Jan. 17: Health, Human Services & Aging Committee, Cuyahoga County Council
Covered by Documenters Barbara Phipps (notes) and Tim Zelina (live-tweets)
Funding for guardians
Cuyahoga County Council members advanced a resolution approving a two-year, $1.35 million contract for an adult guardianship program with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry. Marcos Cortes, with Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services, said the program provides guardians to adults who need one but don’t have a family member who can act in that role.
Natasha Pietrocola, the county’s Division of Senior and Adult Services administrator, told council members the county increased the amount of the contract by $70,000. But the program ran out of funding last September, she said.
Kendra Daniel with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry said the agency has 17 guardians on staff in addition to volunteers. She said the program provided 549 guardianships in 2023, but they are still only taking 10 or 12 of the 35 to 40 cases referred to them each month and could use more guardians.
Heart health
Council members also supported a resolution providing up to $15,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to the Devin Moore Heart Foundation for CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) training.
George Berry, the foundation’s treasurer, said the money would contribute to sending four AEDs to schools and offering eight CPR/AED training sessions in 2024. Berry said that the AEDs they donate cost between $1,400 and $1,500.
Food giveaways
A resolution awarding the Zeta Omega Foundation up to $20,000 of ARPA funds for its annual food basket giveaway was also advanced to the full council.
Anthony W. Scott, president of the foundation, told council members that each basket can feed a family of five for two days. He said they gave away 500 baskets in December.
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry offers volunteers multiple ways to get involved with the adult guardianship program. Check out their FAQ on the program and the opportunities available.
Read more from Documenter Barbara Phipps:
Read the live-tweet thread from Tim Zelina:
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