Welcome to SARPC's digital newsletter. Our goal is to publish a newsletter bi-monthly that provides highlights of projects and activities being undertaken at the agency. If you have any questions or would like to request additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us. |
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In This Issue
A LETTER FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
TRANSPORTATION
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
EMPLOYMENT & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AREA AGENCY ON AGING
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STAY CONNECTED TO SARPC ON FACEBOOK
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FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
As Spring has finally arrived we hope that our weather will be nice and uneventful. Recently we negotiated a new lease on the G M & O building which will give us additional space on the first and third floors. SARPC full time employees has grown to nearly 100 as we are providing numerous programs and services for our three County Region.
We greatly appreciate our Board of Directors and elected officials in our Region who support us as we continue to enhance the quality of life in Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia Counties.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if we can be of service. Stay safe!!!
John F. (Rickey) Rhodes
Executive Director
rrhodes@sarpc.org
Direct: 251-706-4667
Cell: 251-421-9400
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Mobile MPO Updates
On March 28th and 29th the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration will be here conducting a Triennial Certification Review of the Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization. This is usually conducted every three years but due to the pandemic it was delayed. The last review was conducted in 2019. As part of this process there will be a public meeting to solicit comments about the effectiveness of the Mobile MPO on the evening of the 28th at 6 pm here in the board room.
We are asking all Mobile MPO member governments to please have a representative at the meeting to let the Feds know what you think of our performance over the past five years. The notice for the meeting is below:
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Mobile MPO Meetings Scheduled for April
TECHNICAL COORDINATING COMMITTEE (TCC)/CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE (CAC)
of the MOBILE METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) MEETING
The Mobile MPO Technical Coordinating Committee/Citizen Advisory Committee (TCC/CAC) will meet on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 at 10:00 am at the GM&O Building at 110 Beauregard St, Mobile, AL 36602.
The committee will review and recommend for approval to the MPO the following amendments to the Transportation Improvement Program:
•FY 2023 FTA 5310 Mobile Urban Area Funds Program of Projects; $449,472
•100076423 ST-049-017 CN ADD LEFT TURN BYPASS LANES ON SR-17 (US-45) AT SMITHTOWN ROAD Target Start Date: 4/15/2023 Engineers Estimate: $391,650.00
•100076122 ATRP2-49-2023 PE WIDENING ON SR-158 FROM 2 LANES TO 4 LANES FROM THE EXISTING 4 LANE SECTION EASTERLY FOR 1500 FT (CONTINUATION OF FY 2020 ATRIP-II PROJECT) Target Start Date: 4/1/2023 Engineers Estimate: $150,000.00
•100076133 ATRP2-49-2023-141 PE: ROUNDABOUT AT I-65 AND WEST LEE STREET (EXIT 10) NORTH BOUND RAMP AND SOUTH BOUND RAMP, Target Start Date: 4/1/2023 Engineers Estimate: $289,278.00
•100076623 ATRP2-49-2023-141 CN: ROUNDABOUT AT I-65 AND WEST LEE STREET (EXIT 10) NORTH BOUND RAMP AND SOUTH BOUND RAMP Target Start Date: 1/31/2025Engineers Estimate: $1,710,721.00
•100069458 (FM) NH-HSIP 0013 (621) RESURFACING, STEEL BLOCKOUT REPLACEMENT, AND SIGNAL BACKPLATES ON SR-13 (US-43) FROM SR-158 TO PLATEAU AVENUE Old Target start date: June 30, 2023 New Target start date: November 03, 2023
•100052602: STPMB 7508 (600) CN: MCGREGOR AVENUE WIDENING FROM AIRPORT BOULEVARD TO DAUPHIN STREET AND INSTALLATION OF A ROUNDABOUT AT DAUPHIN STREET Current Funding: $12,556,155.33 Requested Funding: $18,754,346.13
•Mobile Urban Carbon Reduction Funding; Electric Buses for the City of Prichard; Requested Funding: $560,000.00
•Mobile Urban Area Transportation Improvement Program (TAP) 100068380 CN: Three Mile Creek: Section 6 North Multiuse Trail, Requested Funding: $500,000
Other items of discussion will include Mobile Urban CRRSAA Funding; Mobile Urban Carbon Reduction Funding; STP Attributable Funding, and the Mobile Urban TAP Funding.
The Mobile Metropolitan Planning Organization Policy Board will vote on the recommendations by the TCC/CAC at a meeting on Wednesday, April 26th, 2023 at 10:00 AM at the GM&O Building located at 110 Beauregard Street, Mobile, AL 36602.
Physically challenged persons who need special accommodations should contact SARPC in advance so arrangements can be made to meet their needs. Additional information may be obtained from the Transportation Planning Coordinator at the South Alabama Regional Planning Commission, (251)433-6541 or transporation@sarpc.org.
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RPO Updates
The South Alabama Rural Planning Organization (RPO) is currently updating the RPO Transportation Plan. The Plan will include an updated Safety Overview for the rural areas in each of our counties. As the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law places an emphasis on Safe Streets for All, a safety overview in our rural areas is the first step in improving our road safety.
Statewide Long Range Plan Public Meetings Scheduled
The RPO is assisting ALDOT by hosting public meetings for the Statewide Long Range Transportation Process. This is a long-range plan that assesses the State’s multimodal transportation system and presents plans for improvement and maintenance. The plan will forecast a minimum of 20 years, and will involve engagement with both public and private entities. RPO Staff along with the Alabama Department of Transportation will host Public Involvement Meetings in June in each of our counties. The meetings will consist of public input on the State Transportation Improvement Program as well as input on safety concerns. The following meetings are scheduled:
Monday, June 12th, 2023 at 5:30 PM
Mobile County
GM&O Building
110 Beauregard Street
Mobile, AL 36602
Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 at 3:00 PM
Baldwin County
Central Baldwin Annex
22251 Palmer Street
Robertsdale, AL 36567
Wednesday, June 14th 2023 at 3:00 PM
Escambia County
Atmore City Hall
201 E Louisville Ave
Atmore, AL 36502
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The State Transportation Alternatives Program Grant Application Period has opened
Info is on the ALDOT website HERE Attached is the memo, the application, and the guidelines.
“ All applications must be submitted electronically no later than 5:00 pm on May 31, 2023. Applications should be sent to tapapp@dot.state.al.us as a .pdf file (25 mb max) with “FY 2024 TAP Application – Sponsor Name” in the subject line.
A sponsor with an active TAP project will not be eligible to receive a new TAP project until the existing project is authorized. We hope this will do several things:
- Encourage sponsors to complete projects in a timely manner;
- Encourage sponsors to actually cancel projects that have major issues and will probably never get built;
- Eliminate sponsors from transferring funds from one TAP project to another.
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Fiscal Year 2024 Section 5310 Capital Award Application (Statewide)
The annual statewide application for federal capital assistance provided through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Section 5310 Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program is open for FY-2024. All projects funded through Section 5310 must be derived from a locally developed, Human Services Coordinated Transportation Planning process. ALDOT has designated the 12 Regional Planning Councils to coordinate transportation services in their regions.
Any eligible applicant can apply for an ALDOT Section 5310 capital award.
Due to funding limitations, the one-year sit out rule will apply for the FY-2024 Section 5310 program. Therefore; any eligible applicant(s) (see Section 2.6) that applied for and were approved for Section 5310 funding in FY-2023 for rolling stock, will not be eligible to apply for FY-2024funding.
Please see the application and related documents on the Alabama Department of Transportation website HERE under the Section 5310 tab.
Please read the application in its entirety as there are time sensitive requirements that need immediate attention.
Completed applications must be submitted before 5:00 p.m. on June 1, 2023, to the appropriate Regional Planning Council (contact information is found in Appendix C) in the geographic area of the state where Section 5310 transportation services are proposed.
Carbon Reduction Project Funding Available for Mobile MPO Members
The deadline to submit is March 31st, 2023.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has apportioned a $1,093,970 annually to the Mobile MPO for a new program focusing on Carbon Reduction. This money can be used for a variety of projects, and the current fiscal year apportionment must be authorized this fiscal year. As per our discussion at the TCC/CAC meeting, the Carbon Reduction funds are pretty flexible; HERE is the fact sheet. The Mobile MPO is apportioned about $1M annually, it is 80/20 match. The Fact Sheet notes special rules for “Transportation Management Areas”, or TMAs. A TMA is an urban area with a population of over 200,000; we are a TMA. Again, the necessity to have this fiscal year’s apportionment authorized by October 1st is a recommendation from the State, so Obligation Authority does not become an issue. If a Mobile MPO member government has a project in mind, Here is Project Proposal Form that details the information needed to apply for these funds.
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Transportation Improvement Program( TIP)
DRAFT 2024-2027 E-STIP is currently being developed.
The TIP represents a four year program (2020-2023) for improvements in the various transportation systems located within the Mobile study area as identified in the Mobile MPO's Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The LRTP establishes the transportation programs that are needed to meet travel demand by the study year and study area. LRTP projects that become funded are moved into the TIP and submitted to the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT), where they are programmed into the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). For MPO projects, TIP project selection is based on priorities established by MPO member governments and the availability of funds through the Surface Transportation Attributable program. For other projects, ALDOT has discretion of project funding based on availability of funds from various types of funding categories. Most often, projects in the TIP are derived from the LRTP. The TIP guides ALDOT in its annual allocation of funds for transportation improvements and becomes a part of the STIP.
ArcGIS Online is utilized by MPO staff to map all federally funded surface transportation projects within our area. Check it out.
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Meetings, Trainings, & Conferences |
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Gulf Coast Resource, Conservation, and Development Council (RC& D) Annual Meeting
Cade Alred, Principal Planner, attended the Gulf Coast Resource, Conservation, and Development Council (RC& D) Annual Meeting held at the Wind Creek Casino in Atmore in January.
The RC& D serves the entire state, while the Gulf Coast Region specifically serves Baldwin, Mobile, and Escambia Counties and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. They specialize in environmental, conservation, and community development grants. Their mission is to promote, protect and develop natural resources to secure social and economic benefits for people in the Gulf Coast Area. The purpose of the Gulf Coast RC&D Council is to provide local leadership in developing and carrying out a plan for the orderly conservation, improvement, development, and wise use of natural resources thereby improving economic opportunities. For more information on RC&D’s funding opportunities, visit HERE.
Each year Baldwin, Escambia, and Mobile Counties, along with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians choose projects to award grant money.
In 2022, 47 different projects were completed with the help of Gulf Coast RC&D.
- Baldwin: 13 projects
- Escambia: 11 projects
- Mobile: 12 projects
- Poarch: 11 projects
At this year’s meeting, State Representative Barbara Drummond was honored by being awarded the Alabama State Representative Leadership Award. Congratulations to Representative Drummond!
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Cade had the privilege of spending the day with some valued friends of SARPC at the RC& D conference. He is pictured with Senator Greg Albritton and State Representatives Barbara Drummond and Alan Baker. |
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The Grand Bay and Weeks Bay NERR partnered with NOAA’s digital coasts in providing a 1.5 day training in Mobile to improve social science skills of coastal planners and natural resource managers who conduct stakeholder engagement activities in their work. Topics included understanding stakeholders, leading focus groups, analyzing qualitative data, and writing effective surveys.
SARPC Planners attended this event to develop and improve community surveys and conduct effective stakeholder meetings. The information learned at this workshop will be used by our Planners when working on comprehensive planning projects in efforts to collect the necessary public input and capture the targeted audience that are essential in writing an effective long-range plan.
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DRA LDD Training
Cade attended the Delta Regional Authority’s annual LDD training in Memphis. SARPC serves as the DRA’s designated Local Development District (LDD) for our Region and manages and administers all the DRA grant application throughout Escambia County. Attendance at the annual training is mandatory for all LDDs.
GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR SARPC: The DRA is adding a new program this year to its list of grant opportunities through their SEDAP program. For the first time ever, the DRA is offering a pilot Strategic Planning Program that will offer funding to the LDDs for grant writing services and support. Due to the increase in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan, Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Inflation Reduction Act, etc., this program has been designed as a capacity-building program for all of the DRA’s LDDs by providing the needed resources to fill capacity gaps and undertake the additional workload associated with grant administration responsibilities. The goal of the program is to bolster access to resources for economically distressed communities. SARPC is eligible to apply for this grant and if awarded, the grant writer will work with SARPC’s member governments in Escambia County to identify potential economic development projects in each community, and to help apply for and manage the grants. This is an ideal and optimal opportunity for SARPC and will enable our Commission to expand our grant writing and management services to our member governments.
Additionally, the DRA’s Strategic Planning Program is offering funding for planning projects in Escambia County. Funds can be used to cover, but not limited to, the following plans:
- Comprehensive Economic Development Plans
- Master Plans
- Capital Improvement Plans
- Workforce Development Plans
- Preliminary Engineering Reports
- Transportation Plans
- Broadband Deployment Plans
- Utility Rate Studies
- Feasibility Studies
SARPC’s Planners how to apply. For more information, visit the DRA at HERE.
Coastal Alabama Geospatial Data Users Group (CDG) Annual Conference
Our GIS Technician, Sarah Wraight attended the Coastal Geospatial Data Group’s 7th Annual Conference at Five-Rivers in Spanish Fort in February where she learned how local entities across our Region are incorporation new GIS methods and ESRI products to improve their daily operations. ALDOT as well as Baldwin County Highway Department, Baldwin County 911, and the Mobile County Revenue Commission were presenters at the meeting. Sarah is learning how to incorporate some of these practices into SARPC’s GIS services so we can expand and improve our GIS services to our member governments.
EDAA Winter Conference
Nicole Taylor attended the to learn about current economic activities occurring throughout the state. Sessions included Business Incentives to Bolster Economic Activity, The Role of Retail in Downtown Development, Site Development Strategies, EV Initiatives in Alabama, The Future of Hospitality and Tourism, as well as updates from ADECA, AIDT Workforce, and the upcoming Legislative Session. Much was discussed and learned about the reauthorization of the Alabama Jobs Act and how the state has grown over the last year. It was reported that 2022 was a record setting year for in-bound investments. Governor Ivey was in attendance and spoke about the massive impact the Alabama Jobs Act has had on our state. It has brought in over $17 billion in new capital investments and created approximately 34,000 new job commitments.
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Nature-Based Stormwater Solutions Workshop
Nicole attended a nature-based stormwater management workshop sponsored by Auburn University and the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) to learn how to incorporate more green stormwater infrastructure (rain gardens, vegetated swales, etc.) into traditional gray stormwater infrastructure development standards. The 2-day workshop was held at the Baldwin County Central Annex in Robertsdale and supported by the Baldwin County Commission. The event was well attended by many of the local planners, engineers, and building officials in our Region. The workshop provided strategies for integrating nature-based solutions into stormwater management planning as well as methods for addressing flooding and stormwater management solutions in response to changing environments. It offered many success stories and provided examples of how “green infrastructure” is highly successful and cost effective in managing stormwater runoff. Many of these green methods have been applied in the heavily flooded areas of New Orleans and have proven to be highly effective in flood control and prevention when installed in addition to gray infrastructure.
Ask SARPC Planners about these innovative ways to better manage stormwaters and how to update your city’s regulatory documents to include these “green” methods during the development process.
PLAN Meeting-Plan Lower Alabama Now
Planning staff attends the monthly PLAN meetings to network and learn planning practices from local community stakeholders and professionals throughout Baldwin and Mobile Counties. Through these workshops, SARPC Planners have acquired and passed on planning information and practices to our member governments that help them improve their communities. Topics learned and shared include wetland protection and example ordinances, short-term vacation rentals, site plan and subdivision plat reviews, RV Park standards, exempt subdivisions, food truck ordinances, and much more!
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UPCOMING GARANT OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS
DRA SEDAP Grant Opportunity
(Escambia County only). Grant cycle opens in March for critical infrastructure projects and business and workforce development projects. The deadline to apply is June 2, 2023. Visit HERE for more information.
ACAMP Grant opportunity
(Mobile and Baldwin Counties only). The Alabama Coastal Management Program (ACAMP) annual grant program supports projects that protect, enhance, and improve the management of natural, cultural, and historical coastal resources and that increase the sustainability, resiliency and preparedness of coastal communities and economies.
This program will fund the following types of projects:
- COASTAL NONPOINT POLLUTION CONTROL PLANNING PROJECTS
- COASTAL PLANNING PROJECTS
- COASTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECTS
- COASTAL PUBLIC ACCESS IMPROVEMENTS
Deadline to apply is March 31, 2023. For more information or to apply, visit
ADECA CDBG Funding
ADECA’s annual Community Development Block Grant funding cycle will open this spring. The program is available to all non-entitlement communities (those not receiving direct funds from HUD) that meet applicable thresholds.
All projects must meet one of the three national objectives:
- Benefit at least 51% low- and moderate-income persons
- Aid in the prevention or clearance of slum and blight
- Meet an urgent need
Types of Program Funds include:
- Competitive Fund
- Community Enhancement Fund
- Planning Fund
- Economic Development Fund
ADECA annually awards CDBG money for the Large City, Small City and County categories.
- Competitive categories are:
- Small City Fund (3,000 or less population)
- Large City Fund (>3,000 population)
- County Fund
The Small City and County funds both have ceilings of $350,000. The Large City fund has a ceiling of $450,000.
Typical Activities:
- Water and sewer extensions and rehabilitation
- Housing rehabilitation
- Neighborhood & downtown revitalization
- Street and drainage improvements
ADECA Community Enhancement Fund
This fund is available to all eligible communities to use for projects that address quality of life issues. Application deadline is announced during the annual workshop in the first quarter of the year.
Grant Ceiling: $250,000
Typical activities:
- Fire protection
- Senior citizens centers
- Community centers
- Boys & girls clubs
- Recreational facilities, etc.
ADECA Planning Fund
CED administers a small Planning Fund that allows communities to develop communitywide comprehensive plans and downtown revitalization plans.
ADECA Economic Development Fund (ED)
The ED Infrastructure Fund is available to all eligible communities for projects supporting the creation or retention of jobs. Applicants for ED assistance should have a commitment from the business to create or retain 15 or more jobs. The business should fall within the SIC codes 20-39 or provide a significant economic benefit. Projects must not include intrastate relocation. The program is available on a continuous funding cycle. A 20 percent local match is required, and construction cannot begin prior to grant award or release of environmental conditions.
Grant Ceiling: $200,000 (can be waived)
Typical activities: water, sewer, or road improvements; rail spurs, docks, etc.
- Economic Development Incubator ($250,000)
- Economic Development Float Loans ($10 million)
More information on all ADECA grants will be forthcoming once ADECA announces the dates of the grant cycle. SARPC Planners will attend the grant training workshop in Montgomery this spring. Applications will be due in late spring. For more information, visit: HERE.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA)
EDA Publishes Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity.
EDA has published a new Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (PWEAA) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The FY23 PWEAA NOFO outlines application submission requirements and review procedures for applications received under EDA’s Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance (EAA) programs.
The Public Works program provides resources to meet the construction and/or infrastructure design needs of communities to enable them to become more economically competitive.
Supported activities under EDA’s EAA program include construction and non-construction such as construction or upgrading of public infrastructure, sectoral partnerships for workforce training, design and engineering, technical assistance, economic recovery strategies, and capitalization or re-capitalization of Revolving Loan Funds (RLF).
There are no application submission deadlines and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
The NOFO is posted under the “Related Documents” tab on grants.gov HERE.
SARPC Planners are here to help you understand and apply for any of these grant programs. Let us know if we can help you!
- 2023 Alabama Association of RC&D Councils Annual Conference - April 30-May3
- Alabama League of Municipalities Convention - May 11-13
LET’S CELEBRATE PLANNING!!!
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WEEK IS APRIL 10-14
By a Proclamation issued from Governor Kay Ivey, the week of April 10 through 14, 2023 has been designated as "Community Development Week" in the State of Alabama. This action celebrates the hard work and dedication put forth within Alabama's communities to accomplish the goals and objectives of the State's Community Development Block Grant {CDBG) Program and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). These grant programs, whose federal funds are annually allocated to the State from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), serve to address the needs - and particularly the housing needs - of the State's low-income and moderate-income citizens.
Please contact any of the staff members of SARPC’s Community Development Department if you have questions about any of our projects, funding opportunities, assistance with grant applications and management, mapping needs, training events, or other planning services.
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Employment and Economic Development Services |
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From the Area Agency on Aging Director Julie McGee |
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EXCITING NEWS FROM YOUR AREA AGENCY ON AGING!
The spring is always a busy time for our Agency, and we are working hard on bringing outreach events to the community that can educate and engage our Seniors, their caregivers and persons with disabilities. Here are two events you will want to “Save Your Date” to attend.
May is Older Americans Month
Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation's observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2023 theme is Aging Unbound, which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes. On May 16, we are holding a community event at the Abba Shriners Center from 9 a.m. to noon to honor our Seniors and celebrate OAM. We want all of our Mobile County Senior Nutrition Centers to participate. Lunch will be provided, and we are lining up some great entertainment. We’ll have business and community organizations on hand that can provide information on Senior programs and services. It will be a day for fellowship and fun
They’re Back…Our Senior Expos Have Been Scheduled
Due to safety issues resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to suspend our Senior Expos for a couple of years. These Expos draw thousands of Seniors across Mobile and Baldwin Counties, and are some of our most popular events of the year. If you haven’t participated before, you need to gather a group of friends, family, church members and the like and plan on attending. Our Expos are free to attend and feature information on aging services, health and wellness programs, free medical screenings and vaccinations, entertainment, local vendors, games and door prizes and giveaways. Our “Medicare Mall” will help you compare Medicare plans available in 2024 and answer other questions you may have. And, all participants receive a free lunch and a tote bag. You don’t want to miss it!
- Mobile County Expo: Thursday, October 5 at The Grounds (Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Baldwin County Expo: Wednesday, October 11 at the Robertsdale Coliseum from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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And one more announcement…I am pleased to welcome Brittney Bragg as our new staff attorney for the Legal Assistance Program. The Legal Assistance Program is funded by our Agency to provides legal services at no cost in non-criminal and non-fee generating matters. Services are provided to persons age 60 and older, and outreach is provided for those in the most social or economic need. We provide direct services or referrals to other organizations to get you the assistance you need. Some of the areas our program can assist you with include: advanced directives; elder abuse, exploitation and fraud; income maintenance for loss of income or benefits; wills; and powers of attorney. You can see the complete list of services provided by visiting our website: https://agingsouthalabama.org/legal-counseling/
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events,
Julie
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UPCOMING EVENTS
APRIL 4
NEW TO MEDICARE SERIES
Monthly Seminar Series starts on Tuesday, April 4 and will be held the 1st Tuesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the AAA Office/GM&O Building.
MAY 16
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH CELEBRATION
Tuesday, May 16, at the Abba Shriners Center from 9 a.m. to noon
THROUGH APRIL 14
FREE TCE TAX PREPARATION
Free TCE Tax Preparation Services in Baldwin and Escambia Counties through April 14
MAY 1
SENIOR HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS
Nominations to the Senior Hall of Fame are due May 1
OCTOBER 5 & 11
COMMUNITY EXPOS
Mobile County Expo: Thursday, October 5 at The Grounds (Greater Gulf State Fairgrounds) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Baldwin County Expo: Wednesday, October 11 at the Robertsdale Coliseum from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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READY FOR THEIR IMPORTANT WORK 2023 LEGACY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE CLASS GRADUATES |
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Seniors from Mobile and Baldwin Counties who participated in our 3-Day Leadership program are now better equipped to advance their important work. The LLI utilizes University of South Alabama faculty and community advocates and experts to train participants in aging issues, methods for impactful volunteering, and connecting to volunteer opportunities at the AAA and in the community.
Highlights included:
- AAA Executive Director and staff sharing programs and services offered by the agency
- USA Faculty presentations: Dr. Leo Mundy, Center for Generational Studies; Rachel Fenske Information Services/Library Outreach; Dr. Joshua Keller, Health, Kinesiology & Sport; Dr. Antionette Francis-Shearer, Center for Healthy Communities; Dr. Robert Israel, Internal Medicine; Joy Washington, Public Relations; and Dr. Roma Hanks, Center for Generational Studies.
- Presentations from former LLI graduates who opened the Dauphin Island Parkway Senior Center (Graduate Betty Fowler) and started a Dementia Care Support Program (Graduate Beth Reinert)
- Recap of AARP's Advocacy agenda for the state and federal level by Associate State Director-Community Outreach Dorothy Dorton
- Opportunities to become involved in The Alabama Silver Haired Legislature by Ann Burhans
- Ways to engage in the community through volunteer advocacy by Dr. Bobbie Holt-Ragler
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STAFF NETWORKS AT MOBILE CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING
SARPC/AAA staff attended the Mobile Chamber 186th Annual Meeting at the Mobile Cruise Terminal. Staff networked with business and community leaders to share what SARPC and AAA are doing to improve the quality of life for citizens through planning, community development and aging services.
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AAA HOLD FIRST MEMORY CAFÉ AS WE MOVE TO BECOME A DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
We held our first Memory Cafe' on Friday, and our participants and their caregivers had fun creating “Spring Into Art” projects. Our Cafe' was a relaxed social gathering held free of charge and anyone affected by memory loss or related cognitive changes was invited to attend. We are working to become a Dementia Friendly Community, where those living with Alzheimer’s and their care partners feel respected, supported, and included in everyday life.
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A SHOUT OUT TO OUR SENIORS WHO VOLUNTEER!
8,724.5! That's the number of total hours our RSVP Volunteers completed in 2022. Thank you to all of our amazing volunteers at Atmore Community Hospital and the Daphne Beautification Committee.
RSVP of South Alabama (Baldwin/Escambia) recruits and trains Seniors (55+) and matches them with community placements that provide meaningful and rewarding volunteer experiences.
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CALLING ALL OUTSTANDING SENIORS, CENTURIONS AND THOSE MARRIED 65 YEARS!
Nominations are being accepted by the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, honoring and recognizing Alabamians aged 60 or older for their outstanding contribution to the lives of older members in their local communities since 1983. The Hall of Fame also recognizes those 100 years old and couples married 65 years. Nomination forms are due by May 1st.
Information: 1-877-425-2243
Click Here for Senior Hall of Fame Nomination Form:
Click Here for the Centurian and Couples Married 65 Years Form:
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COOKING UP COMMUNITY: MARCH WAS SENIOR NUTRITION PROGRAM MONTH
March was the Administration for Community Living's "Celebrate Senior Nutrition Program Month" and the theme for this year was "Cooking up Community." Our Senior Nutrition Centers are a place to have lunch with friends and participate in education/recreation programs. There are 26 Senior Centers in Mobile, Baldwin and Escambia Counties.
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WHAT IS AN OBMUDSMAN?
If you are not familiar with the term, you are not alone! An Ombudsman helps to protect the health, safety, welfare and rights of residents in long-term care facilities. AAA Ombudsman Frank Willis recently shared with 2023 Legacy Leadership Institute participants how the Ombudsman program can assist with residents’ rights, care provided, transfers and discharges and how to choose an assisted living or nursing facility. In addition, the Ombudsman can provide assistance in accessing the services of the Gateway Program, a Medicaid program designed with getting residents from nursing home and assisted living facilities back into the community. This program does not replace 24/7 nursing home care, but does put services into the home after the resident leaves a nursing home. Anyone can contact the Ombudsman, including residents or employees of long-term facilities, or their friends or families. Everything is kept confidential unless the complaint or the resident gives us permission. Complaints may be about the facility, its employees, providers, public or private agencies, guardians, or anyone who is in a position to threaten or interfere with the rights, health, safety or welfare of a resident. If you need assistance, please reach out to our Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs at 251.433-6541.
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SENIOR MEDICARE PATROL FRAUD ALERT: PHISHING
DON’T CLICK ON IT
“Phishing” is the practice of sending emails or text messages purporting to be from reputable companies in order to induce individuals to reveal personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers. As Seniors have advanced in their use of technology, criminals have found new ways to steal their information. The bottom line is this: don't click on any email or text message link from an unknown source. And, be wary of emotion lures, such as threats to cancel your Medicare or claims that you have a new diagnosis of a medical condition and need to act immediately. Fraud takes many forms: government impersonation scams, sweepstakes and lottery scams, robocalls and phone scams, fishing texts and emails, and issues relating to billing you for services and equipment that you may not even be aware of. If you aren’t sure, don’t click it.
The mission of the Alabama Senior Medicare Patrol’s (AL SMP) is to teach and empower Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers, and families how to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse. Federally funded through the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the AL SMP is
comprised of dedicated staff and volunteers who respond to reports of suspected Medicare fraud and abuse and determine next steps.
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Prescription Drug Savings
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Grandparents Raising Grandchildren |
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RSVP Volunteer Callers Needed! |
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VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO FIND RESOURCES FOR SENIORS, CAREGIVERS AND THE DISABLED
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REMEMBER TO REACH OUT AND CHECK OUT THE AAA! |
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For more information about SARPC call 251-433-6541 |
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