Falls Prevention Awareness Month

Did you know that every second of every day, an older adult age 65 and older falls? In recognition of Falls Awareness Month, held each September, Centralina Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is highlighting the work it does to support older adults so they can remain living in their homes and communities. Centralina AAA offers A Matter of Balance, an evidence-based class designed to reduce the fear of falling while improving strength and balance. Older adults and caretakers participate in eight sessions designed to build confidence, bring awareness to resources that can be used to boost in-home mobility and learn how to fall in a way that reduces the chance of serious injury. This class is part of the suite of health and wellness programs offered to support older adults and caregivers and improve quality of life.

Additionally, Centralina AAA prioritizes fall prevention efforts by collaborating with the Metrolina Falls Prevention Coalition (MFPC). The MFPC works to reduce falls and related injuries through prevention strategies and community education efforts. The coalition is a community of fall prevention professionals, volunteers, advocates and community members collaborating to raise awareness, educate and promote fall prevention practices. Interested in getting involved? Learn more about the MFPC on its website or click here to receive the Metrolina Falls Prevention Coalition newsletter.

Click here for more information on falls prevention and awareness.

Federal funds are commonly passed through state agencies in North Carolina before being awarded to local governments, which can make the original funding source less obvious. Before proceeding with a procurement, local governments should verify whether an award originates from a federal source. This determination affects compliance obligations, including procurement standards, reporting, and audit requirements.

When a construction or repair contract over $300,000 involves a building, the procurement and contract are subject to additional requirements under N.C.G.S. 143-128. Therefore, this question must be answered to determine whether the additional statutory requirements apply to this procurement scenario.

The micro-purchase threshold is a federal procurement threshold under which competitive procurement is not required. The default micro-purchase threshold is $15,000, but local governments may increase the micro-purchase threshold up to $50,000. An explanation of increasing the micro-purchase threshold and a template for the required annual self-certification is available here.