Community Corner

Napa County Launches More UpValley Senior Services

 

Starting Nov.  22, Napa County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) will provide additional resources to serve seniors in the upvalley areas, including Calistoga and St. Helena.

            A bilingual eligibility worker will be available on a drop-in basis Friday mornings at Rianda House in St. Helena and on Friday afternoons at the Calistoga Family Center, allowing seniors to complete paperwork and talk to a knowledgeable resource without having to drive to the Napa offices.

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In addition, a new adult protective services social worker will be hired to work with first responders, hospitals and others who come into contact with older adults who may be at risk in the community. Once health care reform is under way in early 2014, HHSA also plans to provide additional eligibility workers upvalley on a regular basis to assist people in accessing MediCal and other benefits.

These actions are part of the Agency’s efforts to provide additional resources close to where people live, thereby making its services more accessible services to the County’s residents.

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“We are fulfilling our mission when we are able to respond to the needs of our residents in such a direct and immediately tangible way,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Dillon. “Bringing these services to our seniors just makes sense.”

In August, in response to growing needs of senior citizens upvalley and at the request of Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning and the Calistoga Family Center, HHSA began interviewing city representatives, community members and nonprofit agencies in the upvalley area to evaluate the adequacy and accessibility of senior social services, such as eligibility for medical benefits and accessibility to daily supportive services. Due to the rural nature of the community, many senior citizens have been unable to access social services outside of their towns.

            The project team used the information it gathered to assess the challenges encountered by the large and growing senior population in the rural upvalley area and developed specific strategies to improve coordination and delivery of social services to those residents.

            Rianda House is at 1475 Main Street in St. Helena. The Calistoga Family Center is at 1500 Cedar Street in Calistoga. No appointments are necessary.

If you would like more information, please contact HHSA Deputy Director Kris Brown at (707) 253-3818 or at kris.brown@countyofnapa.org.

 


 

 


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