To: Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): Human Services
Staff Name and Phone Number: Paul Dunaway (707) 565-3673, Gary Fontenot (707) 565-5931
Vote Requirement: 4/5th
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Area Agency on Aging Area Plan Update, Senior Advocacy Services Contract Amendment
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Approve the Area Agency on Aging (2020-2024) Four-Year Area Plan Update for Year Four, Fiscal Year 2023-2024, and authorize the Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to sign the transmittal letter to the State of California Department of Aging. (Majority)
B) Authorize the Director of the Human Services Department to execute the second amendment to a contract with Senior Advocacy Services for the period May 9, 2023 to June 30, 2023 for a new total contract amount not to exceed $914,478. (Majority)
C) Adopt a resolution authorizing adjustments to the Human Services Department’s Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Adopted Budget to increase appropriations in the amount of $40,000 to receive and program increased funding from the State of California Department of Aging. (4/5 vote)
(4/5th Vote Required)
end
Executive Summary:
The Human Services Department (HSD), Adult and Aging Division is requesting that the Board of Supervisors approve the Area Agency on Aging (2020-2024) Four-Year Area Plan Update for Year Four and authorize an amendment to the current contract with Senior Advocacy Services for an increase of $40,000 to support the County’s Ombudsman program.
Discussion:
California’s 60 and over population is projected to diversify and grow faster than any other age group, increasing from 16% in 2010 to 25% of the population by 2030. Older adults, age 60 and over, account for 27% of Sonoma County’s total population, a number that is projected to increase to 33% by 2030.
Area Agency on Aging Area Plan Update
The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is required by the State of California Department of Aging (CDA) to develop an Area Plan every four years and update it annually. The plan establishes annual goals and objectives that serve to improve the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers in Sonoma County.
The AAA is responsible for planning, developing policy and advocating for the needs of older adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers. The AAA is also responsible for administering the Older Americans Act (OAA) federal funding. This federal funding assists older adults and people with disabilities to remain in their homes and in the community as long as possible. The Board of Supervisors has been designated as the governing body of the Sonoma County AAA by the CDA since 1980.
The CDA distributes federal and state funds to local AAA’s for the provision of services to older adults (persons 60 years and older). The Sonoma County AAA receives just over $3 million annually from the CDA and contracts with local community-based service providers to support programs such as home-delivered meals, case management, support for caregivers, transportation and other supportive services and programs.
As described in Title 22, Chapter 3, Article 1.8 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), each AAA is required to develop and maintain a four-year area plan informing the community of needs and available services and service gaps, as well as the AAA’s plans to address these issues during the four-year planning cycle. As part of the current Area Plan, goals and objectives were developed reflecting the results of the needs assessment that was completed in 2019. This needs assessment was included in the four-year plan approved by the Board of Supervisors on April 28, 2020.
To accomplish the goals and objectives set forth in the Four-Year Area Plan and effectively administer the OAA funding locally, the AAA maintains a strong voice in the community on issues affecting older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers. Fiscal Year 2023-2024 updates to the objectives include:
• Convene AAA Advisory Council members and community partners for monthly Advisory Council Committee meetings to evaluate issues related to older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers to create short, medium and long-term recommendations to inform policymakers and stakeholders on issues impacting these vulnerable communities.
• Contribute to Sonoma County initiatives including Age-Friendly Communities, Aging Together and advance the “Five Bold Goals” of the Governor’s 10-Year Master Plan for Aging at the local level, ensuring inclusion of the needs and contributions of older adults in local planning conversations.
• Plan and strengthen outreach efforts with special attention to rural residents lacking broadband internet, Spanish speakers and multi-cultural, multi-lingual residents.
• Implement training and policies that support and promote cultural competency and inclusivity promoting appropriate services to diverse populations including Latinx; Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC); Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex (LGBTQIA+); and other minority and underserved groups.
The AAA contracts with local non-profit agencies to provide services for older adults and caregivers such as meals, transportation, legal services, care management, Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy (HICAP), and Ombudsman services.
The AAA as a part of the Adult and Aging Division of HSD and Disability Services and Legal Center (DSLC) has a CDA designated Aging and Disability Resource Hub (ADRH) that operationalizes a No Wrong Door approach to residents of Sonoma County. The Adult and Aging’s Information and Assistance line staffed by highly qualified social workers, assists callers to navigate their unique needs, life changes and challenges of aging. That number is (707) 565-INFO (4636).
The Area Plan Update for FY 2023-24 summarizes the accomplishments of the AAA, providing updates to each objective established within each of the 4 Goals of the Four-Year Plan, which are detailed in Section 9 of the Area Plan Update document, Attachment 1.
The FY 2023-24 Area Plan Update was approved by the AAAs Advisory Council at its public hearing on March 15, 2023. Board of Supervisors approval of the Area Plan Update is needed to continue receiving the federal funding.
Senior Advocacy Services
The Ombudsman program investigates and resolves complaints made by or on behalf of long-term care residents in Sonoma County. Under the direction of Senior Advocacy Services, staff and volunteer ombudsman visit long-term care facilities. The Ombudsman investigates all complaints, including elder abuse allegations in long-term care facilities. Staff and volunteers provide consumer information regarding long-term care facilities and community education on long-term care issues and laws affecting older adults residing in long-term care facilities.
Senior Advocacy Services receives funding to provide Medicare counseling through the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program as well as leading the Elder Justice Initiative and overseeing the county’s ombudsman program.
In December 2022, the County of Sonoma was awarded additional federal OAA funds through the CDA. This contract amendment funds the ombudsman program specifically. The ombudsman program experienced state and federal reductions, and this amendment addresses and resolves the program funding shortfall, enabling Senior Advocacy Services to maintain operations and meet its service unit commitment without laying off staff or reducing operations.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
04.19.2022 Approved the Four-Year Area Plan 2020-2024 Year 3 Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Update
05.11.2021 Approved the Four-Year Area Plan 2020-2024 Year 2 Fiscal Year 2021-2022 Update
04.28.2020 Approved the Four-Year Area Plan 2020-2024 Year 1 Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Update
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY 22-23 Adopted |
FY23-24 Projected |
FY 24-25 Projected |
|
Budgeted Expenses |
$874,478 |
|
|
|
Additional Appropriation Requested |
$40,000 |
|
|
|
Total Expenditures |
$914,478 |
0 |
0 |
|
Funding Sources |
|
|
|
|
General Fund/WA GF |
|
|
|
|
State/Federal |
$914,478 |
|
|
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Fees/Other |
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|
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Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
|
|
Contingencies |
|
|
|
|
Total Sources |
$914,478 |
0 |
0 |
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
HSD requests an adjustment to the FY 2022-2023 budget to increase appropriations in the total amount of $40,000 for Senior Advocacy Services due to the amendment from CDA in the amount of $178,648.
|
Staffing Impacts: |
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Position Title (Payroll Classification) |
Monthly Salary Range (A-I Step) |
Additions (Number) |
Deletions (Number) |
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|
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|
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|
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None
Attachments:
Attachment 1: California Department of Aging FY2023-24 Area Plan Update - Year Four
Attachment 2: California Department of Aging Transmittal Letter
Attachment 3: Senior Advocacy Services Contract Amendment 2
Attachment 4: Budget Resolution
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None