Archive | January, 2013

 This afternoon, I had an exciting opportunity to meet with Douglas Simpson, information resources manager at The Senior Alliance.

 The purpose of the meeting was to help me get a handle on my ever burning question:

What does The Senior Alliance do?

 Prior to the meeting, I knew that The Senior Alliance (TSA) provides information and referrals for older adults in Wayne County. I was also aware that TSA is the place to go for things like Meals on Wheels, Michigan Medicaid/Medicare Assistance Program, and other government programs for older adults.

 From this meeting, I was hoping to get more of a concrete explanation of services, and perhaps a tour of the office building to meet some of the workers.

 While I didn’t get exactly what I was looking for, the experience was worthwhile.

 TSA  is nestled in a multi-tenant office building on Second Street in Wayne – just off of Michigan Avenue. Agency staff are divided between cubicles. It was busy and crammed and there are future plans to move TSA to a bigger facility in Allen Park.

 Simpson greeted me at the door and we went straight to a small office.

 Turns out, Simpson is new to TSA – he worked as business man until three months ago. Simpson said he was surprised to find himself heading the information and referral department at a non-profit agency.

Simpson told me that he really enjoys his job and finds it to be very rewarding.

 In terms of services provided by TSA: I didn’t quite get a concrete answer. During the meeting, Simpson had a book in front of him that detailed the agency’s services. I noticed that: A book. I asked my question anyhow and the response was that which I already knew: Information and referrals.

 Simpson said that case workers at TSA help clients work through virtually every sort of problem – from evictions to substance abuse. TSA employs case workers who have been in the field for eight to nine years, Simpson said, and many of them are great resources in and of themselves. I asked him if it would be okay if I called a TSA caseworker to help a client if I ever got into a jam. Simpson said that would be a great idea, and confirmed that TSA can be a great place to start with complicated cases.

 I also asked Simpson about programs that I could get involved with through TSA as a representative of the Hannan Foundation. Two programs that he mentioned was MMAP (!) and delivering meals on holidays. I asked Simpson if people working for other agencies can be involved with MMAP. He told me that he wasn’t sure, but to contact Bettie Hughes. I asked Simpson to put me down for holiday meals delivery, for now.

 So I didn’t get the tour I was hoping for and I didn’t get the concrete answer that I wanted.

 What I did get, however, is a solid contact at TSA. I got a business card, a chance to ask questions and also, Simpson told me that he would be happy to send someone to the co-op to explain TSA to members if I would like (heck yeah!).

All of that was worth a short drive and a handshake, I think.

Douglas Simpson can be reached directly at 734-727-2052. His e-mail address is dsimpson@tsalink.org.