Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The city of Clovis received notification Wednesday that Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging will terminate the contract for the meals program it had with Curry Resident Senior Meals Association.
That includes meals to homebound seniors.
The termination of the agreement is effective Nov. 30, said City Manager Justin Howalt.
“NMAAA has asked the City of Clovis to assume responsibility of the meal program, and the City of Clovis is working on a solution to continue providing this service to the senior population,” according to a city news release.
NMAAA Director Neil Segotta told city officials in a letter the agreement was terminated due to "non-compliance to policies and procedures regarding the operation of their program." The CRSMA program was placed on a 90-day probation period on Aug. 9 for non-compliance, Segotta said in the letter. CRSMA failed to meet standards during the probation period "while accumulating additional discrepancies," according to the letter.
Segotta did not immediately respond to questions about the alleged "non-compliance." Barbara Riggan, director of Senior Services for the city of Clovis, referred questions to Segotta.
Clovis Mayor Mike Morris said NMAAA is submitting a new proposed meal service contract to the city, which will be presented to the city commission.
“(O)ur top priority is to ensure that seniors in Clovis have access to nutritious meals and excellent service from a meal program that meets the highest standards,” Morris said.
Morris said "it's been communicated to me that CRSMA was behind on reporting and that they failed inspections. I'm disappointed and sorry it's gone the way it has for CRSMA. But the city must examine every option available for how to ensure great meal service for our seniors. And that's what we are doing."
CRSMA Director Richelle Whitecotton declined to talk with the News on Thursday.
Riggan said the department “will work diligently with the NMAAA during the coming days and weeks in an effort to keep services from being interrupted. The seniors are the most important during this transition, and we will coordinate with seniors during this time.”
For questions or more information, the city stated in its news release: Contact the Hillcrest Senior Life Center at 575-769-7908 or email Riggan at:
