The Metro Council will receive Mayor Greg Fischer’s FY 2017 budget proposal at a special meeting of the Metro Council that will be held tomorrow afternoon at 4:00PM.  Over the course of the next month, members of the Metro Council will conduct more than a dozen Budget Committee meetings in which we will vet various metro departments. As Vice-Chair of the Budget Committee, Councilwoman Leet is looking  forward to reviewing all aspects of the Mayor’s Budget and working with my council colleagues to review the budget in its entirety.

Councilwoman Leet is planning to continue pooling District 7 Capital Infrastructure funds with the other members of the Minority Caucus.  Pooling these funds has allowed the Minority Caucus to work together to take on large road/paving projects in our various districts. This collaboration has allowed us to complete projects such as the repaving of Rudy Lane, Ormsby Lane and LaGrange Road in a shorter period of time. Over the last four budget cycles, 90% of  the minority caucus’ pooled funds have gone to capital projects like paving, sidewalks or park improvement projects. 

We invite you to watch the proceedings as they begin tomorrow on Metro TV or by visiting Louisvilleky.gov and viewing the meetings through Metro TV’s digital library. We thank you in advance for your interest in the budget process. If you have any questions regarding the proposed budget or the Metro Council’s budget process please call the District 7 office at 574-1107. The Metro Council is expected to vote on the final version of the FY17 Capital and Operating Budgets on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

For $30, youths get unlimited travel through Aug. 31

Getting to jobs, the movies, recreational activities and fun events around Louisville is affordable and easy for young people with the TARC Summer Youth Pass, which goes on sale Mon., May 23.

The pass costs $30 and is available to anyone 6-19 years old.  With the pass, youths can take unlimited TARC rides on all routes from June 1-Aug. 31.

By taking public transportation, young people can gain self-confidence and become more self-reliant, important skills for lifelong success, Barker said. All TARC buses are equipped with bicycle racks that can provide greater mobility. 

The pass can be ordered from TARC’s website, www.ridetarc.org, or purchased at the following locations:

Union Station, 1000 W. Broadway

Nia Center, 2900 W. Broadway

All Fifth Third Banks

Louisville Free Public Library, 3rd & York

To order by mail, send a check or money order for $30, with your name, address and phone number, to SUMMER YOUTH PASS; c/o TARC cashier; 1000 W. Broadway; Louisville, KY  40203.   

The Long-term Care Ombudsman is a NO COST service for the community.

Catholic Charities holds the KIPDA contract to administer the Ombudsman Program. We serve residents in long-term care facilities and their families in Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties in Kentucky.

The Ombudsman Program was created in 1972 as a Public Health Service demonstration program to meet the needs of residents facing problems in nursing homes. In 1978 Congress amended the Older Americans Act to include a requirement that each state develop a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. The Ombudsman Program addresses complaints and advocates for improvements in the long term care system. Ombudsman responsibilities outlined in the Older American Act include:

• Identify, investigate, and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents;
• Provide information to residents about their rights;
• Educate and inform consumers and the general public regarding issues and concerns related to institutional long-term care;
• Promote the development of citizen organizations and volunteers to participate in the program;
• Advocate for changes to improve residents’ quality of life and care.

The word ombudsman generally refers to an advocate for the interest of the common people or the general public.

Friendly Visitor or Certified Volunteer Ombudsman

The focus of the friendly visitor is to enhance residents’ quality of life by giving residents attention and assurance that they are still members of the larger community.  A friendly visitor volunteer provides simple companionship or social activity to residents.  Friendly visitors are not responsible for investigating or attempting to resolve complaints.  However, the volunteer will refer them to the ombudsman’s office for further review.

The role of the Certified Volunteer Ombudsman will connect with residents and their loved ones to advocate on the behalf of the resident to improve their overall care.  The ombudsman is instrumental in working to educate residents, families, friends, or potential consumers about their rights and responsibilities in a long-term care facility.

Requirements:
Volunteer application
Criminal Background Check
Complete Appropriate Ombudsman Volunteer Training

For more information go to our website:  https://cclou.org/long-term-care/ or contact Beth Morgan, Long-Term Care Ombudsman Associate/ Volunteer Coordinator

bmorgan@archlou.org, 502.637.9786, ext. 144