6/4/2009 11:12:00 PM
NACOG severing ties with senior center contractors
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| Matt Hinshaw/The Daily Courier
Teresa Alvarez, left, and Martha Keen put together meals for lunch Thursday morning at the Central Arizona Seniors Association Senior Center in Prescott Valley. |
| | Aging agency keeps stats on numbers to determine budget | The CASA center in Prescott Valley will serve an estimated 8,800 meals for the fiscal year ending June 30, said Mary Beals-Luedtka, director of the Area Agency on Aging of the Northern Arizona Council of Governments.
She added the departing contractor, Yavapai Senior Nutrition Providers, also delivered an estimated 25,000 meals through the Meals on Wheels program and provided 1,500 van rides to the center.
The estimated figures for the other senior centers are:
• Mayer - 15,000 home-delivered meals, 4,000 lunches at the center and 1,800 rides.
• Black Canyon City - 10,000 home-delivered meals, 4,000 senior lunches and 600 rides.
• Yarnell -10,000 home-delivered meals, 4,000 lunches and 640 rides.
"These numbers we are going to use for the new (fiscal) year," Beals-Luedtka said.
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The Northern Arizona Council of Governments will not continue its long-term relationship with the meals and transportation contractor for the senior center in Prescott Valley and three other senior centers in Yavapai County.
Mary Beals-Luedtka, director of NACOG's Area Agency on Aging in Prescott Valley, was vague on why NACOG is ending its relationship with Yavapai Senior Nutrition Providers of Prescott, effective June 30 in Prescott Valley, Mayer, Black Canyon City and Yarnell.
"We have chosen not to renew the contract," Beals-Luedtka said Wednesday. "There were complaints about food service."
Some patrons at CASA (Central Arizona Senior Association) on Manzanita Circle in Prescott Valley said Yavapai Senior Nutrition recently raised lunch prices from $4 to $5 and removed - but later restored - the salad bar.
CASA staff will take over operations of the senior lunches, Meals on Wheels and transportation beginning July 1, Beals-Luedtka said. She added NACOG is holding talks with the senior centers in Mayer, Black Canyon City and Yarnell to take over from Yavapai Senior Nutrition.
She said NACOG provided about $200,000 a year to Yavapai Senior Nutrition Providers for the four locations, adding, "If you look at their budget, we are close to half of their funding."
Lisa Fry, executive director of Yavapai Senior Nutrition, which does business as Meals on Wheels, said Thursday that she was not ready to comment.
"I would like to have some time to think about this," Fry said.
Yavapai Senior Nutrition held a contract with NACOG for as long as 10 years, Beals-Luedtka said. "NACOG Area Agency on Aging's mission is to make sure the clients are served and that the dollars that are allocated are utilized in the best possible manner," Beals-Luedtka said.
NACOG staff approached the CASA board to provide the services in Prescott Valley and the three other communities, said Prescott Valley Councilman Harold Wise, who serves on the CASA board. He added the CASA board determined it could provide the services only for its own center.
"It has been a very sensitive situation," Wise said. "The whole thing is we want a smooth transition."
CASA's executive director, Betty Robinson, said she is "looking forward to some exciting changes" beginning July 1.
Without going into details, she said, "We are working on" responding to complaints. "We will be working closely with NACOG to work out all the kinks."
Robinson said she wants to retain the four kitchen employees from the departing contractor.
CASA patrons said they were aware of complaints about the price hikes and temporary loss of the salad bar.
"Us old ladies need our greens," Lori Lawson said with a laugh Wednesday as she joined others who were painting landscapes. "I was happy when they reinstated" the salad bar.
Fellow painter Bonnetta Foshe commented, "It's not that good a meal for five bucks. That is my opinion. I'm cheap."
Lawson interjected, "We know all the cheap places. This is what I come for. I come for the painting."
CASA patron Frank Rambolt, who played cribbage Wednesday afternoon with five other seniors, said he has not eaten a meal at the center in 10 years because he can save money by eating lunch at home.
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Posted: Friday, June 05, 2009
Article comment by:
Suzi Anderson
NACOG could have been honest and said that funding cuts caused the break in these contracts. The complaints gave them an easy out, but it cowardly and discourteous. These groups have provided services to the elderly community for many years. They deserve more respect.
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