Title
Health and Human Services Agency, on behalf of the El Dorado County Commission on Aging, recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing May 2020 as “Older Americans Month” in El Dorado County.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
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.”
Typically, the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) celebrates Older Americans Month each year by hosting a special luncheon at all Senior Nutrition lunch sites. This year, due to COVID-19, the luncheons will be postponed. In addition, HHSA recognizes older adults living in El Dorado County who perform exemplary work through volunteerism by presenting the annual “Senior of the Year” award. This year’s theme is “Make Your Mark: May 2020,” which emphasizes the contributions that older Americans make to our community and to society.
Each year, in honor of Older Americans Month, the public is invited to nominate a senior they believe has made a significant contribution to the local community, to be considered for designation as El Dorado County Senior of the Year. A panel of Commission on Aging members reviews the nominations and awards this prestigious title to the nominee 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 selected to receive this honor, and the deserving nominees each receive a certificate in recognition of their contributions to the community. The award presentation has been postponed tentatively until September 22, 2020.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
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
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board approve this item.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on two (2) original Older American Month Proclamations.
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) fully signed Proclamation to the HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Road.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
Health and Human Services Agency Strategic Plan Project 3.1: External/Community Collaboration.
CONTACT
Don Semon, Director HHSA