As I write this letter to you, our members, I am concerned about the future of the Butler County Elderly Service Program (ESP). In light of the recent news coverage about an estimated $20 million surplus in the program, I am concerned that the uninformed public could get the wrong impression that in-home services such as meals on wheels, home health aides and transportation are not a need in Butler County.To the contrary – right now nearly 2800 people are receiving ESP services every day and the need for senior assistance continues to grow. But we see evidence that many county residents still don’t know they can ask for assistance from ESP when they are in medical or physical need or face other serious difficulties that challenge their independence.
Often times, voters mistakenly believe that their ‘yes’ vote for ESP sends funds directly to the senior centers, when in fact the levy funds are administered through the Council on Aging, located in Hamilton County. Our agency does not have any authority over the fiscal management of ESP, and we never have. The fiscal management of ESP is and has always been out of our agency’s control. Through a contract initiated between Council on Aging and the Butler County Commissioners, Council on Aging has complete fiscal responsibility for ESP in Butler County. Although we have no fiscal authority concerning the administration of the Butler County Elderly Service Program (ESP), we do provide some of the ESP services under contract to Council on Aging. The contract does not automatically adjust during the year as we adapt to rising gasoline or food prices without reducing the level of quality in our services.
At the time of ESP’s inception in Butler County in 1996, our agency helped initiate ESP and we played a lead role in launching the first levy ballot at that time. Today, our viewpoint remains clear that in-home services provided by ESP play a critical role in the health and wellbeing of older adults until those seniors require the extra care only available in an assisted living or nursing home facility.
In our agency’s role as advocates for area seniors for the past 55 years, we place emphasis on serving older adults in their homes as long as is practical. We believe that the provision of in-home services such as meals on wheels, home health aides and transportation provides a triple win for the community in this way:
Older adults can remain supported in their homes longer, and with just the right amount of assistance provided;
Families and adult children of seniors benefit by remaining connected to their senior loved ones, and can continue to work and provide for their own families when assistance is provided to their loved ones as needed; and
The community at large benefits through vital inter-generational neighborhoods and communities in which seniors remain active.
At this critical time, I urge you to get the facts and learn more about ESP for yourself. I can assure you that you will discover a valuable service that enhances the lives of senior citizens and their families and makes for stronger neighborhoods and communities.
My best,
Steve Schnabl
CEO
Comment Line 867.9176 ext. 258
(touchtone needed)
