Meeting Minutes from February 10, 2015

Aging and Disability Network Meeting Minutes 2/10/15

Present: Mary Rickard (Saratoga County OFA), Mary Sala (Saratoga County OFA), Patrick Harrington (Saratoga County OFA), Ben Nichols (Saratoga County OFA), Bill Hinrichs (Alzheimer’s Association NENY), Rachel Benjamin (Section 8 FSS Program), Jennifer Baldwin (Saratoga Hospital), Reed Lehan (Saratoga County DSS), Connie Weaver (Saratoga County OFA), Ardis Armer (Saratoga County OFA), Pamela Cole (Elderplan/Homefirst), Jess Froelich (Eddy Daybreak ), JoAnn Zales (National Grid), Zach O’Farrell (Mechanicville Community Center), Courtney Brothers (Mechanicville Community Center), Denise DiNoto (Consumer Directed Choices), Caitlin  St. George (Eddy VNA), Karen Laing (Health Literacy for All), Carolyn Crawmer (NCR Statewide Senior Action Council), Maria Geizer (Home Instead Senior Care).

Introduction: Attendees introduced themselves.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday March 10^th from 2-330pm at the Malta Community Center.

Today’s Topic and Speaker: Saratoga County Veterans Agency Overview and Services, presented by Frank McClement, Director.

Mission: The Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency assists Veterans and their families with securing earned benefits and services through quality customer service and advocacy.

The Agency is staffed by Accredited Service Officers to assist in filing claims for Federal VA benefits which include:

Disability Compensation

Pension

Health Care

Education and Training

Home Loan

Burial and Memorial

Dependents and Survivors

Agency staff also provides additional services to include:

Transition Assistance

Homeless Outreach – Housing Assistance

Van Transportation to Stratton VA Medical Center, Albany

Military Records and Medals Requests

Outside agency connections and referrals

Employment connections and referrals to resources

 

Veterans’ benefits are Eligibility-Based: Upon discharge from active military service other than honorably discharged.

 

Federal Benefits include financial and healthcare related benefits as well as pension and burial and memorial benefits. In our region, there are community-based outreach clinics in Albany, Clifton Park and Glens Falls.

The County Veterans Agency staff will assist veterans with the application process for all benefits and provide referrals to the appropriate community resources. They can guide veterans in determining what to apply for and eligibility guidelines.

For information on area resources and benefits, or any questions at all, please call the Saratoga County Veterans Agency directly 518-884-4115.

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria Geizer

Home Instead Senior Care