NWSSB Advisory Board

- June 17, 2010 Agenda and Draft May 20th Minutes

As the Area Agency on Aging, the goal of the Northwest Regional Council is the development and enhancement of a comprehensive service delivery system which meets the physical, social, and psychological needs of seniors and people with disabilities living in Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties, and which removes the barriers that may interfere with the ability of the elderly and those who are functionally disabled to live independently and with dignity in the most appropriate setting.

The goal is accomplished through the development of contracts for service, coordination with other service providers, motivation of agencies to meet their responsibilities in serving the elderly and functionally disabled persons of all ages, and stimulating the development of new or expanded services, as needed.

The Northwest Senior Services Board (NWSSB) advises the NWRC on senior and long-term care services planning, coordination, and management, pursuant to the terms and requirements of the Older Americans Act of 1973 (OAA), the Washington State Senior Citizens Services Act, Title XIX of the Social Security Act, and other programs assigned by the Legislature, Congress, or the Northwest Regional Council.

The OAA requires that Board membership include:

Representation by ethnic minority groups
At least 50% age 60 or over
Members from key senior advocate groups
Representatives of health care provider agencies
Representatives of supportive service provider organizations
People with experience in the private and voluntary sectors

NWSSB By-Laws recommend the following representation on the board:

At least one local elected official
People with functional disabilities or representatives of people with functional disabilities

Other considerations for Board membership include:

A representative proportion of males and females
Older people in greatest economic or social need
People from all parts of the region, and to the extent possible, from all parts of each county

Board Vacancies, effective 9/14/09

Island County: 0 position open
San Juan County: 0 positions open
Skagit County: 0 positions open
Whatcom County: 1 position open

Scheduled Meetings for 2010

1/21/10	Anacortes Senior/Fidalgo Center - Anacortes
2/18/10	Senior Advocacy Day in Olympia
3/18/10	Anacortes Senior/Fidalgo Center - Anacortes
5/20/10	Anacortes Senior/Fidalgo Center - Anacortes
6/03/10	In Home/Community Support Subcommittee - NWRC Office, Bellingham
6/04/10	Executive Committee - NWRC Office, Bellingham
6/17/10	Location To Be Determined
9/16/10	Anacortes Senior/Fidalgo Center - Anacortes
9/29/10	Caregiver Support Subcommittee - NWRC Office, Bellingham
9/30/10	Access/Client Advocacy Subcommittee - NWRC Office, Bellingham
10/01/10	In Home/Community Support Subcommittee - NWRC Office, Bellingham
10/05/10	Executive Committee - NWRC Office, Bellingham
10/21/10	Anacortes Senior/Fidalgo Center - Anacortes

Regular board meetings occur from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. In addition to the regular meetings, NWSSB members have the opportunity to participate in an “Advocacy Day” in Olympia during the legislative session. Subcommittees meet during the fall to review and make recommendations on program funding issues.

If you are interested in:

attending these advisory board meetings,
receiving advance meeting materials,
or joining this advisory board,

please contact us via email or phone at 360-676-6749 or 800-585-6749 for further information and to confirm meeting dates and time.