Monday, 12/16: Pulled Pork Sandwich
Tuesday, 12/17: CLOSED
STAFF TRAINING DAY
Wednesday, 12/18: Chicken & Biscuits
Thursday, 12/19: Ravioli Florentine
Friday, 12/20: Fish Sandwich
Robert Wallan is April’s “Community Member of the Month.” Robert is a graduate of Owego Free Academy and the proud brother of an Army soldier. When he isn’t drawing or working on model cars, tanks, airplanes, or boats, Robert serves as a dedicated volunteer at Tioga Opportunities, Inc. in our Nutrition programs. Robert was drawn to volunteering in order to gain experience for employment. He found helping people to be so rewarding that he continues to volunteer even since becoming employed.
Robert encourages everyone to take the journey as a volunteer. He stressed that he was very glad that he did. It is an experience that provides improvement for the community and others, but for himself as well. Robert plays a vital role in our Home Delivered Meals and Congregate Dining programs. His dedication of time helps older adults receive nutritious meals right in their homes or while enjoying the company of others at the Countryside Community Center.
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is very fortunate to have wonderful people like Robert volunteering their time to contribute to a stronger community. Currently, Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is seeking volunteers to assist with delivering meals to homebound older adults and to help individuals with transportation needs. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at Tioga Opportunities, Inc., please contact 607-687-4120, ext. 315.
For up-to-date news on what's happening with WIC, as well as tips regarding health and nutrition for your whole family, check out our newsletter below! Simply click on the link to learn more.
Link: WIC newsletter
WIC can be reached at 607-687-3147.
According to the Tioga County Public Health Department, there have been multiple cases of whooping cough in Tioga County in the last few weeks. This can be an extremely dangerous condition, especially for babies less than one year old. Symptoms include violent coughing; vomiting during or after coughing fits; and exhaustion following coughing spells.
For more information on symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment, visit cdc.gov/pertussis/.
The following information has been sent from the Social Security Administration:
We have become aware of reports of fraudulent telephone calls from individuals claiming to represent the Social Security Administration (SSA). In them, unknown callers are using threatening language to warn unknowing victims that they will be arrested or face other legal action if they fail to call a provided phone number or press the number indicated in the message to address the issue. In some instances, these unknown callers switch tactics and communicate that they want to help an individual with activating a suspended Social Security number. Such calls are a scam, and are not coming from official SSA representatives.
We encourage you to inform your members and extended networks not to engage with such callers, and to report any suspicious calls to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General by calling 1-800-269-0271 or submitting a report on the OIG website (https://oig.ssa.gov/report).
Sepsis can and does affect people of all ages. The very young and those who already have a chronic health issue or a compromised immune system are at higher risk of developing sepsis. But people over 65 years old, particularly those who have health issues, are even more susceptible to sepsis than any other group. According to a study published in 2006, while people aged 65 years and older make up about 12% of the American population, they make up 65% of sepsis cases in the hospitals.
Sepsis kills someone every 2 minutes, hospitalizes someone every 20 seconds and is the leading cause of hospital readmissions and avoidable hospitalizations. Eighty-ninety (89) percent of sepsis infections originate in the home and community and NOT in the hospital. Prevention and identification are key, and when identified, 80% of people’s lives are saved.
For more information, watch the clip below:
Video clip: Sepsis & Older Adults
Thank you to all of our RSVP volunteers (and their guests!) who joined Department of Aging staff for a Holiday Luncheon on Wednesday, December 5th at Tioga Downs Casino Resort. RSVP volunteers have made a significant difference in the lives of many older adults in Tioga County, both by delivering healthy meals and providing transportation to needed medical appointments. In the time period from March 2018 through September 2018, RSVP volunteers dedicated 1,430 hours of their time serving their fellow community members. We were grateful to have the opportunity to offer a small token of thanks for the time and energy given by these selfless volunteers. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering through RSVP and giving back to the community, please contact Christine Shaver at 607-687-4120, ext. 313 or cshaver@tiogaopp.org.
A recent article in The New York Times regarding phone scams stated that "the number of fraudulent calls in early 2018 had soared to 30 percent of all calls, rising from 4 percent in early 2017." More and more, scammers are relying on the telephone to exploit innocent people, many of whom are older adults. Last year, individuals between the ages of 50 and 70 filed the most fraud and identity theft complaints to the Federal Trade Commission. Please click on the link below to read the full article:
The Family Development Credential (FDC) Program
Tioga Opportunities, Inc. and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tioga County is again offering the Family Development Credential (FDC) program beginning January 2019 for frontline family workers. The core goal of the program is for families to attain a healthy self-reliance.
This nationally recognized and respected professional development program provides training and opportunities to practice skills for strength-based family support. Family development workers help individuals and families of all ages, life-styles, and cultures learn to set and work toward their own goals.
This training increases the effectiveness of workers helping families. To earn the FDC, a participant must:
• Complete 90 hours of interactive classroom instruction based on the Empowerment Skills for Family Workers curriculum
• Prepare a skills portfolio with support of a portfolio advisor, and
• Pass a state credentialing exam.
The course is highly interactive and applicable to our professional and personal lives. The fee is $900 and includes 90-hours of training, the course materials, and exam fee. The credential is also applicable for college credit and/or contact hours. It also can be used to document training hours for both new NYSPEP Parenting Educator Credential applicants and for renewals.
The New York State Department of State selected Cornell University to develop the FDC curriculum and administer the program in 1996. Today, the University of Connecticut administers the National FDC.
Classes start January 10, 2019 at Tioga Opportunities, Inc., Owego, NY
Space is limited; reservations must be made by December 31.
FDC Brochure - 2019