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: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Area Agency on Aging 2024-2028 Area Plan, Advisory Council Name Change and Bylaws Update
End
Recommended Action:
Recommended action
A) Approve the Area Agency on Aging 2024-2028 Area Plan and authorize the Chairperson of the Board of Supervisors to sign the transmittal letter for submission to the State of California Department of Aging
B) Approve the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Bylaws
C) Approve a name change from Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council to the Sonoma County Aging & Disability Commission
end
Executive Summary:
Approval of this item will allow the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Four-Year Area Plan to be submitted to the California Department of Aging for approval. The AAA Four-Year Plan has a term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028, and establishes goals and objectives that will guide AAA activities, programs, and services over the next four years.
In alignment with year one of the area plan, the AAA bylaws have been updated to reflect changes to the internal processes of the AAA Advisory Council. The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the AAA and is responsible for the approval of the bylaws.
In recognition of the growing population of older adults, adults with disabilities and their caregivers, the AAA Advisory Council requests a name change to the Sonoma County Aging & Disability Commission. This name is more inclusive and reflects the population that the commission represents.
Discussion:
The Board of Supervisors has been designated as the governing body of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) by the California Department of Aging (CDA) since 1980. The AAA is responsible for planning and developing policy and advocating for the needs of older adults aged 60 and older, adults with disabilities aged 18 and older, and their caregivers, as well as administering Older Americans Act funding. These federal funds, distributed by CDA, help older adults and people with disabilities remain as independent as possible in the community and help to support caregivers to reduce their stress and enhance their well-being. The AAA receives just over $3 million annually from CDA and contracts the funding to 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.
Area Agency on Aging 2024-2028 Area Plan (Year One of Four)
As described in Title 22, 7304 - Submission and Approval of Area Plan <https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/california/22-CCR-7304> of the California Code of Regulations (CCR), statewide Area Agencies on Aging are required to develop and maintain a four-year area plan and create annual updates with the purpose of informing the community of current needs and available services, service gaps, and plans to address these issues during the four-year planning cycle. The plan also establishes annual goals and objectives that serve to improve the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers in Sonoma County.
The preparation of the four-year plan includes gathering information from the public by completing a county-wide needs assessment. The needs assessment consisting of surveys and focus groups was conducted in 2023 by engaging residents across all areas of the county. There were 1,679 surveys received and fourteen focus groups engaging 133 participants throughout the county. Outreach was extensive with the intention of hearing from individuals representing a variety of ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, genders, sexual orientations, spoken languages, economic status, and geographic locations. The survey extended beyond the 60 and older age group to include caregivers of older adults, adults with disabilities, and those of any age with an interest in aging and disability issues in our community.
Some of the key demographics in the four-year area plan include:
- The older adult population comprises 142,132 individuals, representing 28% of the county's total population.
- By 2030, it is projected that there will be 182,459 older adults, representing 35% of the county’s total population.
- There are 106,684 adults aged 18 and older who report having a disability due to some type of physical, mental and/or emotional condition. 23.6% of these adults are aged 60 and over.
Sonoma County’s 2024 - 2028 Area Plan consists of 21 Sections providing the Mission Statement, a description of the Planning & Service Area and the Area Agency on Aging. The Area Plan details how priorities are established, the annual goals and objectives as well as service units, priority programs such as legal assistance and caregiving, disaster preparedness planning and structure, information about the governing board and the commission. The Area Plan also includes a section on the Older Californians Act - Modernization revenue and the Local Master Plan for Aging. This 100-page document serves as the County’s workplan and is updated annually.
Approval of Bylaws and Name Change of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council
As the governing board of the AAA, the Board of Supervisors has the responsibility of final approval of requested changes to the AAA Advisory Council bylaws and name change. The approval process is as follows: First approval by the AAA Advisory Council and staff submits updated bylaws for approval by County Counsel, with final approval by the Board of Supervisors. The bylaws were modified and approved by the Advisory Council on February 21, 2024 and received approval from County Counsel on March 26, 2024 The new bylaws and the prior bylaws are attached to identify the changes being requested. There is also an attachment summarizing the proposed bylaw changes (Attachment 2). In addition to changing the name of the Advisory Council, in general, the proposed amendments to bylaws are administrative in nature updating duties and powers aligned with federal, state and local legislation and policy while also moving member recruitment, volunteer commitment and chair duties to a separate Policy & Procedure document.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
09.13.2022 Authorized approval of the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging bylaws amendment
04.28.2020 Approved the 2020-2024 AAA Four-Year Area Plan
06.09.2015 Authorized approval of the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging Bylaws Amendment
12.11.1979 Established the Area Agency on Aging and named the Commission on Aging the AAA Advisory Council
06.07.1977 Established the Sonoma County Commission on Aging
Fiscal Summary
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FY23-24 Adopted |
FY24-25 Projected |
FY25-26 Projected |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
None.
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Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
1: Sonoma County Aging & Disability Commission Bylaws
2: Summary Document of Bylaws Changes
3: ADC Policy & Procedures
4: Current AC Bylaws (9.13.22)
5: 2024-2028 Area Agency on Aging Area Plan
6: CDA Area Plan Transmittal Letter (need 3 signed copies)
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A