Title
Health and Human Services Agency, on behalf of the El Dorado County Commission on Aging, recommending the Board:
1) Adopt a Proclamation recognizing May 2018 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 2018 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. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), on behalf of the El Dorado County Commission on Aging, is recommending that, in recognition of older Americans as productive, active, and influential members of our community, the Board proclaim the month of May 2018 as “Older Americans Month” in El Dorado County.
By issuing this proclamation, the Board formally recognizes the outstanding contributions made every day by the older adults in our community and urges every citizen to take time this month to recognize older adults, and the people who serve and support them, as powerful and vital citizens who greatly contribute to the community.
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.” In 1980, it was renamed “Older Americans Month” by President Jimmy Carter.
HHSA celebrates Older Americans Month each year by hosting a special luncheon at all Senior Nutrition lunch sites. 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 “Engage at Every Age,” which emphasizes that you are never too old (or too young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental and emotional well-being and celebrates the many ways older adults make a difference in our communities.
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.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
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
Patricia Charles-Heathers, Ph.D., M.P.A., Director