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  • Avoid Being Scammed!

    • Beware of “contractors” who knock on your door.
    • When using a card to make a purchase, keep in mind that credit cards are better than debit cards. Credit cards have fraud protections while debit cards carry the risk of your bank account being accessed if you’re scammed.
    • If you’re not sure if a request for personal information is valid, discuss the situation with someone you trust.
    • No legitimate business or agency requires payment through the purchase of gift cards.
    • Be careful when signing up for any “free trial” offers!
    • If you aren’t sure a caller is who they claim to be, hang up and call the person/agency/business back at their main phone number.

    Learn more by reading the monthly “Scam of the Month” in
    the Senior News or call the Office for Aging at 778-2411.

  • Mediation and Conflict Resolution: What Caregivers Need to Know

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  • Mediation and Conflict Resolution: What Caregivers Need to Know – Feb. 18, 2020

    Contact:  Judy Bobinski                                       
    Caregiver Specialist
    (607) 778-2411
    Judith.Bobinski@BroomeCounty.US

     

    Mediation and Conflict Resolution:
    What Caregivers Need to Know

     

    Family caregivers are invited to attend a presentation on Tuesday, February 18 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM at the Stay Healthy Center in the Oakdale Mall.  “Mediation and Conflict Resolution: What Caregivers Need to Know” will be presented by staff from ACCORD, A Center for Dispute Resolution.

    Tensions can often develop between caregivers and the ones they care for.  Instead of avoiding the problem, mediation is a process that allows for conversation around solutions.  At this presentation, we will go over:

    • How to discuss issues with a neutral moderator
    • How to find solutions that are acceptable to both sides
    • How to improve communication

    Pre-registration is requested; please call (607) 778- 2411 to reserve your seat.

    What: “Mediation and Conflict Resolution: What Caregivers Need to Know”

    When:  Tuesday, February 18 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM

    Where:  Stay Healthy Center, Oakdale Mall  

    Who:  For all Family Caregivers

  • Broome County Announces Deterra Drug Deactivation System as part of Opioid Overdose Prevention Efforts

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) The Broome Opioid Awareness Council (BOAC) announced today that they have over 2,000 Drug Deactivation pouches that will be available to community members.

    The Deterra Drug Deactivation System is a safe medication disposal pouch that allows people to easily and effectively dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications, including opioid painkillers, right at-home. These pouches will be available starting in February at various municipalities, home care agencies, community agencies and county departments.

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    “This is another great step in fighting the opioid epidemic in our community,” said Broome County Executive Jason Garnar. “Thank you to BOAC for all their hard work and taking this next step to fight addiction in Broome County.”

    Research has shown that 3 of 4 persons who use heroin reported they first used a prescription opioid and 70% of prescribed opioids for surgical use remain unused and available in someone’s home for abuse. BOAC has worked with local partners and community members on education and hosting 2 RX take back days a year and there are currently 13 medication drop boxes located across Broome County, however those sites aren’t always accessible or convenient for all community members.

    Anyone can use a Deterra pouch to dispose of drugs including pills, patches, liquids, creams and films. Simply add the recommended amount of unused medicines into the pouch, fill the pouch half-way with warm water, wait 30 seconds, seal the pouch and gently shake. You can then dispose of them in normal household trash. Each Deterra pouch contains activated carbon, which firmly bonds to pharmaceuticals rendering them inert and non-retrievable for all practical purposes. The Deterra pouch is the only environmentally sound, in-home drug disposal system that permanently deactivates drugs. For more information about the pouches visit  https://deterrasystem.com/.

    “Fighting this complex public health epidemic takes a multi-faceted approach, and we are pleased to offer our community members another way to properly dispose of prescription opioids, ultimately saving lives and helping those with substance use disorders,” stated Marissa Knapp, Opioid Overdose Prevention Coordinator for Broome County.     

    The Drug Deactivation pouches will be available to the community in a few weeks. For more information contact Marissa Knapp at 607-778-2812 or visit broomecountyny.gov/boac and check out the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BroomeOpioidAwarenessCouncil/.

  • STAR (School Tax Relief) Program

    Changes to NYS law make the Enhanced STAR Income Verification Program mandatory to continue receiving the Exemption – for Enhanced STAR and AGED C/T/S applicants.

    Basic STAR: For owner-occupied properties with 2018 adjusted gross income below $500,000.

    Enhanced Senior STAR: For owner-occupied properties, where the homeowner is age 65 or older with 2018 adjusted gross income of $88,050 or less.

    Low Income Senior Citizens’ Partial Real Property Tax Exemption: Exemption on property taxes for low-income property owners age 65 or older. Must meet income
    guidelines, be age 65 byMarch 1st, provide proof of unadjusted/gross income for 2019 and own the property at least one year prior to applying.

    For more information, call your local Assessor’s Office or Office for Aging at 778-2411.

  • Examination Date: 03/14/2020 Last Date To File: 01/22/2020

  • Examination Date: 03/14/2020 Last Date To File: 01/22/2020

  • Broome County Youth Bureau Announces $180,000 in Youth Programming Grants

    (BINGHAMTON, NY) Broome County Executive Jason Garnar, along with Director of Parks, Recreation and Youth Services Liz Woidt and the Broome County Youth Bureau, announced today $180,000 of dollars in grant funding to youth programs in our community.

    The grant recipients were approved by the Broome County Legislature in its December session.

    “We are excited to support these many amazing youth programs in Broome County through the Youth Bureau,” said County Executive Jason Garnar. “We want to impact the lives of youth in Broome County in the many areas of their lives whether it be anything from mentoring to sports to education.”

    “The Broome County Youth Bureau is excited to obtain these funds from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. This will help Broome County continue the mission of the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus to promote the physical, emotional and social well-being of youth and families in Broome County,” said Director of Parks, Recreation and Youth Services Liz Woidt. “The programs awarded empower youth of all ages in our community to learn, grow and develop into successful leaders of the future.”

    This year, the Youth Bureau awarded $180,000 to programs throughout Broome County. The grant recipients are:

    • Summer Playground – City of Binghamton Parks: The program provides a structured recreation program for children Pre-K-4th grade. The daily activity includes sports, games, arts & crafts, swimming, activities and lunch. It provides a critical structured environment for children who may otherwise have no supervision or access to food.
    • Summer Zone – Binghamton University: designed to involve youth to address engagement and summer learning loss. This program addresses the unstructured time of at-risk youth during out of school summer months while encouraging student engagement with the school to prepare for the upcoming academic year.
    • Gateway/Connection Center – Catholic Charities of Broome County: School and community-based counseling and case management canter that provides comprehensive emotional health services for youth ages 8-21 years and their families.
    • Farm to Home – Children’s Home: This family centered program focuses on healthy food options for at risk youth populations in Broome County. Through this program, youth and families will acquire agricultural knowledge and gain educational opportunities, in order to grow and maintain a community garden and greenhouse.
    • Winter Skate, Youth Basketball, Softball and Field Hockey – Town of Colesville
    • Cornell Cooperative Extension of Broome County – 4H Youth Development Center at Finch Hollow: The 4-H Education Center at Finch Hollow has an established track record for delivering high quality, multi-disciplinary programs. CCE Educators provide hands-on STEM programming for youth, focused on learning about science, the environment and the world around them.
    • Safe Harbour – Crime Victims Assistance Center: Offers direct support for youth with a history of trauma, or RHY. The program offers comprehensive case management, counseling, personal care items/ clothing, financial support, legal and medical advocacy and community respite. The program also offers peer support and education groups
    • Pathways Program – JC Central School District: The Pathways Program is a unique high school program that provides students of potential with a successful high school experience that will lead the way to college or a career in a small, personalized environment.
    • Special Hockey Festival and Competition – Life is Washable Inc.: Two events that will help grow participation in special hockey in the Southern Tier and provide an accessible and integrative athletic experience for youth with and without disabilities.
    • Compeer Youth Mentoring – Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier: Serves youth under the age of 18, who are at risk from developing social, emotional and behavioral problems.
    • Library Program, Playground Program and Waterman Conservation Education Center – Town of Vestal
    • Grow Binghamton – VINES: Provides a six-week program which revolves around youth empowerment, civic engagement, and hands on learning about environmental systems with the Binghamton Urban Farm being a living lab for learning.  Youth participate in every aspect of food production from seed starting to distributing produce to Binghamton residents in need of access to fresh and affordable food.
    • Teen Transitional Living Program – Catholic Charities of Broome County: Provides a safe, structured, supportive housing program for runaway and homeless youth.

     

     

  • The Perfect New Year’s Resolution – Volunteering

    If you’re looking for a meaningful way to impact the lives of older adults in our community, consider becoming a Meals on Wheels volunteer!

    Volunteering not only helps others but can also positively impact your own mental and physical well-being. Meals on Wheels volunteers report that joining this program has brought them a sense of fulfillment and allows them to be part of a close-knit, caring group of people.

    Meals on Wheels volunteers are needed to deliver meals once a week, Monday – Friday, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. You can sign up to be a driver, visitor, or both. Routes are available in various locations.

    For more information, call 778-6206.

  • Meet, Greet & Eat – February’s Menu – Bon Appetit!

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