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TARCOG News
| Serving People: Have you seen TARCOG lately? |
| In between visits to client’s homes or nursing homes, helping reduce prescription medication costs, and all of the services TARCOG provides, the staff also spends time on community education through special presentations and participation in health fairs or others community events. “It’s an important part of what we do to make sure people in the communities that we serve know that not only we are here to help but the different ways in which we can help,” said TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey. It’s so important, the agency is giving the outreach efforts a new name, TARCOG Cares. To streamline the process of what the agency participates in there is a new online form that can be filled out to make the request. “In the past, different people throughout the agency have been contacted about different events and we’d like to make the process easier with all of the requests being directed to one person,” Sheila said. | TARCOG at the Jackson County Health Expo in January. |
| Let’s talk about: Senior Employment |
| Senior Center Spotlight: East Limestone |
| Sometimes, it’s the simplest of reasons people have for visiting their local senior center. Take Dan Champion, 83, for example. “I’m hungry. It’s the middle of the day and I’m here,” Dan said while sitting with a table of friends who couldn’t agree more including Beecher Griffitts, 86, Bill Self, 82, and Hans Riveros, 86. “It’s all good, some are better than others, but I don’t complain because I don’t have to cook it and the price is right,” Beecher added. Across the room, Faye Sangerman, 73 and Debbie Collins, 64, have their own card game going. They love the socialization the center offers. “I don’t want to stay at home all the time,” Debbie said. “I was a substitute teacher for a while and for a while I just wanted to stay at home all the time but then I realized how important is to get out and be around other people.” Faye said she likes that it’s easy to be at the East Limestone Center.“I don’t feel like it too structured, it’s very comfortable here,” she added. Read more | Playing games that keep the mind sharp are just one of the draws at the East Limestone Senior Center. |
| Employee of the Month: Jelisa Simon |
| Jelisa Simon has been with TARCOG a short time but has already made a big impact by helping save the life of a coworker. During her first month on the job in a newly created position at the agency, as a Registered Nurse Case Manager, a coworker fell ill in the office restroom. Jelisa sprang into action and handled the crisis with skill, care and compassion. After the coworker was taken by HEMSI ambulance to the hospital, staff could be overheard saying – “Now that’s the employee of the month!” And expressing thankfulness for having someone on staff with her skills. The coworker returned to work within a couple of days and Jelisa is settling into her role.Read more | Registered Nurse Case ManagerJelisa Simon |
| MORE NEWS |
 | UPDATE ON NEW OFFICE It’s been two months since the groundbreaking and our new TARCOG office building is starting to take shape. The foundation slab was poured on April 10!OPENINGS on Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Advisory Board If you are interested in economic and small development in the TARCOG Region and live or work in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties. Anyone interested in participating on the RLF Advisory Board may contact Leslie Wright at 256-830-0818, or by email. IT IS TIME TO PLAN for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant applications that are due this summer. While there are questions about funding sources, the application process remains open. We encourage you to reach out to the TARCOG Economic Development & Planning staff if you are interested in submitting a project in the areas of infrastructure repair/expansion, planning activities, and potential construction projects depending on the end goal. We are here to help, just call 256-830-0818 for the Economic & Development Planning staff. |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
 | We’re looking forward to seeing everyone at TARCOG”S Senior Fun Fest set for Tuesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center at 4925 Moores Mill Road in Huntsville. Advance tickets are $5 and may be purchased at any senior center in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, or, at the TARCOG Office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. For more information call TARCOG at 830-0818. Advance ticket sale prices end Friday, May 2. After May 2, and on the day of the event, tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event for $7. |
Your TARCOG E-Newsletter for March
| Senior Fun Fest 2025 Set for May Senior Fun Fest, put on annually by TARCOG and the Madison County Commission is set for Older Americans Month in May.Dust off your boots because TARCOG is preparing for its annual Older Americans Month celebration in May. The 38th Annual Senior Fun Fest will have a western Rodeo Roundup theme. It’s going to be a fun-filled day for up to 1,500 seniors from DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, said Sheila Dessau-Ivey, TARCOG’s director of aging programs. Senior Fun Fest is sponsored annually by TARCOG and the Madison County Commission, with ticket sales and other local businesses also providing financial support to offset costs. Senior Fun Fest tickets will go on sale April 1, for the event scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Alabama A&M Agribition Center at 4921 Moores Mill Road in Huntsville. Advance tickets are $5 and may be purchased at any senior center in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties, or, at the TARCOG Office at 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 450, in Huntsville. For more information call TARCOG at 830-0818. Advance ticket sale prices end Friday, May 2. After May 2, and on the day of the event, tickets may be purchased at the door on the day of the event for $7. “We are excited to see residents from the TARCOG region get together in one place for a day of fun, entertainment and food,” Sheila said. “This is an event our entire TARCOG staff works on for several months each year to create a special day to celebrate our aging population”Read the story |
| Growing the Economy: Revolving Loan Fund At Work |
| Let’s talk about: Hospital to Home |
| Senior Center Spotlight: Geraldine |
| Debra Whitten likes to exercise to stay in shape as she ages and serves as a caregiver for her husband. One of the places she depends on is the Geraldine Senior Center. “I thank God for letting me get up and do what I do every day,” Debra, 67, said. “Sometimes it’s the simple things, like walking in the park and chatting with a friend that makes the day go better.” It’s a common thread at the Geraldine Senior Center where about 15-18 people gather each weekday morning. When Annette Rowell retired in 2012 from TS Tech Automotive, she and her husband Punkin were walking the track at the town park just outside the Geraldine Homemakers Building, where the Senior Center is located. He stopped to use the restroom and saw an aunt, a cousin and some friends inside. But that’s not all. “I was out there walking, and he was in here getting me a part-time job!” Annette, now 76, explained.Read more | Annette Rowell is the manager of the Geraldine Senior Center. |
| Employee of the Month: Alexis Baker |
| Alexis Baker gets to help qualified Medicaid clients living in nursing homes move back to independent living. It’s easy to see she loves what she does when she talks about it. Alexis has worked at TARCOG for two years as the transition coordinator for the Gateway to Community Living Program. The program is a Medicaid-funded, targeting Medicaid recipients in a nursing home setting who are ready to transition back to living on their own in the community. She covers 26 nursing homes in six different counties. If a candidate meets the qualifications, Alexis assists a client find and obtain housing, furnishings, medical equipment, household supplies, utilities — whatever is need to set up the home with basic housing needs to ensure their health and safety needs are met. Read more | Gateway to Community Living Transition Coordinator, Alexis Baker |
| MORE NEWS |
Planning for the future Pine Ridge is one of the smallest towns in DeKalb County proving that no matter your town’s size, it’s important to plan for the future. The town just completed its first Comprehensive Plan. The process started in March 2024 and was officially adopted by the Town Council in February 2025. Read more |
 From left, TARCOG Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey, Executive Director Michelle Jordan, Student Brooklyn Brittain, Case Manager Bailey Frank and Medicaid Waiver Program Manager Melissa Brinkley. | Job shadowing at TARCOG Brooklyn Brittian, a graduating senior attending St. John Paul II Catholic High School (JPII) in Huntsville spent March 4 and 6 with TARCOG case managers to learn more about the work they do. Brooklyn expressed an interest in working with older adults, so doing a job shadow with TARCOG case manager’s made perfect sense. Brooklyn shadowed Sarita Chaloupka and Bailey Frank and experienced several aspects of their jobs firsthand. Brooklyn will be attending the University of Alabama in the fall and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors! |
| UPCOMING EVENTS |
| Find a new career opportunity at TARCOG’s 2025 Invitational Career Fair set for April 3. Read more |
| CONNECT256-830-0818P.O. Box 1087Huntsville, AL 35805 |
February News from NARCOG
| FEBRUARY NEWS: LOVE & SECURITY NARCOG has been busy working on a study for the City of Moulton, organizing future events, and spreading the love. Check out what we’ve been doing in February!Visit our Website |
| Spreading Love, One Card At A Time |
| February is often celebrated as the month of love, but love extends far beyond romantic relationships. This year, NARCOG partnered with several schools across the region to bring joy to nursing home and assisted living facility residents through heartfelt, handmade cards. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE |  |
| Protect Yourself: Annual Fraud Summit |
| Did you know that elder fraud is on the rise, costing older adults billions of dollars each year? Scammers are getting smarter, and it’s more important than ever to stay informed and protect yourself from fraud and identity theft. NARCOG is hosting its Annual Fraud Summit, an event designed to empower older adults with the knowledge and tools to recognize scams and avoid becoming a victim. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE |  |
| Moulton Parking and Pedestrian Facilities Study |
| The NARCOG planning staff is currently working on the Downtown Moulton Parking and Pedestrian Facilities Study, a key initiative under our FY2025 Work Program for the Rural Planning Organization (RPO). This study will focus on evaluating and enhancing parking and pedestrian infrastructure in Downtown Moulton, particularly around the historic courthouse square. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE |  |
| Be A Voice For Residents: Ombudsman Volunteers Needed |
| Our Regional Ombudsman works to protect residents’ rights, ensuring they receive fair treatment and quality care. We’re looking for caring volunteers to help support seniors and individuals with disabilities in long-term care settings. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE |  |
| Annual Older Americans Month Luau |
| Join us on Wednesday, May 14, at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion in Decatur for a festive celebration honoring individuals 60 and older who live or work in Cullman, Lawrence, and Morgan County. The festivities will begin at 9:30 AM and continue until noon, featuring a delicious lunch, refreshing shaved ice, exciting door prizes, and plenty of fun photo opportunities and games. Guests will also enjoy live music from The Cadillacs, a group known for their energetic performances of classic 50s and 60s Doo Wop hits. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE |  |