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Supervisor Ranalli recommending the Board:
1) Receive and file information provided by Patricia Charles-Heathers, Director, Health and Human Services Agency recognizing community volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to support the El Dorado County Wellness Center, Public Health Nursing and Older Adult programs; and
2) Approve and authorize the Board Members to sign proclamations to recognize these volunteers for their service. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
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HHSA coordinates more than 600 volunteers who provide vital support to many Agency programs. Volunteer service in HHSA is provided across a wide spectrum of programs, and volunteers offer their assistance and skills by performing multiple services such as congregate and home delivered meal service to seniors, assisting at the Mental Health Wellness Center, checking on the welfare of seniors living alone, providing supervised visitation for families with children in protective custody, assisting with flu clinics, receiving complaints regarding long term care facilities, and providing entertainment for senior day care members. These volunteer services enhance existing services and make additional services available that otherwise may not be provided.
Some of the services these volunteers provide include:
El Dorado County Adult Outpatient Mental Health Clinic & Wellness Center. Volunteers at the Wellness Center assist staff with meal preparation, client interaction and support, along with client outings and client groups and may also assist clinicians with wellness check calls.
El Dorado County Public Health Services. Public Health utilizes volunteer registered nurses to assist the Immunization Program with vaccine administration at the County's annual flu clinics and other non-medical individuals to help with paperwork at these clinics.
El Dorado County Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are citizen advocates who visit residents in licensed long-term care facilities to ensure both quality of life and quality care. They investigate complaints and/or concerns, and help to resolve problems, advocating from the resident’s perspective. Ombudsman volunteers complete 36 hours of training for State certification.
Older Adults Day Care Services. Volunteers at the Older Adult Day Care Services at the Placerville and El Dorado Hills locations provide a great variety of services. In this setting, almost every type of talent can be utilized. Volunteers lead or co-lead activities that range from: exercise classes, dance, art, cooking, painting, bingo, horseshoes, bowling, hockey, balloon volleyball. Volunteers also provide live entertainment (singing and/or playing instruments) and assist with lunch service or snacks.
Older Adults Legal Services. Located in the Placerville Older Adult Center, this program’s volunteers assist through clerical and office support with the goal of providing legal advice, advocacy and assistance to any resident 60 years or older, regardless of income.
Older Adults Peer Counseling of El Dorado County (SPC).- Older Adult Peer Counseling is a program that trains adults 55 and older to provide supportive lay counseling to older adults in our community who are experiencing challenges associated with the aging process such as: grief, changes in living circumstances, and isolation. SPC volunteers complete a 50 hour training program and attend a weekly meeting with the Clinical Supervisor to review cases.
Older Adults Nutrition Program. Community volunteers support the Older Adult Nutrition Program in volunteering their time as Home Delivered Meal Drivers, Kitchen Assistants, Dining Room Servers, and as Sign-in Desk Volunteers. The Older Adult Nutrition Program provides nutritious meals and social contact to support the overall wellness of adults 60 years and older through congregate dining and home delivered meal service.
Older Adults Shuttle. The Older Adult Shuttle van provides door-to-door transportation services to older adults living on the Western Slope of El Dorado County. Volunteer drivers assist with driving the Older Adult Shuttle and taking older adults grocery shopping and to special outing events.
Community Volunteers provide their time, talent and dedication to support the services provided to county residents through El Dorado County Health and Human Services Agency programs. These community volunteers make a difference in the lives of others in volunteering their time to support HHSA programs that include: