Program Notes

MSAA Expands Service to More Clients
MSAA is extremely proud to announce the creation of a new regional office to better serve those with MS and their care partners. Under the direction of Linda Chaney, the MSAA Southeast Regional Office will work to establish localized programs and services in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia. The office is located in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Taking advantage of her extensive corporate and non-profit experience, Linda will be planning and implementing many established MSAA regional activities such as support groups, educational seminars, exercise and/or aquatic classes, and the Pathways for Independence home modification program. In addition, Linda welcomes the opportunity to work with MS clients and their care partners to develop specialized services throughout the region while actively recruiting volunteers to help coordinate public awareness and fundraising activities.

“I am very excited to be a part of the MSAA team and can’t wait to help expand direct care services as well as create more networks of support for MS clients and their families,” Linda explains. “To help launch the office, I’m planning a welcoming luncheon in the Tampa/St. Pete area for the fall and will send out a notice as soon as plans are set. With your valuable input as my guide, this office will strive to develop as many meaningful programs as possible, all with the focus on easing your daily challenges with MS. I greatly welcome your thoughts and suggestions. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you in the near future.”

To contact Linda, please call (800) 532-7667, ext. 154, or (727) 367-1137. She may also be reached via email at lchaney@msaa.com, or write to: MSAA Southeast Regional Office, PO Box 66565, St. Petersburg, FL 33736.

New Program Piloted in Northeast
MSAA is currently piloting a new program which is designed to bring trained volunteers into the homes of MS clients who are in need of assistance with light household chores and companionship. The program, called Household Help, is currently being offered in the Northeast Region only, which covers the following states: Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. We hope to offer this program nationally in the future.

Through this program, volunteers are matched with MSAA clients and will dedicate between one and three hours each week performing light household tasks including but not limited to: laundry, light cleaning, housework, kitchen duties, yard work, companionship, etc. Volunteers in this are not home health aids and are not permitted to assist with transfers, bathing needs, administering medication, etc. Also, respite care and transportation are not part of the program.

The Household Help pilot program is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and priority attention will be given to those with limited family or outside support and assistance, as well as homebound clients or clients with young children. Individuals who take part in this program are required to be pro-active in helping locate a volunteer in their community. If you live in one of the states listed previously and would like to see if this program might be right for you, please call our Household Help Coordinator, Ryan Goldner, at (800) 532-7667, ext. 105, or via email at rgoldner@msaa.com.