Minutes from the Health and Welfare Council Meeting

On November 20, 2015

Present:
Phil Freeman (HNA Presenter), Mike Hofer (Blair Rec), Melanie Shildt (United Way), Anne Krill
(Altoona Housing Authority), Emily Krider ( ELECT_AASD), Donna Gority (WISE Women of BC),
Missy Bennett (Blair County Drug and Alcohol Partnerships), Tracy Kelley (HNA, WIC), Jennifer
Stubbs (CCBH), Dorcey Cuzzolina (Center for Community Action RSVP Project), Cindy Cessna
(Blair County Chamber Foundation), Teri Grove (CONTACT Altoona), Mahlon Fiscel, Emily
Chwatek (United Cerebral Palsy), Deanna Brown (HNA, NFP), Dee Martin Spallone, Robin Walters
(HNA, NFP), Denise Adams (FRC at United Way), Cathy Crum (Dept. of Social Services).
Call to Order
Mike called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Everyone introduced themselves.
Presentation from Phil Freeman, President, Home Nursing Agency. Phil spoke about the state of
health care in todays world. He also talked about past, present and future changes at the Home
Nursing Agency.

Business Meeting
Review /Approval of Minutes:
-There were no corrections to the minutes.
-Tracy K. made a motion to accept the minutes and Melanie S. seconded it. Motion Carried.
Review of Treasurers Report/Update:
-Cathy C. gave the Treasurers Report in the absence of Kristen L.: beginning balance of 3,726.86
and the ending balance of 4,476.86.
-Cindy C. made a motion to accept the Treasurers Report and Anne K. seconded it. Motion
Carried.

Committees

Executive:
-Mike recognized and thanked Dee Martin Spallone for her work on the website.
Marketing:
-Tracey K reported a press release regarding our meeting appeared in the Altoona Mirror.
Membership:
-No report was available.
Website:
- Dee asked that any new members of the H&W Council send her their logo and she will put it on
the website. It was also suggested that all members look at the website and send Dee any
changes/updates to their logo.
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 2015 2016 Grant Recipients:

- Mike stated that 5 grant applications were received and all were reviewed by the Executive
Committee at their meeting held on November 6th. One applicant is not a member of H&W, so
therefore not eligible to receive a grant. One applicant was a grant recipient last year, so
therefore not eligible to receive a grant (agencies and organizations can receive funding every
other year).
The remaining 3 applications were as follows:
-

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Blair County is seeking grant support for their S.M.A.R.T.
(Students and Mentors Achieving Results Together) End of School Year Awards and
Celebration Program. Mentoring teams which have been together throughout the school year
are provided an opportunity to celebrate their achievements and acknowledge the
relationships. The program includes a structured agenda, party, parting gifts, thank you cards,
individual and group pictures and an awards presentation. This is also a time when accolades
are awarded to mentees and leadership skills of mentors are recognized. There are currently
35 mentoring teams. The request is for $475.00.

Juniata United Methodist Church is seeking grant support for their Angel Feet Ministry Shoe
Bank. This program serves the youngest residents of Blair County. Eligible children, ages
infant to sixth grade, receive a pair of brand new sneakers and socks through the program.
Eligibility is based on enrollment in DPW Medical ACCESS, CHIP or for those children who are
referred by a local agency, school or who are homeless. A child may return to the shoe bank
every six months. The request is for $500.00. Dee Martin Spallone stated that each child
also now receives a new book in addition to the sneakers and socks. She stated that the
program is in its third year and has served over 1,500 children so far.

Skills of Central PA is seeking grant support to host an informational session regarding federal
regulation changes in their vocational training programs. The passing of new legislation will
place new parameters on the individuals who attend and work in their vocational training shops.
The enactment of these regulations will be a difficult transition for the individuals and their
family members. In order to make these transition changes understandable to the individuals
served (by all human service organizations) in Blair County, the session will be open to all
individuals, their families/caregivers, and the staff of the human service organizations. The
sole purpose of the session will be to educate the attendees on the upcoming changes in
regulations. An exact date for the informational session has yet to be determined. The
request is for $350.00.
Mike made the recommendation from the Executive Committee to fund the three eligible grant
requests in a total amount of $1,325.00. Anne K. seconded it. Motion carried, with Donna
Gority and Dee Martin Spallone abstaining.

Mike stated that, for the 2016-2017 grant application process, the Executive Committee
suggested that it would be beneficial to set up a grant writing assistance program. It would be
an opportunity to help educate council members and to make the review process smoother.
Attendance wont be a requirement, but will be strongly encouraged.

Updates
Department of Social Services:
-Cathy stated that most activities through the Department of Social Services, and their
providers, have been put on hold pending the passing of a state budget. She stated that they are
in constant contact with providers regarding their ability to remain open and provide needed
services.
United Way of Blair County:
-Melanie stated that the United Way Board met yesterday and decided to continue to fund the
operation of the Family Resource Center through the end of January. The Family Resource
Center receives state funding, but obviously has not received any funding yet from the state.
Melanie and Denise gave information on several events occurring at United Way/FRC such as
Photos with Santa, Glass Slipper Project (prom gown collection/giveaway), VITA tax preparation
assistance, Martin Luther King mini Day of Service (January 18th), Jeans and Teams (January
29th), Laugh United (April 7th), United Way Day at Del Grosso Park (June 9th), Giving Tuesday
(December 1st), and Toasty Toddler.
Agency Happenings:
-Since there was time, Mike asked everyone to share any happenings at their agency. Agencies
will forward the information to Adana for distribution to the group.
Next Meeting:
-Mike adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 8:00
am at The Arc of Blair County.