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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-0918 Housing & Social SRVCs MEETING NOTICE COMMITTEE 34 - HOUSING & SOCIAL SERVICES , ,mEN: THURSDAY, SEPTENBEP. 18, 1975, 7:30 P.M. \'lliERE: CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAHBERS SOCIAL SERVICES General FINDINGS: a. Ashland citizens are mostly uninformed about Social Services. b 20% of Medford's social services are applied to Ashland residentn. c. 1he. mul titade and complexl ty of lo~al, s ta.te, and federal human rf~8ource pl:ogrmm.~ make it difficult. for most cities to understand available programs And ser\~ices and effectively participate in them. d. Social seL"vices in Ashland ar'e fragmented and uncoordinated. e. Information and referral services available to people in Ashland include help line (779-help) RVCA's line for the elderly (779-care), the senior center, clliJ1llber of commerce, the information booth, city offices and poliee department. :t. There. j,s a need for a ce.ntral. information center to dispe.rse' information regarning social services. g. Corrnnunicating ,the availability of "ncv or existing services is necessary to the success of social service activities. h. TIle present multi-service center is inadequate beca~se of its non-central lo~2tion, its small size, and its poor pllblicity~ ;t. The multi service center concept could be an effective approach to t1pdati.nt~ Ashland's social services if i t i~; vlell pl;:1Jured and financed. ASSV}fP'floNS: * Social services ag~ncies \.~il1 continue to be fragmented if no coordinating mechanlsm is provided. Page 2 * The City wil~ take an increasingly active role in the social service area. * GOAL: PROMOTE THE DEVELOPHE1IT, COORDINATION AND EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF NEEDED SOCIAL SERVICES IN ASHLAND. POLICIES: A. Reduce duplication among social services in Ashland. B. Coordinate and publicize the existing social services. C. Centralize social services as much as possible, especially informa t10n a'nd referral services. D. Utilize to the greatest desirable level the social service monies, programs, and manpower available through the various service agencies. PROPOSALS: 1. Provide a ne,,, well planned and well financed lUul ti-service center. 2. Information referral and the volunteer service center at the new MSC to integrate both information and volunteer energy. 3. Develop a social services paIn listing available social services and providing coordination among them. 4. Monitor all new programs and developments in the social services area to determine their possible effects on Ashland. FINDIRGS: PHYSICAL HEALTH 1. More parks, open spaces, and connecting links are needed in Ashland to meet the primary health needs of keeping people active in a normal environment. 2. The Medford based Comprehensive Health Planning agency (CliP) is a federal agency which functions to: a) Assess health care needs. b) Finance some emergency health care programs. c) Control federal health monies. d) Maintain an overview of health needs and problems. e) Set health priorities (mostly in the area of hospital facilities and nurs iug homes). ..'." " Page 3 3. Ashland's physician ratio is about normal for the County. 4. There are not enough nurisng homes in Ashland and too many in Medford. 5. Old-age homes are not closely governed in Ashland. 6. Many of the communities health'problems are not being treated effectively (e.g. dental care, V.D.). 7. There is a VD screening service in Ashland for men and women at the Ashland Women's Heal th Center. 8. Ashland has limited facilities for therapeutic treatment. 9. Ashland needs extended care beds, but doesn't have any. 10. A more visible entrance sign system is needed after hours at the Ashland Hospital. 11. 24-hour emergency room service is needed at the Ashland hospital. 12. Ashland needs a central medical clinic for public health information, educational clinics, to disperse aid~ etc. 13. Ashland needs a health referral system for low income residents. 14. Ashland needs more public health services and preventative service programs. 15. Ashland has no school nurses. 16. Food is provided to those in need by various organizations in Ashland including: Loaves and Fishes, Meals on Wheels, FISH, Food stamp program and the Ashland- Talent food bank. 17. The sose SOSC infirmary provides some medical care and health care information to students. 18. Emergency rescue squads include: Alpine rescue, the fire department, a bummer squad, and a private ambulance. 19~ Horne health servi~e is at many times more effective and less expensive than institutional care. 20. The City owns and operates a community hospital. ASSUMPTIONS: * The cost of institutional care will continue to rise. * The trend tm,ard public or socialized health care will continue. * GOAL: PROVIDE NEEDED PREvTcNTIVE, DIAGNOSTIC, TREAT~mNT, REHABILITATION AND CUSTODIAL CARE PROGRAMS TO ASSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE PHYSICAL HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY. Page 4 POLICIES: 1. . Upgrade health care services in Ashland especially in the areas of public health services, nursing home and extended care facilities, health care infonnation and home health care. 2. Promote new medical facilities such as clinics and centers. 3. Seek funding for health care from other governmental agencies whenever possible . PROPOSALS: 1.' Promote school participation in a VDprevention program. 2. Establish a system of mixed flouridation of Ashland's "ater supply 3. Procure government funds to build a medical center ir" Ashland combining medical, dental, and public health care facilities. 4. Include land areas to be used for clinics, specialists or a health care center in the land use plan. 5. Establish 24-hour emergency room service and a more visible entrance sign system at the Ashland Hospital. ~ 6. Encourage G.P. 's to locate offices throughout Ashland. 7. Establish at least one position as a school nurse in the Ashland School District. 8. Develop a health referral system. 9. Establish a comprehensive program for prevention and treatment of dental cavaties and related dental health problems. 10. Provide family planning and pre and pos t natal service.s for women of child bearing age. 11. Provide information to insure good nutrition. 12. Remove constraints and provide incentives to encourage the development of innovative programs to improve the existing health care delivery system, with special emphasis on alternatives to institutional care., including home-health care services. 13. Develop effective school health care programs. 14. Plan recreational programs to improve the physical health of the citizenry. SOCIAL SERVICES Mental Health FINDINGS: 1. Ashland does not have a resident population with the exception of of six (6) people per week. psychologist or psychiatrist available to the general one at the Hulti-Service. Center who can see a maximum , . 2. There is psychological counseling availab Ie to sasc students through the college. Page 5 3. Mental Health Services (funded by the State and' County) has been limited by. the present multi-service center facility ,.;rhich has inadequate space and a poor coun- seling atmosphere. 4. The MIlS also lacks personnel to serve in Ashland (20% of all Medford 11HS patients are from Ashland.). 5. Some }lliS programs have been cut this year, such as the volunteer program (also involving SOSC practicum students) and liaison counseling services to other agencies. 6. A need for psychiatry and psychology services exists in Ashland among some people of every income and age level. 7. Medford's MHS is having difficulty meeting Ashland's demands for services due to an overload of patients and transportation problems with many Ashland residents. 8: . Ashland needs preventative mental health programs such as grm,th groups, teenage groups, marriage.groups, etc. 9. Group counseling, if appcopriate can help more individuals in less time than indi- vidual counseling. '. PROPOSALS: 1. Encourage the. expansion of the Mental Health Services program in Ashland. 2. Provide incentives to social service agencies to establish preventive mental health programs. 3. Encourage psychiatrists and psychologists to locate in Ashland. CHILDREN'S SERVICES FINDINGS: 1. All activities under the jurisdiction of Children's Services are responsible to the legis la ture by 1m,. 2. The Children's Services Division (CDS) services offered through the Multi-Service Center were ineffective because publicity \.,a8 poor and most of CSD's work is direct field service. 3. There are 1800 ADC families in Jackson County at present. I,. The CSD needs a larger capacity of outreach \;orkers. 5. The CSD provides four (4) basic services: a) Family services, including parent education, counseling and referrals. b) Training services, to help people find jobs and reduce barreirs to "'~rkinr.. -' c) Protective services, in conjunc tion iwth the police and the courts. d) Foster Care (including adoption). .J L..... Page 6 . Children's day care facilities in Ashland include: the SOSC day care center, Head' Start, some private facIlities, and the Hulti-Service Center (2 days a week). 7. Special tutoring of elementary students is provided by college students through the ESCAPE program. 8. There is a need for more day care centers in Ashland, especially low cost and short term (one or two hours p~r day). o " POLICIES: a. Improve the existing children's services. in Ashland and provide new ones where the need ex is ts. h. PROPOSALS: 1. Prepare a report on existing children's services and the need for these services 'in Ashland. 2. Develop a plan to provide ne" children 1 s services and coordinate exis ting services to meet the needs of children in Ashland. . 3. Review and improve Ashland's day care facili ties. 4. Lobby ,the various agencies which provide children's services in order to improve existing services. 5. Provide better facilities and publicity for the Children's Services Division. AGING PROGRAHS FINDINGS: a. Seniors. have a stigma about receiving help - they resent taking charity. b. Ibere is a need for nurses, live-in helpers, and handymen (etc) to work in senior's homes. c. Transportation is .the senior's biggest problem - both ,dthin the city arid to other parts of the county. d. Many seniors need wood for heating in the winter. e. A larger variety of activi.tics r:.e.ed to be made available to seniors. Page 7 f. Seniors can be a source of labor in jobs like. baby sitting and handiwork, g. Seniors need a qualified person to help them with social service questions and problems. h. People age 65 and over make up 12.8% of Ashland's total population. ASSUHPTIONS: * The ratio of seniors to total population in Ashland is likely to increase in future years. * Demands for programs to meet the special needs of senior citizens will increase greatly as the senior population increases and becomes more assertive. * GOALS: INSURE THAT SENIOR CITIZENS ARE PROVIDED THE SOCIAL SERVICES I-IHICH TIlEY NEED TO ~~INTAIN AN ACTIVE, INDEPENDENT LIFE WITlIIN THE CO~ITY. POLICIES: A. Provide seniors with convenient information and access to haousing programs and units. B'. Provide seniors ,Jith good transportation se.rvices to Dssure their mobility and independence. C. Provide seniors with convenient information and access to health services to assist them in maintaining themselves outside of institutions and in reasonable comfort and dignity. D. Eneourage cooperation and coordination of all services to seniors among the service agencies. E. Provide activities and community service opportunities for seniors and encourage their use. F. Stimula~e community interest and activity in providing services to Ashland's senior citizens. PROPOSALS: 1. Provide a newsletter to seniors who cannot afford the ne,,,sj>"per. 2. Establish a central information and clearing center "lith information regarding available housing units location and relocation programs and other housing related services. 3. Expand volunteer transportation for the elderly and coordinate transportation services among the various service agencies. 4. Develop a plan for services to the elderly including housing, employment, trans- portation, health activities, and alternatives to institutionalization. Page 8 5. The City should cooperate with, aid and contribute resources to programs aimed at preventing or alleviating health and nutritional problems of seniors. 6. The city should seek appropriate resources to provide needed social and support services to persons with health-related disabilities. 7. Assist in the establishment, funding and support of multi-purpose and multi- service centers for seniors. 8. Support retirement education and counseling programs. 9. Study specific and basic public services which may provide alternitives to institutionalization or seniors. 10. Encourage cooperation among service agencies and nursing homes from institutions) and to maintain them "i\~di.n the community when. ever possible. 'J 11. Contract for the provision of information and referral services for the elderly in Ashland. COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES Hiscellaneous FINDINGS: B. The lack of a public transportation system in Ashland inhibits people from using . many existing social services. b. Ashland needs more recreation programs and centers, especially for its young adults and seniors. c. Ashland needs more employment and :,nemployment counseling and programs to combat .its 'unemployment problem. d.. Ashland needs lOl,-cost overnight facilities especially in the summer for young people. e. Ashland needs permanent public legal services. f. Transportation volunteers are amon~ the most difficult to find. g. Jackson County school dropouts increased 100% this year. g. Sources of volunteer labor in Ashland include: a) Spades - Ashland High School service cluh. b) High school and college classes. c) Churches and servi.ce organizations. d) Volunteer ser\'i.ce center. e) f) g) h) NYC program. Hanpower programs (including C~TA). Escape - College tutoring of elementary students. , HIN - through Public Helfare. "'..' Page 9 ASSUMPTIONS: GOAL: POLICIES: A. Encourage a preventive approach to social service needs instead of "patching up" existing problems. B. Res tore the handicapped to the maximum possible level of self-sufficiency and independence. C. Support development of recreation programs for all segments of the community. D. Encourage the coordination and cons:Olidation of manpower programs which affect the citizens of Ashland. PROPOSALS: 1. Develop a "drop in" facility and preventive program for school dropouts. 2. Develop a preventive unemployment program. 3. Provide low cost crash pads for those who need overnight lodging. 4. Assess the major manpm,er problems and unmet needs in Ashland. 5. Develop recommendations for alleviating identified high-priority manpower problems and unmet needs. 6. Establish and maintain inter-agency relatIonships and coordinate planning activities with other manpower planning activities in the co~~unity. 7. Design municipal facilities so they can be used conveniently by handicapped persons.