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Aging services ask for case‑worker, expanded meal service hours and vehicle lease; commissioners request use data
Summary
Aging and Human Services asked March 5 for a new case worker for home visits, an expanded food‑service role and a leased accessible van to improve outreach and transportation for older adults; commissioners asked for utilization data before approving recurring increases.
St. Mary’s County Aging and Human Services presented a number of staffing and program requests March 5 focused on outreach, meal services and transportation for older adults.
Laurie Harris explained the request for an additional information and assistance case worker who would perform home visits to elderly residents unable to come to the office. Harris said two staff currently manage roughly 200–250 in‑office visits per month but homebound residents are not being reached; commissioners said they supported adding one position but asked for data showing visits and need.
On congregate and home‑delivered meals, staff requested converting an hourly food‑service technician at the Loffler Senior Activity Center into a regular part‑time position (increase from about 20 to 30 hours per week, with benefits) and adding one hour daily to support increased meal demand. Harris said demand is rising and the center serves roughly 50 meals per day; commissioners asked for meal counts and trend data to justify the recurring increase.
Other aging items included increasing RSVP (senior volunteer) hourly support and funding for a leased 14‑passenger van ($69,100 financing cost over five years on county vehicle schedule) to provide safer, more accessible transportation for older adults. Commissioners generally supported the RSVP and vehicle requests but asked staff to confirm whether DPW could reassign ADA‑accessible buses as an interim option and to provide cost and utilization data.
Ending: Commissioners asked staff to return with utilization statistics (meals served, home visit counts) and grant‑funding context before finalizing recurring increases.
