[00:00:01]
WELL,SO YOU SEE THEN WE HAVE YOUR, UH, PACKET.
Y'ALL HAVE YOUR PACKET THAT SHE SENT ALL YEAH, I'M THAT, HOLD ON.
LEMME WHAT I PUT IT WHERE I PUT IT.
I KNOW WHAT YOUR REQUEST IS, BUT THEY SENT THERE FINANCIALS.
DID Y'ALL HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT THAT? WE DID SEND IN OUR FINANCIALS.
I'M READY TO GIVE YOU AN HOUR SEAT.
SOMEBODY HOLD ON PAPER AROUND BEHIND YOU.
I PROBABLY HAVE IT ON MY IPAD TOO THOUGH.
AND LAUREN CAME IN ABOUT THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AGO AND VISITED AND I TOLD HER WE'RE NOT INCREASING ANYTHING THIS YEAR.
OUR NEW TAX REVENUE WAS WAY OFF FROM LAST YEAR.
DID YOU END UP FINDING IT OUT? YES.
UH, AND AT THAT TIME, I'M SHARING WITH HER, IF YOU'LL LOOK, Y'ALL HAVE THE YEAH, I'M PULLING THEM UP NOW.
WHICH ONE ARE YOU TRYING TO PULL UP? I MEAN, PAGE SEVEN.
WHERE IT SHOWS HER CASH AT THE END OF THE YEAR.
OH, I THOUGHT YOU NO, I THOUGHT YOU WAS TRYING TO FIND PAGE SEVEN.
I WAS LIKE, I HOOKED YOU THE SAME PAGE.
I WAS LIKE I CAN HOOK YOU UP HERE.
WHY IT WHEN COME UNDER YOUR, WHO SENT IT? ASHLEY WOULD'VE SENT IT.
ASHLEY SENT IT TO US FOR ALL THE NONPROFITS.
SHE SENT EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE SENT IN FOR FINANCIALLY.
THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING BACK FOR.
SENT I'VE YOU, THIS ONE, IF YOU WANT ME TO FORWARD IT TO YOU HERE, FORWARD IT TO ME AND I'LL GET IT.
I WAS TRYING TO SEE WHICH ONE SENT.
[1. To discuss the FY24-25 budget requests submitted by the Non-Profit Organizations.]
ARE YOU READY FOR ME? WE'RE READY FOR YOU.I APPRECIATE YOU ALLOWING ME TO COME OUT THIS MORNING.
SO, UM, I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE FAMILIAR WITH OUR WORK, BUT I AM GONNA DO JUST A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT WE DO.
SO WE CAME IN KAUFMAN COUNTY IN 2004 AND THAT'S WHEN WE EXPANDED HERE AND WE STARTED SERVING A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE CHILDREN IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IN 2015.
AND SO IT TOOK US A BIT OF TIME FROM OH FOUR TO 2015 TO BUILD UP THAT VOLUNTEER BASE TAKING ON COFFIN COUNTY, AS YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE, HAD MORE CHILDREN THAT CAME INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM THAN ROCKWELL COUNTY DID.
SO IT TOOK US A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO BUILD UP THAT VOLUNTEER BASE AND THE SUPPORT THAT WE NEEDED IN THIS COMMUNITY.
UM, I HAVE BEEN HERE ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW AND SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE SEEN TREMENDOUS GROWTH AND CHANGE IN DIFFERENT WAYS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
AND SO WE HAVE WORKED REALLY HARD TO INCREASE OUR VOLUNTEERS, SPECIFICALLY FROM KAUFMAN COUNTY.
WE ACTUALLY SWORE IN ABOUT 20 VOLUNTEERS LAST YEAR, BUT WE HAD OUR FIRST EVER KAUFMAN COUNTY ONLY CLASS, WHICH WE WERE REALLY PROUD OF.
AND AT THE TIME, JUDGE GRACE WORE THEM IN.
BUT THIS YEAR SO FAR WE HAVE SERVED 128 CHILDREN, REPRESENTING 78 FAMILIES IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY.
OBVIOUSLY WE KNOW THAT WE ARE THANKFULLY NUMBER ONE RIGHT? FOR GROWTH IN THE US AND SO WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, UM, IS WE ARE LOOKING TO NOT JUST PLAN FOR THIS YEAR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN SERVE A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE KIDS RIGHT, BECAUSE WE KNOW THIS YEAR WE CAN SERVE A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE KIDS.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS THE NEXT FIVE, 10 YEARS.
AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD UP, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PREPARED FOR THE GROWTH THAT'S GONNA HAPPEN BECAUSE KAUFFMAN'S, NUMBER ONE, BUT AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, ROCKWELL IS NUMBER TWO.
AND SO WITH THAT AND SEEING THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH AT SEVEN AND 6%, WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO BE BETTER PREPARED AND AHEAD OF THE GAME IF WE WANNA CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO SERVE A HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE KIDS.
UM, I WAS SAYING, AND I KNOW I TOLD JUDGE ALLEN THIS, THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM HAS TRANSITIONED, UM, INTO PRIVATIZATION.
IT'S NO LONGER DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT, IT'S DONE BY AN ORGANIZATION CALLED EMPOWER.
AND SO THIS HAS BEEN A VERY ROUGH ADJUSTMENT AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE A ROUGH ADJUSTMENT.
RIGHT? I OFTEN SAY THINGS HAVE TO GET HARDER BEFORE THEY GET BETTER.
AND AT THIS TIME, UM, IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT.
WE GO TO COURT AND IF YOU EVER HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OR YOU ARE DONE RIGHT AND YOU WANNA GO TO COURT AND LISTEN TO THIS, UM, IT IS CLEAR THE CASEWORKERS UNFORTUNATELY HAVE YET TO MEET WITH THE CHILDREN.
[00:05:01]
THEY DON'T KNOW THE CHILDREN, THEY DON'T KNOW THE CASE.AND THIS SHOWS THE IMPORTANCE OF US BEING THERE.
UM, BECAUSE WE ARE THE ONES THAT DO KNOW, WE HAVE STAYED CONSISTENT THROUGH THIS TRANSITION, WE HAVE CONTINUED TO TRY AND INCREASE OUR ADVOCACY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE NOT GETTING IT FROM, UM, THE PRIVATE COMMUNITY THAT IS SERVING THESE KIDS.
UM, JUST BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDERWORKED OR SORRY, OVERWORKED AND THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF.
I WAS TELLING HER THAT THEY HAVE ABOUT 70 STAFF MEMBERS AND ABOUT 70 IN TRAINING, IF THAT TELLS YOU HOW MANY CASEWORKERS THEY'RE MISSING.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN PUT ON AN IMPROVEMENT PLAN BY THE STATE OF TEXAS, UM, TO SEE KIDS, TO KNOW JUST SPECIFICS AS FAR AS AGES WHERE THE CHILD'S PLACED, WHY THEY WERE REMOVED.
RIGHT? THEY DON'T KNOW THESE THINGS.
AND SO WE'RE HAVING TO TRY AND HELP MEET THOSE GAPS.
UM, WE'RE ALSO HAVING TO TRAIN, HELP TRAIN CASEWORKERS ON TESTIFYING IN COURT AND WRITING COURT REPORTS BECAUSE WE'VE DONE THAT FOR MANY YEARS.
BUT SO MANY OF THESE PEOPLE ARE JUST BRAND NEW AND THEY'LL GET THERE.
UM, AND LIKE I SAID, THIS IS JUST AN ADJUSTMENT, BUT THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING.
SO I DID WANNA SHARE ONE STORY WITH YOU BECAUSE, UM, I THINK I TOLD Y'ALL LAST YEAR THAT WE WERE FORTUNATE IN COFFIN COUNTY AND COFFMAN COUNTY IS THE LEADER IN THIS.
THAT WE ARE SERVING CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED THAT ABUSE AND NEGLECT HAPPENED, BUT THEY'RE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOME.
THAT THE STATE DOESN'T TAKE CONSERVATORSHIP OF THEM, BUT THEY BASICALLY ORDER SERVICES FOR THE PARENTS TO BE COMPLETED.
AND WE STARTED THAT IN COFFMAN COUNTY.
NOW THERE ARE EIGHT OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS THAT HAVE DONE THAT ALONGSIDE US.
AND SO I WANTED TO SHARE YOU A LITTLE STORY ABOUT THAT AND WHY I FEEL LIKE WHAT WE DO IS SO CRITICAL.
SO LIAM WAS REMOVED FROM HIS HOME, FROM HIS MOM AND DAD DUE TO DRUG USE.
RIGHT? AND SO HE CAME INTO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
HE WAS, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHTS WERE ACTUALLY TEMPORARY.
MANAGING CONSERVATORSHIP WAS GIVEN TO THE GOVERNMENT AND MOM IMMEDIATELY DECIDED SHE NEEDED TO GET IN TREATMENT, RIGHT? SHE WAS IN HER TWENTIES.
SHE WANTED TO GET INTO DRUG TREATMENT AND THANKFULLY FOUND AN IN-HOUSE DRUG TREATMENT.
AND WHEN SHE DID, SHE AND HER ATTORNEY WENT TO THE JUDGE AND SAID, HEY, CAN WE HAVE THE KID PLACED WITH HER? BECAUSE THANKFULLY THE PLACEMENT, SHE WENT ACCEPTED THE CHILDREN.
AND SO CASA AGREED WITH THAT AND THE CHILD GOT PLACED BACK WITH HIS MOTHER.
AND SO THEN MOM DID ALL HER SERVICES, COMPLETED HER RECOVERY, GOT EMPLOYMENT, FOUND HOUSING, AND WAS WAS, YOU KNOW, LET GO FROM THE RECOVERY CENTER.
AND LIAM THE WHOLE TIME THRIVED AND WAS ABLE TO STAY WITH HER.
AND SO THE CASE WAS CLOSED IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR HERE IN KAUFFMAN.
BUT I WANTED TO READ YOU WHAT THE MOM SENT US.
UM, SHE SAID, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALWAYS MAKING SURE WE HAD EVERYTHING WE NEEDED.
I THINK MS. MARY, WHO WAS HER VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE AT THE TIME FOR THE SAME GENUINE SUPPORT AND CARE FOR US DURING THIS TIME DEALING WITH CPS FEELS CONDEMNING, ISOLATING, AND IT'S SCARY FOR ANYONE AT THEIR LIFE.
UM, SHE SAID, I CAN'T IMAGINE DOING THIS WITHOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT.
IT WAS A RELIEF TO KNOW THAT THERE WOULD BE A NEUTRAL PARTY WEIGHING IN ON MY PROGRESS IN COURT.
AND I CAN'T THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH.
SO I'M PROUD OF THAT BECAUSE WE SAVED THAT CHILD FROM COMING AND STAYING IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.
THAT CHILD WAS ABLE TO GO BACK HOME WITHIN A MONTH AND WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE THAT KID AND THAT FAMILY.
UM, LIKE I SAID, WE ARE PREPARING FOR FIVE TO 10 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD AND NOT JUST TRYING TO LOOK AT TOMORROW BECAUSE WE DON'T WANNA BE COMING BEFORE YOU TOMORROW SAYING, HEY, WE'RE DESPERATE.
WE WANNA COME AND ASK YOU TO COME ALONGSIDE US AND TO SUPPORT.
'CAUSE WE PROVIDE A SERVICE THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS TO PROVIDE A GUARDIAN AD LITEM.
AND WE PROVIDE THAT AT NO COST.
WELL, EXCEPT FOR THIS REQUEST
BUT YOU KNOW, THE 128 CHILDREN WE'VE SERVED HAVE HAD A GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND OUR CASES LAST AROUND 23 MONTHS IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY.
SO ANY QUESTIONS? IT IS A VERY GOOD SERVICE AND SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED IN MORE WAYS THAN WHAT WE CAN EVEN IMAGINE.
'CAUSE WE'RE NOT, WE DON'T DEAL WITH THAT.
AND LIKE YOU, WE HAVE TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE ALSO.
AND, AND SO, UH, I KNOW YOU ASKED FOR AN INCREASE.
I DON'T BELIEVE ONE DOWN FOR IT SAYS INCREASE 236,000.
UH, I'M TALKING ANYWAY, WE'RE GOING TO, FOR NOW, WE'RE GONNA LEAVE IT LIKE IT WAS LAST YEAR.
UM, UNTIL WE GET MORE NUMBERS.
AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN STAY THE SAME.
UH, IF NOT, WE WILL LET YOU KNOW.
BUT FOR RIGHT NOW YOU CAN THAT'S PLAN ON THE SAME AS LAST YEAR.
TAKING ANY VOTES TODAY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, I'M JUST TELLING YOU.
WELL, UNTIL WE GET OUR NUMBERS, WE DON'T KNOW, UH,
[00:10:01]
WHERE WE ARE.SO THERE'S A COST IN THAT LONE STAR CO TWO DIFFERENT NO, I THINK THE ONE YOU'RE THINKING OF IS THE CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER.
UM, SO WE ARE REQUESTING THE SAME AMOUNT.
'CAUSE LIKE I SAID, JUDGE ALLEN DID TELL ME DON'T DO IT.
YOU'RE, SHE'S ONE OF FEW THAT THAT STUCK.
I HEARD THE WISDOM FROM JUDGE ALLEN
UM, AND UM, AND SO I, I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S LOTS OF CHANGES IN THIS COMMUNITY AND IN THIS COUNTY.
UM, AND THE CITIES ARE BLOWING UP.
UM, YOU KNOW, AND UM, IT'S BEEN INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE KIDS COME FROM.
WE'RE ABLE TO KIND OF TRACK 'EM FROM CITIES AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT FROM ZIP.
SO YES, IT GOES WITH THE GROWTH, LET ME JUST SAY THAT.
INCREASING IN TER AND THEN INCREASING IN KAUFMAN AS WELL AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW IN THESE TWO CITIES.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MS. LAUREN? NO, I SEE IT, COMMISSIONER.
I ALWAYS GET CONFUSED WITH THE OTHER ONE, SO I WANNA MAKE SURE YOU SAID I WAS LOOKING AT THE RIGHT THING.
Y'ALL DO A GREAT JOB AND WE CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT IS NOT THAT WE'RE COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT WE'RE GIVING AWAY, IS IT THAT WE'RE NO, I UNDERSTAND.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, PERIOD.
YOU KNOW, AND, BUT I THINK THAT'S EVERYBODY.
THAT'S, THAT'S NOT, I MEAN, I'M SORRY.
INFLATION'S HITTING EVERYBODY HARD.
EVEN THOUGH EVERYBODY KEEPS BRAGGING THAT INFLATION'S AT 2% OR SOMETHING, THEN I'M THINKING I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY'RE LIVING, BUT IT'S NOT HERE.
AND I PROMISE YOU IT'S NOT IN CALIFORNIA.
WELL, AND I CAN SAY WE OBVIOUSLY OUR COSTS HAVE GONE UP SUBSTANTIALLY AS EVERYBODY ELSE'S.
WE'RE ALSO BEEN DOING SOME CONSTRUCTION, UM, TO MAKE SOME MORE SPACE 'CAUSE WE'RE OUT OF SPACE.
UM, BUT I WILL SAY THAT'S WHY WE'RE CONSTANTLY SEEKING OTHER OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE OF JUST GOVERNMENT.
AND I DON'T JUST MEAN COUNTY, RIGHT.
I MEAN OUR STATE FUNDING AND OUR FEDERAL FUNDING AS WELL.
WE ARE TRYING TO BECOME LESS DEPENDENT.
UM, JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, YOU, YOU HAVE TO DIVERSIFY AND YOU HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR, UM, KNOW THE RAINY DAY.
WELL, YOU'RE PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE JUST LIKE WE ARE.
AND SO WE'RE NOT LOOKING JUST THIS YEAR, NEXT YEAR WITH HOUSING MARKET GOING DOWN, EVALUATION IS GOING DOWN.
YOU CAN'T KEEP DOLING MONEY OUTTA THE SAME POT AND IT'S EXPECTED TO FILL BACK THE SAME, WE CAN'T GO.
WE CAN'T JUST RAISE UP MONEY, YOU KNOW, LIKE IT USED TO.
COULD YOU, YOU CAN'T JUST SAY, WELL WE NEED 10% THIS YEAR AND TAKE 10%.
SO, I MEAN, THERE'S A AND THERE'S A LOT OF SPECULATION 'CAUSE GOING INTO NOVEMBER.
I MEAN, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS THERE.
THAT'S SO THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE.
AND, AND WE WILL LET YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA HAVE PROBABLY AT LEAST TWO MORE MEETINGS BEFORE WE FINALIZE THE BUDGET.
Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY.
OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE STAR TRANSIT LE HERE.
I'M LOOKING AT THE OTHER SHEET.
UM, IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME, MY NAME'S MELANIE SHACKLEFORD.
I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CELEBRATE FOREVER.
UM, I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU GUYS FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME AND SPEAK THIS MORNING.
I JUST HEARD Y'ALL TALKING ABOUT MONEY AND HOW IT'S NOT THERE.
SO I'M SURE Y'ALL GONNA LOVE TO LISTEN TO THIS.
BUT
BUT, UM, I JUST WANTED TO, YOU KNOW, SINCE 20 22, 2 WHEN WE OPENED OUR EMERGENCY SHELTER, UM, WE'VE SERVED 206 WOMEN AND CHILDREN, UH, WITH OUR OUTREACH AND EMERGENCY SELF SHELTER SERVICES.
UM, AND WE'VE BECOME A RELIABLE RESOURCE FOR STAKEHOLDERS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, UM, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT, NORTH TEXAS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, AND MANY OTHERS.
UM, COLLABORATION WITH THESE COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAS ENABLED US TO, UH, GIVE BETTER SERVICES TO OUR CLIENTS.
UH, PROVIDE THEM ACCESS TO RESOURCES THEY DIDN'T PREVIOUSLY HAVE AND OVERALL BETTER OUTCOMES SO THAT THEY DON'T RETURN TO THE ABUSIVE, UM, SITUATION THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY IN.
UM, SO, UM, I KINDA GOT THIS QUESTION FROM YOU GUYS LAST YEAR, SO I THOUGHT I'D ADDRESS IT.
WHAT MAKES OUR SERVICES, UM, OR OUR PROGRAM DIFFERENT THAN OTHER, UM,
[00:15:01]
OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT OFFER SIMILAR SERVICES? AND MY ANSWER TO THAT WOULD BE THAT WE HAVE AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY SHELTER AND A 24 7 CRISIS HOTLINE.SO MEANING THAT IF, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE NEEDED TO BRING SOMEBODY, THEY CAN DO THAT.
IF THEY WERE A COUNTY COMMUNITY PARTNER, THEY CAN BRING SOMEBODY 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK WITHOUT VETTING OR APPLICATION.
AND I'M GONNA GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE OF RICHARD DUNN'S ACTUALLY SITTING IN THIS ROOM.
BUT, UM, EARLIER THIS YEAR, I GOT A PHONE CALL ON A SUNDAY MORNING ABOUT SEVEN 30 IN THE MORNING, UM, GETTING READY FOR CHURCH AND
AND HE HAD A YOUNG LADY THAT HAD BEEN RELEASED FROM KAUFMAN HOSPITAL AND WALKED UP TO, UH, FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH HERE IN KAUFMAN.
AND HE NEEDED A PLACE FOR HER TO GO.
AND SO, UM, HE WAS WILLING TO DRIVE HER TO OUR FACILITY THAT MORNING.
UM, WE GOT HER IN, HE AND I WORKED TOGETHER TO TRY TO HELP SERVICE HER NEEDS AS BEST POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT WEEK OR SO.
UM, BUT THAT'S JUST ONE OF MANY EXAMPLES OF HOW WE CAN BE THERE FOR OTHER, UM, COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT NEED OUR SERVICES FOR, UM, WOMEN THAT ARE JUST TRYING TO ESCAPE A SITUATION.
WHETHER THAT BE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTUALLY ON THE SCENE NEEDING TO CALL US TO BRING SOMEBODY, UM, OR NPA YOU KNOW, HAS SOMEBODY THAT THAT NEEDS SOMEWHERE TO GO.
UM, WE'RE ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THAT, UH, IF WE HAVE A BED AVAILABLE.
UM, THE FUNDING APPLICATION YOU GUYS HAVE, UM, IN FRONT OF YOU IS OUR ANTICIPATED BUDGET.
UM, IT'S A ALSO, YOU HAVE AN OVERVIEW OF OUR PROGRAM AND THE DATA THAT WE COLLECTED FROM THE SERVICES PROVIDED IN 2023.
UM, THE MAJORITY OF OUR FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM, SO WE HAVE ALSO A RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM THAT'S, UM, ALL FUNDED FOR PRIVATE DONORS.
UM, BUT THE MAJORITY FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM IS FUNDED THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THROUGH YOU GUYS.
AND SO, UM, IT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT OUR FEDERAL GRANT THIS YEAR IS GONNA BE LESS THAN PREVIOUSLY, UM, THAT WE'VE GOTTEN IN THE PAST THREE YEARS.
AND NOT ONLY THAT, THEY'RE REQUIRING ADDITIONAL, UM, FUNDING SOURCE TO MATCH, UM, NOT THE ENTIRETY OF IT, BUT A PERCENTAGE OF IT HAS TO BE MATCHED BY ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE.
AND SO THAT'S THE REASON I'VE ASKED FOR AN INCREASE OF BUDGET FROM 30,000 TO 40,000 FOR THE 2025 YEAR.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THE FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA THAT I'VE PROVIDED, UM, 24% OF WHAT I'M REQUESTING FROM KAUFFMAN COUNTY IS, UM, 24% OF OUR BUDGET.
AND WE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 26%, UH, OF OUR SERVICES WERE DIRECTLY TO KAUFFMAN COUNTY RESIDENTS IN 2023.
AND SO, AND I ANTICIPATE THAT WILL CONTINUE TO INCREASE, UM, WITH MY EFFORTS FOR EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, UM, TO LET PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE.
'CAUSE THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF MY BIGGEST CHALLENGES, IS JUST TO LET, UM, THE DIFFERENT CITIES KNOW THAT WE'RE AVAILABLE, UH, TO HELP THEM AS THEY NEED IT.
SO IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME ABOUT THE DATA THAT I PROVIDED OR ABOUT OUR BUDGET, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THAT.
OR JUST ABOUT OUR SERVICES IN GENERAL.
YOU MAYBE ABOUT HERE, THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE YOU SERVE FROM KAUFFMAN COUNTY IS WHAT, 26%? 26%? YES, SIR.
AND I, I BELIEVE IN THE DATA I PROVIDED, I BROKE THAT DOWN BY CITY, WHICH IS THE CITIES THAT I WILL BE, UM, GOING OUT TO AND SAYING, HEY, WE'RE HERE IF YOU NEED OUR HELP.
BUT, UM, KAUFMAN, THE CITY OF KAUFMAN WAS ACTUALLY, UH, THE LARGEST CITY THAT WE PROVIDED SERVICES THAT RESIDENTS OF KAUFMAN, UM, AND FORNEY BEING NEXT, AND TERRELL, MAYBANK, SCURRY, KEMP CRANDALL AND WILL POINT.
SO DO ANY OF THE CITIES SUPPORT YOU FINANCIALLY? THEY DO NOT, NO, SIR.
HAVE YOU REQUESTED FUNDS FROM THE CITIES? UM, FROM THE CITY OF KEMP? I HAVE.
I HAVE NOT GONE TO OTHER CITIES INDIVIDUALLY.
AND I'LL BE HONEST, UM, YOU KNOW, I STARTED ON ALMOST FOUR YEARS AGO AS DIRECTOR AND THERE WAS NO GOOD DATA TRACKING.
SO SINCE THEN WE'VE IMPLEMENTED A, A WONDERFUL CLOUD-BASED SYSTEM WHERE I ACTUALLY HAVE DATA AND NUMBERS I CAN PROVIDE TO THOSE CITIES, PROVIDE TO YOU GUYS, PROVIDE TO MYSELF.
SO IT HELPS AND IMPROVE OUR PROGRAMS AND THE SERVICES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE.
SO, WELL, IT'S A NEEDED, VERY NEEDED SERVICE.
NO, I REMEMBER AS OF TODAY, WE'RE GOING, WE'RE GONNA GOOD PRESENTATION.
WE'RE GONNA HANG WITH THE SAME MEMBER WE DID LAST YEAR FOR RIGHT NOW.
I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU YES.
AND THEN, THEN HAVE TO TAKE IT BACK.
WE DON'T WANNA THATAND, I'M JUST ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER IT IF IT'S AVAILABLE.
APPRECIATE Y'ALL HAVE A GREAT DAY.
I'M NOT TOUCHING 45, BUT I'LL JUMP RIGHT IN.
WE'RE
[00:20:01]
SHORT AS THEY WANT OR WHATEVER.I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SENIOR CONNECT.
UM, WE ARE THE AGENCY THAT PROVIDES MEALS ON WHEELS FOR ALL OF KAUFMAN COUNTY.
AND WE HAVE CONGREGATE SITES IN FORNEY, KEMP, KAUFMAN, MAYBANK TERRELL.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THREE ADDITIONAL, UM, NUTRITION SITES AT SOME SENIOR APARTMENTS AND TERRELL CRANDALL.
AND WE, UH, PARTNER WITH FIRST BAPTIST WITH THEIR NUTRITION PROGRAM.
SO WE SERVE GOODNESS ABOUT CONGREGATES BETWEEN 300, 400 SENIORS ADULTS A DAY.
AND THEN WE HAVE THE HOT ROUTES, UM, OUT OF FORNEY KAUFMAN CAMP MAYBANK TERRELL.
AND UM, WE HAVE A HOT ROUTE IN CRANDALL AND WE SERVE BETWEEN 270 AND 300 CLIENTS A DAY.
UH, WE ALSO HAVE A FROZEN ROUTE THAT GOES OUT IN THE COUNTY, BUT LAST YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 23, WE SERVED OVER 110,000 MEALS.
AND THIS YEAR WE'RE PROJECTED TO SERVE 128,000.
WE'VE ALREADY SERVED 95,591 MEALS THIS FISCAL YEAR AND WE STILL HAVE THREE MONTHS LEFT.
AND AS YOU KNOW, AS YOU'RE WELL AWARE, OUR COUNTY IS GROWING AND WE ARE GETTING LOTS OF REFERRALS FOR PEOPLE WHO'VE COME IN TO OUR COUNTY FROM DALLAS COUNTY WITH THEIR REFERRAL FOR MEALS ON WHEELS THAT THEY WERE BEING SERVED IN DALLAS COUNTY.
WE DO HAVE POCKETS OF OUR COMMUNITIES THAT AREN'T BEING SERVED JUST BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ENOUGH OF THE INFORMATION.
BUT ONCE THEY GET THE INFORMATION, WHICH WE'VE BEEN DEALING OUT TO LOCAL CHURCHES AND BUSINESSES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, LIKE COMBINE, WE'LL, I'M SURE WE'LL GET MORE REFERRALS RIGHT NOW.
WE HAVE 47 PEOPLE ON A WAITING LIST TO GET MEALS.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF FUNDING AND WE GET CALLS AND THEY ALL OVER THE PLACE.
THEY'RE ALL IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY.
I JUST, THEY'RE BUT THEY'RE ALL OVER THE COUNTY.
I WOULD SAY HALF OF THEM WOULD BE FOR OUR FROZEN ROUTES, WHICH CONSTITUTES ANYONE WHO IS ABOUT TWO TO THREE MILES FROM THE CENTER IN THAT COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, HALF ARE FROZEN AND SO HALF ARE WOULD BE HOT ROUTE.
IS THIS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE STAR TRANSIT COULD GO PICK THEM UP AND BRING THEM? WE DO PARTNER WITH STAR TRANSIT.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE VERY BUSY, SO IT'S HARD TO GET, IT'S FOR THEM TO GET THE SENIORS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SENIORS THAT COME TO THE CENTER THAT USE OUR TRANSIT AND IT'S A FREE SERVICE FOR THEM.
UM, WE DO SERVE, WE'VE NOTICED A LARGER HOMELESS POPULATION OVER THE AGE OF 60 THAT ARE USING OUR SERVICES AS FAR AS COMING INTO A CENTER.
HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE A NUMBER ON THAT? WE SERVE IN, IT'S MOSTLY IN TERRELL I WOULD BELIEVE.
WE HAVE ABOUT EIGHT THAT FLUCTUATE IN AND OUT.
AND THEN FORNEY HAS, I THINK THEY ONLY HAVE ONE.
KENT HAD A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS HOMELESS.
I HAVE A FEELING, I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT ONE IS.
I DIDN'T FEEL, UM, THERE WAS ONE IN KEMP.
HOWEVER, HE GOT HOUSING AT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY NEXT TO THE CENTER THAT IS IN KEMP.
SO THE 47 WHO ARE WAITING ON THE LIST? MM-HMM.
IS THAT FOR THE FROZEN MEALS FOR BOTH.
SO, UH, ARE THESE 47 ON SOMEONE'S ROUTE OR WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE 47 MINUTES.
IT'S, IT'S, IT'S AS WE GET MONEY, DONATIONS AND SUCH AND WE RELEASE PEOPLE OFF THE LIST AND THEN AS WE GET REIMBURSED AS WELL FROM AAA, WE RELEASE PEOPLE OFF THE LIST.
SO WHAT, WHAT DOES IT COST FOR 47 PEOPLE? YOU KNOW, A FEW YEARS BACK WE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.
AND THE COUNTY PICKED UP THAT DOLLARS FOR 20 SOMETHING MEALS.
BUT WHAT IS THAT? SO IT DEPEND.
SO WE GET REIMBURSED FOR HOME DELIVERED MEALS AT $6 46 CENTS A MEAL.
THAT'S WHAT WE GET REIMBURSED FROM AAA.
WE TRY TO KEEP OUR COST DOWN, BUT I'M SURE YOU ALL KNOW THE COST OF FOOD.
I KNOW IT'S SOMETIMES IT'S CHEAPER TO EAT OUT.
UM, ISN'T THAT TERRIBLE? YES IT IS.
BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU.
YOU CAN GET FOOD FROM THE FOOD BANK.
WE CANNOT USE FOOD THAT IS DONATED.
WE HAVE TO PURCHASE OUR FOOD BECAUSE WE ARE REIMBURSED OKAY.
WE CANNOT COUNT ANY MEAL THAT THE FOOD IS DONATED.
AND WE HAVE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES AS FAR AS NEW, LIKE WE, OUR MENUS GO TO A DIETICIAN.
[00:25:01]
NUTRITIONALLY THE HECK CAN'T HAVE OVER SO MANY CALORIES.SO, WELL, EVERYBODY MAKES EVERYTHING REALLY COMPLICATED.
THERE'S A LOT OF RULES IN THERE.
MEALS ON WHEELS AND SOME OF THE PEOPLE WILL NOT TAKE THE MILK.
AND SO SHE BROUGHT ONE OF THEM HOME ONE DAY AND I SAID, I'M GOING TO TRY THIS.
IT IS THE WORST TASTING STUFF.
WE HAVE TO USE 1% MILK, WATER.
WELL, WE CAN USE 2%, BUT WE WERE HAVING A, UM, AN ISSUE WITH OUR MILK, THE SOMETHING WITH THE PRINTING ON THE LABEL.
SO WE HAD TO USE 1% BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE 2% YOU NEED TO GO TO WHOLE MILK, MAKE IT.
I WILL SAY IF YOU HAVE NOT VOLUNTEERED TO DO A ROUTE, YOU SHOULD, YOU SHOULD DO THAT.
IT'S, IT WILL, IT'S FANTASTIC.
I HAVE, AND I'VE GONE WITH HER ON DELIVERIES AND THE PEOPLE, IF THEY DIDN'T GET THIS FOOD, A LOT OF 'EM ARE NOT CAPABLE OF FIXING ANYTHING.
A LOT OF 'EM, THEY DON'T HAVE CHILDREN WHO CARE ENOUGH TO BE THERE TO PROVIDE ANYTHING FOR THEIR PARENT.
AND ALSO IT'S SOMETIMES IT'S THE ONLY PEOPLE ANYONE SEES THAT'S THE ONLY PERSON THEY SEE.
AND THAT, THAT JUST BREAKS MY HEART.
YOU'D GO SOMEWHERE AND IT'D BE, YOU'D BE THE ONLY PERSON THEY HAD CONTACT WITH.
AND IT'S LIKE, I HAVE SOMEPLACE ELSE TO GO.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANNA BE MEAN HERE, BUT I, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO KEEP MOVING.
THERE WAS A GENTLEMAN THAT WE SERVED, HE WAS ON OUR FROZEN ROUTE AND HE WAS A VETERAN.
HE WAS, UH, HE HAD HAD A STROKE.
HE LIVED BY HIMSELF IN A, IN A, UM, TRAILER THAT HAD HOLES.
HE LIVED IN THE MASTER BEDROOM BASICALLY.
AND WE, HE WAS, HE WAS, HE WAS FEISTY
AND HE JUST HAD BEEN OVERLOOKED.
HE DIDN'T, HIS NEIGHBORS, IN ORDER TO GET FOOD, HE HAD TO PAY THEM TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE FOR HIM.
SO WE GOT, HE WAS GETTING, HE WAS RECEIVING MEALS AND THEN WE PARTNERED WITH, UM, THE FOOD BANK IN ORDER FOR THEM.
THEY HAD A PROGRAM, THEY HAD VOLUNTEERS THAT WOULD BRING HIM, TAKE SOME FOOD TO HIM, TAKE SOME FOOD TO HIM.
HE WAS LIKE, OKAY, I THINK I HAVE TOO MUCH FOOD NOW.
I DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO PUT IT.
DID HE MIX IT TO HIMSELF? IT WAS MOSTLY SHELF STABLE.
BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE A, HE HAD A MICROWAVE.
HE HAD, HE HAD A MICROWAVE MATCH.
HE HAD CATS THAT WERE, HE SAID THEY WERE HID THEIR HOME TOO.
SO, AND, BUT HE, WITH AS FEISTY AS HE, HE, THE ATTITUDE CHANGED THAT HE HAD BASED ON SOMEBODY SEEING HIM AND COMING AND, YOU KNOW, TALKING TO HIM AND HELPING HIM.
IT WAS SO WHAT DO THESE 47 PEOPLE DO FOR MEALS EVERY DAY? WELL, WE TRY TO GET THEM TO COME TO THE CENTER IF THEY'RE ABLE, IF THEY HAVE SOMEBODY THAT CAN BRING THEM TO A CENTER BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A WAITING LIST FOR THE CENTER.
THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO GET THEM TO DO.
I MEAN THAT'S, THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE.
WELL, THAT'S WHERE I ASK ABOUT STAR TRANSIT.
SO WE GIVE THEM THEIR INFORMATION AND I GIVE THEM, UM, INFORMATION FOR THE CENTER SO THEY CAN TALK WITH RICHARD AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY SORT OF HELP THAT THEY CAN GET THERE.
IF THEY LIVE IN RICHARD'S ZIP CODES, THE ONES THAT HIS CENTER SERVES.
OTHERWISE I GIVE THEM THE INFORMATION FOR TERRELL AND FORNEY.
THERE IS, I WILL SAY THAT WHEN I WAS GOING THROUGH THE BOOK, THE MAJORITY OF, SO HALF OF THEM ARE PROBABLY FROZEN.
SO HALF OF THE 50 THAT'S LEFT, THEY'RE IN FORNEY.
THEY'RE ALL, THEY'RE ALL HOT ROUTE IN FORNEY.
AND FORNEY HAS THREE HOT ROUTES ALREADY.
AND THEY'RE SERVING 40 PEOPLE.
AND THE PROGRAM YOU GUYS DO IS VERY GOOD FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE INVOLVED IN IT AS WELL.
AND I MEAN, IT'S A BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS.
IT JUST, 'CAUSE NOW THEY'RE, BECAUSE A LOT OF THEM, UH, THEY RETIRED ON SOCIAL SECURITY.
WITH ALL THE COST OF GROCERIES AND EVERYTHING.
NOW THEY'RE HURTING, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THE SENIORS THAT ARE JUST ON YES.
[00:30:01]
I PAY FOR FOOD OR DO I PAY FOR MY BILLS? SURE.DO I PAY FOR MY MEDICATION? YOU TURN ON YOUR, YOU TURN ON YOUR LIFE.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD CHARITIES HERE THAT WE HELP WITH.
AND, AND THEN YOU THINK, WHO NEEDS OUR HELP THE MOST? YOU KNOW, IT'S, AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE ALL GOOD.
NO, WE'RE ALREADY OLD, AREN'T WE? YEAH.
BUT THIS MIGHT BE, THIS MIGHT BE THE ONLY MEAL WE GET.
I, I HAVEN'T BEEN WITH HER BUT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I'M NOT GOING AGAIN.
AND THERE'S NOT MUCH YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT.
BUT IT IS GOOD TO SEE THE GOOD THAT COMES OUT OF IT.
IT'S THAT, THAT KEEPS US GOING.
AND UH, AND PEOPLE HAVE A HARD TIME WITH THAT.
AND, AND I'M NOT FAULTING THEM.
I'M JUST SAYING EVERYBODY'S BUSY.
YOU KNOW, WE, WE'VE BEEN SO MUCH, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR A LONG TIME.
ME AND MY WIFE AND OTHER PEOPLE AND, AND UH, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING.
THE CLIMATE HAS CHANGED ON VOLUNTEERISM WITH THIS NEW GENERATION.
LIKE, I, I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND STAYING WITH EVERYONE IF WE CAN FIND MORE.
'CAUSE I HATE FOR ANYBODY TO GO HUNGRY.
THEY'VE PAID THEIR TAXES AND THEIR DUES.
IT'S, IT'S HARD ACROSS THE, IT'S A SHAME THAT WE DON'T HAVE MORE FAMILIES TAKING CARE OF THEIR OWN FAMILIES.
BUT I DO THANK YOU FOR WHAT Y'ALL GIVE.
IT'S IN THE PAST WHAT Y'ALL HAVE GIVEN IT, IT, THERE'S NO WORDS.
I MEAN, IT COMES IN AND OH, WE KNOW.
OKAY, SO I DIDN'T HEAR HER NAME.
WE NEED TO GET THAT CLOCK FIXED BACK.
WHAT, UH, BUDDY, YOU WANNA COME ON UP AND DON'T SEE ANYBODY ELSE.
HOLD ON, JUST LET ME FIND YOUR PAPERWORK HERE.
NOW, LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR WE DONATE ANY MONEY TO THE CENTER.
NOW, I THINK I HEARD HER SAY YOU ONLY SERVE PEOPLE IN YOUR ZIP CODE.
IS THAT TRUE? UH, WELL, WE SERVE THAT.
THERE'S, THERE'S DIFFERENT PARTS TO THAT.
SO WHEN WE WORK WITH THE NORTH TEXAS FOOD BANK, AND SO SINCE WE DO THAT, WE SERVE ALL THE SOUTHERN KAUFFMAN COUNTIES.
THAT'S KEMP COMBINE AS FAR AS DIRECTLY WITH OUR REGULAR FOOD PANTRY.
WE HAVE THE SHERIFF'S CENTER THAT'S IN, UH, TERRELL.
AND THEY TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE IN TERRELL.
AND THEN THERE'S ALSO THE FOOD, UH, FORNEY FOOD PANTRY OVER IN FORNEY.
NOW THAT'S FOR OUR DIRECT PANTRY.
BUT BEYOND THAT, WE HAVE OUR MONTHLY FOOD DISTRIBUTION.
THAT'S FOR ANYBODY THAT COMES, THAT, THAT'S BROAD FOR ANYBODY THAT NOW, OTHER THAN FOOD, WHAT SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE? WE ALSO PROVIDE, WE HAVE, WE DO HAVE SOME OTHER SIDE THINGS THAT WE DO FOR HELP.
YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR THING WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS HELP PEOPLE.
WE'VE GOT, UH, HYGIENE SERVICES.
WE'RE TRYING TO BRING PEOPLE'S COSTS DOWN.
AND WE'RE LOOKING AT PEOPLE THAT ARE LOW INCOME.
SO OBVIOUSLY WE'RE TRYING, WE CAN'T DO A WHOLE LOT TO BRING THEIR COST UP.
WE ARE TRYING TO BRING THAT COST DOWN A LITTLE BIT.
SO WE'RE SERVING ABOUT 1100 FAMILIES PER MONTH.
WE HAVE A TOUCH TO ABOUT 1100 FAMILIES PER MONTH NOW, WHICH IS CONTINUING TO GROW.
WE'VE GOT A, WE, WE, AS YOU'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, WE'VE GOT A COUNTY THAT'S GROWING, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, I, LISTEN, I LIVE RIGHT HERE IN CO I LOVE LIVING HERE IN KAUFMAN.
I LIVE RIGHT OVER HERE, ABOUT THREE BLOCKS FROM HERE.
I SIT ON PLANNING AND ZONING HERE IN KAUFMAN.
I LOVE TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.
UH, BUT PART OF THE DOWNSIDE OF THAT IS, IS FOR THOSE THAT ARE ON THE LOWER SCALE, I MEAN, IT HAPPENS WITH THE MIDDLE CLASS TOO, BUT THOSE ARE ON THE LOWER SCALE.
THE RENTAL PROPERTIES, THE PRICING AND ALL THESE THINGS ARE JUST SKYROCKETING.
BUT I WILL LIKE TO SAY, I GOTTA TELL YOU SOMETHING.
WHAT'S REALLY GREAT, I'M COMING UP ON MY SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY HERE
[00:35:01]
AT THE CENTER ON AUGUST THE FIRST.AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE ALWAYS HAD, AND PART OF OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS, IS OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO SERVE, WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE AND WITH RELIEF AND CRISIS.
BUT PART OF THAT IS FOR THOSE THAT ARE WILLING, THOSE ARE TO MOVE THEM INTO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
SO WE HAVE TWO PROGRAMS THAT HAVE ONE THAT HAS STARTED.
ONE THAT, IN FACT, I HAVE A LUNCHEON RIGHT AFTER THIS TO MAKE SURE WE'VE GOT THAT TEAM READY TO GO.
AND IT'S MOVING INTO HELPING PEOPLE MOVE WITH THAT.
SO WE STARTED OUR FI, FAITH AND FINANCE CLASSES.
UH, THEY STARTED THIS LAST BACK IN MAY.
WE FINISHED OUR COMMUNITY CLASS ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO.
WE HAD NINE PEOPLE GRADUATE FROM THAT CLASS.
UH, THESE CLASSES ARE, AND WE'VE GOT 13 LADIES FROM THE GENESIS CENTER.
WE TOOK OVER THEIR, UH, GROUP.
THEY'LL BE GRADUATING NEXT WEEK.
ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THIS, THIS CLASS, WE, I'VE WORKED ON THIS FOR YEARS, IS OUT OF A GROUP OUTTA CHICAGO WE'RE WORKING WITH.
AND ONE OF THE REASONS IT WORKS SO WELL IS BECAUSE WE REALIZED THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE, IN FACT, ONE OF OUR, THE LADIES THAT WROTE HER A WRAP UP ON IT, SAID THE SAME THING.
THERE'S THINGS LIKE DAVE RAMSEY, FOR EXAMPLE.
DAVE RAMSEY IS AWESOME, BUT DAVE RAMSEY DOESN'T WORK FOR ANYBODY I WORK WITH.
YOU HAVE TO MOVE TO THAT LEVEL.
THERE'S SOME PRINCIPLES THERE THAT DON'T APPLY IF YOU'RE NOT SET UP THERE.
SO THIS PARTICULAR COURSE IS DESIGNED TO DIRECTLY TALK TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING.
I MEAN, ONE OF THE SESSIONS TALKS ABOUT DEALING WITH PREDATORY LOANS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU AND I WOULDN'T HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT 'CAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE WOULD EVEN THINK ABOUT DOING.
BUT IF YOU'RE PUTTING YOURSELF IN THOSE SHOES, YOU FIND YOURSELF LOOKING AT THAT.
SO THAT CLASS, THAT CLASS FINISHED AND THAT WE'LL BE DOING, WELL STARTING SOME MORE IN THE FALL.
THE IDEA BEHIND THIS IS, IN FACT, PART OF OUR TEAM IS TALKING TODAY TO DEVELOP NEW FACILITATORS.
SO WE HAVE A CLASS GOING ON IN TERRELL AND IN FORNEY AND IN KEMP.
UH, I'VE EVEN TALKED TO ONE OF OUR COUNTY JUDGES.
WE HAVEN'T, I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE YET THAT TO MEET WITH THEM, BUT I WANNA SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THEM.
'CAUSE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH PROBATION AND JUST ANOTHER TOOL IN THE BELT TO SAY, LISTEN, YOU OBVIOUSLY, WE WANNA KEEP THEM OUT OF THE CYCLE.
KEEP THEM OUTTA JAIL AND GET THEM BACK IN.
SO THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GONNA PLAY OUT ON THAT.
THE, THE SECOND PHASE, THE MAIN REASON WE'RE HAVING OUR LUNCHEON TODAY IS THE SECOND PHASE OF THIS, WHICH IS A SIMILAR THING, BUT IT IS CALLED WORK LIFE.
YOU GENTLEMEN KNOW THAT WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THE WORK MINDSET FROM THE EMPLOYEE IS BIZARRE.
UH, I WAS WATCHING SOME REPORT THE OTHER DAY AND THE REPORTER WAS TALKING ABOUT HOW ALL THE EMPLOYEE DEMANDS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
AND IT'S LIKE, IT STRUCK ME AS FUNNY.
OBVIOUSLY AS AN EMPLOYEE, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SOME RIGHTS, BUT NOBODY TALKS ABOUT THE EMPLOYER DEMANDS ANYMORE AND THE NEED FOR THE JOB.
WE HAVE A LOCAL BUSINESS HERE.
I WAS IN, UH, TOO RECENTLY BACK TALKING ABOUT, HOW'S THINGS GOING WITH YOU? HE GOES, WELL, YOU KNOW, I HIRED THIS GUY THE OTHER DAY AND HE WORKED ABOUT FOUR HOURS, TOOK THE APRON OFF, HANDED IT TO ME AND WALKED OUT THE DOOR.
SO THIS WORK LIFE COURSE HAS REALLY TWO MAJOR FUNCTIONS.
NUMBER ONE, WE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO TAKE PEOPLE AND PUT THEM THROUGH THE COURSE.
THE IDEA IS SHOW THEM HOW TO LOOK FOR JOBS, FIND THE RIGHT JOBS, SCREEN FOR THE RIGHT JOB, DO ACTUAL RESUMES.
I I, I SEE SOME RESUMES IN MY LIFE THAT ARE JUST YOU.
AND I WOULD SAY, I'M NOT EVEN LOOKING AT THIS.
BUT HOW TO DO A PROFESSIONAL RESUME.
HOW TO DO A GOOD JOB INTERVIEW.
BUT IT ALSO PLAYS INTO HOW TO KEEP MY JOB.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT I KEEP MY JOB.
HAD A LADY RECENTLY THAT I WAS WORKING WITH, SHE CALLS ME, THEY'RE IN KIND OF A TROUBLE.
AND SHE SAYS, I SAYS, WELL, WHY ARE YOU IN TROUBLE? BECAUSE I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN WORKING AT THIS PLACE FOR A WHILE.
AND I GO, WELL, WHY DID YOU QUIT? SHE GOES, WELL, THEY CHANGED THE HOURS.
AND SO THEY BUMPED ME LATER INTO THE NIGHT.
AND SO I MISSED BEING WITH MY GIRLS.
AND BEFORE I COULD SAY ANYTHING, SHE SAID, PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE GOT ANOTHER JOB BEFORE I QUIT.
BUT THAT IS NOT A LOGICAL THINKING SOMETIME AMONGST FOLKS THAT WE DEAL WITH.
AND SO THIS WORK LIFE REALLY HELPS THAT.
BUT THE SECOND PART OF THE WORK LIFE IS, IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO, WE WANT TO GO TO THE BUSINESSES.
IN FACT, THIS TEAM TODAY IS, WE'RE PART OF WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS DEVELOP A LITTLE INTERVIEW PROCESS, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY DONE SOME PRE-INTERVIEWS ALREADY.
TO TALK TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, BOTH LARGE AND SMALL, AND SAY, HEY, JUST WHAT ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH? WHAT, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM YOU'RE HAVING? WE HEAR ABOUT JOBS OUT THERE ALL THE TIME, BUT FOR SOME REASON NOBODY'S KEEPING THE JOBS.
AND WE KNOW OUR, OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, AND I, I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I LIVE HERE IN KAUFMAN.
I I KNOW THE PEOPLE DOWN HERE.
I KNOW THE THINGS THAT, BUT THEY, THEY STRUGGLE WITH THIS KEEPING PEOPLE GOING EVERY SINGLE DAY.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT, UH, WE'RE TALKING TO THEM AND WE'LL, WE WILL BE ABLE TO USE THIS IN THE CLASSES.
'CAUSE AS WE TEACH, WE'LL BE ABLE TO SAY, LISTEN, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCAL EMPLOYERS.
WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE SOME OF THEM COME IN AND GO, HERE'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR WHEN WE NEED EMPLOYEES.
AND EVEN WITH THE FINANCIAL, UH, LONE STAR CREDIT ACTUALLY SPONSORED THAT CLASS FOR US.
AND THEY CAME IN AND THEY WERE ABLE, THEY'VE GOT THREE OR FOUR, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CURRENT NUMBER IS OF THOSE FOLKS, UH, NOW WITH A SAVINGS ACCOUNT.
AND NONE OF THEM HAD SAVINGS ACCOUNT BEFORE.
[00:40:01]
BECAUSE THERE IS, AGAIN, A MINDSET WHEN YOU GET INTO THE LOW INCOME AND WHAT I REFER TO AS THE POVERTY CULTURE MINDSET, THAT THAT'S, THE LADIES IN THAT CLASS ACTUALLY MADE A STATEMENT.MOST OF THEM HAVE SAID, WE DON'T TRUST BANKS.
WE DON'T, BECAUSE OF BAD EXPERIENCES THEY HAD, WHETHER IT WAS THEIR OWN FAULT OR NOT, THAT'S REALLY IMMATERIAL.
BUT OUT OF THIS NOW WE'VE GOT AT LEAST FOUR LADIES THAT HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT, A LONE STAR KIND OF HELPING MATCH THAT.
SO THOSE ARE THE TWO THINGS WE ARE, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.
UH, IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE OVER THE LAST YEAR.
I THANK YOU, YOU GENTLEMEN, FOR GETTING US INTO THE BUDGET LAST YEAR.
UH, THAT'S BEEN A GREAT BLESSING FOR US.
UH, ONE OF THE STRUGGLES WE'VE HAD, AND ONE OF THE REASONS I ASKED FOR THIS MONEY SPECIFICALLY IS REALLY NOT ABOUT THOSE, THOSE THE OTHER COURSES THAT WE'RE DOING OR THE FOOD, THE STRUGGLE WE HAVE SOMETIMES IS DEALING WITH THE CRISIS RELIEF SCENARIOS.
WE DEAL WITH LIKE HOMELESS AND U UTILITIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE DEAL, YOU KNOW, WE KEEP IT KIND, IT NOT A HUGE UNDER, UNDER, UNDER THING, BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE OUT LIVING IN THEIR CARS ALL AROUND THIS COUNTY.
ANY NIGHT YOU GO UP TO WALMART, IF YOU GET UP THERE LATE AT NIGHT, THERE'S 6, 7, 8 CARS THAT ARE IN THAT PARKING LOT WITH FOLKS THAT ARE LIVING THERE.
WE'RE ABLE TO SERVE SOME OF THEM.
WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THE BRIDGE, UH, VERY CLOSELY WITH THE BRIDGE TO HELP WHEN WE'VE GOT SOMEONE TO GET THEM DIRECTED TO SOME SOURCE.
BUT AGAIN, IF PEOPLE CHOOSE NOT TO DO SOMETHING, THEN THEY'LL, THEY'LL GET THAT PART OF THE FUNDING THAT I'M ASKING FOR.
WE WANT TO USE VERY SPECIFICALLY.
I'M NOT REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE OPERATING COST AND ALL THAT.
UH, WE'RE EVEN DOING SOME EXPANSION TO OUR BUILDING.
WE'VE GOT OUR COOLER CAMPAIGNS.
WE'RE ADDING A WALK-IN FREEZER THAT'LL HELP EXPAND THOSE.
BUT WE WE'RE WORKING ON THAT FROM ANOTHER ANGLE.
THE MONEY I ASK FOR REALLY IS TO GO DIRECTLY TO, WE PUT IT IN WHAT WE CALL A RELIEF FUND SO WE CAN REALLY PUT THE IT, IT IS AN IN, IN AND OUT MONEY AND WE HAVE NO OPERATIONAL COST ON IT TO HELP ME PAY FOR HOTELS AND STUFF.
AND JUST SINCE I WROTE WHAT I WROTE YOU THERE, JUST IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS, WE'VE GOT ONE GENTLEMAN WHO LIVING HERE IN TOWN, HE CONTACTED US.
HE'S HAVING A, HE'S HE IS A LIFELONG SUBSTANCE ABUSER, UH, HAS SAID I NEED SOME HELP.
SO WE WERE ABLE, YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE BRIDGE SON, BUT WE WERE ABLE, WE HAD TO PUT HIM UP IN A HOTEL FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS.
WHAT I GOT A CALL ABOUT 10 30, ABOUT THREE SATURDAY NIGHTS AGO AT NIGHT, UH, FROM THE KAUFMAN PD.
UH, YOUNG LADY WAS DROPPED OFF, LITERALLY RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET HERE IN FRONT OF THE COURTHOUSE.
SHE HAD NO CRIMINAL ISSUES, NOTHING.
BUT AT 10 30 AT NIGHT, SHE WAS ROAMING AROUND KAMAN.
WE WERE ABLE TO COME, WE WERE ABLE TO PUT HER UP FOR A COUPLE OF NIGHTS UNTIL WE WERE ABLE TO GET HER HOME INTO HOUSTON.
UH, WE FOUND A LADY A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT CONTACTED US.
SHE HAD KIND OF GOT, I HAD TO SAY SCAMMED A LITTLE BIT INTO ANOTHER LADY WHO RENTED HER OUT A ROOM IN ONE OF THE LOCAL APARTMENTS.
BUT THIS LADY'S LIVING IN A ROOM WITH NO FURNITURE.
SHE'S SLEEPING ON THE FLOOR, SHE HAS DIABETES, ALL KIND OF HEALTH PROBLEMS. WE WERE ABLE TO GET HER OUT OF THERE.
WE DID HAVE TO PUT HER UP IN A HOTEL FOR SEVERAL DAYS.
BUT WE FINALLY GOT HER INTO KAUFMAN HEALTHCARE AND SHE'S STILL OVER THERE RIGHT NOW.
SO, YOU KNOW, I SHARE THESE WITH YOU BECAUSE THESE ARE VERY UNDER THE RADAR STORIES.
AND FOR THE MOST PART, NOBODY REALLY CARES.
BUT I BELIEVE WE ARE INTERCEPTING.
UH, WE GO BACK TO SOME OF THE SIMS MAPPING THAT WENT THROUGH THE BACK.
WE'RE KIND OF THAT ZERO, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT.
WE'RE CATCHING AS MANY OF THESE FOLKS AS WE CAN UP FRONT.
SO THE KAUFFMAN PD, I WORK WELL WITH THE KAUFFMAN PD AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, BUT WE'RE TRYING TO CATCH THEM UP FRONT.
SO MAYBE THEY DON'T GO TO JAIL.
MAYBE WE GET THEM TO THE BRIDGE AND WE KIND OF AVOID ALL THAT.
DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, BUT WE TRY.
AND THEN IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE BY THE WAY, I WANT YOU TO KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S REALLY DEVELOPED, JUST MAKE YOU AWARE OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE GREAT RELATIONSHIP WE'VE HAD WITH KAUFMAN COUNTY PROBATION.
WE DO OUR ONCE A MONTH FOOD DISTRIBUTION, WHICH AGAIN, IS WIDE OPEN FOR ANYONE.
WE DO IT ON THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH PARKING LOT AND WE DO IT AT FIRST BAPTIST CAMP.
UH, WE'VE GOT THE STREET SITES.
WE'LL SERVE ABOUT 600 FAMILIES IN THOUGH AT KAUFMAN, ONE OF OUR MAIN SOURCES OF VOLUNTEERS.
IT TAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DO THAT.
THERE'S JUST A LOT OF BALLS BOUNCING.
UH, WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 25 KAUFMAN COUNTY PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING OUT COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS.
UH, I WORK WITH ALEX STEWART AND LANCE AND WE WORK THROUGH THIS.
AND MAN, THAT HAS JUST BEEN A WONDERFUL THING.
I DON'T KNOW THIS FOR A FACT, BUT JUST BASED ON WHAT I KIND OF KNOW FROM THE AREA, I THINK THE CENTER MAY HAVE BECOME ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS IN THE COUNTY BECAUSE MOST PLACES JUST ARE, WE'RE NOT HUGE, BUT MOST PLACES AREN'T QUITE BIG ENOUGH TO DO THAT.
SO THAT'S BEEN A GREAT BLESSING.
AND, AND I'M GONNA SHARE JUST ONE LAST THING THING TO CUT.
I HEARD PART OF THE CONVERSATION BEFORE WAS THE, UM, THE TOUGH, HOW HARD IT IS TO GET VOLUNTEERS THESE DAYS.
I'M JUST GONNA SHARE SOMETHING WITH YOU.
I THINK IN MY SEVEN YEARS, ONE OF MY FIRST GOALS WAS TO MAKE SURE, IT'S NOT THAT THE CENTER WAS BAD BEFORE, BUT I THINK THE REPUTATION OF BEING THERE AND WORKING THERE WAS JUST NOT OUT THERE ENOUGH.
SO IF I PUT OUT A MESSAGE, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS, WE GET VOLUNTEERS.
I LOVE KAUFFMAN COUNTY 'CAUSE I SEE A LITTLE DIFFERENT VIEW.
[00:45:01]
KAUFFMAN COUNTY.PEOPLE WILL VOLUNTEER IF THEY SEE A WORTHY CAUSE TO VOLUNTEER TOO.
WE'RE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE ARE KIND OF THE UNVOICED PEOPLE.
THEY'RE, THEY'RE, THEY'RE LOW INCOME.
THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY SOMETIMES TO DO SOME THINGS.
I THINK THE CENTER WE'RE ABLE TO DO THIS.
AND AGAIN, I JUST THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
YOU HAVE TO, TO DO THIS TODAY.
I LOVE THE NONPROFITS IN OUR AREA.
WE STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO.
I HAVE A LUNCHEON NOW FOR ALL THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS FOR THE NONPROFITS.
AND WE JUST SIT ONCE A MONTH AND JUST KIND OF TALK OUR STUFF.
I KNOW YOU ASKED FOR QUITE A BIT OF INCREASE, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW, THAT'S OUT OF OUR, NOT IN OUR WHEELHOUSE.
UH, BUT WE DO THE BEST THAT WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE.
KINDA LIKE WHAT Y'ALL HAVE TO DO.
ANY QUESTIONS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? NO.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR COUNTY.
ALL KNOW WHAT DO BY THE WAY REAL QUICK, KNOW I'M OFF MIKE, BUT THESE ARE OUR TWO LEADERS OF OUR WORK LIFE AND OUR FINANCIAL.
DID HE BRING YOU JUST FOR THE UMBRELLA? IS THAT
I I NEED HELP TO GET OUTTA HERE.
WHO WE HAVE NEXT? WE HAVE, UH, TAMMY'S NOT HERE.
WHO ARE YOU WITH? I THINK I'M LAST.
I'M WITH THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS, UH, SCHEDULE.
WELL, YOU JUST COME ON UP HERE.
RIGHT?
WHAT DID WE DO THEM LAST YEAR? WHERE'S MY SHEET? WHERE'S IT? WHERE'S IT? YEAH, THERE WE GO.
BUT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN CONTRIBUTING TO THE, UH, COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT'S AGING PROGRAM SINCE I BELIEVE 2002.
AND WE'RE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL FOR THAT SUPPORT.
SO, UM, IN ADDITION TO JUSTIFYING THAT BUDGET REQUEST, UM, I ALSO WANT TO SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIRECT SERVICES THAT WE OFFER.
UM, PEOPLE, UH, IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY TEND TO BE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE, UM, HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM, SENIOR CONNECT, UH, THAT WE SUPPORT.
BUT, UM, TEND TO BE LESS FAMILIAR WITH, UM, OTHER SERVICES WE OFFER THROUGH THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT'S AGING PROGRAMS. SO AS SOON AS I GET BOOTED UP HERE, I WILL APPEARS TO BE BOOTED UP THERE.
AND IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, I CAN PROCEED WITHOUT, I DON'T HAVE ANY RAZZLE DAZZLE GRAPHICS.
AND MY NAME IS DONNIE GREEN AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF AGING PROGRAMS WITH THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS.
AND IT'S HARD TO KNOW HOW LONG TO PLEASE WAIT.
SO I'LL GIVE IT JUST A MINUTE.
I THINK WE'RE UP TO 20 CHARACTERS.
SOMETIMES IT'S A LITTLE STRONGER THAN I AM.
I SEE YOU SPEND LESS MONEY ON ADMINISTRATION THAN MOST ANYONE.
SO FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UM, TO MEET WITH YOU THIS MORNING.
AS I MENTIONED, UM, THE COUNTY HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE AGING PROGRAM OVER THE YEARS.
I DON'T WANNA RESTART TEAMS. ALL RIGHTY.
SO, UM, MY VIEW IS A LITTLE WONKY, BUT AS LONG AS YOU ALL CAN SEE THE SLIDES, WE SHOULD BE GOOD TO GO.
UM, SO, UM, LEMME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW OUR PROGRAMS ARE FUNDED AND, UM, GIVE YOU A SENSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT, UM, OF THAT COUNTY MATCH.
[00:50:01]
UM, MOST OF OUR FUNDING COMES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE OLDER AMERICANS ACT OF 1965.ABOUT 85% OF OUR REVENUES FOR THE AREA AGENCY ON AGING ARE FEDERAL IN NATURE.
AND THEN WE ALSO RECEIVE FUNDING THROUGH THE STATE OF TEXAS THROUGH THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION.
UM, ALL OF THE STATES ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SOME MATCHING FUNDS, UH, FOR THE, FOR THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS. UM, WE GIVE OUR CLIENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS AND, UM, THEY DON'T ACCOUNT FOR A WHOLE LOT BECAUSE AS I'LL SHARE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, MOST OF THE PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE SERVICES ARE EXPERIENCING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP.
AND EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION, IN MOST CASES, IT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO DO THAT.
UM, THE, UM, THE KAUFFMAN COUNTY FUNDS, AND THOSE ARE THE OTHER 13 COUNTIES THAT WE SERVE, ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THE STATE MATCHING FUNDS AND OUR, UM, SUB-RECIPIENTS MATCHING FUNDS, WE ALSO ARE REQUIRED TO COME UP WITH, UM, WITH A REGIONAL MATCH OF ABOUT, UH, $300,000.
AND, UM, AS I'LL SHARE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, THE 14 COUNTIES COMBINED, UM, CONTRIBUTE, UM, THIS YEAR 150,000 NEXT YEAR, 170,000.
UM, IN ADDITION TO THOSE, UH, TO THOSE FUNDS, THEN WE ALSO APPLY FOR LOCAL GRANTS AND CONTRACTS, UM, AND HAVE BEEN PRETTY SUCCESSFUL.
AND I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT, UM, THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH BOTH, UH, THE GRANT FUNDS, UM, THE MATCHING FUNDS, AND SOME OF THOSE LOCAL CONTRACTS AS WELL.
SO LET ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT ODD NUMBER THAT RE REQUEST EVERY YEAR.
UM, THERE IS A METHOD TO THE MADNESS.
UM, SO, UM, FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025, UM, OUR, OUR, UH, MATCHING SHORTFALL IS $170,000.
SO WHAT WE DO FOR ALL OF THE 14 COUNTIES THAT WE SERVE, WE LOOK AT THE PASS THROUGH FUNDS THAT OUR SUB-RECIPIENTS HAVE RECEIVED FOR NUTRITION AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.
THOSE ARE THE LARGEST PROGRAMS THAT WE ADMINISTER.
THEY ACCOUNT FOR ABOUT HALF OF OUR BUDGET.
AND SO, UM, WE FELT LIKE THAT WAS KIND OF THE FAIREST WAY TO CALCULATE EACH COUNTY'S PERCENTAGE OF THAT MATCH.
SO, UM, LAST YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 23, WE PASSED THROUGH A LITTLE OVER $8 MILLION, UH, FOR NUTRITION AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES.
SO WE LOOKED AT EACH COUNTY'S SHARE OF THAT 8.1 MILLION AND CALCULATED A PERCENTAGE.
SO EACH YEAR IT CHANGES JUST A LITTLE BIT BASED ON OUR PROVIDER'S PRODUCTIVITY.
THAT'S, THOSE ARE NOT THE ONLY SERVICES THAT WE SUPPORT, BUT THOSE ARE SUPPORTED THROUGH PASS THROUGH FUNDS THAT ARE DESIGNATED FOR THE COUNTY.
SO WE FELT LIKE THAT WAS KIND OF THE FAIREST WAY TO CALCULATE EACH COUNTY'S PERCENTAGE.
SO, UM, DURING THE PRIOR FISCAL YEAR, 2023, UM, SENIOR CONNECT AND STAR TRANSIT RECEIVED $845,946.
SO WE TOOK THAT PASS THROUGH OF 8.1 MILLION.
UH, WE DIVIDED THE 845,000 INTO THAT, UM, WHICH CAME TO 10.33%.
SO KAUFMAN COUNTY RECEIVED LITTLE OVER 10% OF THOSE NUTRITION AND TRANSPORTATION FUNDS.
SO WE APPLY THAT PERCENTAGE TO THE MATCHING REQUEST FOR ALL 14 COUNTIES.
AND, UM, AS A RESULT OF THAT, WE'RE REQUESTING $17,561 IN MATCHING FUNDS.
SO AGAIN, IT CHANGES A BIT FROM YEAR TO YEAR BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING THAT THE COUNTY HAS RECEIVED, UM, FOR THOSE PASS THROUGH SERVICES.
SO, UM, IN TERMS OF HOW THOSE DOLLARS ARE SPENT, THEY'RE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO US.
UM, THEY SUPPORT THE ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS HAS, UM, NOT ONLY FOR THOSE NUTRITION AND TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, WHICH AGAIN, ARE KIND OF THE, THE MAJOR SERVICES THAT WE SUPPORT.
BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER SERVICES AND PROGRAMS THAT HAVE A MATCHING REQUIREMENT.
AND SO THAT REGIONAL MATCH SUPPORTS THE WHOLE RANGE OF AGING PROGRAMS THAT I'LL BE DISCUSSING THIS MORNING.
SO LET ME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT, UM, THOSE OTHER AGING PROGRAMS. AGAIN, YOU AND, AND FOLKS WITHIN THE COUNTY ARE PROBABLY VERY, VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE GOOD WORK THAT SENIOR CONNECT DOES.
BUT IN ADDITION TO THOSE, UM, THOSE, UM, PASS THROUGH, UH, SERVICES, OUR STAFF AND OUR VOLUNTEERS, UM, PROVIDE INFORMATION AND REFERRALS.
SO WE DEAL WITH THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF CALLS FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR IN-HOME SERVICES, RIDES TO THE DOCTOR, UM, SUPPORT FOR DEMENTIA CARE, HELP IN PAYING FOR THEIR
[00:55:01]
MEDICATIONS, IN TERMS OF GETTING NECESSARY HEALTH SERVICES.AND WE, UM, TALK PEOPLE THROUGH, UH, FEDERAL SERVICES, STATE SERVICES, LOCAL SERVICES.
UM, WE ALSO HAVE A BENEFITS COUNSELING PROGRAM, WHICH HELPS PEOPLE UNDERSTAND, UM, PUBLIC BENEFITS, PRIMARILY MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.
UM, SO WE HAVE, UH, FIVE STAFF AND ABOUT 20 VOLUNTEERS WHO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT MEDICARE COVERS.
THEY WILL HELP PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT TRADITIONAL MEDICARE VERSUS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.
THEY WILL HELP PEOPLE APPEAL, UM, IF THEY FEEL THAT THEIR BENEFITS HAVE BEEN WRONGLY DENIED.
THEY WILL ALSO HELP PEOPLE DETERMINE IF THEY QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS AND LOW INCOME SUBSIDIES, WHICH ARE FEDERAL BENEFITS THAT WILL HELP LOW INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES WITH THEIR, UM, WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE COSTS.
UH, WE ALSO HAVE A CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH OLDER ADULTS IN MOST CASES, WHO HAVE, UM, BEEN IN A HOSPITAL OR A REHAB FACILITY OR A NURSING HOME, UM, MAYBE THEY'VE BEEN DOING WELL PRIOR TO BREAKING A HIP, HAVING A STROKE, UM, GETTING A DIAGNOSIS OF CANCER.
AND THROUGH THAT CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, WE WILL PAY FOR, UM, SERVICES AND SUPPORTS THAT ALLOW THEM TO REMAIN SAFELY IN THEIR HOMES.
SO SOME OF THE MORE COMMON THINGS THAT WE WOULD, UH, PAY FOR INCLUDE WHEELCHAIR RAMPS.
WE DO A LOT OF GRAB BAR INSTALLATION INSTALLATIONS.
WE PAY FOR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES THAT ARE NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE.
WE WILL SEND OUT, UM, HOUSEKEEPERS OR ATTENDANCE TO HELP WITH PERSONAL CARE.
WE'LL LEASE EMERGENCY RESPONSE DEVICES, WE'LL PAY FOR, UM, NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS OR INCONTINENCE SUPPLIES AND SO ON.
UM, THEN, UH, WE ALSO HAVE THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, AND THAT IS A FEDERALLY MANDATED PROGRAM THAT ADVOCATES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NURSING FACILITIES AS WELL AS ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES.
AND KIND OF A SOBERING STATISTIC, ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES NATIONWIDE NEVER HAVE A VISITOR.
SO THE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO, UM, HELP RESIDENTS FEEL CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY IF THEY'RE NOT FORTUNATE TO HAVE FRIENDS OR FAMILY WHO VISIT.
MORE IMPORTANT, THE PROGRAM ALSO ADVOCATES FOR RESIDENTS IF THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE FOR QUALITY OF CARE.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHO ARE IN NURSING FACILITIES RETURN TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND, UM, MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN FACILITIES FOR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS ARE FUNDED BY THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.
AND WE AS A PROGRAM ARE ALL ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE TO LIVE IN THE LEAST RESTRICTIVE SETTING OF THEIR CHOICE, WHERE THEY CAN HAVE AS MUCH INDEPENDENCE AS POSSIBLE AND AS MUCH DECISION MAKING, UM, ABILITY AS POSSIBLE.
SO THROUGH THE RELOCATION PROGRAM, WE HELP NURSING HOME RESIDENTS FIND HOUSING, UM, PAY FOR SECURITY DEPOSITS, GET POTS AND PANS AND, UM, GROCERIES TO START UP A PANTRY.
UM, AND WE WORK WITH, UM, WITH MEDICAID HEALTH PLANS TO ARRANGE THE IN-HOME SERVICES THAT THEY NEED.
UM, WE ALSO DO A NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS TO HELP OLDER ADULTS STAY HEALTHY AND ACTIVE, BETTER MANAGE CHRONIC DISEASE.
WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF PROGRAMS THAT WORK WITH SMALL GROUPS OF OLDER ADULTS TO REDUCE THEIR FALL RISK.
SHE FELL AND BROKE A HIP, UH, LAST YEAR.
AND, UM, SHE, DESPITE SEVERAL ROUNDS OF, OF THERAPIES, HAS NOT REGAINED THE ABILITY TO WALK AGAIN.
UM, I'M VERY FORTUNATE THAT SHE IS STILL DOING WELL, UM, ABOUT A THIRD OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE TYPE OF HIP HIP FRACTURE THAT SHE HAD DON'T LIVE, UM, FOR A YEAR FOLLOWING, UM, THAT ACCIDENT.
SO, UM, THROUGH OUR MATTER OF BALANCE PROGRAM THROUGH OUR TAI CHIEF FOR ARTHRITIS AND FALL PREVENTION, WE TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO EXERCISE TO BUILD BALANCE AND FLEXIBILITY.
WE ALSO TEACH THEM HOW TO KIND OF FALL PROOF THEIR HOME.
YOU KNOW, GET RID OF THOSE EXTENSION CORDS ACROSS THE PATH, THE WALKWAY AND THE SCATTER RUGS.
AND, YOU KNOW, MINES THE KITTIES WHO KIND OF WEAVE IN AND OUT OF YOUR LEGS WHEN THEY'RE READY TO EAT.
UM, THEN WE ALSO HAVE PROGRAMS THAT HELP PEOPLE, UM, BETTER MANAGE ANY TYPE OF CHRONIC DISEASE, UH, DIABETES, CHRONIC PAIN, UM, TEACHES THEM HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER, EVALUATE NEW TREATMENTS, DEAL WITH, UM, COMMON SYMPTOMS LIKE STRESS AND INSOMNIA.
[01:00:01]
ARE SUPPORTED BY THAT REGIONAL MATCH THAT, UM, AGAIN, ALL OF OUR COUNTIES HAVE, UH, HAVE HELPED US MEET.UH, WE ALSO HAVE A LOT OF PROGRAMS FOR CAREGIVERS.
UM, CAREGIVERS ARE REALLY THE BACKBONE OF OUR NATION'S ELDER CARE SYSTEM.
UM, THEY PROVIDE MORE THAN 80% OF THE ONGOING CARE THAT OLDER ADULTS AND YOUNGER PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES NEED.
AND SO FOR CAREGIVERS, AGAIN, WE KIND OF HELP 'EM NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM.
WE HAVE THOSE SHORT-TERM CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS THAT CAN PAY FOR THE IN-HOME SERVICES AND THE RESPITE TO GIVE THEM A BREAK.
MANY TIMES OUR CAREGIVERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE MEDICAL ATTENTION THAT THEY NEED BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN DEDICATED.
THEY'VE BEEN DEDICATING EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY DAY TO CARING FOR THAT DEPENDENT FAMILY MEMBER.
UM, WE ALSO DO, UM, WE, WE PROVIDE COUNSELING TO CAREGIVERS AND, UM, WE DO A LOT OF, UM, TRAINING, UM, AND CONSULTATION WITH CAREGIVERS AS WELL.
ONE OF THE NEWER PROGRAMS FOR OUR AGENCY IS, UH, DEMENTIA FRIENDLY, NORTH CENTRAL EAST TEXAS.
THIS IS REALLY A PASSION PROJECT OF MINE.
I AM THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF DEMENTIA.
MY MOM'S BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA.
AND, UM, ON ANY GIVEN DAY,
BUT THROUGH THIS PROJECT, WE'RE WORKING TO EXPAND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA AND THEIR FAMILY CAREGIVERS.
I DID A NUMBER OF FOCUS GROUPS SEVERAL YEARS AGO WITH FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND I SAID, HOW MANY OF YOU, WHEN YOUR FAMILY MEMBER WAS GIVEN THE DIAGNOSIS OF DEMENTIA, WERE GIVEN ANY INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT DEMENTIA IS, THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE, HOW TO MANAGE IT? NOT SURPRISINGLY, OF THE 70 PEOPLE I TALKED WITH, NOT A SINGLE ONE WAS GIVEN ANY INFORMATION.
AND THAT'S A SHAME BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF FREE SUPPORTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE.
WE JUST NEED TO BETTER EDUCATE THOSE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, UM, THAT THE SERVICES ARE THERE.
SO THROUGH THIS PROJECT, WE HAVE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA WHO LIVE ALONE.
UM, IT'S A LARGER POPULATION THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.
UM, AND, UM, AMONG HOME DELIVERED MEAL PARTICIPANTS, UM, OUR RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT ABOUT 30% ARE LIVING WITH COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT.
THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA, BUT UM, THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR DAILY CARE.
UH, WE ALSO DO A LOT OF CLASSES, UH, FOR CAREGIVERS.
WE'VE GOT SOME SHORT WORKSHOPS AND WE'VE GOT SOME ONGOING WORKSHOPS THAT HELP THEM BETTER UNDERSTAND DEMENTIA AND, UM, COME UP WITH STRATEGIES IF THEIR FAMILY MEMBER IS DEALING WITH BEHAVIORS LIKE WANDERING OR DELUSIONS, HALLUCINATIONS AND SO ON.
UH, WE'RE ALSO DOING A LOT OF TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS.
UM, SO ALL OF THE RECRUITS WHO GO THROUGH THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENT'S REGIONAL POLICE ACADEMY GET A FULL DAY TRAINING IN DEMENTIA.
WHEN THEY START THE DAY, THEY'RE LIKE, WHY IN THE HECK AM I WASTING MY TIME ON THIS? AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE LIGHT BULB GOES OFF AND THEY SAY, THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION.
YOU KNOW, I HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO'S BEEN AFFECTED AND I REALIZE THAT, UM, ONCE I'M LICENSED AND ON THE STREET, I'M, I'M LIKELY TO RUN ACROSS PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH DEMENTIA.
UM, THEN, UM, A BIG PART OF WHAT WE DO IS SHARING RESOURCE INFORMATION.
WE PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH FAIRS, UM, WE DO PODCASTS AND, AND PRESENTATIONS LIKE TODAY'S TO GET THE WORD OUT.
SO LEMME TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHO QUALIFIES FOR SERVICES THROUGH THE AGING PROGRAMS. SO ELIGIBILITY FOR THE PROGRAMS IS ON THE BASIS OF AGE.
SO PEOPLE MUST EITHER BE AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD.
I'VE BEEN WITH THE COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR 28 YEARS AND I'M NOW ELIGIBLE FOR MY OWN PROGRAMS,
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE, UM, CAREGIVER PROGRAMS THAT PEOPLE CAN QUALIFY FOR BY CARING FOR SOMEBODY WHO'S AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD, CARING OF SOMEBODY OF ANY AGE WHO HAS DEMENTIA OR BEING AT LEAST 55 YEARS OLD AND CARING FOR A YOUNG ADULT WITH SEVERE DISABILITIES WHO LIVES IN THE HOME.
SO THROUGH THOSE CAREGIVER PROGRAMS, WE CAN SUPPORT SPOUSES OF, UM, OF PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 60 WHO ARE DEALING WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES.
WE CAN SUPPORT, UM, PARENTS OF, UM, ADULT CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
AND, UM, THEN WE ALSO CAN PROVIDE SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE AT LEAST 55 YEARS OLD AND CARING FOR MINOR, UM, GRANDCHILDREN OR OTHER RELATIVES, UH, OTHER THAN BIOLOGICAL CHILDREN.
SO WE USED TO CALL IT GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN, BUT
[01:05:01]
WE WERE PROVIDING SERVICES TO GREAT GRANDPARENTS WHO WERE RAISING TODDLERS AND AUNTS AND UNCLES.SO, UM, THAT'S AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT WIDELY RECOGNIZED, BUT THAT POPULATION IS REALLY, UM, GROWING AND OFTEN STRUGGLING.
UM, ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT WE OFFER PROVIDED AT NO COST TO THOSE WHO QUALIFY, AND THE SERVICES ARE NOT MEANS TESTED.
SO WE DON'T TURN PEOPLE AWAY BECAUSE THEIR INCOME IS OVER.
UM, THE GUIDELINES, WE DON'T HAVE ANY GUIDELINES UNLIKE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.
BUT WHAT WE SEE, UM, ESPECIALLY GIVEN OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TARGET THOSE WHO ARE AT NEED, UM, EITHER BECAUSE OF LIMITED RESOURCES OR ISOLATION OR DISABILITY, THE AVERAGE, IF THERE IS AN AVERAGE CLIENT WHO RECEIVES ONGOING SERVICES THROUGH THE HOME DELIVERED MEAL PROGRAM, THE CASE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, TYPICALLY A WOMAN IN HER EARLY EIGHTIES WHO'S WIDOWED AND TRYING TO MAKE IT ON, UM, LITTLE UNDER $1,500 A MONTH IN INCOME.
UM, THEN, UM, I'VE BROUGHT A FEW FLYERS.
IF YOU ALL ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING SOME, UM, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO.
THE BEST WAY TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US IS TO, UH, GIVE US A CALL AT (800) 272-3921.
AND I'VE PROVIDED OUR WEBSITE ADDRESS AS WELL.
AND LET'S SEE, THAT BRINGS ME TO THE END OF MY SLIDE PRESENTATION, SO I WOULD BE HAPPY TO RESPOND TO ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
WELL, DONNIE, WE THANK YOU FOR COMING.
Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? EITHER ONE OF YOU.
YOU DO A LOT OF, YOU DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS FOR THE PEOPLE AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.
AND AGAIN, WE'RE REALLY WORKING TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF WHAT WE DO.
UM, IF YOU STOPPED A HUNDRED PEOPLE ON THE STREET AND SAID, HAVE YOU HEARD OF MEALS ON WHEELS? YOU'LL PROBABLY GET 99 A HUNDRED WHO SAY, YEAH, I'VE HEARD OF THEM.
IF YOU ASK ABOUT THE LONG-TERM CARE OMBUDSMAN OR THE BENEFITS COUNSELING PROGRAM OR DEMENTIA FRIENDLY, PROBABLY NOT.
NOT EVEN AREA AGENCY ON AGING DOESN'T HAVE A LOT OF NAME RECOGNITION, EVEN THOUGH WE'VE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE MID SIXTIES.
SO, SO AGAIN, WE'RE, UH, WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT THAT YOU ALL HAVE PROVIDED US AND, UM, VERY MUCH WANT YOU TO GET YOUR MONEY'S WORTH AND WANNA BE A REFERENCE TO PEOPLE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WHO MAY BE DEALING WITH ELDER CARE OR CAREGIVING ISSUES.
PROBABLY
WE NEED A BOAT ORDERED, I THINK TO GET OUTTA HERE.
WELL MISS TAMMY, IF YOU COME ON UP, PLEASE, MA'AM.
IS IT GOING EVERYWHERE? LET ME FIND, UH, GRINDING UP.
WHY DON'T I HAVE YOURS? I'M FINE.
HOW ARE YOU MAN? IT'S OVER HERE.
GO AHEAD AND, AND TELL US WHAT YOUR REQUEST IS AND EVERYTHING.
UM, I AM TAMMY WITH REACH CHILD PLACING AGENCY AND UH, WE ARE ASKING KAUFFMAN COUNTY TO, UH, FUND US AT THE AMOUNT OF 25,000.
UM, WE HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COST.
UM, AS YOU ALL KNOW, WE ARE IN A REDESIGN, UM, COMMUNITY BASED CARE WITH EMPOWER, UM, AND WHILE THEY ARE WORKING THROUGH THEIR MANY ASPECTS OF LEARNING WHAT IS NEEDED FOR THE CHILDREN THAT THEY ARE SERVING IN SUCH A LARGE AREA, WE HAVE FOUND OURSELVES HAVING TO SUPPORT MORE FINANCIALLY TO OUR FOSTER PARENTS.
AND THOSE ITEMS ARE CAR SEATS, CRIBS, DAYCARE.
UM, WE ARE PAYING UP TO TWO WEEKS IN DAYCARE UPFRONT, UM, UNTIL THE DOCUMENTATION CAN BE SUBMITTED AND FOR THEM TO TAKE OVER DAYCARE.
UM, IT USED TO TAKE US ABOUT THREE TO FOUR DAYS ONCE WE SUBMITTED DAYCARE TO DFPS, AND THEN THEY WOULD PICK UP THE DAYCARE FROM THAT, FROM THAT DAY, WHICH MADE IT EASIER FOR US.
[01:10:01]
IF WE HAD TO COVER THREE DAYS FOR CHILDREN, UM, WE WERE OKAY.UM, NOW WE'RE HAVING, AGAIN TO DO UP TO TWO WEEKS OF DAYCARE UPFRONT FOR MULTIPLE CHILDREN.
UM, SO THE ONES THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET BACKDATED HAVE BEEN IF THE WORKER THAT WE STARTED WITH COULD PROVE THAT WE SENT THE EMAIL TO THEM AND REQUESTED IT ON SUCH AND SUCH DAY.
BUT NOW WE ARE HAVING A VERY DIFFICULT TIME, UM, TRYING TO GET THAT, UM, DAYCARE REIMBURSED.
UM, THE OTHER ISSUES THAT WE ARE HAVING, LIKE I SAID, ARE THE CAR SEATS AND THE CRIBS.
UM, THEY ARE NOT COMING WITH THEM, SO WE ARE HAVING TO PURCHASE.
UM, AND WE WOULD, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO WHERE WE HAVE THEM IN OUR OFFICE AND THAT WE CAN PROBABLY GIVE THEM TO EACH, UM, FOSTER PARENT IN THE KAUFFMAN COUNTY AREA.
THAT WAY WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE IT AND WE WOULD GET THE THREE IN ONES TO DO THAT.
UM, THE OTHER THINGS THAT WE USE, UM, THE MONIES FOR IS LIKE OUR TOILETRIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
WE ALSO USE THE MONEY TO HELP RETAIN AND TRAIN FOSTER PARENTS.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THOSE ARE CURRENT.
SO WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING THOSE IN OUR OFFICES AS WELL.
UM, TRANSPORTATION IS NOW BECOMING AN ISSUE.
DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GONNA FIGURE THAT OUT, BUT I AM GOING TO BE MEETING WITH EMPOWER NEXT WEEK, UM, FOR THAT AS WELL.
SO I DO HAVE SOME OF MY CA CASEWORKERS AND FOSTER PARENTS HELPING WITH THE DEBACLE OF VISITATION.
UM, SO IT, UM, IT'S GONNA GET WORKED OUT.
BUT THAT IS PART OF WHAT YOU ALL SUPPORT FOR OUR FAMILIES.
AND THEN OF COURSE WHEN WE HAVE OUR EVENTS HERE IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY, UM, OUR FEES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE IS WE PAY THAT SO THAT OUR FOSTER PARENTS DON'T HAVE TO BE OUT OF POCKET.
THEY'LL COME ENJOY AND HAVE A GREAT TIME AT OUR EVENTS.
UM, WE ARE CURRENTLY SERVING 29 KIDS IN OUR KAUFFMAN COUNTY, UM, HOMES RIGHT NOW, WELL BETWEEN KAUFFMAN COUNTY AND ROCKWALL.
UM, SO WE ARE SERVING 29 OF OUR 50 KIDS RIGHT HERE IN KAUFMAN.
WE HAVE FIVE ADOPTIONS COMING UP.
WE HAVE AN ADOPTION THAT WILL BE SET FOR AUGUST FOR SIX KIDS.
THESE KIDS WILL LIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE RIGHT NOW IN A FOSTER HOME IN FORNEY.
UM, WE HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY IN FORNEY THAT WILL BE ADOPTING THREE CHILDREN IN AUGUST.
AND THEN WE HAVE TWO FAMILIES THAT WILL BE EITHER ADOPTING IN AUGUST, WE'RE WAITING FOR THEIR DATE HERE IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY, OR, UM, IT WILL BE IN SEPTEMBER.
SO BY THE TIME WE'RE FINISHED WITH ADOPTIONS THIS YEAR, WE WOULD'VE HAD, UH, 15 KIDS ADOPTED WHO ARE GOING TO LIVE HERE IN KAUFFMAN COUNTY WITH US.
AND SO THAT'S A BLESSING FOR US.
UM, AND SO WHEN WE DO CELEBRATE THOSE ADOPTIONS WITH THE FUNDS FROM KAUFFMAN COUNTY, SO WE ARE THE AGENCY THAT SETS UP AND WE HAVE LIKE A RECEPTION BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE KIDS AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE FAMILIES TO KNOW THAT EVEN THOUGH, UM, THEY'RE ADOPTING TODAY, THAT THEY CAN STILL LOOK TO US FOR RESOURCES.
UM, ANOTHER THING THAT WE DO WITH THE DOLLARS THAT COME FROM, UH, KAUFFMAN COUNTY IS, IS YOU ALL KNOW THAT WE ARE COMMUNITY BASED CARE.
SO WHEN SOMEONE HAS A FIRE OR IF KIDS DON'T HAVE, UM, THAT ARE ATTENDING ANY OF OUR KAUFFMAN COUNTY SCHOOLS, IF THEY NEED, UM, UNIFORMS OR SCHOOL SUPPLIES, WE DO THAT THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE ENTIRE YEAR FOR THOSE KIDS.
UM, WE USE, WE DON'T TYPICALLY USE THE KAUFFMAN COUNTY FUNDS FOR THE GIFT OF HOPE THAT WE DO BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY, UM, TAKES CARE OF THE MAJORITY OF THAT.
BUT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THAT REALM OF OUR CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, THEN WE DO TAKE CARE OF THOSE KIDS.
AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE THEY'RE, WHAT SCHOOL IT IS, AS LONG AS IT'S A KAUFFMAN COUNTY SCHOOL.
AND SO, UM, MOST OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO OUR EVENTS.
SO I DON'T WANNA TAKE UP ALL OF YOUR TIME, BUT WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US THIS YEAR.
WE APPRECIATED THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL DID FOR US LAST YEAR.
AND SO WE HOPE THAT WE WILL BE ON YOUR BUDGET AGAIN THIS YEAR.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR US, TAMMY? RIGHT NOW WE'RE LEAVING EVERYONE AT THE SAME THING YOU RECEIVED LAST YEAR.
AND THEN ALSO, UM, ONE LAST THING, UM, AND SHARE WITH TERRY AND MIKE AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY REACH IS HAVING A MURDER MYSTERY ON SEPTEMBER THE 21ST.
AND IT IS AT THE KAUFMAN CIVIC CENTER.
IT IS A CHOCOLATE MURDER AND A C CHO AND WE'LL HAVE CHOCOLATE MARTINIS.
SO WE'LL HAVE CHOCOLATE MARTINIS FOR THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO DRINK.
AND THEN WE'LL HAVE CHOCOLATE FLOATS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT.
SO YOU CAN GET YOUR TICKETS FROM CHOCOLATE MAN.
THAT'S, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, I HOPE THERE'S NOT OLIVES IN THERE.
I WATCHED SOMEBODY DRINK A DIRTY ONE THE OTHER DAY.
[01:15:01]
I NEVER HEARD OF THAT.BUT YOU ALL CAN GET YOUR TICKETS FROM MS. DEBBIE BON.
UM, WE'RE GONNA FLOAT OUT TO THE CAR AND I'M GONNA GIVE HER HER TICKETS,
SO, UM, GOD BLESS YOU GUYS AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING THAT Y'ALL DO FOR US.
I DUNNO, LEO WILL HAVE SOME TOO.
WHAT, WHAT IT TAKES CHOCOLATE THING.
WE GOTTA BE HAPPY OR MISS BE HAPPY.
YOU WANNA COME ON UP? 'CAUSE I WILL NEXT YEAR.
YOU BETTER, YOU BETTER DO THE MARTIN, ALL THAT CREAM BULL C CREAM BRULET.
I DON'T, I DON'T DO AND YOU THEN YOU'LL HAVE HIM.
WELL WE, WE CAN HAVE C BRULEE.
LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE THAT C OH YEAH.
HOW ARE YOU GUYS? WE ARE GOOD.
TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT HOLE TO PUT THIS IN UP ON THIS SIDE.
HOW HAS BEEN YOUR FIRST FULL YEAR AND EVERYTHING GOING BLOWING UP?
ALRIGHT, SO Y'ALL REMEMBER WHAT WE DO.
SO I DIDN'T, I DIDN'T KNOW IF Y'ALL KNEW Y'ALL KNOW ABOUT MY DAY PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE.
UM, SO WE'VE CHANGED OUR MISSION STATEMENT A LITTLE BIT RECENTLY BECAUSE WE HAVE THE REIMAGINED PROGRAM NOW AND THEN HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF AUGUST WE'LL HAVE THE CREAMERY OPEN.
UM, SO WE CHANGED OUR MISSION TO DEDICATING ENRICHING LIVES FOR SPECIAL NEEDS AND THEIR FAMILIES INSTEAD OF JUST ADULTS.
NOW, UM, I WON'T SPEND LONG ON THE DAY PROGRAM 'CAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT WE DO.
UM, REIMAGINE, I'M REALLY TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.
WE'VE HAD TWO SEASONS SPRING AND FALL, AND IT IS OUT OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH KAUFMAN WHERE THE DAYCARE IS.
THEY HAVE BLESSED US WITH USING THEIR FACILITY.
WE CAME ALONGSIDE STILLWATER AT FIRST AND THEN STILLWATER STOPPED DOING THEIR MONDAY NIGHTS AND NOW WE'VE TAKEN OVER.
UM, WHAT THAT PROGRAM IS, IS WE DO A BIBLE STUDY.
WE HAVE A SOCIAL NIGHT ON A MONDAY, THEN WE BRING IN GUEST SPEAKERS, UM, FROM, I'D SAY FROM THE COMMUNITY.
BUT THEY'RE REALLY COMING MAINLY FROM DALLAS BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITY IS STILL WORKING ON GETTING SPECIAL NEEDS RESOURCES.
UM, I WOULD LOVE WHEN I GET TO STAND UP HERE AND SAY WE'RE BRINGING GUEST SPEAKERS FROM OUR COMMUNITY, THAT'S GONNA BE A GOOD DAY.
UM, WE ALSO PROVIDE THE SIBLINGS AND ANYBODY WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, UM, A ONE-ON-ONE CARE.
WE HAVE, UM, A CHILDREN'S PROGRAM THAT WE RUN.
UM, THIS IS, UM, A PICTURE OF ALL OF OUR FAMILIES.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEE WHO WE SERVE.
THIS WAS AT CHRISTMAS FOR OUR REIMAGINED PROGRAM.
AND YOU CAN SEE WE WE'RE SERVING ALL AGES AND THEIR WHOLE FAMILY AND THEIR SIBLINGS.
AND OF COURSE MY GRAND BABIES ARE IN THERE.
SHE'S THE ONE IN THE SANTA SUIT THERE NEXT TO MISS MELISSA.
UM, AND THEN, I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE BEEN WATCHING OR IF YOU'RE ON SOCIAL MEDIA SOME, BUT, UH, THE HIVE CREAMERY, I KNOW TOMMY SAW MY PRESENTATION.
WELL, AS I STATED, THAT DAY GOD PROVIDES.
AND SO HE'S, HE'S THROUGH FUNDRAISING, ALLOWING US ENOUGH MONEY TO TRY TO GET SOME THINGS IN THERE.
AND WE HOPE BY THE END OF AUGUST AND WHAT THE HIVE CREAMERY, THIS IS SORT OF A PICTURE.
IT'S NOT GONNA BE EXACTLY LIKE THIS, BUT WE'VE STARTED MAKING OUR FRONT AREA OF BE HAPPY.
UM, IT'S GONNA BE A ICE CREAM SHOP IN THE EVENINGS.
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING TO PURCHASE ANOTHER BUILDING, SO WE DECIDED NOT TO WAIT.
SO WE'RE GONNA BE DAY PROGRAM IN THE DAY FROM NINE TO THREE, AND THEN WE'RE GONNA DO A SWITCHOVER AND AT NIGHT WE'RE GONNA SERVE ICE CREAM AND THAT'S GONNA ALLOW THE SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS TO COME WORK.
WE WILL HAVE A MANAGER AND UM, THAT PERSON WILL BASICALLY BE A JOB COACH.
AND WE'RE HOPING TO EMPLOY TWO TO THREE SPECIAL NEEDS ADULTS OR PEOPLE IN THE TRANSITION PROGRAM WITH THE SCHOOLS.
WE'VE TALKED TO TEXAS WORKFORCE.
WE'RE HOPING TO HAVE TWO SLOTS FOR TRANSITION PROGRAM OUT OF EITHER KAUFMAN OR CRANDALL SO THAT ONCE THE SCHOOL SEASON STARTS, WE'LL KNOW HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS WILL FIT INTO EMPLOYING THEM.
AND WE'RE HOPING NOT ONLY WITH DOING THAT, WE'LL SHOW THE REST OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK AND MAYBE WE'LL HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY HIRE SPECIAL NEEDS.
UM, SO WHAT I CAME TODAY TO ASK, SO LAST YEAR, YOU GUYS, UM, PUT US ON THE BUDGET FOR $5,000.
PLUS DOING A FUNDRAISER, WE WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE OUR SHUTTLE VAN.
NOW IF YOU'VE SEEN, WE, WE DID BECAUSE I GOT A BARGAIN DEAL.
AND WE DID A FUNDRAISER AND WE RAISED, SORRY, IT, IT BLOWS ME AWAY.
IN LESS THAN THREE DAYS, WE WERE
[01:20:01]
ABLE TO RAISE $10,000 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AND WE WERE ABLE TO A HUNDRED PERCENT PAY FOR THE ENGINE OFF OF FUNDRAISING.AND I CAN ONLY SAY GOD DOES THAT 'CAUSE THERE'S NO OTHER EXPLANATION.
UM, SO OUR BE HAPPY, UH, IS RUNNING.
UM, WE USE THAT FOR A LOT OF FIELD TRIPS.
MY PROBLEM THAT WE'RE COMING INTO IS WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE ENROLL WITH THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.
WE HAD MANY NEW FACES COME JUNE.
AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO OFFER, UM, PICKING THEM UP TO COME TO PROGRAM.
WE HAVE SEVERAL FAMILIES WHO WANNA COME, BUT IT, THE DRIVE IS GETTING A LOT FOR THEM.
I ACTUALLY HAD ONE WHO JUST PUT THEIR NOTICE IN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T, THEY'RE TIRED OF DOING THE DRIVE.
THEY'RE AT THE EDGE OF FORNEY AND THEY SAID THAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW.
AND THEY'RE LIKE, STAR WON'T PICK 'EM UP AND THEREFORE THEY'RE GONNA DROP THE PROGRAM.
THEY'RE, I THINK THEY'RE AT CAPACITY.
I DID RECENTLY, UM, WORKED WITH TOM, I THINK THAT'S THE CORRECT NAME, WHERE I CONTACTED STAR TRANSIT.
HE WAS ABLE TO GET FOUR OF MY 10 PEOPLE A RIDE.
UM, BUT I HAVE SIX MORE WHO AREN'T ABLE TO GET TO PROGRAM.
THEIR FAMILIES HAVE TO BRING THEM ON A DAILY BASIS.
SO I'M HOPING IF I CAN PURCHASE ANOTHER SHUTTLE VAN ONE I'VE BEEN USING MY PERSONAL VAN.
IF YOU SEE IT OUT THERE, THAT'S MY PERSONAL VAN.
AND THE MILES ARE STARTING TO RACK UP ON IT.
I'VE BEEN USING IT FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS NOW FOR THE DAY PROGRAM.
UM, IF I CAN GET ANOTHER SHUTTLE VAN, THEN WE'LL HAVE TWO BE HAPPY VEHICLES JUST TO BRING AND TAKE PEOPLE AROUND THE COMMUNITY.
UM, SECOND, I WOULD LIKE TO, ORIGINALLY I WROTE A LETTER TO YOU GUYS.
I WOULD LIKE TO JUST PROVIDE THE TRANSIT SERVICE OURSELF.
UM, WHAT OUR THOUGHT WAS, IF WE COULD AFFORD TO HIRE SOMEONE TO DO MORNING AND AFTERNOON PICKUP AND DROP OFFS, THAT'LL ALLOW FOR THOSE FAMILIES NOT TO FEEL LIKE IT'S TIRING THEM OUT TO DRIVE FROM FORNEY OR KEMP OR MAYBANK.
AND WHAT WE WERE GONNA DO IS DO PICKUP SPOTS INSTEAD OF DRIVING AND PICKING THEM UP AT HOME.
THEY MAY HAVE TO DRIVE FIVE MILES TO LET'S SAY WALMART AND FORNEY, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE'LL PICK UP AND DROP OFF AT A SET TIME FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO COME TO PROGRAM.
UM, I WANTED TO SORT OF GIVE Y'ALL A PICTURE OF LAST YEAR WE SERVED A TOTAL WITH BOTH PROGRAMS 117 PEOPLE.
WE HAD E 80% GROWTH IN OUR DAY PROGRAM.
WE WENT TO 36 PEOPLE ON OUR ROLE.
AND I, WE ARE AT CAPACITY AT THIS POINT.
NOW WE HAVE STARTED OUR WAIT LIST.
UM, SO IF YOU GUYS EVER SEE A PROPERTY THAT'S OPEN THAT SOMEONE WILL WORK WITH ME ON COSTS, WE REALLY NEED A BIGGER FACILITY.
'CAUSE YOU KNOW, NEXT DOOR IT'S TIGHT.
IF YOU EVER COME VISIT US, IT'S LOUD AND IT'S TIGHT.
BUT WE HAVE A BLAST AND THAT'S ALSO WHY WE'RE TRYING TO GET OUT MORE IN THE COMMUNITY SO THAT WHEN WE'RE ON SITE IT'S NOT SO CROWDED.
'CAUSE WHEN YOU GET A FEW WHEELCHAIRS IN THERE, IT GETS VERY CROWDED.
UM, SO WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CALL SMALL GROUPS.
WE MAY GO TO THE KAUFMAN LIBRARY, THE TAROT LIBRARY.
UM, WE MAY GO SERVE MEALS ON WHEELS.
AND SO THAT'S GETTING THEM OUT OF THE FACILITY IN HAND AT, SO WE'RE NOT ALL THERE AT THE SAME TIME.
UM, ANY SUPPORT, I'M NOT PICKY ANY HELP.
I'M, YOU KNOW, I BEG AND PLEAD WHATEVER Y'ALL CAN FIT IN YOUR BUDGET HELPS US.
SO WE APPRECIATE WHATEVER YOU CAN DO, WE WILL DO WHATEVER WE CAN.
I, I I AM NOT PICKY, YOU KNOW, EVERY ADULT COUNTS AT THIS POINT.
SO CERTAINLY HAVE THE SAME FOR CERTAIN YOU HAVE THE SAME AS YOU DID LAST YEAR, BUT WE'LL WAIT, SEE WHAT DO I APPRECIATE THAT.
AND ANYTHING Y'ALL HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR I THINK YOU'RE DOING A OUTSTANDING WORK.
WELL JUST IF YOU'RE PRAYING MAN, PLEASE KEEP US ON YOUR LIST YES.
OF PRAYERS JUST BECAUSE, UM, WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BEING OUT, I MEAN, THIS WAS JUST THE FIRST YEAR WHERE PEOPLE REALLY KNEW ABOUT US AND WE HAD EIGHT NEW PEOPLE JUST FROM GRADUATION.
SO EVERY YEAR IN OUR PROGRAM, AND I REALLY TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND EVERY YEAR WE ARE GONNA ADD, OR EVERY YEAR THEY'RE GOING ON TO A WAIT LIST.
BECAUSE SINCE WE ARE AT CAPACITY, THAT'S THE HARD PART IS WHEN WE'RE TELLING THEM, HEY, GET YOUR NAME IN, GET ON THE WAIT LIST IF SOMETHING COMES OPEN, FOR INSTANCE, THE ONE INDIVIDUAL I HAVE THAT'S GONNA BE LEAVING NOW, THAT'S GONNA LET ONE MORE PERSON IN, BUT WE'RE ONLY, WE HAVE 36 PEOPLE WE'RE SERVING IN YOUR COUNTY.
IF YOU PULL YOUR SPECIAL EDUCATION NUMBERS, YOU HAVE 20 PEOPLE GRADUATING FROM YOUR, JUST YOUR COUNTY SCHOOLS.
BUT EVERY YEAR YOU START ADDING THAT UP.
WE'RE TWO YEARS INTO SERVICE NOW.
WE HAVE 40 PEOPLE WAITING TO COME TO PROGRAM AND THAT'S ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE.
WE'RE NOT EVEN COUNTING THE FULL NUMBER.
'CAUSE NOT EVERYBODY WANTS A DAY PROGRAM.
SO, AND THEN AS FAR AS REIMAGINE, IF Y'ALL DON'T, IF YOU MEET ANY INDIVIDUALS, THAT'S A SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, ALL AGES.
SO IF YOU MEET THEM, WE'RE THE ONLY ONE THAT EXISTS RIGHT NOW.
AND PLEASE LET 'EM KNOW ABOUT US.
THAT ONE AT LEAST CAPACITY FIRST BAPTIST IS HUGE
AND IF YOU LOOK FOR ANYBODY LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS AS WELL.
I MIGHT LET US KNOW A LITTLE BIT.
[01:25:02]
OKAY, MR. TOMMY, HOW ARE YOU THIS MORNING? GOOD MORNING.HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING? WE ARE GOOD.
WELL, UH, THANKS FOR HAVING ME OUT HERE THIS MORNING.
AND, UH, I WANNA START BY THANKING THE COUNTY FOR THE PARTNERSHIP THAT WE'VE HAD.
WE'VE BEEN, UH, SERVING KAUFFMAN COUNTY FOR OVER 40 YEARS NOW.
UM, AND UH, THE BIG REASON WHY WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT IS THE SUPPORT THAT WE GET FROM OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
UH, NOT JUST KAUFFMAN COUNTY, BUT THE CITIES, UH, AS WELL.
UM, I'LL JUST, UH, HIGHLIGHT THE, UH, COST SERVICE LETTER THAT WAS, UH, SENT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, UH, LAST MONTH.
UM, WE FILL OUT THAT THE, UH, FUNDING APPLICATION REQUEST, SO HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS HAVE ALL THAT DOCUMENTATION.
UM, SO THIS IS THE SAME, UH, UH, FORMAT THAT WE'VE DONE FOR THE LAST EIGHT OR NINE YEARS NOW.
WHAT OUR BOARD DOES IS THEY PASS A, UH, HOURLY RATE OR COST PER HOUR.
UM, WE USE THAT COST PER HOUR AND EVERY UH, UH, INTER-LOCAL AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH EVERY JURISDICTION.
SO EVERYTHING'S, UH, FAIR AND EQUITABLE ACROSS, UM, ALL THE CITIES THAT WE SERVE.
ROCKWALL COUNTY, PARTS OF DALLAS COUNTY THAT WE SERVE.
IT'S THE SAME HOURLY RATE, UH, FOR KAUFMAN COUNTY.
WE'RE ABLE TO GO GET TXDOT STATE GRANTS.
UM, AND SO WE'RE, THIS YEAR WE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE ABOUT 1.7 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING.
WE USE THE, UH, CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WE GET FROM THE COUNTY AND THE CITIES AS OUR LOCAL MATCH.
SOME OF THOSE GRANTS REQUIRE, UH, 20% LOCAL MATCH.
UM, AND SO WE'RE ABLE TO, TO, UH, TAKE THE MONEY THAT WE GET HERE AND, UH, AND, AND, AND GO DRAW DOWN GRANT FUNDING THAT PROVIDES FOR ABOUT 18 VEHICLES IN THE COUNTY NEXT YEAR.
THE GOOD THING IS, IS THAT, UM, WE DO HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING COMING, UH, FOR FY 25.
THOSE GRANTS WERE ACTUALLY AVAILABLE IN JULY.
I KNOW, UM, BE HAPPY MENTIONED, UH, SOME OF THE, UH, PARTICIPANTS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PUT ON THERE.
UM, WE'VE, YOU KNOW, UH, THERE'S SEVEN OR EIGHT DAY HABS IN, IN THE AREA THAT, THAT WE SERVE.
UM, AND, UH, YOU KNOW, SO THERE'S A LOT OF NEED, LIKE SHE SAID.
YEAH, I BELIEVE THEY'RE AT CAPACITY.
THANKFULLY THE NEW, UH, OR ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING THAT WE GOT FROM THE STATE DID ALLOW, UH, TWO MORE VEHICLES.
ONE OF THOSE IS ALREADY ON THE ROAD.
WE'LL GET ANOTHER ONE OUT THERE ON THE ROAD PROBABLY IN THE NEXT MONTH OR SO.
SO WE WERE ABLE TO HELP OUT HER PROGRAM, UH, WITH THAT.
UH, ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS, UM, WE, WE STARTED PROVIDING SATURDAY SERVICE IN TERRELL.
UH, CITY OF TERRELL STEPPED UP AND THEY WANTED TO INCREASE THEIR LEVEL OF SERVICE.
UH, REQUESTS WE ALWAYS GET IS, IS FOR SATURDAY TRANSPORTATION.
UM, AND SO WE HAVE THAT OPERATING NOW OUT IN THE, UH, IN THE CITY OF TERRELL.
UM, AS FAR AS THIS YEAR, WE'VE DONE, UH, A LITTLE OVER 31,000 RIDES.
WE SHOULD BE PROJECT TO BE ABOUT 42,000 RIDES WITHIN, UH, KAUFFMAN COUNTY BY THE END OF THE YEAR.
UM, AND THEN, UH, OUR VEHICLES ARE ALL PURCHASED THROUGH, UH, GRANT FUNDING.
SO, SO NONE OF THE, UH, LOCAL MATCH CONTRIBUTIONS THAT WE GET FROM THE CITIES OR COUNTIES GO TO VEHICLES.
OUR VEHICLES ARE, UH, LEASE RIGHT NOW A HUNDRED PERCENT PAID THROUGH, UH, FEDERAL AND STATE, UH, GRANT FUNDING.
UM, AS FAR AS THE, THE BUDGET, UH, IT'S A VERY SMALL INCREASE.
I THINK JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS OVER, UM, OUR REQUEST FROM FY 24.
UM, SO, UH, UH, VIRTUALLY A, A FLAT BUDGET REQUEST FROM, FROM PREVIOUS YEAR, LET'S SEE, IT'S ABOUT 71,000, LIKE WENT DOWN.
LAST YEAR WE DID 70, I MEAN 65, 7 0 4.
AND THIS YEAR, YEAR 71, 4 75, LET'S SEE, OVER 71 4 75 MINUS 65 7 4.
IT'S ABOUT A $5,800 INCREASE IS WHAT I'M SHOWING.
I'LL ADD 200 TO LAST YEAR IF THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.
WELL, UH, I'VE GOT THE, THE, THE PAYMENTS THAT WE RIGHT NOW ON A MONTHLY BASIS IS, IS 5,933.
[01:30:01]
KNOW IF THAT'S IN THE, UH, IN ANY OF Y'ALL FINANCIAL REPORTS.UH, I DIDN'T BRING THAT WITH ME.
REIMBURSEMENT THAT WE RECEIVE RIGHT NOW, NEXT YEAR IT'D BE $5,956 A MONTH.
MONTH IS THE MONTH IS THE MONTHLY RATE OKAY.
SO LIKE BE HAPPY THERE'S NEEDING A VAN.
ARE DOG SHELTER'S GOING TO NEED A VAN? WHAT DO YOU DO? USE ONE? WE USE ONE WHEN YOU GET RID OF 'EM.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE, THE SMALL THEY'RE WORE LIKE THE 14, 15 PASTURE YARD.
I KNOW THEY WORE OUT AND NEED NEW MOTORS IN 'EM, BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WITH 'EM? SO, UH, THEY HAVE TO BE AUCTIONED OFF.
WE USE, UH, RENEE BATES AUCTIONEERS, UM, AND UH, YOU KNOW, THEY, WE DISCLOSE ALL THE, UM, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE ON THEM ON SOME THINGS.
LIKE WHEN THE COUNTY, IF WE HAVE SOME STUFF, WE'RE GETTING RID OF SURPLUS.
IF A CITY WANTS SOMETHING, WE LET THEM EITHER A, HAVE IT OR LET 'EM BUY IT IN A REDUCED AMOUNT.
IT DOESN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH AUCTION.
IT'S ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY.
IT'S ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY.
SO LET ME CHECK ON THAT AND SEE IF IT'S ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY WHAT WE CAN DO.
WELL, WE WOULD BE, NOW THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY, BUT IT MOST A NONPROFIT.
BUT, BUT FOR THE, IF IT WAS PASSED THROUGH THE COUNTY, PASSED THROUGH THE COUNTY, BUT IF WE USE IT FOR THE DOG SHELTER, IT'S STILL COUNTY FOR DOGS TO TRY TO GIVE AWAY OR WHATEVER.
SET IT OUT IN WALMART, YOU KNOW, CLEAN IT OUT FOR CAGES IN THAT'S WHAT WE'RE EATING SHORTLY.
THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT QUICKLY WE COULD DO WITH.
I'LL UH, I'LL, I'LL SEND YOU AN EMAIL.
I KNOW, YOU KNOW, UM, WE JUST HAVE TO FILE BECAUSE THEY'RE PURCHASED WITH FEDERAL, FEDERAL MONEY F FDA A FUNDS AND STATE FUNDS THAT, UM, WE DO HAVE TO FOLLOW A PROCEDURE AND SURE.
THEY HAVE TO MEET THEIR USEFUL BENCH, UH, BENCHMARK LIFE.
IF YOU FIND OUT SOMETHING, THEN WE CAN, UH, EITHER USE YOUR ATTORNEY OR CONTACT OUR D'S OFFICE AND LET THEM CHECK IT OUT OUT.
NO, I MEAN, I KNOW WE CAN DO IT.
IF THEY WANT TO, IT MIGHT FEEL LIKE THEY GET MORE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE.
AND SEE, AND WE, YOU KNOW, IF IT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DO IT, BUT I MEAN YEAH, IT, IT, IT HAS TO GO BACK AND BE USED ON FU UH, FUTURE VEHICLE PURCHASES, BUT WE'LL PAY YOU SOMETHING.
LET ME, UH, LET ME LOOK INTO THAT.
THEY GOT THE HIGH PRESSURE STUFF.
UM, NO, AND I, I'VE BEEN WATCHING THAT.
THEY HAD ONE WHILE BACK AND I DIDN'T, AND I DIDN'T GO BACK ON THERE AND LOOK WHEN THEY BROUGHT IT UP THE OTHER DAY, I DIDN'T MEAN TO WELL, THE SURPLUS THING.
ANYWAY, IF YOU CHECK IN THAT AND LET US KNOW IF YOU DON'T MIND.
'CAUSE WE CAN'T EVEN SELL IT TO BE HAPPY.
THAT'S A PRIVATE ORGANIZATION, NOT GOVERNMENT.
UM, WE HAVE TO DO THE SAME AS YOU.
WE BAT AND UH, WE GET THAT REQUEST QUITE A BIT FROM LOCAL CHURCHES AND SURE.
SEND THEM THE LINK TO THE AUCTION OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
BUT, BUT THAT'S COMPLETELY BETWEEN THEM AND THE AUCTIONEER.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED TO SHARE WITH US OR QUESTIONS? NO SIR.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? NO, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING IN.
[2. Adjourn meeting.]
THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY OR THIS MORNING? TILL ONE O'CLOCK.