Captain FERRY. Yes, sir; I would like an additional $388,000 for 13 full-time equivalents, an additional $200,000 in capital outlay for design money for that 80-bed residential care facility. QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE Senator HARKIN. Captain, thank you very much for being here. I appreciate your patience in waiting. There will be some additional questions which we will submit to you for your response. [The following questions were not asked at the hearing, but were submitted to the U.S. Naval Home for response subsequent to the hearing:] QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY THE SUBCOMMITTEE Resident Independence and Social Isolation: QUESTION: Captain, in recent hearings with the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home, I raised the issue of how best to ensure that members have the maximum opportunity for independent living and social interaction during their time as residents. Do you have any special programs or projects that are specifically designed to help residents in these areas? ANSWER: THERAPEUTIC RECREATION : Provides evaluation, treatment, education and counseling services under the supervision of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, to mature adults, that suffer from a loss of independence and must rely on others to meet everyday needs. Provides an activity-oriented program to those able bodied/well residents that may serve as a preventative measure to ensure both quality of life and maintenance of maximal social, emotional, and physical condition. These programs are under the direction of a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist. There are four formalized treatment programs where all residents with similar needs (usually similar diagnosis) are grouped together and receive treatment by a Mulitidisciplinary Team specializing in the areas of their needs as follows: The Therapeutic Specialist does morning walk, exercise class, bowling, swimming, shuffleboard, croquet, darts, fitness trail and chair exercise programs; and cognitive function: reality orientation, arts and crafts, games, books, tapes, reminiscence groups, movies and productive work tasks. Social Functions, such as parties, socials, outings, field trips, luncheons, picnics and home entertainment is geared to their respective ages and physical conditions. Special Activities include overnight camping trips (with recreation therapists, LPN's and supportive staff in attendance), Programs are offered on a structured and unstructured basis to meet the needs, interests and capabilities of participants. The structured programs are offered to encourage maximum participation of residents in recreational activities. The intent of the unstructured programs is to allow the residents the opportunity to use their leisure time as they choose by providing the facilities and equipment needed. Participation in either structured or unstructured programs is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. CONSOLIDATED MESS : Consists of a lounge and snack bar to provide a setting for the Residents to socialize and enjoy scheduled entertainment. The snack bar provides short order food, primarily at the lunch meal, but also is used as a gathering place to socialize/and or drink coffee throughout the night. Because cooking utensils are not allowed in individual resident rooms, meals must be consumed in either the snack bar, cafeteria, of off base. PROJECTS: To best ensure that residents of the Naval Home have the maximum opportunity for independent living and social interaction during their time as residents, the Naval Home has: Equipped outside entrance doors to main residence building as well as inside doors to such areas as hospital and residents' bank with electric eyes for easy access. Lowered counters in residents' bank for wheelchair access. Modified all sidewalks and curbs for wheelchair or handicapped access. - Modified first floor restrooms for wheelchair or handicapped access. - Installed handrails throughout residence building on first, second and third floors. Lowered call buttons and emergency telephones inside elevators for wheelchair access. Lowered fire alarm pull stations to put within reach of wheelchair dependent residents. Requested design/construction of a new one-story 80-bed facility to accommodate all wheelchair dependent or handicapped residents. - Equipped recreational facilities (swimming pool/bowling alley) for handicapped use. Completed design of new therapeutic pool; however, project was not funded in FY91. A staff of therapeutic recreation specialists who plan and carry out special recreational activities for wheelchair dependent and/or handicapped residents on a regular schedule. Recently purchased an 18 passenger van equipped with wheelchair lift and a smaller van for hospital transportation. Completed plans for new hobby shop designed for handicapped access and easy access from main residential building without needing to go out in the elements to use; project awaiting funding. Galley renovation planned for FY92; handicapped attended mess will be completely renovated for easier access and service. - Raised tables in all activity rooms to accommodate wheelchairs. Established handicapped parking areas in parking lots. Equipped charging areas for battery-operated wheelchairs inside main residence building. Completed a specially designed post office with lowered boxes reserved for wheelchair dependent residents and allowing residents 24-hour mail access. - Telephones equipped with amplification for hearing impaired residents. Installed strobe lights in rooms of hearing impaired residents for fire alarm alert. NAVAL HOME STAFF QUESTION: Captain, I see that you are requesting 181 positions for 1992, and that a number of your personnel are now on loan from the Department of the Navy. ANSWER: 181 civilian positions requested for 1992. 181 accounts for the present 15 military positions, all of which will have rotated by June of 1992. Civilians will be substituted in all the positions currently filled by military personnel. of the current 60 medical personnel on staff, only three are active duty military personnel (Dental Officer and two Dental Technicians). The remainder of the medical staff are already civilians. Occupational categories for the remainder of the Naval Home Staff Earlier a need was identified for an additional $388,000.00 for 13 additional staff for medical and safety support in preparation for Congressionally mandated certification programmed for FY93. 1992 Budget Request QUESTION: Can I understand that, in the transition from indirect Department of Navy funding to preparing an independent agency budget request, it was difficult for the Home to accurately pinpoint its 1991 funding baseline or to forecast its funding needs for the coming year. you explain briefly what assumptions you made in estimating the Home's 1992 operating and capital expense requirements? ANSWER: The following items were considered in establishing the budget estimate for FY92: 1. That the USNH would be responsible for funding all activities currently performed at the Home, including the total transfer of tenant commands and Navy infrastructure functions to the Home. 2. An assessment was made of the cost of the additional requirements necessary to comply with the Armed Forces Retirement Home Act of 1991; i.e. personnel, equipment, consumable supplies, additional responsibilities arising from collection of fees and changes in eligibility criteria, support of the Armed Forces Retirement Home Board and local Board, and the process of certification of the Home. 3. All military billets would be converted to civil service. 4. All Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality personnel would be employed as civil service. 5. That the resident capacity of the USNH will begin to grow following completion of the ongoing Brick Panel Construction Project from the current population of 352 to 384 at the beginning of FY92 and 470 by the end of FY92. 6. A number of medical services currently received or provided at no charge will incur costs, i.e. 7. a. Clinical Laboratory support: b. Bio-Medical Repair Support C. Specialty Programs: Sight Conservation Asbestos Management Program Hearing Loss Detection and Prevention Program Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal Bio-Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal d. X-ray Support and Services e. X-ray Film Reading and Interpretation Purchase of a number of equipment items previously deferred, most notably in the area of medical support. Funding for capital program items for which design would be completed in FY91. 8. Condition of the Facility: QUESTION: I understand that the Home's main facility was built in 1976 and that it is currently undergoing a four-year renovation. Can you describe the scope of this renovation and the particular construction projects that the Home will undertake this year? ANSWER: The Naval Home main structure was built in 1976. Original design of the facility did not include provisions considered essential to |