MAY is National Strawberry Month but it is also Older Americans Month. The Administration for Community Living has titled this year's theme: Age My Way. "Age My Way" is an opportunity for all of us to explore the many ways older adults can remain in and be involved with their communities. Lowcountry COG is going to honor the amazing seniors of the Lowcountry. Please join us for Lowcountry AAA Senior Day on May 12th at Varnville Baptist Church (366 Rentz Street, Varnville, SC 29924) from 10 AM to 2 PM. There will be FREE lunch, games, and giveaways. We encourage all seniors in the Lowcountry to put on their sneakers and join us for some fun! For more information, call the Lowcountry Area Agency on Aging at 843-473-3991.

In this edition of the newsletter, you will learn about the results of the Estill Job Fair and the current state of caregiving in the US. We also need your feedback regarding the Corridor Access Management Study on US 278 and the Long Range Transportation Plans.

Happy Reading!
New Careers Were Found at the Estill Job Fair
Last month, nearly 40 hiring groups and service providers gathered for a hiring event at the Bull Durham Center to put their best foot forward in the Lowcountry. Eager job seekers well represented Estill and Hampton County, many of whom, like Marriceff Fields, took advantage of the nearby location. He did not have to look far for a new job. Luckily for him, he lived next door. He only had to walk across the street to get it! “This sort of joint effort between SC Works and the LCOG shows the strong focus on jobs in the Lowcountry,” said Mike Butler, Workforce Development Director at LCOG. The event drew participation from both employers and service providers throughout our area. Hampton, Jasper, Colleton, and Beaufort Counties were all well represented. Though Bull Durham represents a springtime kickoff, plans are already underway for a summer event. It is great to see the positive movement from the Workforce Development team’s efforts.

Congratulations to SC Works Lowcountry and LCOG! 
Caregiving is Public Health!
The CDC reports caregiving as an important public health issue that affects the quality of life for millions of individuals. As individuals, families, and communities continue to confront COVID-19, we are reminded how much we need our family and close friends to keep going. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP Public Policy Institute, an estimated 53 million American adults were unpaid caregivers in 2020. That number represents more than one in five Americans who are acting as a caregiver to a loved one. The average duration of caregiving is 4.5 years. The comprehensive care that family caregivers provide can extend seniors’ independence, delay long-term care placement, and improve health outcomes, safety, and quality of life. 

Caregiving can be emotionally and physically demanding and many caregivers have a hard time asking for help. Unfortunately, that can lead to caregiver burnout. Caregiver burnout is common and happens when the stress and burden of caring for a loved one becomes overwhelming. This causes a decline in mental and physical health. It is important to know that you are not alone. Take advantage of community resources. If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of anyone else. To learn about respite services, contact Kathy Lucas or Rhonda Hiott at 843-473-3991 with the Family Caregiver Support Program (FCSP).
CITIZEN PARTICIPATION NEEDED
Corridor Access Management Study on US 278 Improvements in Okatie 
US 278 (Fording Island Road) Corridor Access Management Study
Beaufort County has announced that citizen participation is being sought in an Access Management Study on a new section of US 278 in Okatie, SC. The portion of highway being studied includes a 3.0-mile section of US 278 beginning at the intersection of Argent Boulevard (S-442) and ending at Okatie Highway (SC 170). The study will develop management strategies to minimize traffic congestion and improve safety and traffic flow. This section of the US 278 corridor currently carries an average of 31,000 vehicles per day and has experienced significant growth, which has led to increased congestion and safety concerns. The study was initiated in March 2022 and is anticipated to conclude by the fall of 2022.  

Residents are encouraged to get more information about the study and make comments on the project wiki map site located at the following URL: US 278 Okatie Survey. This wiki map site offers a place for citizens to leave comments for the project team about specific locations on the corridor. It also includes general project information and answers frequently asked questions. The project wiki map site will remain live until May 26, 2022. 

For more information, please contact Brittanee Fields, Capital Improvements Projects Coordinator at Beaufort County Engineering, 843-255-2692 or Ryan Eckenrode, AECOM, 864-234-8931. 
Request for Public Comment
Long Range Transportation Plan
The Lowcountry Council of Governments (LCOG), the rural transportation planning agency for Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, and Jasper Counties, and the Lowcountry Area Transportation Study (LATS), the transportation planning agency for the Beaufort - Jasper urbanized area is requesting public input and comments on their corresponding Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) updates.


Any changes to either of the LRTP reports will be posted on the pages listed above. Written comments on either of the proposed LRTP updates will be accepted until close of business on May 12th, 2022. Please send your comments to Stephanie Rossi at 634 Campground Road, Yemassee, SC 29945 or her email.
If you have questions concerning any of the information contained in the newsletter, please feel free to contact Kira Fuller at 843.473.3956 or by email at rfuller@lowcountrycog.org.