ARC Grants Help the Region 

Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District (BHHVRDD) is committed to assisting the counties in its region with securing grant funding for projects. One important grant funding agency is The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).      

In 2013, grants will help: 

• to create and/or retain private sector jobs;
• to extend or upgrade water or sewer services;
• to provide quality health care;
• to provide job skills training; or
• to develop/improve infrastructure for residents.  

Marietta College
Physician Assistant Program: Promoting Access to Health Care

The Marietta College Physician Assistant (PA) Expansion project was made possible in part with $250,000 in grant funding from The Appalachian Regional Commission to promote health care access across the region. The grant was used to support the PA program with appropriate technology equipment and tactical tools such as instruments and medical exam tables for the clinical area, like the one shown here with Gloria Stewart, Director.

The Marietta College Physician Assistant Program is helping meet the need for training qualified health care providers across Appalachia. It has also partnered to provide a facility and support for coordination of Marietta's first free-clinic.  

"We have a good program at Marietta College and some of the thanks go to the ARC," said Dr. Gloria Stewart, Director, Physician Assistant Studies Program and Professor of Physician Assistant Studies.

Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care providers who practice medicine with physician supervision. PAs provide health care in a variety of practice settings, from family medicine to specialties. The program accomplishes quality training by selecting individuals who have the academic, clinical and interpersonal aptitudes necessary for education as physician assistants.

The Marietta College PA Program also partnered with Washington County to allow the use of its facility for a Free Clinic - the first of its kind in the area. Working alongside volunteer physicians, nurses and lab technicians, the students get real-world, hands-on experience and those in the community without health insurance receive quality care. The clinic is open from two evenings a month from 5:30 - 9p.m. and its four exam rooms can facilitate 18 patients each day.

The PA Program's Human simulator machine is also available at Marietta Memorial Hospital through a partnership with the health system.

• The PA Program has created 6 faculty position and 4 staff positions since 2002.
• Since the grant's implementation, there have been eight classes with 172 graduates.
• Class size is limited to 36 and classes meet that enrollment annually.
• Practicing within 25 miles of Marietta are 13% of those graduates and approximately 68% work in Ohio or the surrounding states 
• Facility and support for community's first free-clinic.

The growth of The Marietta College PA Program also led to a HERSA grant targeting education and recruitment from rural and underserved areas, training current Physician Assistants about higher educational opportunities and providing an introduction to electronic medical records.

At the Brandy Woods Assisted Living facility's ribbon cutting are from left: Ron White of Share Inc., the management company; Rick Hindman, Director of the Buckeye Hills Area on Aging 8; Monroe County Commissioners Carl Davis, Tim Price and John Pyles; and Kelley Hill, Monroe County Care Center and BrandyWoods Assisted Living Director.

Region Benefits from Assisted Living Resources   
Waiver Program Offered at Monroe County Facility  

Choices of all kinds face Ohio's aging population and the loved ones who care for them. Often, families who are faced with making a choice for the care of their loved ones choose Ohio's Assisted Living Waiver Program. This option is now available to Monroe County residents at the Brandy Woods Assisted Living facility, made possible in part thanks to $250,000 in grant funding from The Ohio Department of Development State Appalachia Grant Program. The program goals mirror the Federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) goals, one of which is to promote health care access across the region.

Assisted living promotes aging in place by supporting an individual's desire for independence, choice and privacy. The services help maintain ties to family and friends. Brandy Woods Assisted Living is the first in Monroe County to certify and participate in the state's Assisted Living Medicaid waiver program.

The ARC grant supported the development of residential care (assisted living) wing onto the Monroe County Care Center, a 60-bed skilled nursing facility located in Woodsfield. The new facility is nearly 7,000 sq. feet and will room for 17 residents. It is staffed 24 hours a day.

"These federal and state funds work together to support projects across the Appalachian region providing the necessary resources to help communities progress," said Rick Hindman, Director of the Buckeye Hills-Hocking Valley Regional Development District Area Agency on Aging 8 who was on hand to celebrate the grand opening of the facility. "We are proud to be a part of the Monroe County project that is bringing additional Assisted Living resources to the region, especially a facility that will accept Ohio's Medicaid waiver for these services."

Hindman added that providing residential services, the Medicaid waiver program affords individuals in the region another long-term care choice.

The ARC and Governor's Office of Appalachia play a key role in fostering economic development and improving the quality of life for residents across Ohio's Appalachian region. Buckeye Hills serves Athens, Hocking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Noble, Perry, and Washington Counties fostering cooperative efforts in regional problem solving, and implementing regional plans and programs.

To learn more about the Assisted Living Medicaid Waiver Program eligibility requirements or other services available for the aging, call the Buckeye Hills Area Agency on Aging 8 at 1-800-331-2644.

Buckeye Hills Revolving Loan Fund Supports Small Businesses in the District   

In downtown Woodsfield (Monroe County), the facility located at 154 S. Main Street has been a health care location for many decades. With support from the Buckeye Hills-HVRDD Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), Holly Bell, DC, shown above, recently purchased the office for her Chiropractic practice.

The Buckeye Hills RLF continues to see business success stories and support job growth across the region. Programs like it are one of the primary economic development tools serving small businesses in rural areas.

"Our practice was formerly located in another office down the street with a family practitioner. When he needed space to expand, we worked out a move to the facility where we are currently located and were renting," said Dr. Bell. "When the opportunity presented itself to purchase the site, it was the small business resources available from Buckeye Hills that made it possible."

Dr. Bell is a graduate of the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. She has practiced since 1998 and is pleased to now be an even more permanent part of the Monroe County community.

"Since the inception of the RLF Program, it has made loans totaling more than $7.5 million," said Buckeye Hills Business Development Coordinator Tina Meunier. "These loans have created and retained hundreds of jobs across the region. If someone has a plan for a new business or is ready to take their existing business to the next level, the Revolving Loan Program may be the resource they need to make that plan a reality."

RLF loans fill the 'gap' between conventional bank financing, owner equity and the total amount necessary to complete a proposed business project. Eligible activities include: acquiring or improving land and buildings; construction; new machinery or equipment; and working or start-up capital needs.

Click here to learn more about terms, rates and the business requirements of Revolving Loan Fund programs, contact Tina Meunier at 740-374-9436.     

Marietta College Students Support Buckeye Hills
RLF Research

Senior students from the Marietta College Business and Marketing Consulting course took on the Buckeye Hills RLF program as a client this semester. They conducted research on national best practices and regional research with lenders on opinions related to small business financing trends. From left, Pete Santagate, Robin Nelson and Zhuo Cao.

The Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) assists in financing local public infrastructure improvements under the State Capital Improvements Program (SCIP) and the Local Transportation Improvements Program (LTIP). 

These programs provide local communities financial assistance for the improvement of basic infrastructure systems. Grants, loans, and financing for local debt support and credit enhancement are available. 

Tom Michelli of Belmont County serves on the local District 18 OPWC Integrating and Executive Committee coordinated by Buckeye Hills. Tom was also recently selected to serve on Ohio's Small Government Commission. 

The Commission provides grants and loans to villages and townships with populations in the unincorporated areas of less than 5,000 in population. Project applications are selected from those not funded through the District Integrating Committees for funding and are submitted by the Districts to compete on a statewide basis. The annual allocation is $15 million. The Commission typically meets one to two times per year to vote on the Program Administrator's recommended slate of projects and to approve the methodology.

The ten-member Commission consists of seven voting and three non-voting members. Tom was appointed as a village representative (voting member) to complete the second year of a two-year term expiring March 28, 2013. He could then be reappointed to serve up to two additional terms.

At home in his apartment, Theron spends time working jigsaw puzzles or telling stories. He is shown with AAA8 Case Manager Anita Offenberger (left) and Fosterbridge Home Health Aide Teresa Rutter.

 
Theron McLaughlin is back home, back on his feet and back to telling stories thanks to the support of Ohio's Home Choice and PASSPORT programs administered by the Area Agency on Aging 8 (AAA8). Several weeks after his seven-month stay in a nursing home, Theron is content to have a small apartment and enjoys his independence.  

He spends time working jigsaw puzzles or going for walks. He can do so with support from the PASSPORT home program and with help from his Fosterbridge home health aide, Teresa Rutter.

"She is a cook, a bookkeeper, housekeeper and more," Theron said of Teresa. "I give her a lot of credit; she keeps this place clean as a whistle."

The transition from the nursing home to an apartment was made possible by the Ohio Home Choice program that assists folks who are eligible and who want to locate a home and move from a long-term care facility back into the community. Read More...

With support on projects that address access issues for clients that have mobility needs and with minor home modification to provide safer home environments, the AAA8 is helping residents in Southeast Ohio stay at home and saving the taxpayers money in the process.    

"Grants are available to fund repairs for homeowners who are 60 years of age or older with 35 percent area median income level or less and own their home or have a life estate in the property," said Joe Gage, AAA8 Housing Coordinator. "For residents who qualify monies may be used to assist with the costs associated with accessibility modifications such as widening doorways, wheelchair ramps, handicap modifications of a bathroom or kitchen and other home repairs."

AAA8 will assess the home for eligible repairs and develop specifications for repair and bid the project to qualified providers to complete the modifications. Households served under this activity must be at or below 35 percent of area media income and own their home or have a life estate in the property.

If you know of someone who needs support with a wheelchair ramp or minor home project, who meets program eligibility, call AAA8 at 1-800-331-2644. Click here to learn more or to download a brochure.

The Monroe County Council on Aging hosted a "wear purple" luncheon and balloon launch last year.

Remember Elder Abuse Awareness Day:June 15

The Area Agency on Aging 8 encourages partners across the region to recognize Elder Abuse Awareness Day this June 15. Individuals are asked to wear something purple in honor of the day. 

Elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of the elderly are growing problems. A U.S. Administration on Aging study found that 1.5 million people over the age of 60 are abused or neglected each year. Abuse of elders takes many different forms, some involving intimidation or threats against the elderly, some involving neglect, and others involving financial exploitation.  Raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect is a challenge and no effort is too small.

SE Ohio ADRN Network of Care Web Site Offers Training on Abuse Prevention

Although there has been a steady increase in reports of abuse against older adults, only 16 percent of the abusive situations are referred for help - 84 percent remain hidden. The federal Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as 5 million victims nationwide every year.

Who's responsible for reporting elder abuse? Everyone. Although there are certain categories of individuals (health professionals, clergy, etc.) who are legally mandated to report elder abuse, each of us must do what we can to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.

This audio training is geared to educate specified mandated reporters and others on how to spot and report elder abuse. We have also included other information and links related to elder abuse. Audio Training Segments Include: Reporting of Elder Abuse;  Reporting of Elder Abuse for Law Enforcement;  Reporting of Elder Abuse for Financial Institutions; and Reporting of Elder Abuse for Clergy.   

Please take time today to learn more about this often hidden social problem. Tell others, too. When it comes to elder abuse, silence isn't golden.