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Territories Included In The House Health Care Bill

As Virgin Islanders hear the news about the House passing the Affordable Health Care for America Act (H.R. 3962), many may wonder exactly where the territory stands.

AARP Virgin Islands wants all Virgin Islanders to be aware that Delegate Donna Christensen accomplished a great deal as part of her membership on the Tri-Caucus Committee. Through the Delegate’s efforts the Tri-Caucus was able to influence the House bill to include the Territories in the health exchange and put language into the bill that places $10.25 Billion into Medicaid funding over the next nine years. This bill was passed by the House of Representatives late on the evening of Saturday, November 7^th.

While the Senate HELP bill also includes the territories in the health exchange, the Senate Finance Committee bill does not, so work still needs to be done to ensure that the territories get included in the final bill voted on by the Senate.

Virgin Islanders are asked to monitor what transpires in the Senate over the next few weeks and be prepared to contact friends and family members living on the mainland urging them to contact their Congressional representatives and push for them to include the Territories in the final bill passed by the Senate.

History is being made. Be a part of it!

Added: November 9, 2009
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Obama's Proposal To Help Those on Social Security

AARP applauded President Barack Obama’s proposal to provide $250 to older Americans, veterans and disabled persons receiving Social Security payments in lieu of a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in 2010.

AARP Chief Operating Officer, Tom Nelson indicated, “The 65+ population is facing extreme financial hardship; older Americans are paying more out of pocket for medical care, have experienced a real decline in their retirement accounts and in housing values, face longer periods of unemployment for those who need to work, and low returns on interest bearing accounts. Without relief, millions of older Americans will be unable to afford skyrocketing health care and prescription drug costs, as well as other basic necessities.”

Automatic annual adjustments went into effect in 1975 and 2010 will be the first year without one. Read more at AARP Bulletin Today

Added: October 15, 2009
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Take a Flower to Childcare Day

AARP Virgin Islands applauds the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI) and their Family Connection Program for promoting an event that pays tribute to one of the unsung heroes – our childcare providers.

CFVI has selected October 20, 2009 as a day for Virgin Islands parents and grandparents to express their appreciation to the individuals who provide their young children and grandchildren with care and nurturing during their most formative years. Parents and grandparents escorting children to childcare on this day are urged to bring a flower for the caregiver to demonstrate your appreciation. These individuals have chosen to dedicate their lives to this profession and serve as role models, mentors and early educators.

“Its important that the community recognize that childcare programs are not just babysitting services,” stated State Director Denyce Singleton, “High quality childcare plays a very important role in the healthy development of young children and puts them on the road to success.”

Added: October 13, 2009
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Don't Forget Your Flu Shot! CareForce 2009

Mark your calendars for CareForce 2009. This event will be held the week of October 26-30, 2009. Free flu and pneumonia vaccinations will be available, along with blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring.

Special tests for diabetics will also be administered but you must bring your Medicare card or proof of insurance.

CareForce 2009 schadule is as follows:

On St. Croix :

October 26^th, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm at Sunshine Mall, Frederiksted

October 27^th, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm at the D.C. Canegata Ball Park, Christiansted

On St. Thomas :

October 29^th, 7:30 am – 6:00 pm - NEW LOCATION! UVI Sports and Fitness Center

October 30^th, 7:30 am – 3:00 pm at Lutheran Church of the Reformation, Estate Tutu

On St. John :

St. Ursula’s Senior Center

October 29^th, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

AARP volunteers will be on site to assist with crowd control and traffic flow.

We are encouraging you to come out and get your vaccinations and health screening tests! Seniors and people with underlying health conditions who get the flu are much more likely to have serious complications. The flu and pneumonia vaccines may prevent hospitalization and even save your life!

So come out to get tested and stay on top of your health. Care Force 2009 is a partnership between V.I. Medical Institute, the VI National Guard, Hovensa LLC, United Health Group and AARP Virgin Islands.

Added: October 8, 2009
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Phone Companies Extend Lifeline to Those In Need

Those eligible for or are on any type of public assistance can get help paying telephone bills through the Lifeline program, the Public Services Commission announced this week as it unveiled Lifeline Awareness Week. The Link-Up program can also help with phone bills.

"I don't think enough people know about the program," Innovative Telephone spokesman Janette Millin said.

PSC spokesman Lorna Nichols said the PSC plans to hold an outreach program about the Lifeline program from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Human Services Department office on St. Thomas. On St. Croix, the PSC will be at the Innovative Building from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday.

According to a press release from the PSC, the program helps people stay connected to emergency services and can possibly save lives.

The Lifeline program provides a discount on basic telephone service of at least $10 per month. Link-Up provides a 50 percent reduction in the telephone service installation charge, up to a maximum of $30, for qualifying households that do not currently have telephone service.

According to Millin, a person who qualifies for the program will currently pay $11.10 a month for basic telephone services. That fee does not include extras like call waiting.

Millin said the program currently serves 500 to 600 customers across the territory.

The Lifeline program is a national program under the umbrella of the Federal Communications Commission [1] that serves people who live in rural areas.

To apply, people must go to the Human Services office. According to Millin, they must be the head of household and be certified to participate by Human Services.

For more information, call Human Services at 774-0930, the PSC at 776-1291 or Innovative at 779-9999.

Added: September 25, 2009
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Free Diabetes and Sickle Cell Health Screening

The United Way of St. Croix, in partnership with Clinical Laboratory, Inc., VI Cardiac Center and Pavia Information Center is holding a FREE Diabetes and Sickle Cell Health Screening event themed "Day of Action". The event will be held at the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center on Saturday, September 26, 2009, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Sunday, September 27, 2009, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The screening will be provided for ALL ages (children, adults and seniors). According to the Virgin Islands Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, "9% to 12% of the USVI population, age 18 and older, has been diagnosed with diabetes, and approximately 4.1% of adult Virgin Islands residents have diabetes, but remain undiagnosed. Diabetes Mellitus is the 5th leading cause of death in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Individuals registering for FREE health screenings are reminded that they do not have to fast and can have breakfast beforebefore arriving for the exam. Families are encouraged to participate in this important screening event. Early detection of Diabetes and Sickle Cell is important and also treatable.

Contributors for the "Day of Action" include Clinical Laboratory, Novo Nordisk, Inc., Bio-Nuclear, AARP Virgin Islands, Greenleaf VI, Inc, Continuum Care, JKC Communications, Cruzan Rum Distillery and SkyMed USVI.

To register for your free exam, please call (340) 715-1190 or (340) 719-6631.

Added: September 22, 2009
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State President Meets with VI Chapters

Paul Simmonds, PhD was welcomed as the new State President of AARP Virgin Islands in mid June. Local chapters are on summer break for July and August, thus the State Office was unable to officially introduce Simmonds to chapter members.

Now that chapters are resuming their post-summer meetings, Simmonds is anxious to get on each Chapter’s agenda so that he can have face-to-face encounters with members, listen to their concerns and share his thoughts on where AARP is going with health care reform and other issues of importance to our membership.

As a guest professor with the University of the West Indies, Dr. Simmonds traveled to Jamaica in June shortly after becoming the VI State president. Upon his return in July, he immediately sprang into action testifying on behalf of AARP on several bills at the Legislature and representing AARP at various territorial events.

Simmonds will be traveling to meet with chapters on each island as follows: St. Thomas, Saturday, September 26 at 1:30 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Roy Lester Schneider Regional Medical Center; St. Croix, October 3 at 2:00 at the Herbert Grigg Home for the Aged; and St. John on Thursday, November 19, at 5:00 p.m. in the Community Hall adjacent to the Lutheran Church in Cruz Bay. Chapter members are urged to come out and get to know the new AARP State President.

Added: September 21, 2009
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A DAY TO GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY

On Friday, September 11, AARP Virgin Islands will be observing AARP’s 9^th National Day of Service. Local volunteers will be joining thousands of AARP employees, volunteers, and members throughout the nation to perform activities that make a meaningful difference in our communities. Last year, thousands of volunteers across the country participated in Day of Service.

This year, our local Day of Service activity will be conducting ‘Vitran Bus System Audits’. This activity is intended to address bus schedules, concerns and conditions that impact bus riders in the Virgin Islands. AARP promotes and educates on the concept of “livable communities’ which encourages community planning and situations that make it easy for a population to meet their daily needs and stay engaged in the fabric of the community. Our overall goal is to promote sustaining independence and freedom as our members age.

AARP feels the time has come to highlight and address existing deficiencies. Every resident in our community needs to be able to get where they need to go safely and affordably.

Volunteer teams will be focusing on existing Vitran routes and schedules on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John. Timeliness and the condition of bus stops will be evaluated.

The survey’s findings will allow AARP to formulate an assessment report that can be shared with government officials, ultimately urging consciousness of community needs. These needs not only support an aging population, but promote a livable community where the needs of those that utilize public transportation are met.

Added: September 10, 2009
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D�melo Radio Program talks Disability Rights

Zulma Turner, Outreach Specialist with Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands joins Dímelo Moderator Lucie Rodriguez.

AARP continues to reach the vast Hispanic population of the Virgin Islands with useful information and helpful topics on Dímelo, AARP VI’s monthly Spanish radio program. This month’s topic was the rights of the disabled. The invited guest was Zulma Turner, Outreach Specialist at the Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands.

The Disability Rights Center of the Virgin Islands (DRCVI) advocates for people with disabilities. DRCVI performs a number of services to include investigating abuse/neglect complaints, and visiting the prisons, youth rehabilitation centers and other group homes. DRCVI educates the disabled community about the services that they are entitled to under the law. DRCVI trains parents to understand the laws and enables parents to advocate for themselves and their children.

During election years, DRCVI works with the Elections office staff to make sure that the polls are accessible.

DRCVI assists the territory’s AD-HOC committee that meets every month. This committee serves as the ADA watchdog of the Virgin Islands. Electric lifts at the airport, ramps in public places, lower public telephones, increased parking for people with disabilities, accessible aisles at supermarkets and an elevator at an inaccessible restaurant are all achievements of the AD-HOC group. DRCVI also has a PAIMI (Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness) advisory council that meets four times a year.

AARP applauds the work that DRCVI is doing to help and assist the disabled residents of the Virgin Islands.

Dímelo Radio Program airs the first Tuesday of each month, on Latino 98.3 FM. Be sure to tune in!

Added: September 2, 2009
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Public is Invited to a Health Care Policy Forum

The Legislature of the Virgin Islands’ Committee on Health is sponsoring a “Speak Up: Know Your Rights to Health Care” Policy Forum. The goal of the forum is to improve access to health care and to educate patients about their rights.

This important gathering will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2009, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm at the Department of Human Services’ Head Start Sugar Estate Multipurpose Complex on St. Thomas.

Speakers and panelists include Health Committee Chairman Senator Patrick Simeon Sprauve, Amelia Headley Lamont of Disability Rights Center of the VI, Denyce Singleton of AARP VI, Dr. Cora Christian, MPH of VI Medical Institute (and AARP National Board Member) and Barbara Lee Jackson of VI Perinatal Inc. Dept of Health Commissioner Julia Sheen has also been invited.

Two featured guest speakers will be coming from off-island. They are:

Wendy Jones, M.Ed., MSW

Director, Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Project,

National Center for Cultural Competence

Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development

Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center

Ms. Jones is a research instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She has been associated with the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD), University Centers of Excellence, National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC) for the past 14 years and has served in various capacities. She is a bilingual (Spanish/English) special educator and social worker with specific expertise in cultural and linguistic competence. Her areas of focus include advocacy, support, and training for providers serving individuals and families with limited English proficiency, as well as individuals and families with chronic health conditions, special health care needs, and developmental, educational and emotional disabilities.

Isabella Lorenzo-Hubert, M.Ed.

Senior Policy Associate, Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Project, National Center for Cultural Competence

Bilingual Special Educator/Research Instructor, Georgetown University Center for Child & Human Development, Georgetown University Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics

Ms. Lorenzo-Hubert is a Research Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She has been on the faculty of the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development (GUCCHD), University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (GU-UCDD) for the past 13 years and has served in various capacities. Ms. Lorenzo-Hubert was born and raised in Uruguay, South America and her professional experience has involved extensive work in supporting the strengths, needs and resiliency of families who are of Latino/Hispanic heritage. As a team member of the National Center for Cultural Competence, Ms. Lorenzo-Hubert has combined her knowledge of cultural and linguistic competence and her bilingual (Spanish/English) ability to good use in the conduct of interviews, focus groups, translations and adaptations of materials, training and technical assistance, and community outreach and engagement activities.

The Public is welcome but seating is limited. Please call 713-1606 to RSVP and for more information.

Added: September 1, 2009
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My Journals (39)