Title
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), on behalf of the El Dorado County Commission on Aging, with sponsorship by Supervisor Hidahl and Supervisor Parlin, is recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing May 2024 as "Older Americans Month" in El Dorado County;
2) Present a certificate to each Senior of the Year nominee, mentioning, as noted on the certificate, their primary contribution to the community; and
3) Announce the 2024 County of El Dorado Senior of the Year and present the award to the nominee selected by the Commission on Aging to receive this honor.
FUNDING: N/A
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads our nation’s celebration of Older Americans Month. When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday, about one-third of older Americans lived in poverty, and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns grew, and at a meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens, May was designated as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”
HHSA celebrates Older Americans Month (held annually in May) by recognizing older adults living in El Dorado County who perform exemplary work through volunteerism by presenting the annual “Senior of the Year” award. In keeping with tradition, HHSA is recognizing May 2024 as Older Americans Month in El Dorado County. This year’s theme is “Powered by Connection” which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.
To honor the community’s older adult volunteers, the public is invited to nominate a senior or senior couple that they believe has made a significant contribution to the local community, to be considered for designation as El Dorado County Senior of the Year. Following, a panel of Commission on Aging members review the nominations and awards this prestigious title to the nominee(s) they believe, based on information presented in the nomination, best demonstrates selfless dedication to serving their fellow County residents and the community at large. A special award is presented annually to the senior(s) selected to receive this honor, and the deserving nominees each receive a certificate in recognition of their contributions to the community.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could decline to adopt the Proclamation, present the certificates, or present the award.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 05/22/18, 18-0188, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
2) 05/21/19, 19-0518, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
3) 05/19/20, 20-0334, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
4) 05/18/21, 21-0706, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
5) 05/17/22, 22-0305, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
6) 05/16/23, 23-0477, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
El Dorado County Commission on Aging
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on the Proclamation.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency