In another key topic, Lucille Casses, director of the North County RSVP program, provided an update on the program’s pursuit of an Americanore grant. After uncertainties regarding funding in the past year, it was confirmed in mid-January that the program could apply for a new three-year grant cycle, with the current cycle concluding in March. The team plans to submit their application imminently, within a five-day window to manage website traffic. Casses reported 233 active volunteers, with compliance adjustments made to ensure that volunteers classified under other community priorities do not surpass 20% of the total, a threshold currently at 13%. The new funding formula establishes a base request of $75,000, with an additional $350 per volunteer, requiring a 10% county match estimated at $17,000. These funds are earmarked for salaries, though there are no plans to include salaries in the grant request.

Casses detailed work plans addressing veterans’ services, education, food security, and aging populations. The grant request totals approximately $156,550 annually from federal sources, with the county contributing $17,000. Additionally, a $10,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation was recently acquired for the rides for veterans program, enabling improved transportation for wheelchair-bound veterans, who face challenges due to income eligibility requirements for VA services. The possibility of applying for a van, contingent on securing the Americanore grant, was discussed, with support expressed for this initiative.

Further discussions during the meeting focused on a grant proposal for a van running until 2027. It was suggested that the application should include provisions for servicing the van and providing personnel, as the county budget lacks the capacity to independently support these needs. The council on aging was proposed as a resource to determine the costs associated with van maintenance.

Additionally, a grant application was submitted to AARP for $7,500 to establish a digital-friendly visiting program to combat senior isolation. The program aims to acquire six iPads to facilitate communication for long-term care facility residents with their families, addressing limited family interactions. Though uncertainty surrounds the grant’s receipt, the program is intended as a pilot with a timeframe from May to December. Encouragement was voiced to apply for numerous grants.

Updates on budgetary matters included a query about whether the budget was level-funded, with confidence expressed in the audited numbers due to database preparation for upcoming applications and data migration to a new system. The importance of Americanore funding for the RCP program was highlighted, and a motion authorized the application for this grant.