Title: Principal Planner, Economic Development and Planning
How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? It will be four years in April.
What did you want to be when you grew up? As a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian because my mom worked with animals for the first 16 years of my life as a veterinarian technician. In high school, I discovered a love for architecture and decided to pursue that.
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? I will obtain my certification with the American Planning Association; complete half if not 75 percent of the projects on my plate; and travel to a least one place on my bucket list this year, Canada.
Who is your hero and why? My hero is anyone that gets up and chooses to seize the day — in whatever capacity. This takes courage and not everyone makes that choice. I’d also like to give a special shout out to my team. It’s a pleasure to serve with these folks every day, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t thank them for being who they are.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? I would spend the day exploring temples across Kyoto, Japan. The architecture nerd in me would be very happy.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? Learn how to rest. This is a lesson I am definitely still learning.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? Start a new job in an unfamiliar city during the height of a pandemic.
More than 500 people had a chance to learn about the agencies, resources and services available to them in the area at the 2024 Senior Expo of the Jackson County Council on Aging held Friday, Jan. 26, at the Scottsboro Goose Pond Civic Center.
Chad Coleman, council director, said the event gave the aging population in Jackson County an opportunity to learn from 51 vendors about services and resources. It was also a chance to listen to live music, dance, have food and win door prizes.
A paper shredder truck to safely get rid of confidential paperwork was available in the parking lot sponsored by First Southern State Bank. Music was provided by Roy Whitaker and the Jimmy Ray’s Slap Happy Hayride.
The free event lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and was sponsored by One Love Hearing Concepts and Devoted Health Plans.
Meet Rem. He was a lost gray cat with yellow eyes and fangs who now has a new home thanks to TARCOG coworkers Leslie Wright and Max Woods.
Leslie, an economic development specialist, was leaving the TARCOG office one evening when she saw a dark-colored animal out of the corner of her eye.
“I was startled because I thought it was a big possum at first,” she said. “But then I saw it was a cat instead.”
Leslie, who has an orange tabby named Chairman Meow that only answers to “Kitty,” walked over and started talking to it. The cat responded positively, she said. “It was meowing and not running away so I was trying to get it to come to me.”
About that time, another coworker, Max Woods, a Medicaid Waiver case manager, came outside. Max remembers seeing a couple of coworkers standing in the middle of the parking lot and Leslie crouched down by her car.
“Then I saw the cat,” Max said. “I subconsciously knew that if I went and petted it, I would probably end up taking it home.”
The cat was skittish of any small movement at first, but trust came quick.
“It was very clear this was someone’s pet who got out,” Max said. “I realized I had a collapsible crate in my car that I use for groceries so once he trusted me enough, I picked him up and slowly started walking to my car. He got startled by something and leaped out of my arms, running towards the office building,” Max said. “But after a few minutes I was able to pick him again and walk to the car.”
Leslie Wright, Rem’s photo on the phone, and Max Woods standing near the tree where the cat was found
Leslie helped open the car and they put the cat in the crate.
“Then I realized there was no top for the crate, but I had a blanket in the car, so we wrapped it over the top and tucked it under the crate to make sure he stayed in while I was driving home,” Max recalled.
By the loud meowing, it was obvious the cat wasn’t too happy about being in the crate. But Max said surprisingly the cat settled down and they got home without any incidents. After food and water, Max introduced the cat to their mother and slowly to his other cats, Andy and Luna. Then Max started posting online “everywhere” about finding the cat. The next day, Max’s mom took the cat to the vet to find out he was 1-2 years old, not chipped nor neutered.
“We added that to the online posts, but the description did not match for any of the people who reached out looking for their missing cat,” Max said.
On the fourth night, Max fell asleep with the window open. The new cat scratched a hole in the screen and disappeared.
“We went around the neighborhood, posted ads online, and went to the shelter to no avail,” Max said. He read online that if you leave the point of exit open a cat will return. It worked. Max woke up to see “Rem was laying there like nothing ever happened.”
Max then ordered tracking tags for all three cats and has kept the window shut. By the end of two weeks, Max figured no one would come to claim the cat so he chose a new name. Because of the bright yellow eyes and fangs, Max landed on Rem, a character from an animation show with similar looks.
“The character is honestly pretty creepy looking, but she has yellow eyes and fangs just like his, and the name just fit him so well.”
The addition of Rem to Max’s other cats Andy and Luna helped mitigate the dynamic between the other two cats.
“Anytime Rem leaves my bedroom, Andy follows directly behind him and acts like an older brother being made to babysit his younger brother. They fight sometimes, but then right after they will be bumping noses and laying a foot away from each other,” Max said. “Luna has been doing very well since Rem got here, actually she’s better than before because Andy used to chase her so she would hide a lot. Now that Andy’s focused on Rem, Luna is now comfortable sitting wherever she pleases.”
Every day, the TARCOG staff helps people in various ways — whether it’s aging related, strengthening the economy or community planning. This time, the caring nature of the team extended to a lost cat finding a happy ending with Max as his new owner.
“Every time I pet him, Rem looks up at me and smiles so that his little fangs show,” Max said. “It’s the cutest thing in the world!”
TARCOG Executive Director Michelle Jordan and Board President Connie Spears at the Jan. 23 Board Meeting.
The TARCOG Board of Directors voted at its January meeting to change the frequency and time of its meetings to better accommodate the schedules of its members.
Board President Connie Spears says the meetings will now be held quarterly on the fourth Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. Previously, the meetings were held the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.
Executive Director Michelle Jordan says the change will eliminate long drives at night for some members who live up to an hour or more away from the TARCOG office. She said it will also provide an opportunity for more interaction with staff since the meeting will be held during the workday.
At the Jan. 23 meeting, board members voted unanimously to make the change. The Board’s next meeting will be 11 a.m., Tuesday, March 26 at the TARCOG office, 7037 Old Madison Pike, Suite 350.
“By meeting during the day and less frequently, we believe we will have more participation by our members,” Connie says.
Connie represents the City of Madison on the TARCOG Board because of her role on the City Council. She says serving on the TARCOG Board with 25 other members from across the region helps everyone stay abreast of the region’s needs.
“TARCOG Is invaluable to our region, not only because of our services for the Aging, but because of the grant writing, economic development and planning services we provide,” Connie says. “We develop relationships and partnerships among our members and that’s important because no city, town or county exists in a vacuum. By working together, we are stronger than any of us are alone.
Other TARCOG Board officers and members include:
DeKalb County
Ex-Officio Larry Chesser, a citizen of Fort Payne
Chuck Ables, mayor of Geraldine
Lester Black, county commissioner
Paul Cagle, mayor of Fyffe
Jackson County
Philip Anderson, citizen of Dutton
Mike Ashburn, Scottsboro City Council
Nancy Griggs, citizen of Scottsboro
Mike Kirkland, citizen of Scottsboro
Jim McCamy, mayor of Scottsboro
Limestone County
Vice President James E. Lucas, Athens City Council
Danny Barksdale, county commissioner
Helen Carter, citizen of Elkmont
Collin Daly, county commission chairman
Madison County
Tommy Battle, mayor of Huntsville
Mary Caudle, mayor of Triana
Steve Haraway, county commissioner
Craig Hill, county commissioner
David Little, Huntsville City Council
Jennie Robinson, Huntsville City Council
Douglas Smith, citizen of Madison
Thornton Stanley, Jr., citizen of Huntsville
Marshall County
Secretary John Myers, Guntersville City Council
Treasurer Bob Joslin, mayor of Arab
Tracy Honea, mayor of Albertville
James R. Watson, county commissioner
Additional meeting dates and locations for 2024:
June 25, Annual Board Picnic at Jimmy Gill Park, 2341 S. Hine St., Athens
The TARCOG Accreditation Team included from left, From left to right LeQuitta Gaskin, Kristina Chappell, Kanisha Caldwell, Stacey Peoples, Sheila Dessau-Ivey, Rosa Sanchez, Davitta Phillips, and Melissa Brinkley. Not pictured are Stephanie Holt and Allison Calvert.
TARCOG has received the highest possible rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) in earning accreditation for its Area Agency on Aging programs.
NCQA awards the status of “Accredited – 3 Years” to organizations that demonstrate strong performance of the functions outlined in the standards for Accreditation of Case Management for Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS). According to NCQA, the review process evaluates organizations based on industry-leading best practices. Organizations that earn an NCQA seal have met or exceeded these standards and show they are a good partner to support delivering high quality care.
“This is not an easy process, and we are so proud to be recognized for our use of best practices and the high level of care that we provide to nearly 900 clients who utilize our services in DeKalb, Jackson, Limestone, Madison and Marshall counties,” said TARCOG’s Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey. This is the third time TARCOG has received the accreditation seal.
Sheila says Alabama was the first state in which every Area Agency on Aging earned the prestigious certification. According to data on the NCQA website, TARCOG is one of 80 providers across the United States to currently hold the 3-Year Accreditation Seal.
“We have a great team of case workers and their supervisors who truly care about the people they work with and following our established protocols to provide the best possible care, as well as identifying areas of potential improvement,” Sheila said. “We are always striving to do better so we can provide the very best service possible.”
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations.
Earning NCQA’s Accreditation of Case Management for LTSS is a voluntary review process that demonstrates that an organization is dedicated to coordinating the delivery of care in a person-centered and integrated manner to help individuals function optimally in their preferred setting.
Michelle Jordan, TARCOG’s executive director said she is proud of the staff for earning the national recognition, “and I’m excited about the future of our Area Agency on Aging programs as they continue to provide a high level or services.”
NCQA Accreditation standards are developed with input from researchers in the field, the LTSS Advisory Committee and standing committees, both purchasers and operators of LTSS programs, state and federal regulators and other experts.
Sheila said the accreditation program evaluates organizations that plan and manage personalized care and services for people having trouble completing self-care tasks because of aging, chronic illness or disability.
Standards for evaluation include:
Program Description. The organization uses up-to-date evidence-based information to develop its case management program, and regularly updates the program with relevant findings and information.
Patient Identification and Assessment. The organization systematically assesses the population it serves and has a process for conducting comprehensive assessments.
Person-Centered Care Planning and Monitoring. The organization has a process to provide for developing individualized care plans that incorporate personal preferences, prioritized goals and self-management plans and monitor progress against those plans.
Care Transitions. The organization has a process for managing transitions, identifying problems that could cause unplanned care transitions and, when possible, preventing unplanned transitions.
Measurement and Quality Improvement. The organization measures and works to improve participant experience, program effectiveness and active participation rates.
Staffing, Training and Verification. The organization defines staffing needs, verifies staff credentials, when applicable, and provides ongoing staff training and oversight.
Rights and Responsibilities. The organization communicates the rights and responsibilities of participants in a case management program.
NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. In recognition for its leadership in diversity, equity and inclusion, NCQA has won the Excellence in Diversity Award from the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.
Please take a moment to provide input on Northeast Alabama’s roads, sidewalks, and bikeways. An online survey is being conducted as part of a new Regional Safety Action Plan that TARCOG is developing for DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and portions of Limestone counties.
“We need to hear from people who travel these roads and pathways everyday so that we can put together an impactful safety plan for the region,” said Lee Terry, director of TARCOG’s Economic Development and Planning. Community meetings will be scheduled in the coming months, he added.
It’s a little before 8 a.m. on the Wednesday morning before Christmas inside the Crossville Senior Center in DeKalb County. The furniture, decorations, piano and artwork look and feel homey. Center Manager Teresa Tomlinson offers a friendly welcome.
The action is happening in the back part of the center near the kitchen. The truck delivering meals to those who can’t come to the center just pulled out of the driveway. Senior volunteers Violet Davis, Pat Shipp, Judy Denning and Ron Thorpe are cleaning up the kitchen. They helped Teresa prep the meals for delivery.
Front left to right, Violet Davis, Pat Shipp, Judy Denning, and Roger Thorp playing Rummikub.
Once everything is in order, they sit down for a spirited game of Rummikub and talk to a visitor. Violet, 72, describes herself as an immigrant from Attalla. She used to go to the Boaz Senior Center but has been coming to Crossville for the past three years. She comes three days a week.
Pat, 87, was born in Crossville but lived a chunk of her life in South Huntsville because of her work with Army Missile Command on Redstone Arsenal. But when she retired and moved home, she got her EMT license and worked with the Rescue Squad until its building burned. But she also started delivering meals for the Senior Center. She also enjoys Rummikub and singing.
Pat, Judy, 80, and Ron, 74, come to the center every day. They’re sitting, joking around and playing Rummikub when the others stop in, and the bus arrives with four more participants.
Judith Rusk, 85, gives an update to the group on a friend’s health condition before the gathering starts breaking up for different activities. A card game of Rook gets underway in one of the front rooms, which also houses a small library of books.
Lyman Chumley, 88, and Fayrene Davis, 88, pair up against Ann Black, 86, and Freida Coker, 87. There’s much banter between dealing, bids, trumps and the widow.
Linda White, 75, pops in saying “Merry Christmas” to everyone. She’s returning a book before heading to the dining area where two tables of Rummikub games are underway. Linda is a newcomer to the center, coming about six months, and thankful to her friend, Judy, who invited her.
From front left to right, Freida Coker, Lyman Chummy, Ann Black, and Fayrene Davis playing Rook.
Judy has moved from the first group of Rummikub players to a second table to play with Linda Doeberyl, 76, who is originally from upstate New York and Florida before moving to the area in 2007.
“I love it here,” said Linda Doeberyl, wearing an Alabama Crimson Tide sweatshirt. “We went on vacation driving to Tennessee, and on our way back we stopped in Fort Payne and were just really impressed by the small town … I got a job at a nursing home here and have been here ever since and no regrets.”
She said she believes she should have been born in the South and added it didn’t take her long to choose Alabama as her football team. “I don’t like those other colors, and Alabama wins a lot, so that’s a bonus.”
Linda White sits at the table with Judy and Linda Doeberyl.
“I don’t play because I like to talk too much, and it messes everyone up,” Linda White added.
Off in a room by herself, Judith is working on a puzzle of a stormy sea with a rainbow. She’s been coming to the center since 1985. She said the building was once a doctor’s office in the small town.
Judith Rusk working on a puzzle.
“I come one day a week and it used to be on singing day. We haven’t had that in a while, Covid messed everything up, but we’re starting back with Judy playing the piano, and we have a better piano now, too,” Judith said. “But I love to sing, and sometimes I play some games and work on puzzles.”
She talks about growing up on the family farm with her brother Lyman, playing cards across the hall. She and her husband went to St. Louis, and Lyman went to California for work because there were no jobs in the area. Both eventually migrated back home.
“We are so blessed to be back living on the farm where we grew up,” Judith said as she slides another piece of the puzzle into place. It’s one of many that have been completed at the senior center by all center particpants. Many are framed and line the halls and hang on the walls in each room.
“This is a puzzle place,” Lyman said, as the foursome wraps up another game just in time for lunch. Everyone walks to the kitchen where they find a hot meal of beef and rice casserole, capri vegetables, cabbage, wheat bread, and chocolate cake, with milk, grape juice or water to drink.
Crossville Senior Center Manager Teresa Tomlinson
On top of Sand Mountain, Crossville is a town of about 1,800 residents. Of those residents, nearly 330 are age 60 or older. The Crossville Senior Center serves meals to 25 people each day. Teresa, who has been the manager since 2009, says her goal is to make those who come to the center feel at home and accepted.
“I think there’s a misconception about what a senior center is, but once they get in here one time, they understand,” Teresa added. “We are a family and we care about each other.”
You may not have ever met Del Schafer or even heard his name before now, but chances are great that the work he’s done throughout his career has impacted your daily life.
Del at TARCOG
From job creation or preservation, road, water and sewer projects to building senior centers or funding equipment for law enforcement, Del has done all of this and more.
“Del has been an icon in the Alabama Economic Development space for decades, and I was excited about having the opportunity to work alongside him when I joined TARCOG, said Michelle Jordan, TARCOG’s executive director since 2019. “He put TARCOG on the map for supporting the communities we serve, and we will always be grateful for his vision and wisdom.”
As a consultant in the 1970s he worked on surveys for hospitals, managed traffic studies and property tax valuations, studied the impact of aerospace on Huntsville, worked in mapping, and produced a series of monographs for TARCOG. Then he joined the staff.
Del early in his career at TARCOG
For 48 years, Del has worked at TARCOG. Before he joined the staff as a planner in 1975, he had worked as a consultant for three years. He’s been with the agency almost as long as it’s been in existence. He is our living, breathing, working history.
He’s done it all related to Economic Development and Planning — except be the boss. But he prefers having his hands in the action of helping towns and cities find funds for their needs.
“The very first CDBG grant I worked on was for the Town of Hammondville. They needed a road or water project. Dottie Blackburn was the mayor,” Del recalls. “I wrote the application; it was funded and then I did the grant administration for a period of time.”
He’s worked on comprehensive plans for every small town in the region. When HUD housing plan grants came about, he helped submit applications to acquire funding. And he wrote and administered funded grants for senior centers in Triana, Bridgeport, Ider, Douglas, Athens, and two sites in rural Limestone County.
Lee Terry, Triana Officer Mark Zivat, Del Schafer and Triana Town Clerk Sharon Humprhey. Del has secured multiple grants for the small town and its police force.
In Bridgeport, he wrote and administered the grants that initially created over 600 jobs at Beaulieu Nylon, and U. S Gypsum. In 2016-2017, he worked to save 300 jobs threatened by a facility closing at Beaulieu, by securing grant funding for a new waterline connection needed to induce Mohawk Carpets to relocate there.
“It was very low-cost grant for what they needed, but a slam dunk to keep 300 people from being out of work,” he recalled.
The largest grant Del ever worked on was to secure $4 million in EDA funding to construct a railroad overpass for the Toyota Mazda plant.
“It’s always been a group effort, everything we’ve ever done,” Del said.
Team spirit, dedication, and drive are traits Del has always shown.
Lee and Del
“He’s an invaluable resource to me,” said Lee Terry, TARCOG’s director of Economic Development and Planning. “He’s worked here longer than most of the people in this building have been alive – but every grant we’ve done in the last 50 years he’s been a part of.’”
During his tenure, Del has seen many changes at TARCOG.
“Technology has definitely changed,” he said. “For instance, we now have a drone, and there are lots of applications in which it is useful – like to highlight Brownfields, slum and blighted areas to help with grant applications, and take pictures of progress on projects.”
But the biggest changes at TARCOG over the years was the exponential growth and development and current aging programs.
“The aging programs are now the primary organizational focus and planning and economic development, while still important, are not the ‘daily presence’ driver of the organization” he added. “When I first started our offices were in the Central Bank Building, downtown, on the corner across from the courthouse. We had 20 people tops.”
He remembers the first move from the Central Bank Building to Washington Street, and then to the agency-built Research Park location; and the 2023 water and other flooding instances that forced the offices to their present temporary location on Old Madison Pike. There are now close to 90 employees at TARCOG, and, Del, 82, is glad to still be one — and his coworkers are glad he’s still working too.
Due to the continued hazardous winter weather conditions, the TARCOG office will be closed on Friday, Jan. 19.
Please take a moment to provide input on Northeast Alabama’s roads, sidewalks, and bikeways. An online survey is being conducted as part of a new Regional Safety Action Plan that TARCOG is developing for DeKalb, Jackson, Marshall and portions of Limestone counties.
