===== PDF PAGE 26 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] CITY OF WEST CHICAGO FINANCE COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY ITEM TITLE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 5. A. DuPage Senior Citizens Council — Request for Additional a Funding FILE NUMBER: COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: 4/28/2022 and 10/27/2022 COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: STAFF REVIEW: SIGNATURE APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: SIGNATURE. ITEM SUMMARY: Back when | first started working for the City, the City Council annually distributed about $100,000+ in grants to local agencies like CableCom (this was always a huge debate), WAYS, DuPage Senior Citizens Council and more. In 2021, staff was directed to end this grant distribution, but for the DuPage Senior Citizens Council, and $10,000 was to be annually allocated in the Budget for this agency, which staff has done. Every year, reps from the Council provide the required end of year report on its activities in West Chicago, which is included in my monthly/weekly update; each year, there is an ask for more than $10,000, but staff has kept with the initial direction of only budgeting for the $10,000. Upon reflection, it would be appropriate for the Finance Committee to affirm or change that direction, and it shouldn’t be presumed that the status quo would remain. A copy of this year’s summary and ask is attached. | did not invite reps from the Council to attend the Finance Committee meeting, but will do so if that is desired for a future meeting. At its April meeting, the Finance Committee directed staff to invite a representative from the DuPage Senior Citizens Council to attend its next meeting. Two questions were asked to be answered, which was done and in the attachment. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Direction to staff as to whether or not more than $10,000 annually should be granted to the DuPage Senior Citizens Council. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: ===== PDF PAGE 27 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] (1) How did the DSSC spend West Chicago’s $10,000 contribution in 2020 and 2021 during the height of the pandemic? Our Home Delivered Meals services was deemed an “essential service” so DSCC never closed. We have remained open throughout the entire pandemic and in fact, have seen a 40% increase in meal requests due to food insecurity relating to Covid. We used West Chicago’s contribution as we regularly do, to support the cost of providing this service. (2) What is DSSC’s ask of other DuPage County communities over the last ten years and how much have or are each contributed over this period. DSCC provides each municipality in DuPage County an overview that shows 1) number of seniors we serve in their specific community, 2) the revenues we receive from Federal, State funds and client donations specific to that community, and 3) the resulting cost gap. Most DuPage communities contribute an amount close to the cost gap i.e. Lombard, Westmont, Wheaton, Elmhurst, Naperville, one contributes more than the cost gap i.e. Warrenville, some contribute a token amount, and a few unfortunately do not contribute. Interestingly, those include the most and lease affluent i.e., Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Addison, Bensenville. ===== PDF PAGE 28 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] fr ouvase Senior @izens Council y \ Providing Mecks and More... WL_/ EXPERIENCEN March 23, 2022 Mayor Rueben Pineda City of West Chicago 475 Main Street West Chicago, !L 60185 Dear Mayor Pineda, Every community has a vulnerable senior population that needs us. These elderly persons have earned respect and deserve to live with dignity; however, many of them have become frail or otherwise lack the resources to provide for their own needs and rely on others for help — it is our responsibility to do what we can to help them. After two years of maneuvering through the challenges of the Covid-19 Pandemic, we salute you and the Village of West Chicago for all you have done for the residents. We are happy to report that as your partner, the DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) never missed a beat during these extremely difficult years either. We adjusted our services to accommodate social distancing and lack of resources. We focused on the 40% increase in the number of older adults requiring our services to ensure that no West Chicago senior fell through the cracks. Our Partnership with West Chicago For over 40 years, DSCC has been serving the needs of seniors in DuPage County with Home Delivered Meals, Well-Being Checks, Minor Home Repairs, and other needed services. Our dedicated staff and volunteers meet the needs of seniors in West Chicago day in and day out. Our Investment in West Chicago In West Chicago, last year alone, DSCC invested over $113,110 in serving seniors in need. However, that investment is greater than the amount of funds that are available for West Chicago, which means we have a shortfall. This shortfall will continue to increase as the aging population increases. Our Plan The strategic plan for DSCC includes continued investment in West Chicago so that the growing needs of the senior population can be met. Here is how you can help DSCC and seniors in West Chicago: e@ Continue with your support and investment in DSCC. @ Become more aware of how DSCC cares for seniors in West Chicago. @ Get involved with DSCC as a partner and as an advocate. Agency o Y AGINC Raa ST NN I ===== PDF PAGE 29 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Page |2 As you continue to partner with DSCC, you continue to take an active role in your commitment to your senior residents. Knowing that DSCC has been consistently supporting West Chicago through the years should assure you that your financial support has multiplied many times over. Being a consistent partner with DSCC, you can be assured that seniors who are in need will have access to our programs and services that will help them live independently in West Chicago. Without proper funding, the services that seniors depend on will be reduced or eliminated. Please review our request for funding for continued services for senior residents in West Chicago. Thank you, cc: Michael Guttman, City Administrator Valeria Lopez, Deputy City Clerk/FOIA Officer Aldermen encl: Attachment A —Request for Funding & Support Overview Attachment B — DSCC Services & Statistics - Village of West Chicago ===== PDF PAGE 30 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Page |3 Attachment A Request for Funding & Support Overview During the past year, DSCC invested over $113,110 to serve the senior residents in West Chicago. However, we only received grants, donations, and funding that covered $88,760, leaving us with a $24,350 deficit for West Chicago. DSCC historically receives grant awards from Federal and State sources that cover approximately half of our overall funding. That is why support from municipalities is needed so we can maintain service levels for the increasing number of seniors and avoid cutting critical life-saving components. The chart below shows the breakdown of the funding and donations designated for West Chicago specifically. Cost Analysis - West Chicago Senior Residents (60+) All Programs DSCC Fiscal Year 2021 (10/1/20 - 9/30/21) Sentors' Donations $12,670 Cost Gen ’ 11% $24,350 21% Federal Funding $34,550 31% State Funding $41,540 37% Projections for 2022/2023 indicate that more funding is needed to support the seniors we are currently serving, plus the huge increase of additional seniors needing services. ===== PDF PAGE 31 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Page |4 West Chicago has supported DSCC in the past. Below is a chart of the support we have received in the past. aie Ba We FY 2016 FY 2017 FY 2018 FY 2019 FY2020 FY2021 FY2022 FY2023 FY2024 Supporting DSCC/West Chicago Seniors in 2022-2023. The services that we provide to seniors in West Chicago have been consistent. To continue the service level and meet the growing needs of the seniors, we are asking for your partnership and continued/constant financial support. To help offset the shortfall projected for 2022-2023, we are asking for an increase in support —- we need your assistance to help fill as much of the $24,350 cost gap as possible. We truly value the seniors we serve in West Chicago, and we look forward to working closely with you in 2022-2023. If you have any questions or need additional information, don't hesitate to contact me directly at 630- 620-0804, press 4, then 7; 630-546-0626, cell; or email Marylin.Krolak@DupageSeniorCouncil.org. ===== PDF PAGE 32 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Page |5 Attachment B DSCC Services & FY2021 Statistics - Village of West Chicago DSCC and About Those We Serve DSCC is a non-profit agency committed to seniors and operates several programs, including the Meals on Wheels program in DuPage County. Since starting in 1975, our mission has been to promote the ability of elderly persons to live in dignity with as much independence as possible. Most of our clients are homebound seniors who live alone, and nearly 99% of them are at or below the poverty level. DSCC is a safety net for many individuals who might not otherwise eat a meal during the day, have someone to help with a task or have someone to check in on them. Below are a few of the services that seniors in West Chicago depend on the most. DSCC Services Home Delivered Meals and Shelf Stable Meals Our Home Delivered- Meals on Wheels program delivers hot/fresh meals each weekday to frail and homebound seniors in West Chicago by DSCC staff and volunteers. Additional Shelf Stable meals are delivered monthly. All meals served are balanced, nutritious, and meet special dietary needs such as low salt, vegetarian, or diabetic. Each meal is equivalent to 1/3 of the Dietary Reference Intake for adults 60 and over. e We delivered 10,220 meals to 140 unduplicated seniors in West Chicago last year. Health and Wellness Education Keeping seniors informed about issues and topics that are relevant to them is important. COVID-19 education was paramount, along with a variety of educational information given directly to seniors through mailings, direct delivery, and friendly phone calls from our volunteers and staff to our homebound seniors. As seniors become aware of preventive measures and helpful topics, they stay safe and improve their health. e We educated approximately 140 senior residents each month in West Chicago last year Well Being Checks and Emergency Follow-Ups Every senior who receives a service from us also receives a Well Being Check, which allows DSCC to observe any changes in a senior's physical or mental health or physical surroundings. We provide this service and maintain social distancing protocols. This extra step has resulted in several documented cases where staff and volunteers have saved lives by finding a fallen or injured senior or uncovered a dangerous household situation. When we find a senior is not at home when they should be, our Emergency Follow-Up procedure allows crucial collaboration between the West Chicago police and fire departments to ensure every senior is safe and accounted for. These Well Being checks and Emergency Follow-Up procedures provide real cost-savings to West Chicago compared to the cost to dispatch an EMT service. e We performed over 7,300 Well Being Checks and Emergency Follow-ups for seniors in West Chicago last year. ===== PDF PAGE 33 ===== [Extraction: OCR (rendered-page OCR)] Page |6 Friendly Phone Calls & Assistance Social Isolation and a decline in mental health are currently significant concerns. We converted our Friendly Visit to a Friendly Phone Call service to help seniors with companionship and socialization through this difficult year. Seniors sometimes need someone to talk to. Our volunteers take the time to interact and engage with seniors who could benefit from a friendly call. e We performed 225 hours of Friendly Phone Calls & Assistance for seniors in West Chicago last year. Home Maintenance Program (adjusted to provide social distancing) Living alone as a senior has its challenges, and everyday tasks can be impossible or dangerous for seniors. DSCC's Home Maintenance program provides low-cost minor home repairs to assist older persons with basic home responsibilities associated with daily living. Home repairs include repairing or replacing leaky faucets or toilets, light fixtures, locks, or deadbolts. Additional services that enhance a senior's safety and security include installing bath benches, grab bars, and non-slip strips and repairing and reinforcing walkway steps and stair railings. In cases where homes require larger repair services, DSCC also offers estimates and provides contractor referrals to seniors. These services help seniors stay in their homes longer. e We performed over 15 Minor Home Repairs & Yard Clean Up Services to seniors living in West Chicago last year. ‘ Due to COVID-19, DSCC adjusted our services to accommodate social distancing and focused on the 40% increase in the number of older adults that required our help. DSCC provided additional shelf-stable meals to all of our Meals on Wheels clients and created Drive-Thru Food Events at various locations throughout DuPage County to reach older adults that were not part of the Home Delivered Meals service but were prone to food insecurity.