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Tri-City 2010 Services Announcement As many of you are aware, the current economic climate has resulted in a lack of funds in many areas, and Tri-City will be impacted significantly in 2010. We will undergo changes in service provision and staffing beginning January 1st.   We, as a staff, have struggled with the changes that are required in order to balance our budget in 2010. We realize the changes we make have an effect on our clients, and have attempted to minimize them as much as possible. Please review the following changes that will have a direct impact on those who use our services:   1. Meals - Our meal budget was cut this year and we will be providing almost 900 meals less. After having no increase in the suggested contribution for meals in 7 years, a decision was made to increase the suggested donation to $1.50 per meal (from $1). In addition, we will continue to closely monitor cancellations and no-shows to ensure that we are delivering meals to as many people as possible with a minimal amount of waste.   2. Homemaker - Our homemaker hours were cut by 325 in 2010. We will not replace our vacant homemaker position in the immediate future so will utilize two staff homemakers instead of the traditional three positions, as in years past. We will begin 2010 with a waiting list and anticipate the list will grow longer through the course of the year. We would ask all clients to be very conscientious about planning ahead for homemaker service so that we can avoid last minute cancellations. We will look at existing clients and those on our waiting list and may re-distribute services so that we can accommodate those in greater need on our waiting list. Your scheduled time with your homemaker may change over the course of the year. As always, Robin will maintain close contact with you to keep you updated. There has been no change in the suggested donation of $10 per hour of service.   3. Supportive Services – This area is well utilized and there have been no significant changes to this budget. We anticipate serving larger numbers in 2010 as the economy impacts individual people in our communities. Please keep in mind, the suggested donation for this service is $5.   4. Transportation – We will have provided over 6500 one-way trips in 2009. We went far beyond our estimated 4800 trips. In 2010 we will impose a different fee structure for those traveling on our vans in an attempt to continue to provide services at the level they are needed. At the current level, Tri-City is unable to sustain the service. For those using the group van for lunch, programming or group shopping, we will continue with a $1 suggested contribution, each way. For those clients using the medical van for appointments, a fee will now be collected. Rather than consider cutting services altogether, a decision has been made to continue to offer services but to charge for some services to help offset the cost. In addition, we will closely monitor use and consider further changes or limitations, should they become necessary. Beginning January 1, 2010, riders using the Medical Van (Alison is the driver) will be charged a fee of $5 each way for trips. This charge covers only a portion of the actual cost of the trip.   Throughout the year, I, the staff, and the appointed representatives of your community serving on the Commission on Aging, will continue to discuss opportunities for fundraising, partnerships and other ways to offset the cost of service. We are committed to assisting each of you in enhancing and enriching the quality of your life, your access to social and health related opportunities, and your ability to maintain independence in the community in which you reside.   Please feel free to contact me, or one of the Outreach Workers, if you have questions about how these changes may impact you.