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Dutchess County Office for the Aging PARATRANSIT CAN ASSIST SOME SENIORS

Here is a little known transportation option available to the disabled:  The Americans with Disabilities Act Complementary Paratransit service.  This service is available to those with physical or mental disabilities who cannot use regular bus service.  Under the service, those who meet the requirements are eligible to schedule next day service from trips that start and end within three quarters of a mile of an existing City of Poughkeepsie or Dutchess County LOOP  bus route.  The trip days and times must coincide with existing fixed route schedules.  So, for seniors who are disabled and live several blocks from a bus route, this service could be quite beneficial, as the vehicle would travel to their homes. For more information, including an application and reservations, call 845-473- and state that you are looking for “ADA Complementary Paratransit Service” in the City of Poughkeepsie or Dutchess County.

On Going Event
Benefit: Department of Veterans Affairs - Food Pantry
Contact for more information: Bob & Judy Cotton
Telephone: 8454852453
Website: www.bandjsbikerwear.com
Location: B & J's Biker Wear 4 Commerce Street Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Info: B & J's Biker Wear will collect on an ongoing basis non-perishable and canned goods in support of the Veterans Administration Food Pantry. Grocery Store Gift Cards are appreciated.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED FOR MEAL DELIVERY
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging is looking for new volunteers to supplement the Dutchess County Home Delivered Meals program.  Volunteer drivers deliver over 300 nutritious meals each weekday just before the noontime hour.  Drivers usually volunteer one day a week for one hour or less, to deliver from one of 10 Senior Friendship Centers located through-out the county.  Drivers use their own vehicle, but can be reimbursed for mileage. Call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555, toll free at (866) 486-2555 or email us at ofa@co.dutchess.ny.us for more information.  Visit our website for details on all of our services and programs: www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm. 

Recreational Program for Young Adults with Disabilities
Because the process of developing friendships and community ties can be a little more challenging for young adults with disabilities, Inspire offers a continuing recreational program for young men and women with disabilities, ages 19-26.  There are presently a number of limited openings in the program.  Called “Introductions,” activities take place on Friday or Saturday evenings, usually twice per month.  Times vary depending on what is planned, and transportation is the responsibility of the participant.  Some of the more popular activities include going out to dinner, the movies, local performances, a summer trip to the county fair, and more.  Participants must cover the cost of the activity.  For intake information, call Cathy Bruinix at Inspire, at 294-8806, ext. 229. Inspire is a non-profit health and human services agency offering an array of rehabilitative and family support services, service coordination, recreational programs and a preschool for children with special needs.  For more information, look for Inspire on the worldwide web at www.inspirecp.org.

Ulster County 4-H Now Accepting Applications for Club Leaders
Do you want to make a difference for youth in your community? Are you interested in science, engineering, technology, healthy lifestyles, community service-learning, animals, nutrition, gardening, GIS/GPS, woodworking, textiles, nature exploration, outdoor adventures, or other hobbies? Can you share your hobby or skills with a child? Consider becoming a volunteer 4-H leader! Cornell Cooperative Extension applications for volunteers ages 21 and up to serve as 4-H club leaders on a regular basis. There are opportunities for many levels of involvement. Organizational leaders coordinate a club, project leaders lead a project, and resource leaders provide expertise through workshops or trainings.   
Leaders:

1)      bring cutting-edge Cornell University research, curriculum, and activities to youth
2)      share practical and life-skills with youth
3)      create community
4)      promote youth leadership in the county, state, and nation
5)      are supported by a dedicated 4-H staff connected to Cornell University
4-H Youth Development will be holding a New Leader Training in two parts on Tuesday, March 4, and Tuesday, March 11, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County Education Center located at 10 Westbrook Lane in Kingston.
For more information contact Jenny Burkins at 845-340-3990 or email jlb64@cornell.edu to obtain a volunteer application and to get more information about the training. 

Dutchess County Area Host Families Urgently Needed For Foreign Students

Learn firsthand about another culture without leaving the United States and establish a friendship that will last a lifetime. Many Local high schools are still open to enrollment and encourage Families to get involved. Pacific intercultural exchange has International students from more than 40 countries arriving into the area for home stay programs. They urgently need your help. The Non-profit organization is looking for a few more caring host Families to share the American way of life. If you think you may be interested in hosting a foreign teen -- or would like more Information about the program -- please call P.I.E. immediately at 1-800-828-9001 or visit them on the web at www.pieusa.org.

HEAP INFO
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging offers a Home Energy Assistance Program to senior citizens that is funded through Dutchess County Department of Social Services. HEAP provides assistance with home energy needs for low income, older individuals and families. Senior citizens who are in an emergency situation (those without heating fuel and/or those with a scheduled heat related utility shut off) may also be eligible for emergency assistance.  Anyone with an emergency or questions about HEAP should call the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at 845.486.2555. For more information about the HEAP program, visit the website at http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm. If you have received HEAP benefits in the past, you can submit an application online at www.otda.state.ny.us by clicking on the HEAP link.

The Food Pantry at Dutchess Outreach is in DIRE need of donations to help families in the Hudson Valley right now. Please help with any canned and non-perishable food items as well household items and necessities like diapers and formula. The Food Pantry at Dutchess Outreach is located at 29 north Hamilton Street Poughkeepsie 12601...Or call 454-3792 for more info. AARP Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Needs Volunteers 

DIAL A RIDE SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR SENIOR TRANSPORTATION

Looking for transportation? Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb transportation service, designed to serve senior citizens and individuals under 60 who have a physical or mental disability which prevents them from using the regular LOOP buses.   There have been recent improvements in the service including the availability for Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park users to go to Fishkill. There are also additional call takers available for scheduling trips. In order to utilize Dial A Ride, users must be a resident of, and have a trip origin in the towns of Beekman; Dover; East Fishkill;  Fishkill; Hyde Park; LaGrange; Pleasant Valley; Poughkeepsie; Red Hook; Union Vale; Wappinger;  or the City of Poughkeepsie. Individuals must be 60+ years of age OR have a physical or mental disability verified by a physician. In order to access Dial-A-Ride, an individual must have an identification card and number. The number identifies the individual as an eligible rider when he or she calls for a trip reservation. To determine eligibility it is required that an individual fill out an application. Dial-A-Ride staff will verify an individual's eligibility and notify each individual, by mail, as to their eligibility status. Eligibility due to disability will be verified via a Medical Doctor's note.  If eligible for DIAL-A-RIDE service, an identification card and additional information on the DIAL-A-RIDE service will be forwarded, by mail, to the individual. Anyone over age 60 is automatically eligible. Applications are available by calling Dial A Ride at 452-7433 or online at http://www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Planning/PLdialaride.htm There are suggested contributions for using Dial A Ride. The schedule is as follows: one-way within a municipality $ .75 round trip within a municipality
 $1.25, one-way between municipalities $1.00, round trip between municipalities $1.75.

FRIENDSHIP CENTER LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging’s Senior Friendship Center at Forrestal Heights in Beacon is open to all seniors over the age of 60.  The center (one of ten located throughout the county) is open Monday through Friday from 10 AM – 2 PM and offers seniors a nutritious midday meal as well as opportunities for socialization and a variety of other activities.  Free transportation is available in the Beacon area for seniors who are homebound.  Seniors who attend the center are able to take advantage of shopping trips, exercise classes, theme parties, health screenings, nutrition counseling and much more. To make a reservation to attend the Beacon Senior Friendship Center , call 838-4871 or contact the Dutchess County Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555 for the Senior Friendship Center nearest you.  Information on all of our services can be found on the Office for the Aging website: www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm. 

Are you interested in giving back to your community and gaining leadership skills for the future while making new friends and having lots of fun?  Are you a young woman (or parent of a young woman) between 12 and 21? Then this is the opportunity you have been waiting for.  The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in looking to restart an assembly in Dutchess County .  Rainbow for Girls is part of the Masonic family of fraternal service organizations.  The R.H. Meyer Assembly, which formerly met in Poughkeepsie and Pleasant Valley , will be meeting in Wappingers Falls .  For additional information regarding the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and this Assembly, please send an email to rhmeyer1@gmail.com , check out New York State Rainbow Girls website at www.nyiorg.org  or call (845) 889-8119.

VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED FOR MEAL DELIVERY
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging is looking for new volunteers to supplement the Dutchess County Home Delivered Meals program.  Volunteer drivers deliver over 300 nutritious meals each weekday just before the noontime hour.  Drivers usually volunteer one day a week for one hour or less, to deliver from one of 10 Senior Friendship Centers located through-out the county.  Drivers use their own vehicle, but can be reimbursed for mileage. Call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555, toll free at (866) 486-2555 or email us at ofa@co.dutchess.ny.us for more information.  Visit our website for details on all of our services and programs: www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm.

MEDICARE PART D HELP AT AVAILABLE AT LOCAL LIBRARIES                                                                        Dutchess County Office for the Aging has teamed up with the Mid-Hudson Library System to offer Medicare counseling for seniors at their local libraries.    Trained volunteers and staff from the Health Insurance Information Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) have been gearing up for this project and are ready to assist Medicare recipients.  Medicare recipients are able to get individualized information about the new prescription drug plans, EPIC and other health insurance concerns. Residents of Dutchess County who are interested in meeting a HIICAP counselor at a local library or at the Office for the Aging can call the D.C. Office for the Aging to set up an appointment for an individual counseling session at 845-486-2555, toll free at (866) 486-2555 or email us at ofa@co.dutchess.ny.us  .  Visit our website for details on all of our services and programs: www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm. 

Appointment-only Car Seat Checks:

Listings from Dutchess County are courtesy of the Dutchess County Traffic Safety Board, reachable via email at  trafficsafety@co.dutchess.ny.us, or at (845) 486-3602.

The Ulster County Sheriff's Department conducts periodic car-seat checks at its substations in Kingston (Schwenk Dr.), Esopus, Accord and Shandaken - for all locations, call Investigator Debra Prusack at 338-3640 to learn more.

If you're part of a local law-enforcement organization or fire department, or any other organization that currently takes part in regular or one-time safety seat checks, we would LOVE to hear from you. Email the Cumulus Poughkeepsie  newsroom with your scheduled events at newsroom@pendellrd.com, or call the newsroom at (845) 471-1500, ext. 141, and we'll post your information in this space and promote it heavily!

In the meantime, parents and officers alike can search this page from the National Highway Transport Safety Administration for an inspection station near you! New York State information can also be found at www.safeny.com, which has statewide listings for permanent car-seat checks.

OFFICE FOR AGING NEEDS VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

 The Dutchess County Office for the Aging is looking for volunteer drivers to become part of our Home Delivered Meals program.  Drivers volunteer to deliver weekday meals just before the noontime hour, usually one day a week for one hour or less, from one of our 10 Senior Friendship Centers located throughout the county.  There are openings at all centers, with a special need in the eastern part of Dutchess County in the Millerton, South Amenia and Dover areas.  In addition to providing clients with a hot, nutritious, midday meal, volunteers also provide much needed socialization to isolated, homebound seniors.  Volunteers use their own vehicle, but are reimbursed for mileage. Call the Office for the Aging at (845) 486-2555, toll free at (866) 486-2555 or email us at ofa@co.dutchess.ny.us  for more information.  Visit our website for details on all of our services and programs: www.dutchessny.gov/CountyGov/Departments/Aging/AGIndex.htm 

Interested in working at home with your own children? Ulster County is in need of Family Childcare Providers to offer quality childcare in their own homes. Free information sessions are available monthly from the Child Care Council of Ulster. Call the Child Care Council of Ulster to register for the next Free information session in your area at 845-331-5197.

Support Connection Inc. is a not-for-profit organization offering free and confidential breast and ovarian cancer support groups that meet on a regular basis; individual peer counseling and support; educational and wellness programs; and resource information for women and others affected by breast and ovarian cancer.   

Support Connection’s mission is to provide emotional, social and educational support services to women, their families and friends affected by breast and ovarian cancer. The support provided enables women to help each other and empowers them to become their own healthcare advocates. Based in Yorktown Heights and serving people throughout the country, Support Connection has provided counseling, support and educational services to thousands of women, their families and friends since opening their doors in 1996.  

Support Connection’s trained volunteer support group facilitators and peer counselors are survivors of breast or ovarian cancer. Support Connection is about caring. Each person that reaches out for support is given personalized attention in a warm, compassionate atmosphere.  

In addition to ongoing support groups and peer counseling, Support Connection also offers yoga and meditation classes; educational forums; wellness retreats; resources and referrals; and a 24-hour hotline. (HOTLINE # 914-962-1836; 800-532-4290.)  

For dates and times of support group meetings, and for more information about other services and programs, contact Support Connection at (914) 962-6402 or visit their website at www.supportconnection.org

Prostate Cancer 101, an independent prostate cancer information and support group serving the Mid-Hudson area, offers two programs each month.  On the first Tuesday of each month, a seminar is presented for newly diagnosed men as well as men who have been treated but suffering from side effects, or recurrence.  This seminar is designed as an intimate, discussion group with men who have been through the experiences and share their experience and knowledge with men and their partners. On the third Tuesday of each month, Prostate Cancer 101 presents a distinguished Lecturer who speaks on a topic of interest to men who have been diagnosed and treated for Prostate Cancer. Both of these programs are presented at 4:30 p.m. in the Hurley Reformed Church Hall, in Hurley, NY.  There are no fees associated with these programs presented by the helpful volunteers of this not-for-profit organization. For additional information, call Arlene at 845-338-9229, or Ron at 845-338-8005.

The Lighthouse of the Mid Hudson Valley, based in Poughkeepsie, is now able to cover the cost for vision rehabilitation services to older adults ( 60 years plus) who have moderate vision loss, thanks to a one year grant from the Dyson Foundation. Lighthouse vision services include a low vision exam, optical aids, home visits for vision rehabilitation services, including safe mobility training, and adaptive supplies at home, following established guidelines.  Through these vision services, people with vision impairment learn alternate techniques to accomplish daily tasks safely, travel independently, cope with their loss as well as maximize their remaining vision. For more information about Lighthouse services in the Mid Hudson Valley, please call: 845-473-2660

Northern Dutchess Hospital Support Groups

Women's Cancer Support Group Meets the Fourth Thursday of every month from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Women's View Health Annex. Call 871-4380.

Bariatric Support Group- meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. Call 845-871-4380.

Infant & Pre-School Support Play Group for Parents-Informal support/play group for parents and their children. Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon, Cafeteria Conference Room.  $3/Session. Registration is not required. For additional information, call 871- 3500.

Multiple Sclerosis support group meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at the Thompson House @ 2 p.m. in the Hudson Dining Room.  For individuals in the community living with Multiple Sclerosis. Call 845-871-3760.

Alzheimer's Support Group- meets every second Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Thompson House Conference Room. Call 845-871-3760.

Dutchess County A.W.A.K.E- Sleep Apnea support group- meets the last Thursday of every month 7 p.m. Call 845-871-3611. 

Teen Help line
NO ONE TO TALK TO?  Talk to someone who cares. Call the NEO Teen Helpline. Hours of operation - 2 to 9 PM Eastern Time Mon-Fri. Open at other times when volunteers are available 1800.272.TEEN (8336).

Amputees in the Mid-Hudson Providing Support.                                                                                                        Running the second Thursday of every month from 6pm-8pm.   Amputees (or about to be an Amputee), their family, friends, or anyone effected by limb loss are invited to attend this free meeting.  The purpose of the get together is to share information, education, and common situations in a peer-to-peer setting.  For more information:  call (845) 452-3913.

Are you using LEGAL CHILDCARE? Caring for more than two children requires a registration in New York State Office of Children and Family Services. For more information about legal childcare call The Child Care Council of Ulster, at 845.331.5197. 

Breast Cancer Support groups.

BREAST CANCER OPTIONS PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
The following is a list of ongoing breast cancer support group meetings.  Groups are led by trained breast cancer survivors and overseen by oncology social workers.  All of our services are free and all information is confidential.. Please call to make sure group locations have not changed or meeting cancelled due to inclement weather. 845/339-4673 www.breastcanceroptions.org

Support group for Crohn's and Colitis:  Please be advised that on the second Wednesday of every month there will be a support group in this area for individuals suffering from Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis and their families.   For more information on the upcoming month’s meeting:  Wednesday October 11th, 7pm-9pm at Benedictine Hospital Senior Residence Building Administration Building Conference Room, signs will be posted.