DCOA E*News At-A-Glance
 "It
is with mixed emotions that I announce my resignation as Executive Director of
the District of Columbia Office on Aging (DCOA) effective Monday, June 29,
2015."
"Since
joining DCOA in March 2011, I have been blessed to work with many talented
professionals who care so deeply about improving the lives of seniors, persons
with disabilities, and caregivers. I must say that since 2011, we have
built an agency of highly talented and committed professionals that have
accomplished so much in just four years. Our efforts have led to the
completion of the first senior needs assessment in over three decades and the
development of the agency’s five year strategic plan, which includes
decentralizing the Aging and Disability Resource Center and transforming Washington,
D.C. into an age-friendly city (AFC). I can confidently say that we have
met 75% of the strategic goals and we have two years remaining to reach 100% of
the goals once we fully satisfy the World Health Organization’s requirements
for AFC.
In
addition to the strategic plan, we have transformed from an agency in 2011 with
only 25 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and a budget of $26 million to an agency
in 2015 with 76 FTEs and a budget of $43.5 million. We streamlined
services for seniors and persons with disabilities by acquiring the Commodity
Supplemental Food Program from the Department of Health and secured an
extremely capable partner with the Capital Area Food Bank. We also
acquired the Money Follows the Person Program from the Department of Health
Care Finance, which has helped us to move more citizens from institutional
settings back into the community. This is the humanistic approach, but
also a great way to preserve the Medicaid budget.
As an agency, we are
small, but our dedication has proven beneficial to so many citizens who need
our assistance with navigating the long-term services and supports
system. You have been responsive to them when they needed you most even
if called upon in the evenings or weekends. For that, I salute you
for your service and commitment to the District citizens. Your high
degree of professionalism and responsiveness has resulted in the agency
maintaining an overall grade of “A” on grade.dc.gov. Our grade is a
testament of our stakeholders’ appreciation and respect for our service to
them.
Our
agency has also been instrumental in establishing the District’s Silver Alert
System. I am confident that through this system, numerous District
governmental agencies and private organizations will continue to work tirelessly
in locating missing seniors and ensuring that they return home safely. In
addition, we have partnered with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to
provide the Money Smart training program to our seniors. It is our best
defense to reduce financial exploitation among the senior population. Because of this great work, we have been honored by Acting U.S. Attorney
Vincent Cohen.
Moreover,
we have established a number of new programs including the Senior Symposium,
Nursing Home Transition Program, the Volunteer Ambassador Program, the Senior
Home Repair Intergenerational Program, the Pre-K Intergenerational Program,
Call-In-Talk Line, First Responders Program, and the Falls Prevention Home
Assessment Program.
I
am also pleased that we were able to overhaul senior transportation that
resulted in a 3-week reduction in wait time and increased access to new
destination points across the city. It is worth mentioning that because
of the hard work of the team, we have been nationally recognized by the National
Association of Area Agencies on Aging for establishing a best practice in
transportation with the advent of the Seabury Connector Card, which provides
seniors with increased transportation options.
In
closing, I would like to encourage each one of you to continue to follow your
passion and to disregard any distractions that keep you from focusing on
serving seniors, persons with disabilities, and caregivers. As public
servants, you are their advocates, providers, and often times, a friendly, warm
voice for those who live alone.
Thank
you for allowing me to serve with you for the last four years and four months! I will always cherish our moments together and because of this
experience, I am a better leader and manager."
Sincerely,
Dr. John M. Thompson, CPM, FAAMA
 John M. Thompson, PhD of Washington, DC was recently advanced to Fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators, in recognition of professional achievement and continuous adherence to the ethical and professional standards of ACHCA. The professional credential is recognized as FACHCA.
Advancement to Fellow represents the highest level of membership in ACHCA. Fellowship requires a record of participation in professional continuing education, suitable formal education, community service, and at least two years of voting membership.
Founded in 1962, the American College of Health Care Administrators (ACHCA) is the only professional association devoted solely to meeting the professional needs of today’s post-acute and aging services leaders. Focused on advancing leadership excellence, ACHCA provides professional education and certification to administrators from across the spectrum of long term care. For more information about ACHCA, contact the national office at (202) 536-5120 or visit www.achca.org.
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 The District of Columbia Government, through the Homeland
Security and Emergency Management Agency (HSEMA), will implement the District
Heat Emergency Plan when the temperature or heat index reaches 95 degrees.
Extreme heat causes significant impacts to individuals residing
in public facilities, public housing, senior facilities, senior centers, and
homeless shelters throughout the city.
Individuals
can contact the D.C. Office on Aging at 202-724-5622 for a list of the Senior
Service Network Agencies that have been identified as a Cooling Center within
their respective ward. For information after hours, please contact the Mayor’s
Call Center at 311.
WARD 1
VIDA Spanish
Senior Center
1842 Calvert
Street, N.W.
Weekdays: 9:00am – 2:00pm
202-483-1508
Bernice
Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center
3531 Georgia
Ave, N.W.
Weekdays:
8:30am- 4:30pm
202-727-0338
WARD 2
Asian Senior
Center
417 G
Street, N.W.
Weekdays: 9:00am- 5:00pm
202-842-4376
Senior
Center for the Homeless Elderly
1226 Vermont
Avenue N.W.
Weekdays: 8:30am- 4:30pm
202-265-2017
IONA
4125
Albemarle Street, N.W .
Weekdays: 9:00am-5:00pm
202-966-1055
WARD 4
Hattie
Holmes Senior Wellness Center
324 Kennedy Street,
N.W.
Weekdays: 9:00am-2:00pm
202-291-6170
Ft. Stevens
Recreation Center
1327 Van
Buren Street, N.W.
Weekdays:
9:00am-2:00pm
202-576-6916
WARD 5
Model Cities
Senior Wellness Center
1901 Evart
Street, N.E.
Weekdays:
9:00am-2:00pm
202-635-1900
WARD 6
Hayes Senior
Wellness Center
500 K
Street, N.E.
Weekdays:
9:00am-5:00pm
202-563-7725
In the event of extreme heat, you should take the following precautions:
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
- Turn on the air-conditioner or fan.
- DO NOT leave children or pets in vehicles.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Wear light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting clothes.
- Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside. SPF 15-30 is best.
- Limit exposure to the sun, especially between 10 AM and 3 PM when it is strongest
- Watch for symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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 Verizon, Bernice Fonteneau and Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Centers cordially invite you to a free Senior Technology Demonstration Fair.
Join
Verizon for a special event bringing together community
and government leaders. service providers, seniors, area residents and others
for a day of helpful information, giveaways. food and fun.
Learn About:
- The Latest Wireless Technologies for Seniors & How to Use a Tablet &Smartphone;
- Experience
a Hands-On Demonstration;
- Health and Wellness & Mobile Access to Quality Care;
- Ways
to Improve Your Communication with Friends, Family and Your Community; and
- Lifeline
Phone Service & Information
About Other Qualified Consumer Discounts.
To RSVP for Hattie Holmes or for more information
please contact: Teresa Moore at tmoore@vidaseniorcenters.org, or 202-291-2790.
To RSVP for Bernice Fonteneau or for more information
please contact: Michelle Singleton at (202) 727-0338.
On Monday June 29th
at 10 am, CM Bonds’ Committee on Housing and Community Development will hold a
hearing on two bills impacting senior residents.
One of the bills -- Bill
21-0173, the “Elderly and Tenants with Disabilities Protection Amendment Act of
2015” – is particularly important for senior tenants and tenants with
disabilities. It includes a number of new or improved rent control
protections for this part of the District’s renter population, which tends to
live on fixed incomes and therefore tends to be more greatly impacted by rent
increases.
The bill is summarized in the
notice below and you may view the full legislation here.
Please see the hearing notice below and consider testifying. To
get on the witness list, contact the Committee at (202) 724-8900 or by email to
omontiel@dccouncil.us.
 The next D.C.
Caregivers Online Chat at Noon on Tuesday, June 23, "Caregiving Tips: Strategies for Success," Log on for advice, resources
and tips to assist you with your caregiving responsibilities. If you are not
available at 12 p.m., check back at your convenience and hit replay to see the
entire chat. Join this week's discussion at www.dcoa.dc.gov/page/caregiver-chat.
For more information, contact Linda Irizarry at
202-535-1442 or linda.irizarry@dc.gov.
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On
June 25th, Georgetown Village will present a talk by award winning CBS
journalist Bill Plante on "Selma Fifty Years Later." Plante covered
the events in Selma 50 years ago as a young reporter and recently returned on
the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the marches from Selma to Montgomery.
The demonstrations were a game changer but they were not the finish line.
Join Bill Plante for a fascinating discussion at 6:00 pm at St. John's Church,
3240 O Street, NW. The talk is free and open to the public.
For
information and to RSVP contact lynn@georgetown-village.org
or 202-999-8988. Georgetown Village is a nonprofit membership organization
providing services and programs in Georgetown, Burleith and nearby
neighborhoods so older residents can live better and linger in their
homes."
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