History of Putnam Aging Program, Inc.
1975
The West Virginia Commission On Aging suggested to the Putnam County Commission that all programs serving the elderly be
combined into one office with one director and the Commission On Aging would become the sponsor, funding $10,000.00. Rosalind
Dickson was employed as Director of Putnam Aging over Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and Title III-B. Putnam
County Extension kept the Nutrition Program under Multi-Cap. The Office is located in one room in the basement of the Putnam
County Courthouse in Winfield.
1977
Putnam Aging bid on the Nutrition Program, was not approved. The decision was appealed and denied.
1978
Putnam Aging bid on the Nutrition Program for Putnam County only, thereby separating Putnam County from the four county
area Nutrition Program. The bid was not approved, the decision was appealed and won. A nutrition Grant of $43,590.00 for 27,500
meals was awarded. Norma Gibson was employed as Nutrition Director at a nutrition site in Hometown, (the site of the old Hometown
Elementary School), where 30 meals were prepared at Hometown, 20 meals were catered to the Hurricane Methodist Church and
20 meals were catered to the Buffalo Town Hall. A $30,000.00 grant is funded by Title XX of the Social Security Act to supplement
the Home Delivered Meal Program, which at the time allowed only 10% of congregate meals to be home delivered meals.
1979
Putnam Aging moves its Hurricane congregate meal site from the Methodist Church to the former Fire Station. Funds are obtained
from the West Virginia Commission On Aging to renovate and equip the nutrition site. Food preparation begins at Hurricane.
Nutrition State and Federal funds of $43,590.00 for 37,500 meals.
1980
The Hurricane Senior Center is built with grants from the West Virginia Commission On Aging of $67,500.00 and the Putnam
County Commission of $250,000.00. The new Senior Center is named for County Commissioner John D. Henson. The office moves
into a store front with two rooms across the street from the Putnam County Courthouse in Winfield.
1981
Putnam County Commission purchases residence adjacent to the John Henson Senior Center in Hurricane.
1982
Meals are catered to Winfield from the John Henson Senior Center in Hurricane
and to Poca from the Hometown Senior Center.
1983
Putnam County Commission funds Putnam Aging $131,840.00. In August of 1983 the
idea of buying the Board house in Buffalo from Appalachian Electric Power Company to be used as a Buffalo Senior Center is
conceived.
1984
Putnam Aging funded $69,511 for 94,290 meals from the West Virginia Commission
On Aging.
1985
The Hurricane property beside the John Henson Senior Center was lost due to a
technicality on the deed search. The Buffalo Senior Center opened with $49,000.00 from the West Virginia Commission On Aging
and $12,500.00 raised by the seniors in Buffalo.
On September 25, 1985 Putnam Aging Program, Inc became a non-profit agency with
a Board of Directors.
1987
The Main Office moves from the storefront in Winfield to the Social Service complex
in Teays Valley with three offices.
1988
The Brookdale Foundation of New York City awards a grant to Putnam Aging for an Alzheimer Respite Program, one of nine
grants awarded nation wide. Alzheimer Respite program started at the John Henson senior Center in Hurricane.
1989
May - In Home Care Program began.
October - Meal reimbursement implemented, Putnam Aging loses $7,000.00, Multi-Cap loses $90,000.00.
1990
February - Multi-Cap terminates contract with Region III Area Agency on Aging as the nutrition provider in Boone, Clay
and Kanawha counties. Region III Area Agency on Aging runs the nutrition program.
September - Rosalind Dickson was selected as the first West Virginia Aging Program Director to attend a three week National
Leadership Institute on Aging Conference in Denver, Colorado. Putnam Aging bids on nutrition program in Boone, Clay, Kanawha
and Putnam counties, bid approved for Putnam County only. Putnam Aging appeals and loses appeal.
December - Region III Area Agency on Aging goes bankrupt. Putnam Aging requested to administer Boone, Clay and Kanawha
nutrition programs by the West Virginia Commission On Aging, a one million dollar grant.
1991
February - West Virginia Legislature reduces the 9 Area Agencies on Aging to 4.
April - Putnam Aging is requested to administer the Fayette Senior Programs.
July - Putnam Aging is requested to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program (Title V) in Boone, Clay,
Kanawha and Putnam counties for 3 months until it is put to bid in October.
October - Lost bid on the Senior Community Service Employment Program (Title V) to the National Council on Aging. Putnam
Aging appealed the bid. Commission On Aging compromised by having the Title V Program go back out to bid in July of 1992.
Putnam Aging is now under two Area Agencies on Aging, 1) Appalachian Area Agency on Aging for Fayette County; and 2) METRO
Area Agency on Aging for Clay, Kanawha and Putnam counties. CORE Management is formed comprised of 9 members of the Directors
of Senior Program State Association Executive Committee, the four Area Agency on Aging Directors and the staff of the Commission
on Aging.
Agency Budget balloons from $500,000.00 to 3 million in a six month period.
1992
April - Core Management votes that the local Aging Programs in Boone, Clay and Kanawha Counties be given the option of
operating the nutrition program in their respective county. This decision was appealed to Dr. Brown, Director of the Commission
On Aging. The option was stopped with the understanding that the nutrition programs would be put out to bid in October of
1993.
July - Won the Senior Community Service Employment Program (Title V) bid.
1993
June - Putnam Aging bids on Boone, Clay, Fayette, and Kanawha successfully. Due to a new State funding formula a large
amount of funds were shifted to Kanawha County at a cost of $50,000.00 to Boone County and a $40,000.00 to Clay County.
1995
Putnam Aging relinquishes Boone County Nutrition Program due to heavy financial losses.
1997
In October, Putnam Aging purchases and renovates old Department of Natural Resources Building at 694 Winfield Road, where
the Central Office will be housed.
1999
January - Executive Director Rosalind Dickson terminated by Board of Directors. Dr. Robert Parkins named as Interim Director.
April - Dr. Robert Parkins is terminated as Interim Director, Shirley Meadows (RSVP Director) is Person in Charge until
a Director is hired.
July
- Rebecca Mick hired as Executive Director.
December
- Unionization of the Home Care Employees.
2000
RSVP
Director retires, new RSVP Director hired.
2001
Putnam Aging starts the Family Caregiver Support Program in the John Henson Senior Center
The RSVP Grant is not renewed due to the RSVP Director (Tammy O’Neil) not submitting the Grant Papers in a timely
fashion. The RSVP Director is terminated.
2002
September - Rebecca Mick, Executive Director resigns. A Management Team consisting of Debra Doss, Leah Henson and Cindy
Meadows will be in charge until a Director can be hired.
December - Began Union Contract renegotiation, SEIU/1199 ask for an extension until March 2003.
2003
January - Clinton "Bud" Beaver is hired as Interim Director.
March
- Union contract was renegotiated, good until December 2006.
September - Building is hit by a vehicle, extensive damage, no injuries but will require major reconstruction.
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