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University Heights council approves partnership to expand senior services
Summary
The council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Community Partnership on Aging to provide on-site social work, transportation, meals and a fall-prevention pilot for older residents in 2026. The partnership will be funded through a Council of Governments agreement and includes outcomes reporting and outreach plans.
University Heights’ City Council unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding on the Community Partnership on Aging’s (CPA) services for 2026, following a presentation by Wendy Satin, the agency’s director.
Wendy Satin told the council CPA, a nearly 50-year-old intermunicipal agency, would make University Heights the eighth city it serves and would deliver social work, transportation, meals, volunteer coordination and programming at city sites including the library. “We will hire instructors, manage programs and be on-site when programs take place,” Satin said.
The nut graf: Council members emphasized outreach to older residents and asked about outcome measures and data collection, which CPA said it already tracks for funders. The council approved both the MOU and a related Council of Governments funding agreement, authorizing the city to participate in CPA’s fee-sharing structure so the partnership can begin in 2026.
In discussion, Satin described a fall-prevention pilot that includes a full home assessment, a report and post-assessment coaching by a registered occupational therapist. She said the program also creates a closed-loop referral system with fire and police to reduce repeat “lift assist” calls and target EMS resources to life-threatening calls. “We track every single person who comes in contact with us,” Satin said, noting CPA maintains both funder databases and internal outcome-tracking and satisfaction surveys.
Councilmembers praised the collaborative model. Councilperson Sachs, who has worked with older adults for much of her career, said the program “fills a gap that is much needed” and asked CPA to prioritize outreach methods beyond social media because not all older residents use digital channels. Satin said outreach will include paper newsletters, direct mail, email lists and targeted local media such as the Sun Press.
Administration clarified council was approving two documents together: the CPA memorandum of understanding and the Council of Governments agreement that shares CPA fees among participating municipalities. The motion to approve both documents was made, seconded, and passed by roll call with all members voting ‘Aye.’
Next steps: The administration will finalize the MOU paperwork and the Council of Governments arrangement so CPA can begin outreach and the fall-prevention pilot; CPA plans to report outcomes to participating mayors and to provide periodic data on participation and measured effects.
