Staff Report
The NKADD’s Lisa Cooper has provided details for the “transition of services” that will take effect on Monday in the wake of the sudden closing of the Senior Services of Northern Kentucky nonprofit on Friday.
In a hastily called meeting on Monday, October 19, the NKADD, city and county officials and other community partners were notified that SSNK was ceasing operations within the week. In that meeting, despite offers of financial assistance, SSNK representatives said the decision was irreversible.
Immediately following the surprise announcement, NKADD staff, the region’s judges-excutives and mayors present initiated a transition play for the four core services provided by SSNK — Home delivered meals, Senior Center operations, Ombudsman and Title III Transportation.
The NKADD took the leadership role and set about working with community partners to find solutions, said Cooper.
The plan put in place effective Monday:
* The 155 clients for home-delivered meals are being transitioned to other providers, Wesley Community Services and MOMs Meals will take on the clients in addition to the 500 they already have;
* The current Senior Center Managers have been offered interim contracts with NKADD to continue their services and many have already accepted the offers. In all cases, says Cooper, the NKADD is working with cities and counties to keep the centers open and those efforts will continue as a long-term solution is found.
* Transportation services are more diverse and under the umbrella of numerous organizations. For NKADD Title II clients, the potential transition will likely be to current home care agency providers. LKLP operates the Medicaid Brokerage contract for the eight NKy counties. SSNK says they are working with LKLP to continue these services. Agencies such as BAWAC, New Perceptions, Redwood and others are also working to ensure that SSNK-served clients will have transportation to their respective programs and workshops. TANK will continue to provide services to existing RAMP clients eligible under ADA. TANK may provide temporary gap coverage as necessary. Future transportation meeds that are non-Medicaid are being directed to the NKADD Aging and Disabilities Resource Center (895.692.2480) for referral to the appropriate agencies and resources.
The NKADD, says Cooper, will “continue to work closely with city and county officials, state and other community partners on a transition plan.”
“Our senior citizens are the heart of our community and deserve to be served appropriately,” said Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore. “We will continue to work with regional leaders to ensure that services to senior citizens remain a priority.”
“Over the last few days,” said Campbell County Judge-Executive Steve Pendery, “the cooperation among local service providers with the leadership of the NKADD and eight Northern Kentucky counties has been exceptional.”
“We’re working hard to make sure that services to our seniors continue uninterrupted,” said Kenton County Judge-Executive Kris Knochelmann.
Both Owen County Judge-Executive Casey Ellis and Pendleton County Judge-Executive David Fields expressed similar sentiments.
From the NKADD
What can I do to help? This is so important for our community.