The natchitoches parish governments' office of community services (OCS) is seeking an americorps seniors-senior companion program grant in the amount of $241,028.00 with grantee matching in-kind of…

The natchitoches parish governments' office of community services (OCS) is seeking an americorps seniors-senior companion program grant in the amount of $241,028.00 with grantee matching in-kind of $27,016.00 to be used over a three-year grant period to develop senior companion program (SCP). December 15, 2020 the americorps approved all programs match waiver for FY21. This grant is to help isolated seniors develop relationship which encourage independency and help improve the quality of their lives. 37 SCP volunteers will serve 20 hours per week for 52.2 weeks an annual total of 1,044 stipend hours. The goal is to keep them in their own homes. Service activities will include: 1. Companionship/support a) accompanying client to appointment. B) encouraging clients to do their physical therapy exercise, follow doctor's order, or nursing care plan. C) monitoring medication (not distributing) d) assist with light grooming 2. Nutrition/food support a) assisting with simple meal preparation b) accompanying a client to a nutrition site 3. Social/recreation a) providing companionship, talking, listening b) promoting a client contact with family and friends c) accompanying a client to a recreational, social, or educational event 4. Home management a) shopping, doing errands b) writing letters, reading, sorting bills c) light housekeeping with the client the primary focus area of this project is healthy futures. At the end of this project period, june 30, 2022, the following anticipated outcomes we will achieve: 1. Clients who report having increased social support or improved capacity for independent living. (H9A) 2. Caregivers of older adults and individuals with disabilities who reported having increased social support. (H14) the challenges presented by the pandemic required solutions that were creative, timely and flexible. Even in the face of adversity, SCP volunteers continue to improve lives and strengthen communities. During the covid 19 stay at home ordered by governor edwards, SCP program staff and volunteers have been reaching out to clients via a variety of ways: 1. Daily volunteer check in phone calls to see how they are doing, making referrals to community resources they may need such as food, shelter, mental health or other senior programs. Program updates were also provided. 2. Requesting a "temporary allowance" payment to active volunteers for support any economic hardships during the stay safe at home order. 3. Develop and distribute volunteer support documentation to keep volunteers up to date on program activities. 4. Distribution of volunteer in-service materials for stay home activities including physical exercises to do at home, reading and homework assignments. 5. Recognition for volunteers was different from previous recognitions, we usually host a celebration meal for them, but this year we had to think outside the box to let them know how valuable they are as volunteers for homebound seniors. - "drive through recognition".