Title
Health and Human Services Agency, on behalf of the El Dorado County Commission on Aging are recommending the Board:
1) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign a Proclamation recognizing May 2023 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 2023 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
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.”
This year’s theme is “Aging Unbound,” which offers an opportunity to explore diverse aging experiences and discuss how communities can combat stereotypes.
Each year, in honor of Older Americans Month, the public is invited to nominate either an individual senior or a married senior couple who 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 or married couple 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) 05/17/22, 22-0305, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
2) 04/21/21, 21-0706, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
3) 05/19/20, 20-0334, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
4) 05/21/19, 19-0518, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
5) 05/22/18, 18-0188, HHSA Older Americans Month Proclamation
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
There is no financial impact associated with this Agenda item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) Clerk of the Board to obtain signature of Chair on one (1) Proclamation; and
2) Clerk of the Board to return one (1) signed Proclamation to HHSA Contracts Unit at 3057 Briw Rd, Suite B.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT:
N/A
CONTACT
Olivia Byron-Cooper, MPH, Interim Director, Health and Human Services Agency