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Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board, acting as the Governing Board of the El Dorado County Area Agency on Aging (AAA):
1) Approve the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 Update to the 2024-2028 Area Plan on Aging, a plan that AAA is required to prepare and submit to California Department of Aging (CDA), identifying its goals for service delivery that reflect the priorities of the Older Americans Act; and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Transmittal Letter for submission of the FY 2025-2026 Update to the 2024-2028 Area Plan to the CDA.
FUNDING: 31% State, 19% Federal, 1% Charge for Services, 6% Donations, and 43% General Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
CDA administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the State of California (State). These services are provided regionally or locally by contracted public or private non-profit agencies that are designated by the State to address the needs and concerns of these individuals, known as an AAA. California’s aging network is geographically divided into 33 Planning and Service Areas (PSAs). Within each PSA, the local AAA shares responsibility for planning and administering services that address long term care needs for aging clients. Within El Dorado County, HHSA’s Community Services Division (CSD) is designated by the Board to administer the local AAA, identified as the PSA 29. As such, CSD is responsible for planning, coordinating, administering, and monitoring local AAA programs and services that are funded through the Older Americans Act (OAA).
The FY 2024-2028 Area Plan was approved by the Board on July 30, 2024 (Legistar file 24-1091). As a component of the ongoing maintenance of the approved Area Plan, the County is required to submit an annual update each year to CDA in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 1.8., Chapter 3, Article, 3, Section 7304. Annual updates must be approved by the governing board of the El Dorado County AAA. HHSA staff, with input from the Commission on Aging (COA), developed the FY 2025-2026 Update to the 2024-2028 Area Plan titled “We All Age -- Just Differently”, for submission to the CDA as required by the federal OAA. This is the first update to the 2024-2028 Area Plan.
The Area Plan is submitted on a four-year cycle and this four-year Area Plan for El Dorado County covers the period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2028. The Area Plan provides an outline of the types of OAA services that will be provided within El Dorado County, which include: Senior Nutrition, Senior Legal Services, Information & Assistance, Family Caregiver Support, Senior Health Education, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Senior Activities, Transportation, Assisted Transportation and Senior Shuttle.
The FY 2025-2026 Update provides a description of significant accomplishments that occurred during FY 2024-2025 and provides FY 2025-2026 guidance for the ongoing provision of senior services in El Dorado County. Examples of FY 2024-2025 accomplishments are described in the attached Area Plan Update and include but are not limited to:
AAA
1) Bilingual services are available through the Information & Assistance Program.
2) The Senior Nutrition program is fully staffed after many years of being short staffed.
3) Collaboration with Community Partners is a continued ongoing effort of the AAA showcased by partnering with community agencies to bring services closer to the over 60 population residing in the County.
4) Senior Activities continue to grow with new activities and classes.
Additional Revenue Contracts from CDA
1) Older Adults Rescue & Recovery Act (OARR) funding continued the Dignity at Home Fall Prevention program, which funded a new Senior Legal Services Attorney, and expanded respite care for caregivers.
2) American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding expanded Family Caregiver Support Program services, introduced Bingocize health classes, sustained legal services, and funded supportive services and nutrition supplies.
3) Modernization of the Older Californians Act (MOCA) funding continued Fall Prevention, enhanced volunteer coordination, and expanded meal programs in South Lake Tahoe.
Looking to the Future in South Lake Tahoe
The City of South Lake Tahoe (City) is constructing a new multi-generational Recreation Center, replacing the current South Lake Tahoe Senior Center, which is set to open in 2026. The County has approved a new dedicated Program Coordinator personnel allocation to be assigned to the Center to enhance Senior Nutrition services and activities. Current AAA programs will transfer from the South Lake Tahoe Senior Center to the new multigenerational center upon opening.
Accomplishments of the Commission on Aging (COA) (the advisory council for the AAA)
1) The COA Senior Housing Committee advocated for affordable, age-friendly housing near public transit through engagement with the County Board and Planning Commission in FY 2024-2025.
2) The COA resumed annual monitoring of the AAA Programs and The Clubs Older Adult Day Services. Annual reviews of AAA services and The Club’s Adult Day services were put in place, using standardized evaluative forms to ensure consistency and accountability.
3) The Outreach Team attended 17 community events in 2024 and 4 in early 2025 to promote senior services in El Dorado County.
4) Two Commissioners are representatives on the California Senior Legislature and have been advocating to gain support of the California legislature.
Beyond the work of HHSA staff to develop, update, and maintain the Area Plan, the COA, as well as the Board, is actively involved in all aspects of the Area Plan development and updates. The COA works closely with HHSA CSD leadership and staff to help ensure that community interests and issues faced by seniors in El Dorado County are reflected in the Area Plan. They assist in the development of goals and objectives, soliciting information and feedback in the community, and supporting the development of strategies to help meet the needs and interests of older individuals throughout El Dorado County, including their caregivers.
Through the implementation of this plan, the AAA seeks to provide far-reaching education and understanding of the choices and opportunities that exist to enhance the quality of life of El Dorado County’s older residents. The five goals and 26 objectives of the four-year plan have been updated with their 2024-2025 status.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Board decline to sign the Transmittal Letter, the County AAA will be out of compliance with federal and state regulations which could result in a potential loss of funding.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION:
1) 08/04/20, 20-0946, HHSA 2020-2024 Area Plan on Aging
2) 05/18/21, 21-0692, HHSA 2021-2022 Area Plan Update
3) 05/17/22, 22-0797, HHSA Agency Area on Aging 2022-2023 Area Plan Update
4) 07/25/23, 23-0648, HHSA FY 2023-24 Area Plan Update
5) 07/30/24, 24-1091, HHSA Fiscal Year 2024-28 Area Agency on Aging Plan
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The COA held the required Public Hearing to solicit feedback from the public on the FY 2025-2026 Area Plan Update during their regular meeting on May 15, 2025.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no direct financial impact associated with this agenda item, however annual updates are required to continue to receive funding for AAA programs.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS:
Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two original Transmittal Letters.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT:
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Director, Health and Human Services Agency