Kings County Commission on Aging

680 Campus Dr. Suite D Hanford, CA 93230

Alejandra GarciaSocial Work 180

Professor Daniel Espinoza

The Kings County Commission on Aging Council was formally established on March 2, 1970. It is recognized nationally by the citizens of Kings County through official action of the Kings Board of Supervisors. The Council represents senior citizens as prescribed and outlined in the Older Americans Act.

Kings County Commission on Aging

The Mission of Kings County Commission on Aging is to provide information and referral service, offer assistance, support and advocate for the senior citizens of Kings County as prescribed and outlined in the Older Americans Act.

GOALS OF KINGS COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING: To help senior citizens become more efficient in their homes

and remain active citizens of the County, City, State, and Nation.

To provide services to Kings and Tulare (Ombudsman) county residents over the age of 60 years that are most vulnerable according to the Organization of Adult Americans.

Mission Statement & Goals

Kings County Commission on Aging is a private, non-profit organization that receives funding through local governments, such as cities and county’s, also through grants received from Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (K/TAAA), and by private donations. It also receives United Way Funding.

The staff in the commission is wonderful who help each other out in order to get things done within the agency. The motivation within the agency is very amazing and wonderful. Board of Supervisors, Director Sharon DeMaster, and 5 employees that jointly administer the following services: Scott Harvey (BSW) : SAFE, Facilitates Caregiver support group and Ongoing support

groups and individual counseling, personal consultations, and helps with forms. Maribel Martinez (BSW) : Bilingual services, referrals, rental utility assistance (EFSP),

Life scan, and Notary. Leticia Brice (BSW) Long Term Care Ombudsman: Provides an objective, independent

mediator to resolve problems for residents in skilled nursing facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly, writer of grant proposals, and Tax Assistance Program.

Bobbie Wartson: Nutrition, Meals on Wheels, Senior congregate meal sites. Dorris Skrinde: Accountant. Juanita Isidoro: Office Secretary.

Organizational structure

Organizational structure cont.BOARD

KCCOA

SHARON DEMASTER

SSCOTT

MARIBEL

BOBBIE

DORRIS

LETICIA

LEGAL

HICAP

JUANITAS.A.F.E

ACCOUNTANT

NUTRITION OMBUDSMAN

SECRETARY

ATTORNEY

MEDICAL

BILINGUAL/REFERRALS

The commission is community needs driven. It assists to seniors within Kings County whose needs are not met in certain aspects of their lives.

The Commission Board and Staff serves all races in Kings County from all levels of socioeconomic backgrounds.

All clients are matched with someone who represents their color, culture, and language.

Great effort is taken to help seniors feel comfortable with the staff member offering the services.

Kings county includes the following cities: Corcoran Hanford Avenal Lemoore Armona

The agency also assist to the cities of Laton, Stratford, Kettleman City, and Caruthers.

Community context

The vast majority of seniors, 60 plus years of age, that the commission assists to fall within the poverty level of California. They are a vulnerable at risk population. The commission is a very beneficial resource available to the senior population in Kings County.

The commission is able to assists with transportation help including:• Amtrak• KART passes• Taxi Service• Medical Transportation

Housing the commission works with closely includes:• Lemoore Senior Housing• Corcoran Senior Housing• Armona and Huron Senior Housing• Mobile Home Parks• Avenal Senior Housing• Hanford Senior Housing• KCAO (housing program)

The commission works closely with various health and home care including:• General Health Services• House calls (Adventist Health)• Mental Health Services• Home Medical Products• Home Health Care• In Home Support Services (IHSS)

Main Social Justice Issue in the Local Context

The population at risk that the agency assist to is the elderly, specifically those who are 60 plus years of age.

Homebound Isolated Seniors are the most vulnerable at risk population the commission works with. It includes those seniors who are isolated at home due to not being able to being out of their homes. They may not have any family member or friend who can help them with daily transportation to places they may need to go.

Disabled Elderly are also a population at risk the agency works with. Many of the clients who attend the Lemoore senior center have crucial medical conditions like Dementia, and Alzheimer's.

Populations at Risk

The Commission offers a wide variety of services including Senior information and referral to: Long Term Ombudsman program Nutrition Program Senior Access For Engagement (SAFE) Program/Respite Care Program Personal Consultations Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) Preventative Health Care for the Aging Program Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP) Adult Day Care Centers and Legal Assistance Legal Services Geriatric Mental Health Meals on Wheels Multipurpose Senior Services (MSSP) Linkages Passes for Kings Area Rural Transit (KART)

A news letter with information of special interest to seniors is distributed regularly.

Agencies Practices

The significance of the social work values within the agency have benefited the population (senior’s 60 plus years old and their families) it serves greatly. The agency incorporates all of the social work values into their practice.

Service is offered to all elderly and their families. Nobody is rejected, if what a client is looking for is not offered at the agency we are great at referring them to somebody who is able to help them with what they need better.

Social Justice is taken into great consideration benefiting the population the agency serves. The agency does its best at providing them with help addressing their problems along with solutions and resources they need to have a healthy productive life.

Dignity and Worth of the Person is seen throughout the agency. Each individual who is assisted is seen with great respect and uniqueness.

Importance of Human Relationships is seen when the staff are able to work and assist clients in what ever they need assistance with in their daily lives. The relationship that is built with clients is very strong and welcoming.

Integrity is what all staff members put into what they work on in the agency. Competence is what everyone here at the agency is able to do, they are knowledgeable of

doing everything here at the agency at their best. They are able to refer individuals with those who can assist them better whether it is because of the language they speak or the assistance needed.

Significance of Social Work Values

The Commission respects the rights of the seniors in every aspect. The Ombudsman Long Term Care plays an extremely crucial role within the agency, along with the rest of the staff in the agency.

The ombudsman is an impartial mediator, an advocate for basic human rights for long-term care residents. As mandated by state and federal law, these trained and certified ombudsman regularly visit nursing facilities and residential care facilities and residential care facilities for the elderly. When necessary Ombudsman work closely with regulatory agencies and make appropriate referrals to other agencies assisting seniors. The ombudsman Program works with residents and facility staff to resolve problems concerning the following: Dietary Concerns Activity Programs Physical Environment Abuse Quality of Care Medical Care Patient’s Rights Regulatory Agencies Family Communications Resident Councils Family Councils

Significance of Human Rights