Edition 309
March 2016
ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END!!!!
ASCOG continues to experience greater cuts in every program and we have reached a point where “business as usual” is no longer affordable. For decades, we have mailed newsletters, agendas, etc. through the postal service. Now this has become an expensive luxury that we simply have to curtail. Mailed correspondence adds up significantly over the course of year when you consider the costs for personnel, paper, envelopes, printing and postage.
Beginning next month, all of our newsletters, minutes, agendas, etc. will be posted on our webpage www.ASCOG.org. Additionally, we will continue to provide these types of correspondence by email to those who want to continue to be notified personally. We will continue to deliver the newsletters through the postal service for those very few members who do not have a home computer. Many have only provided the city, town or county email addresses so you will need to check with your secretary, town clerk, etc. to get your personal copies.
If you should desire to receive your email at home or at another address, please call Nancy English at (580) 736-7019 or email her at engl_na@ascog.org and provide her with your preferred email.
Thank you for understanding our need to utilize affordable options when they are available. We simply have to be the best stewards we can with your tax dollars. If you have questions or concerns, please call me at (580) 736-7970. Ronnie
ASCOG Managed Care:
ASCOG case managers work with frail elderly and adults with disabilities. We provide case management services that keep them safe in their homes and prevent the need for nursing home care. To receive Advantage services a person must meet the following requirements: be 65 or older and frail, or be 21 years or older and have a disability, meet financial guidelines, require the level of services provided in a nursing home and require services that are below the cost of a nursing home. For more information, contact TJ Kelley, ASCOG managed care intake coordinator (580) 736-7983.
Medicare Presentations Scheduled at Local Senior Centers:
Ken Jones will be at the following senior centers to provide information about Medicare counseling, low income subsidies and fraud prevention:
- Cyril – March 15
- Hinton – March 16
- Tuttle – March 21
- Carnegie – March 23
- Grandfield – March 24
- Anadarko – March 28
- Cement – March 29
- Chickasha – March 30
- Rush Springs – March 31
Most presentations will begin at 11:00 a.m. For more information contact Ken Jones.
Public Safety:
Fire schools are being very well attended across the ASCOG area by many departments. Paper work has been e-mailed to all departments for certification and information gathering on current chiefs, address and phone info as well as expenditures for last year’s operational monies. All reports have to be in to the office by April 1, 2016.
Community Economic Division
CDBG Community Revitalization Applications Due March 31: This program addresses quality of life needs in rural Oklahoma communities such as roads or streets; rural fire protection or public safety services and community buildings. Please contact ASCOG’s CED staff for assistance.
CDBG Water/ Wastewater Construction and Engineering Grants – May 2, 2016. If you are planning to apply for a water and wastewater construction or engineering grant please contact, Tom Zigler 580-736-7971 or Steve Kelly 580-736-7965 by March 16, 2016.
(NO application will be considered unless it includes a copy of the completed FY2015 Audit or Agreed upon Procedures.)
Workforce Development Division (WDD) welcomes Myleah Pointer to the downtown Duncan office. She was previously a skills enhancement counselor in the Duncan Works Office Her new title is Quality Assurance/Accounting Coordinator. Paul Brown, formally a skills enhancement counselor in Lawton, has transferred to Duncan. LaFonda Crowder is now a skills enhancement counselor in the Lawton office.