>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR LOCAL NEWS ON PBS.

NOW REQUIRING STUDENT-ATHLETES TO SHOW PROVE OF VACCINATION OR WEEKLY COVID TESTS.

AND MOVING FORWARD WITH LINE PRODUCTION DESPITE CONTINUED PRESENCE OF COVID.

THAT'S ALL COMING UP ON THE NEXT HOUR OF PBS.

>> MEMBERS OF YOUR PBS STATION, THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

STATE CORPORATIONOLOGY SON, A REPUBLICAN, FORMER STATE LAWMAKER AND WAS UNTIL RECENTLY AN EXECUTIVE OF A PRO TRUMP STUDENT GROUP.

MARK KELLY WON A SPECIAL ELECTION LAST YEAR TO FILL OUT THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM LEFT BY LATE JOHN McCAIN- >>> "ANNOUNCE THOSE RECEIVED BE SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS WILL SEE A 5.9% COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT NEXT YEAR.

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, IT IS.

IT'S THE BIGGEST INCREASE IN CLOSE OF 40 YEARS.

THE AVERAGE RETIREE WILL SEE $90 THIS MONTH.

INDEED, CONSUMER PRICES JUMPED MORE THAN EXPECTED LAST MONTH.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT WHICH REPORTED THAT THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX IS 5.4% WHEN COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

HOUSING AND SUPPLY CHAINS ISSUES RESULTING IN HIGHER FOOD, RENT AND FURNITURE COSTS.

OF NOTE USED CAR PRICES ARE UP 24% DUE TO CHIP SHORTAGES AND HIGH DEMAND.

ALL HAS ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF THE WHITE HOUSE WHO HAS EFFORTS TO GET THINGS MOVING AGAIN IN BACKLOGGED PORTS OF CALIFORNIA.

>> WE HAVE GOOD NEWS TO HELP SPEED UP GOODS ALL ACROSS AMERICA.

AFTER WEEKS OF NEGOTIATION AND WORKING WITH MY TEAM AND WITH THE MAJOR UNION RETAILERS AND FREIGHT MOVERS, THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES ANNOUNCED IT BEGIN TO OPERATE 24 HOURS A STAY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

IT OF.

THE PRESIDENT ANNOUNCED AGREEMENTS WITH WALMART, FEDEX AND UPS TO ACCELERATE THE GOODS TO CUSTOMERS.

>>> THE U.S. WILL LIFT RESTRICTIONS OF ITS LAND BORDERS WITH MEXICO AND CANADIAN FOR FULLY VACCINATED FOREIGN NATIONALS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE NORMALITY AT THE BORDER.

MEXICO HAS MADE MANY EFFORTS WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MEETINGS WITH THE ACHIEVEMENT OF OPENING THE BORDER.

>> THE LIFTING OF RESTRICTIONS BY THE U.S. ENDS LIMITS ON NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVELERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR.

>> THE PHOENIX UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ANNOUNCED NEW COVID GUIDELINES FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF PARTICIPATING IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES INCLUDING STARTS.

REQUIRING PROVE OF VACCINATION OR THE TAKING OF A COVID TEST EVERY WEEK.

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PHOENIX UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US ON ARIZONA HORIZON AS WE TALK ABOUT A COVID MITIGATION IN YOUR DISTRICT.

TO BE PART OF ACTIVITIES YOU HAVE TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION OR WEEKLY COVID TESTS.

THE NEXT STEP FOR US IS TO REQUIRE VACCINE OR TESTING BEGINNING WINTER SPORTS.

WINTER SPORTS ARE HIGH TOUCH AND HIGH CONTACT SPORTS, FOOTBALL, FOOTBALL IS A PREVIOUS--MOVING INTO BASKETBALL, WRESTLING AND SOCCER AND EVEN CHEER.

WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT OUR ATHLETES OFTEN BRING COVID SPREAD BACK INTO CLASSROOMS.

SO THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT SPORTS ABOUT BUT FOCUSING ON LEARNING IN SCHOOL.

>> EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST?

>> EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST ALL ATHLETES AND COACHES AND VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING AT THIS POINT G ROTC CADETS.

>> WHAT KIND OF INPUT DID YOU GET FROM TEACHERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS?

>> WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH MANY STAFF STUDENTS, PARENTS, NOT JUST ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR DECISION BUT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WHAT PARENTS AND COMMUNITY HAVE TOLD SUCCESS THAT THEY WANT US TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO KEEP IN-PERSON LEARNING.

WE CALL IT UNINTERRUPTED DAYS.

UNINTERRUPTED ATHLETICS, ARTS AND ACTIVITIES.

EVEN IF THAT MEANS VACCINE, WEEKLY TESTING, MASKS, WE'RE TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL.

>> NO PUSH BACK FROM PARENTS AT ALL?

>> BELIEVE IT OR NOT WE HEARD FROM A HANDFUL OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS A FEW OF WHICH WHO DON'T LIVE IN OUR BOUNDARIES.

THE REASON WHY THE PUSH BACK HAS NOT BEEN BAD IS WE'VE BEEN CLEAR THAT WE'LL FOLLOW SCIENCE AND WELLNESS COMES FIRST.

BUT SECOND THERE IS A CHOICE.

THIS IS NOT A VACCINE MANDATE.

IT'S VACCINE OR TESTS.

IT'S ABOUT SAFETY AND OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THAT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE MASKS MANDATES, IT IS STILL IN PLACE, CORRECT?

>> YES, OUR MASK MANDATES CONTINUES, AND IT'S BEEN IN PLACE SINCE AUGUST 2ND.

>> ANY CONSIDERATION OF REMOVING THAT MANDATE?

>> WELL, WE DON'T WANT TO LIVE WITH MASKS FOREVER.

THAT'S NOT OUR GOAL.

OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP OUR CAMPUSES AND OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

AT THIS POINT WITH THE SPREAD OF DELTA, WITH CURRENT CDC RECOMMENDATIONS, STILL CALLING FOR UNIVERSAL MASKING WE DO NOT PLAN TO WAIVE ON THAT MANAGING REQUIREMENT.

BUT WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRACK SPREAD.

AS YOU KNOW WE SERVE 32 ZIP CODES.

ALL 32 ARE IN HIGH SPREAD.

THE SCIENCE AND MEDICAL FIELD TELL US THAT MASKING IS CRITICAL.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THE RECENT REPORT THAT SAID SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITHOUT A MASKING REQUIREMENT ARE 3.5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO HAVE AN OUTBREAK.

SO THE DATE-TO-DAY RESEARCH SAYS THAT'S THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> ARE YOU SEEING STUDENTS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID?

AND IF SO, HAS THAT NUMBER CHANGED OVER THE MONTHS?

>> OUR DISTRICT HAS DONE EXTREMELY WELL WITH COVID CASES AS WELL AS QUARANTINES.

THE REASON WHY WE'RE DOING SO MUCH WITH COVID MITIGATION.

OUR COVID SPREAD ON OUR CAMPUSES IS VERY MINIMAL.

WE HAVE A LARGE DISTRICT NEARLY 30,000 STUDENTS, 4,000 EMPLOYEES AND WE'LL HAVE BETWEEN 15 TO 100 CASES TOTAL ACROSS OUR DISTRICT, VERY MINIMAL QUARANTINING.

AGAIN, THE SCIENCE IS CLEAR AND TELLS US, IF WE QUARANTINE, MASK, SANITIZE, STAY HOME WHEN WE'RE SICK, WE'LL HAVE AN UNINTERRUPTED LEARNING YEAR.

>> ARE THOSE NUMBERS TRENDING IN ANY DIRECTION, UP, DOWN, EITHER WAY?

>> NO, THEY'RE STAYING STEADY.

ONE REASON WE MOVE TO VACCINE TESTS, THE FIRST STRUGGLE WAS AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES.

FOOTBALL THAT HAD TO DELAY OR CANCEL GAMES BECAUSE OF SPREAD.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE SPORT BUT THE STUDENT-ATHLETES WHO BRING THAT BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

SO WE FEEL REALLY GOOD WHERE WE'RE AT.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S GRANT PROGRAM, DID THAT TEMPT YOU TO THE DISTRICT TO SAY LET'S RECONSIDER HERE?

SOME DISTRICTS DID AN ABOUT FACE ON THAT.

>> YEAH, WE SAID FROM THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR AND REALLY FROM THE BEGINNING OF COVID WE'RE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.

WE SAID IT'S NOT ABOUT LEGISLATION OR LAWS.

IT'S ABOUT LIVES.

IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY.

IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE, AND WE PROMISE OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE WOULD NOT WAIVER ON OUR VALUES AND OUR COMMITMENT.

NO DOLLAR AMOUNT OR INCENTIVE WOULD JEOPARDIZE OUR PEOPLE.

>> MISINFORMATION OUT THERE, WHETHER IT INVOLVES SOCIAL MEDIA OR TRADITIONAL MEDIA OR JUST A BUNCH OF PARENTS OR TEACHERS TALKING AND SHARING STORIES.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AS THE IMPACT OF MISINFORMATION IN WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT THE DISTRICT IS TRYING TO DO?

>> YEAH, MISINFORMATION ACROSS OUR NATION AND REALLY ACROSS OUR GLOBE HAS BEEN SUCH A CHALLENGE.

WHETHER THAT'S WITH THE VACCINE, WITH MASKING, EVEN OTHER LEGISLATION AND QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT CURRICULUM IS AND ISN'T.

MISINFORMATION HAS BEEN A GREAT CHALLENGE.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, ESPECIALLY IF WE BRING IT BACK TO COVID MITIGATION IS TO CONTINUE TO SHARE WHAT THE SCIENCE TELLS US.

WE PRODUCE VIDEOS AND VIDEO VIGNETTES ONE IN PARTNERSHIP USING OUR STUDENTS, STAFF AND SCIENCE TEACHERS TELLING OUR COMMUNITY WHAT THE TRUTH IS ABOUT THE VACCINE, ABOUT COVID MITIGATION.

I THINK THE ONE THING TO COMBAT IT IS TO SHARE THE SAME TRUTH WITH OUR PEOPLE.

AND ULTIMATELY WE'RE IN THE BUSINESS OF CHILDREN, AND WE HAVE TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO COMBAT MISINFORMATION TO PROTECT OUR KIDS.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE, THANK YOU, SIR, APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> UP NEXT ON ARIZONA HORIZON, A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM TO PROVIDE HOSPITAL CARE AT HOME.

EVERYBODY >> THE MAYO CLINIC HAS SCREEDED A TELEHEALTH PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM SHOULD HELP PATIENTS RECOVER FASTER WHILE REDUCING COSTS TO HOSPITALS WHICH COULD LOWER HEALTHCARE COSTS OVER ALL.

WE LEARN MONTH FROM DR. CHAD NELLSON.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

LET'S DEFINE TERMS HERE.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT TELEHEALTH, WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

>> WELL, TELEHEALTH WOULD BE ANY TIME YOU HAVE AN INTERACTION WITH A PATIENT EITHER OVER PHONE OR THROUGH A VIRTUAL CONNECTION WITH VIDEO REMOATLY WITH A PATIENT.

>> AND MAYO NOW HAS THIS THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM FOR ACUTE HOSPITAL CARE AT HOME.

EXPLAIN HOW THIS WORKS.

>> SO YES, WE'RE ADVANCING THE IDEA OF TELEHEALTH TO ACUTE POPULATION.

RATHER THAN JUST A VISIT, RATHER THAN TURNING THAT INTO A VIRTUAL VISIT.

NOW WE'RE TAKING IT TO THEIR HOME AND ALL VIRTUALLY IN THE COMFORT OF THE PATIENT'S HOME.

>> YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN INTERNET CONNECTION, WHAT IF THEY NEED IVs, DO YOU SET THEM UP IN THE HOME IN ONE STOP?

>> EVERYTHING WE DO HERE IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING, WE ALSO MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO DO THE SAME THING AT THE PATIENT'S HOME.

NURSING IV THERAPY, WOUND CARE, PHLEBOTOMY, EVERYTHING WE DO IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING WE DO IN THE PATIENT'S HOME.

>> THE REQUIREMENT FOR A LANDLINE IN CASE A STORM COMES THROUGH, AND YOU LOSE POWER.

>> THE DEFAULT SETTING FOR OUR TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM IS TO USE THE PATIENT'S HOME INTERNET.

HOWEVER WE DO HAVE A CRADLE THAT CONNECTS THROUGH A CELLULAR CONNECTION AND HAS A BATTERY CONNECTION.

SO IF WE DO LOSE POWER WE CAN STILL COMMUNICATE WITH THE PATIENTS.

>> AND AGAIN WE'RE TALKING 24/7 CARE JUST LIKE IF YOU WERE IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> EXACTLY.

WE HAVE NURSES IN THE COMMANDED CENTER WHO CHECK IN ON THE PATIENTS PERIODICALLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

THEY WORK 24/7 OVERNIGHT AS WELL.

JUST LIKE IN THE HOSPITAL THE NURSE CHECKS ON THEM AND SEES HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING THROUGH THE COMMAND CENTER BACK TO THE PAINTER'S HOME.

>> GIVE ME A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT KIND OF PATIENTS WOULD BE BEST SUITED FOR THIS?

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE FOCUSING ON THE TRADITIONAL MEDICAL PATIENT BUT HEALTH FAILURE EXACERBATION, PNEUMONIA, WE'RE STARTING TO GET INTO COVID PATIENTS, CELLULITIS, WHICH IS A SKIN INFECTION.

THESE ARE THE PATIENTS WE'RE FOCUSING ON AT THIS POINT.

>> WHAT ABOUT CANCER.

>> WE CAN--DEPENDENTING ON THE PATIENT'S NEED WITH REGARD TO CANCER, WE DO SEE PATIENTS FOR PAIN CONTROL.

BEV NOT TAKEN THAT AT MOMENT BUT WE DO FORESEE THAT AS AN OPTION.

>> PROPONENTS SAY PATIENTS CAN RECOVER FASTER BY WAY OF THIS KIND OF TELEHEALTH.

DO YOU AGREE AND I DON'T "Y" WOULD THAT BE THE CASE?

>> I THINK SO BECAUSE PATIENTS ARE GOING TO BE MORE MOBILE IN THEIR HOME.

IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING WE SEE PATIENTS WANT TO LAY IN BED AND NOT DO ANYTHING.

AT HOME THEY HAVE TO GET UP AND BE AROUND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

AND THAT ACTIVITY IS GOOD FOR THEM AND GOOD FOR THEIR RECOVERY.

AND ALSO THEY'RE IN A FAMILIAR ENVIRONMENT.

THEY'RE AROUND THEIR LOVED ONES.

THAT ALL TOGETHER HELPS NOT ONLY FOR A QUICKER RECOVERY BUT HELPS WITH PATIENT SATISFACTION.

>> BUT IN THE HOSPITAL THERE IS A SANITARY--CLEANLINESS AND KEEPING THINGS STERILE, AT HOME YOU HAVE DOGS PEOPLE AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS GOING ON.

HOW DO YOU MONITOR THAT?

>> WELL CERTAINLY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL FACE ON A DAILY BASIS.

BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS AROUND THE HOSPITAL THAT WE DON'T WANT, A LOT OF RESISTANT INFECTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE WOULD PREFER NOT TO HAVE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF BEING IS THERE.

WHEN YOU TAKE THAT ALL IN BALANCE, THE BENEFIT IS FOR THE PATIENT BEING IN THEIR HOME WHEN POSSIBLE.

>> THE THE BENEFIT AS FAR AS COST OF CARE.

COULD THIS SAVE HOSPITALS MONEY, AND IN TURN COULD THIS LOWER HEALTH COSTS?

>> WITH OUR PROGRAM WE'RE FOCUSED ON GETTING IT UP AND RUNNING AND DOING SO SAFELY.

WITH THAT WE'RE SEEING A SMALL COST SAVINGS ALREADY.

ONCE WE HAVE THE PROGRAM NORMATURE WE ANTICIPATE WE CAN FOCUS ON SOFT SAVINGS IN A ROBUST FASHION AND SEE MORE OF IT.

AN EVEN IN THE EARLY STAGE WE'RE SEEING COST SAVINGS MUCH.

>> YOU STARTED THIS SEPTEMBER 13TH.

>> CORRECT.

THE PROGRAM OVER ALL HAS BEEN IN FLORIDA AND HERE WE STARTED ON THE 13TH.

>> WHAT IS THE REACTION SO FAR?

>> EVERYONE LOVES IT.

THE PATIENT RESPONSE HAS BEEN GREAT.

WHICH IS WHAT WE SAW IN THE OTHER PROGRAMS AS WELL.

AND THEN WE HAVE SEEN THAT THE RESOURCES AND TEAMS THAT THEY'RE DOING SO SAFELY AND IT HAS BEEN GREAT.

>> THAT'S THE BIG POINT HERE.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS SAFE FOR THE PATIENT.

>> CORRECT.

SO QUALITY IS A HUGE ASPECT OF THIS PROGRAM, AND WE COMPARE QUALITY NUMBERS TO TRADITIONAL BRICK AND MORTAR HOSPITAL AND THEN OTHER QUALITY METRICS FOR THE ADVANCE CARE AT HOME PROGRAM, BUT QUALITY IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE NUMBER ONE AND OUR MAYO-CENTERED CARE IS THE THE PATIENT IS AT THE CENTER THAT HAVE CARE AND THEIR NEEDS COME FIRST.

>> BRAVE NEW BURLED OUT THERE DR. CHAD NELSON MAYO CLINIC.

GREAT INFORMATION.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT.

HAVE A GOOD STAY.

>> TONIGHT WE LOOK AT VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING FOR SENIORS ON ZOOM AS PART OF OUR MOLLY AARP SEGMENT THAT HIGHLIGHTS ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OLDER ADULTS IN ARIZONA.

CELEBRATING IT'S ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF PROVIDING VIRTUAL CLASSES THROUGH ITS CENTER FOR SENIOR ENRICHMENT.

WE SPOKE WITH THE CENTER'S SITE DIRECTOR JENNIFER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

THIS VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING FOR SENIORS ON ZOOM.

WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?

>> WELL FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LETTING ME HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU.

JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICE CENTER FOR SENIOR ENRICHMENT WENT LIVE VIRTUALLY NOVEMBER 1, 2020.

WE'RE COMING UP TO OUR ONE-YEAR MARK NOVEMBER 1ST OF THIS YEAR AND WE HAVE A BIG CELEBRATION PLANNED FOR THAT DAY.

WE WILL BE CELEBRATING OUR SUCCESS OF US BEING VIRTUAL AND ALL THE GROWTH THAT HAS TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST YEAR.

MUSICAL GUESTS WILL BE JOINING US FOR OUR CELEBRATION HOUR.

AND I WILL BE THERE AS WELL AS ALWAYS TO WELCOME GUESTS AND TO THANKS THEM FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROGRAM OVER THE PAST YEAR.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT PROGRAM OVER THE PAST YEAR.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

ART EXISTS FROM THE MUSEUM MUSIC, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> EXACTLY.

IT HAS BEEN TRULY AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.

THE PROGRAM, WHICH IS FREE, AND OPEN TO ALL SENIORS IN MARICOPA COUNTY, WE OFFER LIVE CLASSES FIVE DAYS A WEEK ON ZOOM, AND A WIDE VARIETY OF PROGRAMMING FOR THAT MATTER.

EVERYTHING FROM EXERCISE CLASSES TO LECTURE SERIES, TO PARTNERSHIPS WITH MUSEUMS UP COMING WE HAVE THE JOE GENTLEMAN O'KEEFE MUSEUM THAT WILL BE JOINING US FOR OUR TALK, AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL PARK IN ALASKA.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPANTS TO JOIN US DAILY, IF THEY WOULD LIKE, ON ZOOM AND TO ENGAGE WITH OTHERS DURING THIS TIME.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ISOLATION, AND THIS PROGRAM HAS ALLOWED FOR HELPING THOSE PARTICIPANTS IN FEELING MORE LIKE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITH EACH OTHER.

>> THIS HAS BAN SILVER LINING IN THIS PAN DEMOCRAT.

>> OKAY.

AS FAR AS THE PROGRAMS, ARE THESE INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS?

>> YES, WE DO HAVE INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS.

THEY ALL ARE.

>> AND ARE ANY OF THEM OFFERED IN PERSON OR ARE THEY ALL ZOOM?

>> SO MY PROGRAM IS ALL ON ZOOM FIVE DAYS A WEEK.

>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CENTER FOR SENIOR ENRICHMENT AND THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL GATHERING FOR SENIORS.

IT REALLY DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE, DOESN'T IT.

>> IT SURE DOES.

IT SURE DOES.

IT ALLOWS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN ISOLATION, TO ENGAGE WITH OTHERS AND LEARN NEW THINGS.

THERE ARE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER THAT PARTICIPANTS MAY OH NOT HAVE THOUGHT BEFORE, LIKE CREATIVE WRITING, AND NOW THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO.

IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLE FOR EVERYONE.

>> WHAT KIND OF REACTION ARE YOU GETTING FROM THOSE WHO ARE PARTICIPATING?

>> THEY'RE PROVIDING VERY POSITIVE FEEDBACK ASKING TO PROVIDE NOR PROGRAMS AND THEY DON'T WANT IT TO STOP.

THEY LOVE THE SCREENS OF BEING IN THEIR OWN HOME AND BEING ABLE TO LOG ON TO ZOOM TO TAKE A CLASS OR TWO, AND THEN GO ON WITH THEIR DAY WHETHER THEY'RE GOING TO STAY IN OR GO OUT AND SOCIALIZE WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

IT IS SO EASY, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT'S FREE.

SO IT MAKES SENSE FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS INCREDIBLE PROGRAM THAT WE'RE OFFERING.

>> HAVE YOU HAD MUCH REACTION FROM THE FAMILIES OF THOSE PARTICIPANTS?

>> THE FAMILIES HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME SAYING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SO APPRECIATIVE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING THIS SERVICE TO THEIR PARENTS.

THEY LOVE THE FACT THAT THIS IS AVAILABLE TO THEM, AND THEY JUST WANT IT TO CONTINUE AS LONGS AS IT CAN.

>> INDEED, OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS, BUT AS SOME POINT, THE PAN DENTALIC IS GOING TO EASE, I HOPE, AND WE'RE ALL GOING TO GET BACK TO SOME BETTER SENSE OF NORMAL HERE.

COULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS BE PERMANENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT CANNOT BE.

THIS PROGRAM IS A WONDERFUL OPTION FOR PARTICIPANTS TO JOIN IN ON ZOOM AND STILL, AS I MENTIONED, GO ON WITH THEIR DAY OUTSIDE OF THEIR HOMES.

THERE IS NO REASON WHY THIS CAN'T CONTINUE, AND IT WILL CONTINUE, AND I PLAN ON DOING THAT.

>> VERY GOOD AND FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> THE BEST WAY TO GO IS OUR WEBSITE AT www.gjcsaz.org /EVENTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

VERY GOOD.

JEWISH FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES, THE CENTER FOR SENIOR ENRICHMENT.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ONE YEAR AND CONTINUED SUCCESS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TODAY.

>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

COMING UP ON ARIZONA PBS ON CRONKITE NEWS HOW UNIFIED SPORTS TEAM ARE IMPACTING CHILDREN WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY.