Alabama tombigbee area agency on aging

Unit Assignment 7

Chief Executive Interview Analysis

February 26, 2017

Mrs. Evette Woods is the Aging and Disabilities Coordinator for the Alabama Tombigbee Area Agency on Aging Regional Commission which is a non-profit organization that is located in the rural parts of Alabama. I was unable to interview a candidate from the board of directors due to their busy time schedule; however Mrs. Woods was willing to be interviewed. Mrs. Woods’ position is to screen clients for services outside or within the agency. Mrs. Woods stated that she always wanted to go into the medical field; however her current position allowed her to help people in a different way. Over the past 3 to 5 years the agency has provided in-home services for many people that live alone, people without family support, as well as hot and frozen meals for people not being able to cook for themselves at home. Mrs. Woods stated one thing that she loves about the agency is that it allows the opportunity for people to remain independent without going into the nursing home.

Mrs. Woods stated that one strength is the ability to communicate with educated clients or clients that may have limited education. One weakness of the agency is the location of being in a rural area and not being able to reach as many people as they would like to. Mrs. Woods stated that another weakness of the Medicaid Waiver Program is that it takes a while to see if potential clients would be approved or denied for services. The agency has to wait on an answer before services can begin. The agency does not suffer from any threats from competitors in the area because the home health agencies serve as a helpmate to ensure that needs are being met until the potential client is approve or denied for services. The current work environment is great and everyone works together to help the clients which helps to maintain collective effort.

Mrs. Woods stated that she does not handle budgeting or financial affairs for the agency; however the state program determines the operating budget for the agency due to each program being different. Mrs. Woods stated that Medicaid and the Rx Program that they offer is state funded. The Ombudsman Program is federally and state funded. Through research, “Activities involved in managing finances may include the following: budgeting, which encompasses preparing and reviewing a budget package, submitting the budget package to the Department of Finance, documenting amendments and performance of the budget, and reporting in established budget status categories to the Department of Finance; purchasing, which encompasses requisitioning and purchasing supplies and equipment, receipting and invoicing for goods, and authorizing payment for products received; accounting for the expenditure, encumbrance, disbursement, and reconciliation of funds within the agency’s budget through a uniform system of accounting and reporting; authorizing travel; contracting with companies or individuals; bidding for products and services; and assisting the Examiners of Public Accounts in the audit process” (Alabama Department of Senior Services, 2014).

Also through research, it was discovered that the Area Agency on Aging falls under The Alabama Department of Senior Services which formulates an operating budget each year. “The Department of Senior Services is under the direction and control of the Board of Directors of the Department of Senior Services. This board is composed of 16 members as follows: two members of the Senate appointed by the president of the Senate; two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House; the commissioner of the Alabama Department of Labor, the state health officer, and the commissioner of the Department of Human Resources as ex officio members; and nine members appointed by the governor. The governor appoints an executive director and confidential secretary. The executive director serves at the pleasure of the governor. The executive director, subject to the merit system law, appoints such other personnel as may be necessary. The department oversees the thirteen area agencies on aging, which act as grantee agencies serving their respective areas” (Alabama Department of Senior Services, 2014).

References:

· Alabama Department of Senior Services. (2014, April 23). Retrieved February 27, 2017, from http://www.archives.alabama.gov/officials/rdas/SnrSvc_RDA_Rev_2014_Final.pdf