Public Hearing: YES ☐ NO ☒ Department: Human Services
SUBJECT:
Title
Commission District(s): 3,5,6 & 7
Acceptance of a Grant from the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund to implement a Virtual Senior Center Program-at no Cost to the County
Body
Information Contact: Damon Scott, Director Human Services Department
Phone Number: (404) 687-2385
PURPOSE:
To consider accepting a grant award in the amount of $4,000 from the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund to provide homebound seniors with online classes and to appropriate the funds to the grant fund.
NEED/IMPACT:
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 11 million people age 65 and older live along in the United States. Research studies have shown that senior isolation increases the risk of poor physical and mental health as well as the risk of death. Providing seniors with resources to help them stay connected and social is a good way to combat their feelings of loneliness and isolation. The Thanks Mom & Dad Fund developed a Senior Center Innovation grant to address the local need for more programs for seniors living at home in the Atlanta Metro area.
The Human Services Department was awarded a grant to develop virtual classes for seniors living in proximity to the DeKalb Atlanta Senior Center and the Lithonia/Bruce Street Senior Center. This is the second year that the Department has been awarded this grant from the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund. Seniors participating in this program will receive information about classes that they can attend from their homes using the internet.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the General Fund because there is no match requirement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended Action
Accept the grant award in the amount of $4,000 from the Thanks Mom & Dad Fund for the development of virtual classes for seniors; authorize disbursement and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute all necessary documents.