COUNCIL OF THE

   SOUTHERN MOUNTAINS

February 2021 Newsletter

The Executive Director returned to work and he complied with all requirements and spoke with his doctor.  He reports feeling tired but no other problems.  He thanks everyone for your prayers and concern. 

This virus has really hurt us as many staff in Mercer County have been affected along with other seasonal illnesses.  The E.D. contacted the Governor’s Office about financial assistance through the Cares Act money.  They called him back on Wednesday, January 6 and informed him they had no funds. 

 
Waiver Program for Disabled

We continue to have cash flow problems with the Title XIX program for the developmentally disabled.  We are working diligently to get consumers’ budgets approved that will allow us to bill Medicaid.  We have contacted the State and the E.D., again, called the Governor’s Office and asked for help.  In their call back they said they had no Cares Act money to help us but we should be hearing from Medicaid about getting money flowing for the services we are providing soon.  

Covid Update

Every program has been drastically impacted.  The Foster Grandparent Program is practically non-functioning and funding for the volunteers’ stipend money ran out December 31, 2020.  The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is nearly at a standstill but the reassurance calls to homes continues, which is very important at this time.  Some good news, I was just informed that the RSVP grant renewal application has been approved.  Bill Pay service is down due to people not getting out and illness within the agency limiting access.  We are trying to prepare for tax season coming up through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program but have not yet been informed of when tax returns can be started.  Staff are now training for the coming year tax requirements. There are practically no Fitness Center users and planning for our economic development initiative is at a standstill.  Supplies for our Food Pantry are limited at this time but we have been assured additional food will be forthcoming.  Limited Fingerprinting continues on Thursdays and the Family Day Care Feeding Program is still drastically reduced due to Covid. Other than these things, we are doing great! 

For any assistance, contact the E.D. immediately. 

September 2019

Board Vacancies

There are presently two vacancies on the Board, one representing the low-income and one elected official.  Mr. Mike Crouse has agreed to represent one of the three areas of our tripartite board and Mr. Larry Hairston, newly elected Mayor of Gary, has agreed to serve as an elected official.

These members will be nominated at the September 2019 Board meeting and will take their seats on the Board in October when approved. 

Head of the Dragon/Best Hot Dog in WV Festival

We have been working with Flat Iron Drug Store on the Best Hot Dog contest scheduled for September 21, with judging when the Head of the Dragon ride is completed.  They are providing $300 and we are providing $200 of the $500 winner’s prize. 

The Motorcycle ride registration is from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Several events are planned for this period and when the ride is over, the hot dog winner will be announced.  Please try to come to this event as the vendors will be selling their hot dogs to raise money and compete for the grand prize.  This is a good opportunity for church and civic groups to raise money.  Please help us with these events.

Be Healthy Grant

We have purchased all the equipment and have it installed that we had approved from the Be Healthy Grant administered by WVU Extension.  Two new treadmills, the expensive Peloton Exercise Bike and two new chest freezers for distribution of frozen fruit and vegetables. 

The Fitness Center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.  Please try to access this service and refer your friends. 

Board member Tom Morsi is actively involved in the Fitness Center and was instrumental in getting the new exercise equipment.  Mr. Morsi has also become certified as a Senior Fitness Trainer an has offered to provide fitness training to anyone over the age of 40 at no charge.  Again, this is a tremendous offer so please access this offer or refer your friends and neighbors.

Family Day Care Feeding Program

This service for day care providers to be reimbursed for the food they serve children is still operating with Community Service Block Grant subsidy.  This program is administered by the WV Department of Education and they recently completed a review of the service.  There were no major problems found.

Finance Office

With the retirement of Brenda Winfrey in June, Heather Mullins has taken over and doing an excellent job.  As this is a key agency position, the Board members need to be aware that everything is being processed in a professional, timely manner.  We continue with monthly budget and grant compliance meetings for every program.

We are working with MCNB, the bank where we have our payroll account, to initiate direct deposit of employee paychecks.  We should have this started by November 1, 2019 with additional checks being considered in the future, such as Foster Grandparents stipends, mileage checks, etc. I will keep the Board informed.



December 2018 Newsletter 

 We have received an extension for our Financial Disclosure to the Health Care Authority until March 1, 2019.  The auditor assures us he will have the audit completed soon.  Again, the problem is the poor job done by last year’s auditor and the extra work this new auditor had to perform to get a correct 2018 audit. 

RSVP/FGP

The RSVP renewal grant has been submitted for continued funding.

The Foster Grandparent Program is completing updated background checks on all the 58 volunteers.  This has been a tremendous amount of work and sources have told us that Marcia Mullins, FGP Director, is far and above everyone else in the State. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

As of this writing, CSBG staff have completed just over 100 returns with $925,000 in refunds for local citizens.  They are off to a great start for this important program.

Grant Applications

The Executive Director has started the process of grant initiatives for the Fitness Center through Aetna Foundation and Head of the Dragon from the Coalfield Heritage organization in Beckley.  The last applicant requires a 50% match so this may be problematic.  I will keep the Board posted.

Family Day Care Feeding Program

The Coordinator has been working on the renewal license for this program.  Enrollment is still down but there are enough providers for CSBG to keep this service active. 

Fitness Center

Mary Lewis and I went to the storage area for Tug River Health Association this past month to review exercise equipment that agency possesses.  None of the equipment was operable except for some free weights.  When we informed them we were interested in the free weights, they called back and asked how much we would pay for the weights.  I told them nothing, that we thought they were to be a donation.  Needless to say, we have not heard back from the Director. 

We are still seeing the beneficial outcomes of keeping the Fitness Center open later in the day.  Attendance is up and usually the Center is quite active in the evenings. 

Bill Pay

We are exploring dropping the MoneyGram program as it is not generating much of an income and the equipment rental is $30.00 per month.  I will keep the Board informed on this situation. 

Financial results of the program are included in your financial reports.

Title XIX Waiver

We have been informed that the agency has a new consumer for the program.  This is good news, as the consumers’ budgets are being cut and consequently our revenue.  A new addition will receive excellent services and our agency should generate some much needed discretionary money. 

Right From The Start

We are still waiting on the managed care company to process our application for this vital program.  Staff are requesting updates from the State daily.  I, again, will keep the Board informed.