To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Lisa Mancini, Director, Aging and Adult Services
Subject: Submission of the FY 2020-24 Area Plan for Services for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities to the California Department of Aging
RECOMMENDATION:
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Acting as the Governing Board of the Area Agency on Aging for the County of San Mateo, adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The approval and submission of the Fiscal Years 2020-24 Area Plan for Services for Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities to the California Department of Aging; and
B) The execution of a Transmittal Letter to the California Department of Aging required to complete the submission process.
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BACKGROUND:
In July 1992, Aging and Adult Services convened a broad-based group of persons with disabilities, seniors, caregivers, and service providers to form the New Beginning Coalition (NBC). The purpose of the coalition was to improve the quality of life for San Mateo County’s diverse population of older persons and adults with disabilities. The primary vehicle for achieving that goal was the development of a long-range plan for a continuum of services that would be responsive to the needs of its consumers and would acknowledge and incorporate the diversity that exists in the County.
The NBC, in coordination with the Commission on Aging (CoA) and the Commission on Disabilities (CoD), develops and implements a comprehensive process for involving consumers and agencies in the development of each new Area Plan. Participation includes representatives from key private, non-profit, and governmental agencies that provide services for older adults and adults with disabilities, consumers, and representatives from minority communities, with the ongoing involvement of the CoA and CoD.
Completed plans are submitted to the California Department of Aging (CDA) for approval after the Governing Board and the Advisory Council have had the opportunity to participate in the planning process and to review and comment on the Area Plan. Area Plans are updated annually, with new Area Plans being submitted every four years. The newest Area Plan for the County is for 2020 through 2024.
DISCUSSION:
In accordance with the CDA, the proposed Area Plan is a four-year plan for which a needs assessment of the community was conducted. The needs assessment consisted of a community survey, stakeholder forum, and a review of secondary data from other community needs assessments. Over 3,000 copies of the community survey were distributed to older residents at senior centers, community-based organizations, senior living communities, etc., and was available electronically via Survey Monkey. The survey results revealed that the top issues for older adults and adults with disabilities are: remaining at home and living independently; obtaining dental care; avoiding accidents in the home; learning about services/benefits; depending on other; preparing for disasters; accessing and enrolling in services/benefits; understanding Medicare; finding friends/social activities; and having financial security.
This information was used to develop the goals and objectives for the Area Plan. The NBC and its steering committee will work on addressing the goals and objectives of the Area Plan.
In accordance with the Older Americans Act (OAA), the Area Plan has been approved by the CoA, which serves as the advisory body for the Area Agency on Aging.
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
Submission of the Area Plan is necessary for final approval of the OAA funding needed to continue to provide senior services that would help older adults remain in the most independent setting possible. Through the submission of this Area Plan and through providing community-based services funded by the OAA, it is anticipated that an estimated 41,000 unduplicated older adults will be served by OAA-funded programs.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2020-21 Projected |
FY 2021-22 Projected |
|
Number of unduplicated older adults who will be served by OOA-funded programs |
41,000 unduplicated older adults |
41,000 unduplicated older adults |
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the approval of this update.