The Greenbelt Assistance in Living –The GAIL Program

1. The Greenbelt Assistance in Living –The GAIL Program Presented by Christal Batey, Community Resource Advocate

2. What is GAIL? • Government and grant funded program to allow residents of all economic backgrounds the ability to Age in Place while reaping the benefit of City services delivered to their home. • Staff – Community Resource Advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Service Coordinator, & Geriatric Psych Nurse

3. What and where is Greenbelt? • 10th largest City in the State of Maryland • Located in Prince George’s County • Founded in 1933 under the Franklin Roosevelt administration as a planned community comprised of workforce housing • Approximately 21,000 residents • Approximately 25% in 2010 are projected to be 50+

4. Time Line • Assisted Living Task Force 1999-2000 -15 member task force appointed by Greenbelt City Council to prepare a recommendation for senior assisted options • 2001-2003 Awarded NORC Supportive Services, Inc. funding to establish an Aging in Place Program, hire a Community Resource Advocate and conduct a needs assessment

5. Time Line Continued • 2004 – The GAIL Program becomes a City funded program. • 2005 – GAIL wins the Maryland Municipal League Award of Excellence for a large city • 2006 GAIL is a finalist in the National League of Cities Award of Excellence • 2009 – GAIL is named Best Practice in Aging Services by the Maryland Department of Aging

6. Services Provided • Information and Referral • Mobile Counseling and/or Case Management Services • Caregiver Support Groups • Mobile Therapeutic Recreation Services • HUD Section 8 – 202 Apartment • Community Meal Sites and Home Delivered Meals

7. Services Continued • Quarterly Newsletter – GAIL Guide • Two Cable TV Shows – Ask the Expert and Mental Health Matters • Monthly Column in the Greenbelt News Review – Free Newspaper Delivered to door of 15,000 households in Greenbelt • Adaptable Equipment Program • Free Zip Car Services for GRH Residents

8. Services Continued • Accessible Greenbelt Program – up to $5000 in grant funds to modify their homes • Senior Recreation Program • Discounts and Scholarships for senior classes and pool passes • Door to door transportation within City limits and assistance with packages to the door • City Property tax credits for seniors

9. Services Offered by Community Partners • GIVES – Greenbelt Intergenerational Volunteer Exchange Services - 150 volunteers providing free services including – transportation, minor home repairs, yard work, house sitting, dog walking, housekeeping, meal prep and laundry

10. Services Offered by Community Partners • Free Produce for up to 200 residents • Consumer Checkbook Membership • Aging Internship Program – Graduate and Undergraduate Levels • Public Health • Social Work • Family Science

11. Services Offered by Community Partners • Visiting Community Physicians - Free • Community Nursing Program - Free • Mobile Free Primary Care Services • Greenbelt Prescription Discount Card • City of Greenbelt Wellness Tour – partnership with AARP/Walgreens • Depression Screening Day • Semi-Annual Community Health Fairs

12. Services Offered by Community Partners - Continued • Free Monthly Community Health Screenings • Free “Not For Seniors Only” Lecture Series • Golden Age Club • Consumer Checkbook Services

13. Challenges in for a Congregation • Where do we begin? • Budget – Who will cover basic costs? • Confidentiality – Serving friends & sharing personal information • Volunteering – Me Again? • Demographics of the congregation

14. Challenges in for a CongregationContinued • Knowing what your congregation really wants versus knowing what your congregation needs • Needs Assessments • Partnerships • Community • Other Churches • Community programs

15. Questions???????????????

16. Contact Information • Christal Batey, Community Resource Advocate, City of Greenbelt • 240-542-2012 • cbatey@greenbeltmd.gov