Title
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board:
1) Approve and authorize the Agency rename the Senior Services Program to Older Adult Services Program; and
2) Approve and authorize the Agency to rename the Alcohol and Drug Program to be Substance Use Disorder Services.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency recommending the Board approve and authorize the renaming of the Senior Services program to Older Adult Services program, and the Alcohol and Drug program to Substance Use Disorder Services program.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND:
On July 17, 2018, the Board of Supervisors approved, in concept, changing the name of the Senior Services program to Older Adults Services program (File ID: 18-0622; Agenda No. 29). Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) working with the national nonprofit group Frameworks Institute, who develops and conducts communication research to identify the most effective ways of reframing social and scientific topics, learned through a day long workshop that “reframing” conversations, media, and approach to work can have a positive impact. Reframing language can positively impact stereotypes, the public’s view of older adults, and ultimately increase public support for policies and practices that would improve the lives of older adults.
As an example, per Julie Sweetland of FrameWorks, “certain words like ‘senior citizen’ and ‘elderly’ are often associated with frailty, a lack of competence and an inability to do for one's self.” In support of Healthy Communities and as part of the Health and Human Services Agency’s Adult System of Care model, we have a vested interest in working to change the dialogue in our community for proactive changes in support of older adults.
In addition, at this time HHSA is recommending the Board approve changing the name of the Alcohol and Drug program to the Substance Use Disorder program. Historically, there were two primary terms used to identif...
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