The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Pasco County Senior Services

Reaching out to help those with special needs

By

Even in the best of times, navigating through government bureaucracy can be challenging.

But for people with special needs, that becomes even more daunting during a global pandemic.

A virtual town hall hosted on April 29 by Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore and Pasco County School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin aimed at helping individuals and families find the resources they need, while managing life under new circumstances.

They were joined in the virtual town hall by panelists:

  • Dr. Monica Verra-Tirado, chief of the bureau of exceptional student education and student services at the Florida Department of Education
  • Darcy McDowell, director of student accessibility services at Pasco-Hernando State College
  • Celeste Kellar, principal at Pepin Academies Pasco campus, a school that specializes in serving students with special needs.

Pasco Commission Chair Moore addressed issues of concern relating to services available from county government, while the other experts focused on education and related services.

Pasco County School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin offered reassuring words for parents who are struggling to help their special needs children, during this time of distance learning. (File)

Beaudoin offered reassuring words for parents.

“Some families have expressed concern about keeping the instructional momentum going at home and fear that their students will regress,” Beaudoin said. “Please try not to worry. There is a plan in place to address that.

“Pasco County Schools is prioritizing compassion and grace. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s teachers, if your family is feeling frustrated or overwhelmed. We all want what is best for all of our students. There is a lot of support that’s available to students and families.”

Questions also have been raised about how special services are being provided now, during this time of online learning.

Verra-Tirado addressed that issue.

She said the state has been clear that students are expected to continue to receive the special services they would receive in a traditional setting.

“The good news is that we’ve got a lot of new technologies that allow for the use of platforms, such as telehealth, in order for our teachers and therapists to provide a wide range — a continuum of services — in this very unique time,” Verra-Tirado said.

Kellar said Pepin Academies students  “are still getting their necessary services that they need, through the tele-therapies. We are making sure that their accommodations are met,” she said, just like they would be in the classroom.

McDowell said Pasco-Hernando State College also is providing accommodations for students online.

“We have used Zoom a lot for our courses,” McDowell said, noting that allows face-to-face interactions.

Beaudoin said the Pasco school district is reaching out to families, individually about their services and therapies.

“I can say that my son did get his speech therapy this week, via Zoom,” she said.

If for some reason a family hasn’t already heard from their school, they should contact their school, she said.

The panelists also addressed the issue of parents trying to balance tele-working and the special education needs of their son or daughter.

Verra-Tirado addressed that question: “I can tell that’s been the main comment that I’ve received from parents during this time.

“My advice to them is that they need to balance what they’re doing with what their children are doing.

“It takes them being scheduled, just like their children are being scheduled.

“Schedule the more difficult work their child is doing, when their workload is not as heavy.

“That’s real stressor for a lot of our families. I’ve told them, it’s not worth stressing out for. We’re going to try to balance it as best we can.”

McDowell, who has a daughter with autism,  offered this advice: “Take breaks.”

“We’ve just taken it one day at a time, and honestly, what’s really worked for me is reaching out to friends and family,” McDowell said, noting she belongs to a Facebook group for moms with kids with special needs.

Beaudoin advised parents to break down the work into manageable chunks, and to schedule the work in a way that works best for them.

“Keep in mind, we have a lot of flexibility. Just reach out to your child’s teacher. Our administrators and our teachers know that they have flexibility, and they’re going to work with families.

“Don’t wait until you’re feeling so frustrated and upset. Just reach out and you can make adjustments,” Beaudoin said.

She also recommended seeking out support groups, which can provide excellent information about resources that are available.

Provide opportunities to ‘virtually socialize’
Others asked for guidance on how to keep kids motivated, and how to create opportunities for them to interact with friends, while away from school.

As for socializing, McDowell said her daughter Skypes with friends and in-laws, and plays online games.

Her daughter also interacts with others via phone, Chat, Zoom and FaceTime.

Having ways for students to see each other and their teacher is important, Kellar said.

“That social aspect of education is a huge part, that you forget about it sometimes, you’re so concentrated on getting the curriculum,” she said.

Verra-Tirado agreed:  “We’re hearing that all over the state. That can completely change a youngster’s day.”

When students are able to see teachers and friends, it’s reassuring to students, she said.

If parents or grandparents don’t know how to work the technologies, they should reach out to their schools. They can help families, the education experts said.

Another question was posed regarding whether students can repeat the grade.

The experts said that requires a close evaluation before a determination could be made.

Beaudoin put it this way: “That is a major decision and one that should not be made lightly.”

Commission Chairman Moore touched on some issues of interest to the elderly, and also regarding people requiring a special needs shelter, in the event of a hurricane.

He responded to a question relating to senior citizens who have disabilities who do not have access to a computer for ordering groceries.

“We have a nonprofit here in Pasco County called CARES and they’re offering grocery service for seniors over 60 years old. The service itself is free, but the senior prepares a grocery list or a loved one at home helps prepare that grocery list, and they do pay for their groceries. They’re also providing care packages and toiletries,” he said.

To find out more, call (727) 862-9291.

Moore also told viewers that Pasco County Senior Services also provides meals.

The commission chairman also said: “It is getting close to hurricane season. Now is the time if you or a loved one or a child has special needs, to go ahead and register for the special needs program when it comes to evacuations.”

To find out more about having groceries delivered, call (727) 862-9291.

To find out more about senior services, call (727) 834-3340.

To register for special needs evacuation, go to the county’s website at PascoCountyFl.net.

Resources for families with special needs
Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is a valuable resource for students with disabilities. The main page is http://www.fdlrs.org

Within FDLRS there are virtual webinars parents can attend and there are also recorded webinars posted:  http://www.fdlrs.org/virtual_webinar_resources

Here’s the parent toolbox and live chat options with FDLRS:  http://www.livebinders.com/b/2646931

Here’s the parent toolbox for Pasco:  http://www.livebinders.com/b/2646931

Melissa Musselwhite, director of student support services in Pasco County Schools, has recorded a video specifically for families of students with disabilities. It can be found at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyGBas2jsAo

All school District videos are here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg2EPgrZtxyZPdaprLgSqpQ

Other helpful resources:

Published May 13, 2020

Stepping forward to help, in time of need

By

These are not normal times and the community is responding to surging needs in light of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and Firefighters Charities of Pasco joined together to purchase $10,000 of nonperishable food items, as well as toilet paper, tissues and paper towels — to help Pasco County seniors.

Helpers in a food drive effort sort out food. (Courtesy of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel)

The two groups collaborated with Pasco County Senior Services’ center based in Land O’ Lakes, to ensure seniors in the Central Pasco community are helped during this unique time in the history of the United States.

The Land O’ Lakes senior center serves 84 seniors, Monday through Friday.

The food drive organizers also partnered with a local food pantry operated in the Angus Valley community of Wesley Chapel, by Life Church. The pantry is located at Life Community Center.

The donated food bags include pasta, yellow rice, black beans, fruit cups, applesauce, tomato sauce, cereal, oatmeal, tuna, fruit snacks, animal crackers, white kidney beans, chewy bars and cookies.

The pantry items, which are in large bulk, include tuna, pasta, animal crackers, fruit cups, ravioli, beans, cereal and pasta sauce.

Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the Firefighters Charity of Pasco teamed up to feed the hungry, to help ensure that elderly people and those suffering from financial hardships have access to food during these trying times. (Courtesy of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel)

Goodwill Industries Suncoast Inc., also is stepping forward to help collect food during this record time of unemployment. They are collecting food for Feeding Tampa Bay’s community food outreach program.

All Goodwill-Suncoast retail stores in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties will be collection points for nonperishable food donations.

Items most needed include canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter and canned chicken.

Those wishing to help are asked to leave donated items in carts outside of the stores.

The food drive is being conducted April 15 through April 30. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m., on Sunday. For store locations, visit Goodwill-suncoast.org/store-locations/.

While some groups are focusing on food needs, volunteers from the GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club are making masks for first responders.

Numerous members are involved with picking up and dropping off supplies they can find, to allow the mask production to continue.

Meanwhile, employees of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office are making a point to purchase items at local businesses to help them weather the financial blow the pandemic has caused, and Sheriff Chris Nocco and members of his team are featured in department videos, offering suggestions intended to help people through the crisis.

Volunteers with the GFWC Woman’s Club of Wesley Chapel are working around the clock to make masks for first responders. Shown here are some of the masks they made. (Courtesy of GFWC Woman’s Club of Wesley Chapel)

“We don’t know how long this will last. I know people are frustrated being at home. They’re frustrated by being on the couch, and especially for parents having those little ones constantly running around.

“But, please continue to follow the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines. Stay at home. Keep social distancing. If you’re sick, stay inside and quarantine yourself,” Nocco said. “We have to do this to flatten the curve because it’s not going to be over next week. It’s an extended period of time.

Nocco also informed the public that they will be seeing deputies wearing masks.

“They have the option, like you, to follow the CDC guidelines. Please understand, it doesn’t mean they have symptoms of COVID-19, nor the person they are interacting with has symptoms of COVID-19.

These are some of the volunteers from the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel and the Firefighters Charity of Pasco who helped in the food drive to feed the hungry. (Courtesy of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel)

“They’re just taking precautions like they want to, like you can, following the CDC guidelines.

The sheriff also encouraged parents to keep a close eye on the social media their children are using.

“Be nosy. Get involved,” he urged parents. “Unfortunately, we’ve found incidents where young girls, under age, were meeting up with adult males. So, please get on those social media sites. Know what they are doing.”

The sheriff’s office also has videos featuring department employees talking about the issues of maintaining mental health and de-escalating stressful situations during these difficult times.

To find out more, visit the department’s Facebook Page and click on the videos tab.

Local sources of help include:

Feeding Tampa Bay
Visit the website to find a pantry: FeedingTampaBay.org/find-a-pantry/

Life Community Center, 6542 Applewood Drive, Wesley Chapel
Services available include:

  • Laundry and showers for the homeless by appointment. Call (813) 994-0685.
  • Drive-thru hot meal Tuesday, from noon to 1 p.m.
  • Limited access to printing and faxing as needed. Call (813) 994-0685.
  • Food ministry/pantry drive-thru, Friday from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Emergency food boxes on case-by-case basis. Call (813) 994-0685.

TelePals

  • Free program that provides telephone reassurance to seniors
  • If you enjoy, value and love our seniors, if you love listening to their great stories or heartfelt advice, if you love engaging in conversation and knowing that you are bringing happiness to a senior simply by listening and caring on the phone – this may be just the volunteer opportunity you’ve been seeking.
  • Go to TelePalNow.org to apply to be a TelePal (A person who makes a phone call) or a TeleClient (A person who receives a call).
  • Training, a background check and monthly crosschecks are required for all participants.
  • Volunteers must be at least 18 for this program, which operates in Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Want to help?
A new effort has started in Pasco County that’s part of a national initiative.

The Pasco chapter of the Frontline Appreciation Group, FLAG2020Pasco, is raising money to hire local restaurants to prepare meals for frontline employees working in intensive care units in hospitals.

“You know it brings a smile to our frontline workers and it helps our local restaurants in these challenging times,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who is calling attention to the effort.

To find out more, check the Facebook Group, FLAG2020Pasco.

Published April 15, 2020

State senator offers helping hand for seniors

By

When Jemith Rosa approached State Sen. Wilton Simpson seeking some assistance for a project to help senior citizens, she came away with more than she expected.

Rosa went to Simpson to see if he could help her with her quest for a new, and larger senior center in Dade City.

Simpson, of Trilby, responded to her request by donating 1.7 acres, behind the existing center in downtown Dade City.

Jemith Rosa, left, is joined by State Sen. Wilton Simpson; Dr. Rao Musunuru, CARES board member; and, Lauran Simpson Monbarren. (Courtesy of Melissa Kehler/Community Aging & Retirement Services)

Rosa, who is president and CEO of Community Aging & Retirement Services Inc., couldn’t believe Simpson’s response.

“He looked me straight in my eyes and he said, ‘Jemith, believe it or not, I can make that wish come true immediately.’

“Everything happened in like 30 seconds,” Rosa recounted.

Simpson is a Republican representing District 10, which includes Citrus and Hernando counties, and portions of Pasco County.

A new “One Stop” senior services center is needed because the current facility is too small, Rosa said. The donation of Simpson’s land helps further CARES’ pursuit of a larger facility, Rosa said.

“In East Pasco alone, we have over 600 people waiting for those services,” Rosa said.

CARES is a nonprofit organization, established in 1973, to serve seniors.

It provides senior citizens with activities to stay productive. It also provides physical and occupational therapy, and meals.

The center provides support to caregivers by giving them a place where they can bring their loved ones and know they’ll be in a “secure, beautiful, positive environment,” Rosa said. That gives caregivers a break, so they can take care of themselves, she explained.

CARES’ staff also provides some in-home services as well, which consist of housekeeping, personal care and meal preparation.

And, it provides those seniors with their own emergency response necklace to use in situations such as a fall.

To offer all these services, the organization relies on federal and state grants.

And now, it is trying to raise the money needed to build on the site that Simpson donated.

Rosa envisions a 6,000-square-foot facility to better serve a large number of seniors.

The new building would consist of a resource center where seniors can receive information on how to remain independent.

Rosa hopes the center would have multiple rooms to offer activities and seminars on healthy living. She’d also like to have a case management team available at the center.

Aside from government funding, Rosa said another possible source of support could be a fundraiser.

She also is pursuing a partnership with Pasco County Senior Services to provide adequate dining.

So far, there’s no anticipated date for building the new senior center, but Rosa said Simpson’s donation brings the project a giant step closer to becoming a reality.

“We at CARES, we are so grateful to Senator Simpson, that he has done this for us,” Rosa said.

Published January 15, 2020

Library helps people who want jobs, or to volunteer

By

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library recently was a hub — for those seeking opportunities for paying jobs, or to volunteer.

In fact, the library has a series of events this month, which is set aside as Career Development Month, focused on helping people find work.

On Nov. 7, a  CareerSource Pasco-Hernando bus was parked outside the library, located at 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. Inside the bus was an array of computers to help people find employment opportunities.

David Hamilton, an operations manager for CareerSource Pasco-Hernando, offered patrons at Land O’ Lakes Branch Library advice for using computers to search for jobs. (Brian Fernandes)

David Hamilton is the local CareerSource operations manager who was there to help those dropping by The Mobile One Stop bus.

“My thing is to make sure I can help them apply for the job they want to apply for,” Hamilton explained. “I am looking at the general employment skill and that’s everybody, from no particular education, up to [a] bachelor’s degree.”

His aim is to help applicants find work they would be passionate about, as opposed to showing them a general list of what’s available.

As a 26-year career advisor, Hamilton helps others to create or polish up their resumes and cover letters.

It’s important to use correct grammar and punctuation, he said.

Cover letters, he added, should provide fresh content and not be redundant to what’s in an applicant’s resume.

Job applicants need to research a potential employer before creating the cover letter. It should tailor what that employer is seeking.

Hamilton then noted that Pasco County’s major employment category is retail and service, followed by health care.

But, he also pointed out that there’s more demand for nurses looking for work than for retail store managers.

He said he was there to assist people who may need technical help.

Hamilton also mentioned that those seeking jobs include youth entering the workforce for the first time, those who have been laid off and those moving to a new region.

He did mention that finding a position is more challenging for middle-age job seekers because they’re competing with a younger generation.

Pasco County’s current unemployment rate is at 3.3%,  a drastic decline from its 12.7% peak a decade ago, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

And, with the holiday season approaching, Hamilton expects an increase in job openings.

While Hamilton was helping others find paying jobs, another discussion was taking place inside the library.

At the Social Seniors event inside, those gathered had the chance to learn about multiple ways to become a volunteer.

Social Seniors is geared toward those 55 years old and older who want to take a more active role in their community.

“The Social Seniors is a chance for them (patrons) to come socialize, get some refreshments, maybe learn something new,” said Catherine Seavey, a library branch attendant who helps oversee the program.

Generally, the program allows people age 55 and up to play cards, watch movies, be part of a book club or take part in learning activities.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library also has partnered with Pasco County Senior Services and the Seniors in Service organization, to help those seasoned in age, stay productive.

Attendance at monthly meetings tends to go up when there is a guest speaker, and on this particular day, there were speakers offering advice on how to stay engaged through volunteering.

After retiring, Rick Buzzee, of Land O’ Lakes, joined the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes to be involved in efforts to promote education, diminish poverty and help with community efforts.

“I think you have to stay mentally alert and mentally productive,” Buzzee said, adding there’s a correlation between good health and staying active.

Career Development Month
Where: Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes

When:

  • Personality Development Personality Tests, Nov. 15 from 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
  • Building a Professional Presence online, Nov. 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Dress for Success, Nov. 18 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
  • AmSkills Mobile Innovation Station, Nov. 19 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Mock Interviews. Nov. 21 from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • CareerSource Mobile One Stop bus, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Resume workshop on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Cost: Free

Info: Call (813) 929-1214

Published November 13, 2019

Pasco cuts ribbon on kitchen to feed seniors

By

Nutritious meals that are served to Pasco County seniors will now be made locally.

The meals previously were prepared in St. Petersburg and then trucked over to Pasco County.

Now, the food preparation will be done in a new commercial kitchen at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., center, holding scissors, helped cut the ribbon on the new commercial kitchen at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Pasco County officials cut the ribbon on the new kitchen, at 6801 Wisteria Loop in Land O’ Lakes, on March 26.

About 1,000 meals a day will be produced on-site from the refurbished kitchen.

Some seniors will eat at that center, and some will be served at the other senior centers in Pasco. But, the majority of the meals will be delivered to homebound seniors.

A contract with St. Petersburg-based GA Foods calls for up to 1,600 meals a day to be prepared at the senior center’s kitchen. Pasco County commissioners approved the contract in September 2017.

State funds of about $250,000 paid for the project.

The upgrade in meal preparation and delivery is a public-private partnership with GA Foods, Pasco County’s Elderly Nutrition Division, Pasco County Schools, and area businesses.

The state-of-the-art commercial equipment is from in-kind donations from the school district, and businesses, including Welbilt.

“It’s a great collaborative effort,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. “The goal is that no senior has to wait for service. That’s the goal for me.”

Wells cut the ribbon along with other county and school officials, and county commissioners.

With meals prepared locally, Pasco anticipates an annual cost savings of more than $120,000, and a decrease in the home-delivered waiting list.

Data has shown that one in six seniors in Pasco are food-insecure.

“The Land O’ Lakes kitchen project is an initiative that we’ve strived for several years to realize,” Gabriel Papadopoulos, Pasco’s community services director, said in a news release on the event.

Feeding Pasco’s Elderly is a nonprofit organization that supports funding to Pasco County’s Senior Services Division. The agency helped secure the state funds for the grant.

Gov. Rick Scott previously vetoed the funds in 2015, but the renewed request made it into the fiscal year 2017 state budget.

Published April 4, 2018

New space sought for Zephyrhills Senior Center

By

Pasco County Senior Services is seeking a new location for the Zephyrhills Senior Center, after its abrupt closure at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church.

Last month, the church informed the county it no longer could support the program, citing financial reasons.

The senior center closed on Dec. 31. It been operated at the church since 2010.

The Zephyrhills Senior Center has been located at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church since 2010, but closed on Dec. 31, after the church said it no longer could support the program, citing financial concerns. (File)

Under a public-private agreement, the church lent out its multipurpose space at no cost, while the county provided meals and other services to seniors in the community.

Dozens of residents took advantage of the Zephyrhills programs each day.

Those seniors have since been redirected to the Dade City Senior Center, until the county finds a new facility to support a program in Zephyrhills.

Officials hope to pinpoint a permanent location within the next few weeks, likely under another public-private scenario.

It’s not the first time Zephyrhills seniors have been forced to trek to Dade City to receive meals and services.

The senior space was shut down in September 2016 for kitchen renovations, after black mold was discovered.

The facility reopened nine months later, after a $33,000 makeover fully funded by the church.

Besides Dade City and Zephyrhills, the county’s senior services division operates facilities in Port Richey, New Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes and Shady Hills.

At each facility, hot, balanced meals are served five days a week, free to seniors age 60 and older.

The locales also provide seniors with entertainment and socialization.

Card games, bingo and puzzles were some of the regularly scheduled events at the Zephyrhills Senior Center.

Movies, live music and guest speakers were also presented there each month.

Those broad offerings will remain at the new location, according to Diane Cunningham, senior services manager for Pasco County.

“When we move to the new location, we will continue to offer a variety of activities, exercise, events, trips, nutritional education and nutrition counseling,” Cunningham wrote in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“We are working with other organizations to increase activities and provide more informational programs,” she added.

The Zephyrhills Senior Center has had several locations during its history.

The senior program has also been hosted by First Church of the Nazarene in Zephyrhills and Trinity Church of Wesley Chapel.

From 1993 to 2008, the Zephyrhills Senior Center was located on Airport Road and owned by CARES (Community Aging and Retirement Services) Inc.

Published January 3, 2018