Director
Jennifer Westfall - Aging & Disability Program Director
Buckeye Hills Regional Council is organized as a voluntary organization of local government political subdivisions to foster cooperative efforts in regional planning, and implementing of regional plans and programs.
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We're on LinkedIn!
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