PEER REVIEW PRAISES AREA AGENCY ON AGING; OFFICE FOUND TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL REQUIREMENTS

The staff and board of the Southeast Missouri office of the Area Agency on Aging were praised in a compliance peer review presented Tuesday at the agency's monthly board meeting.

"I am pleased to state that there were no significant findings of non-compliance noted by the experts who conducted the review," said Floyd D. Richards of St. Louis, president of the Missouri Alliance of Area Agencies on Aging. He headed the 10-member review team.

"The purpose of the review was to determine if the agency met the requirements established by the Older Americans Act, Code of State Regulations and the SEMO Area Agency on Aging's board policies and procedures."

Richards, a former director of the Missouri Division of Aging, said the review was conducted on four days earlier this month, carried out at the request of the SEMO AAA board. Most of the review team were staff members at other AAA offices around the state.

"You all clearly demonstrate to me that you have the ability with the staff to manage this AAA office in a way that meets, and in some cases exceeds, all regulations imposed," said Richards.

Richards offered special praise to the agency board and staff for a new funding plan implemented this year to distribute federal nutrition funds to 38 sites in the 18-county area. He recommended that the other nine offices in the state consider implementing a similar plan.

"The board's commendable initiative to implement financial management policies should provide a more equitable and efficient use of grant monies than the previous funding process, by allowing the agency to operate within the constraints imposed by limited funding to maximize the cost/benefit effectiveness of programming," said Richards.

He acknowledged the new funding plan had been controversial, but Richards pointed out change often brings controversy.

Under the new distribution plan, nutrition site funds are distributed on the basis of meals served. That led some sites to receive a reduction in funds and irritated some state legislators and site administrators.

One of the most vocal critics of the new funding plan was state Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, who charged that the new formula violated provisions of the Older Americans Act. He also criticized Glenda Hoffmeister, executive director of the SEMO AAA office.

Copeland contended that Hoffmeister spent too much money on administrative costs and exercised too much control over board members.

Copeland, Rep. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, House Majority Leader Bob Ward, D-Desloge, and House Budget Chairman Chris Kelly, D-Columbia, asked the Division of Aging to conduct a management review of the office, which is now under way.

The division's review is separate from the peer review.

Hoffmeister said she was pleased with the results of the peer review. Said Hoffmeister: "I believe the positive results of this review indicate the agency has no significant management problems."

Richards had words of praise for Hoffmeister and her staff. He also praised the agency staff and board members for their knowledge of the elderly people in Southeast Missouri.

"The board members maintain extensive knowledge of the agency's administration and operations," said Richards. "They are also well versed in the needs, concerns and issues of the older persons in the SEMO AAA area. Board members consistently display a genuine interest in the total agency operation and maintain good communication with agency senior staff."

He pointed out that the agency has conducted needs assessments through Southeast Missouri State University the last three years, which has enabled them to maintain a clear focus on needs.

Richards said the changes the review team is recommending are minor, and that in many instances the changes they recommended were already under review.

Suggestions focused on improving the monitoring of information and referral services, getting the state ombudsman more closely involved with the area ombudsman, and making some minor changes in bylaws.

Richards said the SEMO AAA elderly abuse newsletter "is one of the finest I've seen," and he plans to refer it to other agencies.