Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Hybrid Meeting, hosted virtually via Zoom and in person at Tacoma Municipal Building September 12, 2025 Call to Order Lucas Smiraldo called the meeting to order on behalf of Vice Chair Edick at 4:04 PM. Land Acknowledgement read out loud by Lucas Smiraldo. Commissioners Present Officers Amin Tony Hester (arrived later) and Hayley Edick Commissioners: Aimee Sidhu, Lukas Barfield, Wanda McRae, Lukas Barfield, Carletta Skinner, Billie Periman and Anthony Caldwell, Coleman (arrived later) Commissioners Absent No absences City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo Guests Present – Community Ivan Tudela, Julian Wheeler, Kara Jovag and Todd Holloway Ice Breaker What do you like the most about fall? Adoption of Agenda McRae moved to adopt and Sidhu seconded. Passed unanimously. Acceptance of Minutes Sidhu moved to accept, Periman seconded. Passed unanimously. Public Comment No Public Comment Guest Presentation Kara JOVAG on behalf of the PACE Program of Multicare What is PACE? PACE = Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly A health plan for seniors with complex care needs. Functions as both insurer and care provider (like an HMO). Is PACE New? * 1970s·1980s: Originated with On Lok in San Francisco. * 1990s: CMS introduced PACE waivers. * 2022: PNW PACE Partners launched in Pierce County. * 2025: 188 PACE programs in 33 states + DC. * Who Does PACE Serve? * Seniors with an average of 6.1 chronic conditions. * 94% live in community settings. Eligibility: * Age 55+ * Lives in specific zip codes in Pierce or South King Counties * Safe in current home * Qualifies for caregiving hours (via WA State assessment) * Medicaid/Medicare eligible or private pay How Does PACE Serve? Three Roles: 1. Medical care 2. Case management 3. Insurance Interdisciplinary Team (IDT): * Includes PCPs, nurses, social workers, therapists, dietitians, and more. * Meets daily to coordinate care. Patient-Centered Care: * Team knows the participant·s goals and needs. * Recommends, discusses, and approves care plans. Why PACE Matters Comprehensive Services: * Primary care, pharmacy, therapy, social work, transportation, nutrition, case management, and more. * Real-Life Example: * A senior supported by a family caregiver who struggles to manage all needs·PACE fills those gaps. Impact: * 95% of caregivers recommend PACE. * 80% of depressed enrollees improve within 9 months. * $33,600 saved per patient per year. * Reduced ER visits, hospitalizations, and nursing home admissions. Referrals & Inquiries * Who Can Refer? - Anyone: professionals, family, friends, even the patient. * Good Referral Criteria: - Age 55+, lives in service area, safe at home, at risk of falling through care gaps. Enrollment: * PACE is voluntary. Outcomes: Yes, No, or Maybe Later. * PACE in 60 Seconds A quick script to introduce PACE: o Who it·s for o What·s included o Cost (no extra cost for dual-eligible) o Ask for permission to refer * Contact Information Team Members: o Kara Jovag, Outreach Coordinator o Erin Flagstad, Enrollment Specialist o Shaina Richardson, Enrollment Coordinator o Shiloah Pepin, Eligibility Coordinator * Phone: 253-459-7270 * Email: PACE-referral@multicare.org Comments and Questions from Commisioners: Edick: Q: Does program address all medical necessities? A: Yes including dental. Seeks to help people maintain independence Hester: Q: Does PACE teach independent living skills? A: Yes. Designed to promote independence. Sidhu: Q; What are income requirements? A: Medicare or Medicaid eligible. Must be at least 55. Chair Reports Chair Hester: Recently completed tabletop exercise with RARIT to simulate emergency response to natural disasters. Many agencies were represented. McRae: Have comprehensive checklist and important to know Emergency Transportation networks and also the languages spoken in your neighborhood. ACAC; We now have a person on Pierce transportation advisory group that represents the needs to the disabled. James Willingham will fill that seat. Vice Chair Edick: Braille instruction is important training for deaf blind community. For transportation evacuation plan look to left on chat platform to access. Commissioner Skinner would like to meet with Edick to discuss transportation committee needs. Coleman: Josh Resnick is a good contact for deaf and blind needs in Olympia, Washington Dept Services for the Blind Learn about our services | Department of Services for the Blind * Liaison Report – Office of Equity & Human Rights – Lucas Smiraldo 1. New Zoom Webinar Format Tonight (Panelist Status) Have ironed out some of the kinks and now working better this month. 2. Network Access Sub Committee Meeting Update. Scheduled for September 24th at CFI and several RSVP’s are logged. Will be both in person and via zoom webinar. Receiving additional names and emails to invite to meeting. 3. Invited Commissioners to an Equity Index and Map Workshop on September 29th. 4. Reminder to complete Open Public Meeting Act (OPMA) Training at Attorney General Website and Report Access Issues. Report from Active Subcommittees Disability Resources and Access Platforms * Covered in liaison report Transportation – * Using airwaves to guide blind still needs more work. In transportation experience, Edick had phone taken from her hand without permission in misguided effort to help. Write letters to planning to register concerns. Public Works – * Vehicles continue to speed. Call 311 to complain about troubled areas. * Have installed 5 cameras to mitigate speeding but need more. Injury and incidents at 72nd and Pacific * Emergency Management: See Tudela Report below Action Items * Plan and agenda to be completed for the Network Platforms and Access Subcommittee. * Invite Ashly Sidhu to all future TACOD meetings. * Corrections to Spelling of Commissioner Skinner name. Emergency Management See Tudela Report Below Ivan Tudela– Pierce County Human Services September is fall prevention month. Programs at the YMCA. The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties offered several fall prevention events and classes during Fall Prevention Awareness Week, from September 22-26, 2025, including health fairs and workshops at the Mel Korum, Lakewood, and Haselwood Family YMCAs. Report from Pierce County Access Commission (PCAC) Offered in Chair report Committee Reports No additional reports Individual Commissioner Reports Barfield: Concern about loosening tenant protections, Barfield will offer contacts to reach out to. Nationally they are cutting museum and library services for the blind including the BART library system BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Downloadable Books and Magazines. Commissioners should take individual action. Invitation for Community Input None New Business or Good of the Order None Adjournment Moved by Caldwell and seconded by Barfield. Passed unanimously. Adjourned at 6:02 PM