
Arizona PBS GM on House Vote, Budget cuts at cybersecurity agency, Light Rail Expansion, dementia care campus
Season 2025 Episode 114 | 27m 40sVideo has Closed Captions
Arizona PBS GM on House Vote, Cuts at cybersecurity agency, light rail changes, dementia care campus
Arizona PBS General Manager Scott Woelfel speaks about House vote that could affect public media, Job losses and potential budget cuts at the nation's top cybersecurity agency causing concern, Valley Metro is changing their light rail into a two line system, and Hospice of the Valley's Dementia Care and Education Campus is providing resources and education to dementia patients and their families.
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Arizona Horizon is a local public television program presented by Arizona PBS

Arizona PBS GM on House Vote, Budget cuts at cybersecurity agency, Light Rail Expansion, dementia care campus
Season 2025 Episode 114 | 27m 40sVideo has Closed Captions
Arizona PBS General Manager Scott Woelfel speaks about House vote that could affect public media, Job losses and potential budget cuts at the nation's top cybersecurity agency causing concern, Valley Metro is changing their light rail into a two line system, and Hospice of the Valley's Dementia Care and Education Campus is providing resources and education to dementia patients and their families.
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TED: COMING UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTES TO RESCIND BILLIONS IN FUNDS THAT HELP SUPPORT, IN PART, PUBLIC MEDIA LIKE PBS.
>>> ALSO TONIGHT, CONCERNS OVER CUTS TO THE NATION'S TOP CYBERSECURITY AGENCY, AND A NEW TWO-LINE SYSTEM BRINGS CHANGES TO THE VALLEY'S LIGHT RAIL.
THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON."
.
TED: GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."
I'M TED SIMONS.
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TODAY VOTED TO RESCIND $9.4 BILLION IN SPENDING ALREADY APPROVED BY CONGRESS, INCLUDING FUNDS FOR A VARIETY OF FOREIGN AID PROGRAMS AND $1.1 MILLION FOR THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, WHICH IS THE FULL AMOUNT SLATED TO RECEIVE FOR TWO YEARS.
A NARROW VOTE WITH 212 AGAINST.
ARIZONA'S GREG STANTON AND YASSAMIN ANSARI VOTED AGAINST THE MEASURE, THE REST OF THE DELEGATION, ALL REPUBLICANS, VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE CUTS.
THE PROPOSAL MOVES ONTO THE SENATE WHERE IT'S EXPECTED TO BE TAKEN ON NEXT MONTH AFTER THEY WORK ON TAX AND IMMIGRATION BILLS.
>>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT THE VOTE MEANS AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE, WE'RE JOINED BY THE GENERAL MANAGER OF ARIZONA PBS, SCOTT WOELFEL.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.
>> THANK YOU, TED.
TED: LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS, WHAT DID THE HOUSE DO TODAY?
>> THE RICISION MEASURE THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SENT FOR VOTING EARLIER THIS YEAR, TO RESCIND THE FUNDS, AS YOU SAID IN THE INTRO, TO FOREIGN AID AND EVERYTHING THAT CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING GETS.
THE MONEY FOR CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING FLOWS THROUGH ABOUT 70% FLOWS THROUGH TO ALL THE STATIONS IN THE COUNTRY, ALL THE PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS, PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS AND PROVIDE $2 MILLION A YEAR IN FUNDING.
TED: AND CPB IS A PRIVATE ENTITY, CORRECT?
>> PRIVATE CORPORATION SET UP SPECIFICALLY TO BE FUNDED BY CONGRESS.
TED: AND TWO YEARS IN ADVANCE BECAUSE THEY WANT TO KEEP POLITICS OUT OF THAT.
>> THAT WAS THE PLAN, AND THE FUNDS RESCINDED OR TRYING TO BE RESCINDED NOW WERE APPROVED A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND THAT'S FOR THE NEXT TWO FISCAL YEARS.
THERE'S A BATTLE IN THE FALL ABOUT FUTURE FUNDING WITH THAT.
WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT.
TED: WHAT WAS THE REASON FOR TAKING BACK THE FUNDS, STICK WITH THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING?
>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS SAYING TAX DOLLARS SHOULD NOT FUND PUBLIC MEDIA, WE CAN PROVE THAT ON MANY LEVELS SO, IT IS AN IDEOLOGICAL MEASURE.
TED: HOW IMPORTANT, YOU MENTIONED HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO ARIZONA PBS, TO PUBLIC MEDIA IN GENERAL.
WHAT'S THE HIT?
>> MAJOR HIT.
ABOUT 13% OF OUR BUDGET, I DON'T WANT TO GO WITHOUT 12% OF OUR BUDGET.
IT CAN BE AS MUCH AS 50% OR MORE OF OTHER BUDGET.
WE WILL SEE STATIONS GO OUT OF BUSINESS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
TED: WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT ON THINGS LIKE EMERGENCY ALERTS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, THINGS THAT DON'T NECESSARILY DEAL WITH NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS?
>> THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT PUBLIC MEDIA.
JUST TO TAKE US FOR EXAMPLE HERE.
A FIFTH OF OUR STAFF DEALS WITH EDUCATION OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES ALL OVER ARIZONA, DON'T TOUCH THE PROGRAMMING THAT YOU SEE ON TELEVISION.
THEY ARE STATIONED AROUND THE STATE, IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, POORER COMMUNITIES AND TRIBAL AREAS, HELPING TEACHERS GET CERTIFICATION AND MORE EDUCATION AND WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND FAMILIES DIRECTLY AS WELL AS CREATING LESSON PLANS FOR TEACHERS.
TED: THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, IT'S A BIG DEAL?
>> OUR BROADCAST SIGNAL, WE HAVE EIGHT TOWERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND THROUGH THE BROADCAST SIGNAL CAN SEND EMERGENCY ALERTS TO LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS AND CITIZENS WHO CAN PICK IT UP AS WELL ONLINE AND IN OTHER PLACES, SO EVERYTHING FROM WEATHER ALERTS, BRUSHFIRES, MISSING PERSONS.
IT COVERS A LOT.
ABOUT 200 OR 300 PER YEAR.
TED: NOW ONTO THE SENATE HERE.
WHAT IS THE OUTLOOK, SIMPLE MAJORITY FOR NOW IN THE SENATE?
>> IT IS -- BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT'S PRESENTED, SIMPLE MAJORITY VOTE IS NOT SUBJECT TO FILIBUSTER RULES.
THE SENATE MUST VOTE ON THIS BY JULY 18.
IF NOT BY THEN, THEN THE PRIVILEGE RULES WOULD BE SUBJECT TO FILIBUSTER.
AT WHICH POINT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD.
JULY 18 IS THE DATE.
TED: 45 DAYS AFTER THE PRESIDENT INITIALLY PUT THE RESCISSION IN FRONT OF CONGRESS?
>> THAT'S CORRECT.
TED: THEY HAVE MAJOR, MAJOR LEGISLATION TO LOOK AT?
>> AND 4th OF JULY RECESS IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
IT SEEMS UNLIKELY THE SENATE WOULD TAKE IT UP BEFORE JULY 7, THE RETURN OF THE RECESS.
THAT WOULD LEAVE IT TWO WEEKS OR LESS TO SEE PASSING.
>> WHEN IT COMES TO CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, LITTLE TINKERING HERE AND THERE?
>> THAT CAN CHANGE IN THE SENATE.
WE MIGHT SEE AMENDMENTS STRIP PUBLIC BROADCASTING OUT COMPLETELY AND LEAVE AT FOREIGN AID OR VICE VERSA.
WE DON'T KNOW UNTIL IT GETS INTO THE RULES.
>> THE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING EFFORTS, A LOT OF IT AT THE STATION, HEARD A LOT OF IT AROUND THE COUNTRY.
WHERE IS IT?
WHAT DOES TODAY'S VOTE MEAN TO THE EFFORT?
.
>> INTERESTING, I WAS LOOKING BEFORE I SAT DOWN HERE.
HALF A MILLION E-MAILS SENT TO CONGRESS OVER THE LAST WEEK ALONE IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC MEDIA AND MANY THOUSANDS OF PHONE CALLS AS WELL.
THAT'S WHY THE VOTE WAS CLOSE AND FOUR REPUBLICANS DID VOTE NO ON IT.
THE SENATE IS A DIFFERENT ANIMAL.
WE HAVE TWO DEMOCRATIC SENATORS HERE, I'VE SPOKEN TO BOTH OF THEM.
THEY STRONGLY SUPPORT PUBLIC MEDIA AND WE'LL KNOW ON THE BILL.
IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN TO A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICAN SENATORS AND STATES WHO MAY OR MAY NOT SUPPORT THIS.
TED: YEAH, YEAH.
SCOTT WOELFEL, ON A DAY, NOT THE BEST OF DAYS FOR PUBLIC MEDIA, HUH?
>> NO, BUT YOU GOT ME TO PUT A TIE ON TED.
TED: IT'S A WIN FOR ME.
GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> YOU, TOO.
.
TED: ROUGHLY A THIRD OF EMPLOYEES AT THE U.S. CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY HAVE LEFT THEIR JOBS SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR, AND NOW AS MORE JOB CUTS LOOM, THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT HOW ALL THIS COULD EFFECT EVERYTHING FROM U.S. SECURITY TO TECHNOLOGY THAT PROTECTS UTILITIES AND ELECTIONS SYSTEMS.
TO LEARN MORE, WE WELCOME DR. NADYA BLISS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASU'S GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
TED: CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY.
WHAT IS THAT?
>> OKAY.
SO CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY IS THE COMPONENT AGENCY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.
IT'S A REASONABLY NEW AGENCY, BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 2018, THE PRECURSOR IN 2007.
IT DOES A LOT OF WORK ON IDENTIFYING, PREVENTING AND MITIGATING CYBERATTACKS ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE INCLUDES SECTORS LIKE WATER SYSTEMS, TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS, NUCLEAR SYSTEMS, SUPPLY CHAINS, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, WHERE SORT OF THIS CYBER TOUCHES WITH THE PHYSICAL.
TED: THIS IS THE NATION'S TOP CYBERSECURITY AGENCY, CORRECT?
>> ESPECIALLY IN CONTEXT OF DOMESTIC CYBERSECURITY.
YOU CAN THINK ABOUT CYBER COMMAND AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY, LOOK AT IT MORE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE NATIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, BUT, YES, FROM A FEDERAL PERSPECTIVE, CIFA THINKS ABOUT CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY FOR THE UNITED STATES HOMELAND.
TED: TODAY WE HAVE A TOTAL WORKFORCE CUT OF ABOUT ONE THIRD.
THAT'S GOT TO BE A CONCERN.
>> SO AS I MENTIONED IN THE BEGINNING, WHEN I WAS DESCRIBING THE AGENCY, THIS AGENCY IS REASONABLY NEW.
THE REASON IT WAS SET UP IS THAT IT'S ADDRESSING EMERGING THREATS AND THE THREATS ARE ONLY ACCELERATING.
SO I DO NOT ENVISION A LOWDOWN OF CYBERSECURITY THREATS ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, EVEN THIS MORNING, I WAS WATCHING THE NEWS GETTING READY AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CYBERATTACK ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN AFFECTING SUPERMARKETS.
SO YES, IT'S DEFINITELY A CHALLENGING TIME IN CYBERSECURITY.
TED: AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE PRESIDENT'S BUDGET HAS ANOTHER 17% CUT FROM THIS PARTICULAR AGENCY?
>> YOU KNOW, THE BUDGETS ARE STILL IN THE MIDST OF DISCUSSIONS, BUT I DO THINK THIS IS AN AREA THAT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PRIORITIZE FEDERAL INVESTMENTS.
I ALSO SEE IT, OUR NATION ADVERSARY, FOR EXAMPLE, CHINA, THERE'S INCREASING ATTRIBUTION OF ATTACKS ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT.
SO ESPECIALLY IN THAT CONTEXT, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE AGENCY IS ROBUST.
TED: AND SHOULD NOTE REPORTS THAT ALL SENIOR OFFICIALS HAVE NOW LEFT THE AGENCY.
THE IMPACT ON POWER GRIDS, FOR EXAMPLE.
WHAT DO WE SEE HERE?
>> HERE'S THE THING THAT'S KIND OF CHALLENGING.
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS MANAGED IN A VERY HETEROGENEOUS MANNER AND HUGE FUNCTION OF CIFA IS COORDINATION AND SET UP WITH INFRASTRUCTURE ON MITIGATING THE THREATS.
SO THEY'RE NOT LOSING MARKET SHARE, THEY'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT DISCLOSING INFORMATION THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT THE CONSUMERS.
THEY MANAGE SPECIFICALLY THE PROTECTION OF HOMELAND FROM FORECAST.
SO THAT IS WHY IT'S INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT COORDINATION AGENCY AND TO HAVE THE COORDINATION FUNCTION FOR THINGS LIKE UTILITIES.
TED: WATER UTILITIES, THE POWER GRIDS AND SUCH.
WHAT ABOUT ELECTION SYSTEMS?
>> YEAH, SO CYBERSECURITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY AGENCY HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONALLY RIGOROUS IN PROTECTING U.S.
ELECTIONS AND MITIGATING -- OUR ELECTIONS ARE SECURE, AND THERE'S BEEN CLEAR EVIDENCE FROM A COMPUTER SCIENCE PERSPECTIVE.
I'M A COMPUTER SCIENTIST, SO THAT FUNCTION IS ANOTHER VERY IMPORTANT FUNCTION AS WE CONSIDER THE INCREASING RISE OF PEER ADVERSARIES.
TED: YOU MENTIONED THE IDEA OF CHINA DISRUPTING AND OTHER NATIONS DISRUPTING, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TALKED ABOUT DISRUPTING THEM AND TAKING COMMAND AND BEING THE AGGRESSOR.
WELL THAT USUALLY SIGNALS A RESPONSE.
WE BETTER BE READY FOR THE RESPONSE.
ARE WE READY FOR THAT RESPONSE?
>> THAT IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT POINT, TED.
I AM NOT INSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.
SO I WILL NOT COMMENT ON WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE READY, BUT I WILL SAY THAT AT A MOMENT WHEN WE'RE POSITIONING FOR POTENTIALLY OFFENSIVE CYBER, IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO HAVE PEOPLE IN INFORMATION PROTECT THE HOMELAND BECAUSE THAT RETALIATION IS GUARANTEED.
TED: YEAH.
SO WHAT KIND OF REACTION ARE YOU HEARING AT LEAST ON CAPITOL HILL?
WHAT ARE LEADERS SAYING ABOUT THAT?
ARE THEY SITTING BACK AND WATCHING THIS HAPPEN?
WHAT KIND OF RESPONSE OUT THERE?
>> I HAVE NOT TALKED TO FOLKS ON CAPITOL HILL ABOUT THE SPECIFIC -- SPECIFIC BUDGET ELEMENT, BUT I AM GETTING A DISTINCT SENSE THAT THERE IS CLEAR PRIORITIZATION OF CYBERSECURITY, AT LEAST WENT EXPERT COMMUNITY, SO THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LEADING CYBERSECURITY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, LEADING CYBERSECURITY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, LEADING IMPLEMENTATION AND DEPLOYMENT AND QUITE FRANKLY, AMAZING PEOPLE AT HOMELAND SECURITY THAT HAVE BEEN LEADING THESE EFFORTS.
THERE IS CLEAR ARTICULATION THAT THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT CAPACITY FOR THE U.S. TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS PARTICULAR MOMENT IN TIME.
TED: CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO WATCH OUT FOR.
NADYA BLISS, ASU GLOBAL SECURITY INITIATIVE.
GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
.
TED: VALLEY METRO RECENTLY BEGAN A NEW TWO-LINE LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM TO GO ALONG WITH EXPANSION INTO SOUTH PHOENIX AND EXPANSION OF A DOWNTOWN PHOENIX HUB.
JOINING US IS RENATA CLO, SPOKESPERSON FOR VALLEY METRO.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> GOOD TO BE HERE.
TED: YEAH, YEAH.
SO LIGHT RAIL IS CHANGING INTO A TWO-LINE SYSTEM.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
>> IT MEANS THAT NOW WE HAVE ADDED 5.5 MILES OF NEW TRACKS ALONG SOUTH CENTRAL, AND WE HAD TO -- AND BOTH OUR ORIGINAL LINE AND THE EXTENSION CONVERGES INTO DOWNTOWN HUB, AND NOW WE HAVE TWO LINES, ONE THAT RUNS EAST-WEST FROM GILBERT ROAD AND MAINE TO THE DOWNTOWN HUB, AND ANOTHER THAT RUNS NORTH-SOUTH FROM METRO PARKWAY TO BASELINE AND CENTRAL.
TED: SO THE NORTH-SOUTH ONE IS THE B LINE, AND THE EAST-WEST ONE FROM GILBERT TO DOWNTOWN PHOENIX IS THE A LINE.
>> YES.
TED: WHY IS THIS NECESSARY?
>> WHEN WE ORIGINALLY OPENED OUR 20 MILES OF TRACK 16 YEARS AGO, WE DIDN'T NEED TO HAVE MORE THAN ONE LINE.
AS OUR SYSTEM HAS EXPANDED AND NOW WE DON'T HAVE JUST ONE SINGLE TRACK GOING, BOTH LINES NOW MEET AT THE DOWNTOWN HUB.
TED: THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK.
YOU GOT THE DOWNTOWN HUB, IT'S LIKE THE CRISSCROSS, IT'S LIKE A T RATHER THAN A PLUS.
IF YOU ARE ON THE A LINE AND YOU GET TO THE B LINE, THAT'S HOW YOU DO IT?
>> THE DOWNTOWN STATION HAS FOUR PLATFORMS.
TED: WHOA.
WHAT'S THAT ALL ABOUT?
HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>> IF YOU'RE COMING FROM THE A LINE FROM MESA AND YOU WANT TO TAKE THE B LINE, YOU ARE GOING TO BE DROPPED OFF AT DOWNTOWN HUB WASHINGTON PLATFORM, AND IF YOU WANT TO GO TO THE SOUTH, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THE PLATFORM ON FIRST AVENUE, AND IF YOU WANT TO GO NORTH, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THE PLATFORM ON CENTRAL AVENUE.
TED: OKAY, SO IN THE OLD DAYS, YOU WENT EAST-WEST, AND TO MAKE THAT LITTLE TURN AND YOU GO NORTH-SOUTH, NO PROBLEM, NOW BECAUSE OF THE OPTIONS YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS.
IS IT RELATIVELY SELF-EXPLANATORY?
>> YES, WE HAVE A LOT OF SIGNAGE AT THE DOWNTOWN HUB.
WE ALSO HAVE OUR CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COORDINATORS.
THEY'RE HELPING OUT PEOPLE AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS, AND ALSO OUR SECURITY GUARDS.
WE HAVE SO MUCH INFORMATION ONLINE AS WELL.
TED: WHEN YOU MAKE THE SWITCH, DO YOU HAVE TO TAP YOUR CARD OR DO MOBILE SCAN OR WHATEVER YOU GOT TO DO THERE?
>> YES, IF YOU ARE USING VALLEY FAIR OR THE METRO APP, YOU TAP YOUR CARD OR SCAN MOBILE FARE AGAIN, BUT IF YOU BOUGHT A ONE-RIDE FARE AT THE FARE MACHINE, THAT'S VALID FOR TWO HOURS.
TED: TWO HOURS.
INTERESTING.
ANYTHING ELSE CHANGE AS FAR AS FARES ARE CONCERNED?
>> NO.
NO.
TED: ALL RIGHT, SO IT'S BASICALLY THE SAME THING, YOU JUST GOT TO GET OFF IF YOU WANT TO GO NORTH.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE EAST-WEST, IT JUST TURNS AROUND AND GOES BACK TO THE EAST?
>> THERE'S A LOOP SO THAT THE TRAIN CAN DO THAT, YES.
TED: I KNOW IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL BUT I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THAT.
KIDS, OLDER FOLKS, REDUCED FAIR STILL IN OPERATION?
>> YES, STILL IN OPERATION, YOU CAN BUY REDUCED FARE AT FARE MACHINE OR APPLY FOR REDUCED FARE AND HAVE A REDUCED FARE COPPER CARD.
TED: YOU MENTIONED THE FOUR PLATFORMS AND YOU GOT TO GO HERE AND THERE AND WAIT FOR A LITTLE BIT.
IS THERE SHADE?
IT'S A TOUGH TIME OF THE YEAR TO BE OUTSIDE FOR ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS.
HOW'S THAT WORKING?
>> OUR TRANSFERS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES.
THERE IS SHADE, AND WE REALLY ARE NOT EXPECTING THAT MUCH DIFFERENCE OF TIME BETWEEN THE COMMUTE.
WE ARE ALSO RUNNING TRAINS MORE FREQUENTLY NOW.
OUR WEEKDAYS START OF SERVICE TO 7:00 P.M., WE ARE RUNNING TRAINS EVERY 12 MINUTES AS OPPOSED TO 15 MINUTES BEFORE WE OPEN THE EXTENSION.
TED: THE SOUTH CENTRAL EXTENSION, THAT WAS SUCH A BIG DEAL AND EVERYONE SO EXCITED ABOUT IT.
TALK ABOUT THE REACTION?
>> I MEAN, WE HAD A GREAT CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY.
5,000 PEOPLE CAME TO CELEBRATE WITH US, AND WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO DELIVER THIS PROJECT TO THE SOUTH PHOENIX COMMUNITY.
TED: WHAT DO WE LOOK FOR NEXT WITH LIGHT RAIL?
SOMETHING'S ALWAYS GOING ON.
WHAT'S GOING ON NOW?
ARE YOU GOING TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY FOR A WHILE?
>> NO.
[LAUGHTER] >> THERE IS MORE FOR SURE.
THE EXTENSION IS GOING TO KEEP EXPANDING.
WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS STILL IN THE BEGINNING PHASES, BUT WE DO THINK THAT THE SOUTH CENTRAL EXTENSION IS SET TO EXPAND TO THE CAPITOL.
TED: THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING, FUN TO SEE.
THAT WILL BE INTERESTING FROM A CERTAIN CROWD.
RENATA CLO, VALLEY METRO.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW THING, THAT'S GREAT.
TWO LINES.
>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.
.
TED: A HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY CAMPUS IS HELPING PROVIDE CARE TO THOSE LIVING WITH ALL STAGES OF DEMENTIA.
TONIGHT AS PART OF OUR MONTHLY AARP SPONSOR SEGMENT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THIS NEW DEMENTIA CARE AND EDUCATION CAMPUS, AND WE WELCOME MARIBETH GALLAGHER, THE DEMENTIA PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HELPING SHARE THE INFORMATION.
TED: EDUCATION CAMPUS, WHAT GOES ON HERE?
>> THE PLACE IN "CHEERS" WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME, AND YOU WALK IN THE DOOR AND EVERYBODY GOES NORM!
THIS IS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA, FAMILY, FRIENDS, YOU LEARN MORE ABOUT DEMENTIA AND WHERE WE PROVIDE SERVICES, A LOT OF WHICH ARE FREE.
TED: WE'RE TALKING ALL STAGES OF DEMENTIA, CORRECT?
>> EVERY TYPE AND ALL STAGES.
50% NEVER RECEIVE A FORMAL DIAGNOSIS OF DEMENTIA.
SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN COME TOO.
TED: WOW, TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATION ITSELF.
DESCRIBE, ARE THERE SUPPORT GROUPS?
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
>> SO MANY THINGS GOING ON.
WE KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BEST WAYS -- WE'RE TRYING TO SHATTER THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH DEMENTIA AND PROPOSE CAN YOU LIVE WELL WITH DEMENTIA, IN ORDER TO DO THAT, WHEN WE KNOW BETTER WE DO BETTER.
EDUCATION IS KEY, WE'RE PROVIDING SERVICES FOR FREE FOR ANYBODY WHO'S A DEMENTIA CARE PARTNER.
IT'S IN ZOOM AND ALSO IN PERSON, AND WE PROVIDE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT AND LINK TO RESOURCES.
WE ALSO HAVE MEMORY CAFES.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE?
TED: I DO NOT KNOW.
>> MEMORY CAFES ARE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA CAN COME AND HAVE A BLAST AND FEEL CONNECTED WITH OTHERS, AND WHILE DOING THAT, THESE SERVICES ARE FOR FREE, LOVED ONES CAN COME TO A SUPPORT GROUP BECAUSE THEY NEED A SENSE OF CONNECTION AS WELL.
TED: RIGHT, RIGHT.
>> WE ALSO HAVE GATHER, WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HEARD ABOUT.
TED: LET'S GATHER TOGETHER?
>> YES.
THIS IS A EUROPEAN MODEL WHERE PEOPLE WITH MCI, MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT MEET TO CONNECT TO FIGURE OUT HAVING THE EDUCATION ABOUT MOVING FORWARD, AND OFTENTIMES SUPPORT GROUPS HAVE A FACILITATOR, BUT PEOPLE WITH MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT ARE JUST FINE DOING IT ON THEIR OWN.
TED: IT'S PEER LED?
>> YEAH, IT'S PEER-TO-PEER.
TED: THE MEMORY CAFE, DOES THAT GIVE CAREGIVERS A BREAK TOO?
IS THAT PART OF THE PLAN?
>> YES, IF THEY WANT, THEY CAN COME TO THE SUPPORT GROUP BECAUSE IT'S VITAL NOT TO FEEL ISOLATED, BUT WE HAVE PROBABLY, YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW ABOUT ADULT DAY CLUB?
TED: SURE.
>> THIS IS ANOTHER PLACE PEOPLE CAN COME AND SPEND THE DAY SINGING, DANCING, HAVING CONVERSATIONS, AND THAT REALLY ALLOWS THEIR PARTNERS TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEM THERE AND NOT FEEL GUILTY BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE PERSON IS BETTER FOR BEING THERE.
TED: CAN YOU TELL PEOPLE ARE BETTER FOR BEING THERE?
DO THEY LEAVE WITH BIGGER SMILES ON THEIR FACES?
>> AS A MATTER OF FACT.
WE HAVE ON VIDEO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SAID THIS SAVES MY LIFE.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW ABOUT THE INTERGENERATIONAL PORTION OF IT, WE HAVE A CHILD CARE RIGHT NEXT DOOR.
TWICE A DAY, THE PRESCHOOLERS VISIT THE NEIGHBORS, THE GRANDMAS AND THE GRANDPAS, AND THE KIDS ARE SO HAPPY TO BE SEEN AND PLAYED WITH, AND THE PEOPLE CAN DEMENTIA, THEY DON'T SEE DEMENTIA, THEY SEE A PERSON THAT LIGHTS UP.
TED: THE LAVEEN HOME INPATIENT CARE UNIT.
WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?
>> UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE DON'T MISS PERCEIVE THEY NEED TO BE DYING OR NEAR END OF LIFE TO RECEIVE SERVICES, THIS IS FOR ALL THE COMMUNITY.
THE LAVEEN HOME IS SIMPTOM MANAGEMENT OR A PLACE, PERHAPS WHERE PEOPLE COME TO SPEND FINAL DAYS.
TED: I COULD BE SHORT-TERM ACUTE CARE?
>> SHORT-TERM ACUTE CARE.
TED: AND AROUND THE CLOCK CARE?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
TED: IS THERE AN -- THAT'S ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM, WHAT ABOUT IN THE MIDDLE OF ASSISTED LIVING, WHAT DOES THAT OFFER?
>> WE HAVE A SMALL 12-BED ASSISTED LIVING HOME, AND AGAIN, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS IN EVERY SINGLE WAY PUSH THE THEORY THAT YOU CAN LIVE WELL WITH DEMENTIA.
WHY WOULD A PERSON WITH DEMENTIA WANT TO GET UP IN THE MORNING?
WHAT BRINGS THEM JOY?
MEANING?
PURPOSE?
TED: DO YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT CALL THIS EVERY DAY?
>> YES, PEOPLE LIVE IN THE ASSISTED LIVING.
TED: JUST IN THE OVERALL CAMPUS.
I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU LOOK FORWARD TO AND LOOK FORWARD TO GOING TO EVERY CHANCE YOU CAN GET?
>> YES, THEY DO, THEY DO.
REMEMBER ONE OF THESE BUILDINGS IS AN EDUCATION BUILDING BECAUSE EDUCATION IS THAT KEY.
IF I'M TAKING CARE OF MY MOM AND I WANT TO DO THIS BUT I DON'T WANT TO HELP HER GET IN AND OUT OF BED, ON AND OFF THE TOILET.
WE HAVE A SKILL SLIP TO HELP YOU LEARN TO KEEP YOU AND THE PERSON SAFE.
TED: HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN AROUND?
>> WE'VE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2022 NOW.
TED: DEMENTIA CARE, IS IT EVOLVING?
CHANGEING?
>> THANK GOD IT IS.
TED: YES, YOU DID MAKE IT NICE AND QUICK.
I APPRECIATE IT.
MARIBETH GALLAGHER, HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY WHERE, IS IT LOCATED?
>> NORTH 44th STREET SOUTH OF INDIAN SCHOOL.
INDIANOLA.
TED: I GOT YOU.
A LIGHT RIGHT THERE.
>> YEP, THERE'S A LIGHT RIGHT THERE FOR YOU.
TED: THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
TED: THAT IS IT FOR NOW.
I'M TED SIMONS.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.
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