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Columbia County approves respite‑pilot contracts, accepts $15,000 state grant
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Summary
The Health & Human Services Committee on Jan. 20 approved multiple contracts to launch a respite pilot — including a Zumba instructor, caregiver coordinator and personal‑emergency response systems — and accepted a $15,000 grant from Assemblymember Didi Barrett. Officials also flagged staffing shortages and wait lists for in‑home care.
The Columbia County Health & Human Services Committee on Jan. 20 approved a package of contracts and accepted a $15,000 state grant to support a new respite pilot aimed at expanding services for older adults and people with care needs.
Committee members voted to contract with Donna Burty to provide certified Zumba for the pilot, to retain Family Advocates to close one eviction case, and to enter a new contract with LifeStation to supply personal emergency response systems (PERS). Commissioner Gibson said the LifeStation contract adds GPS and cellular options that “would be able to open the door to more folks,” allowing the county to offer units beyond participants enrolled in its existing exit program.
The committee also approved two ISEP personal‑care vendor contracts to keep backup capacity, contracted Linda Shear as caregiver coordinator to staff and schedule the pilot, and approved Stephanie Gaylord to provide chair‑yoga therapy. Gibson explained the chair‑yoga fee “would break it down to $50 per session.” The board carried each resolution after routine motions and seconds.
The committee accepted a $15,000 grant from Assemblymember Didi Barrett routed through a New York State office to support the respite pilot. Gibson said the funding will help cover programming as the county works to expand locations, noting outreach to Columbia County library branches to serve lower‑county residents.
Officials highlighted continuing capacity challenges for in‑home services: the department reported seven people on the personal‑care wait list, three waiting for respite‑center slots, and two full‑time aides plus one per‑diem currently in service. Gibson said the department will re‑post per‑diem positions and attempt to create a candidate pool to address demand.
Next steps include onboarding the new caregiver coordinator and scheduling follow‑up on staffing and contract term details; staff noted one contract contained a five‑year term and recommended asking vendors to reduce it to four years. The Health & Human Services Committee adjourned after carrying the items.
