REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
April 23, 2024
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
San Bernardino County Area Agency on Aging 2024-2028 Area Plan
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the San Bernardino County Area Agency on Aging Area Plan for 2024-2028 to the California Department of Aging as required under Section 306 of the Older Americans Act.
(Presenter: Sharon Nevins, Director, 891-3917)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
Pursue County Goals and Objectives by Working with Other Agencies and Stakeholders.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The San Bernardino County Area Agency on Aging Area Plan (Area Plan) is non-financial; therefore, approval of this item does not impact Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Submission of the Area Plan is a requirement by the California Department of Aging (CDA) under Title 22, Section 7304 of the California Code of Regulations, enabling the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to receive funding for services provided to older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities countywide. Each AAA is required to develop an Area Plan, for up to a four-year period determined by the CDA, as well as submit annual updates to clarify goals and objectives, update demographic information, and adjust service unit levels to coincide with the proposed funding. The previous four-year Area Plan was completed in 2020 and a new four-year Area Plan is due for 2024-2028. The Board of Supervisors’ (Board) approved annual Area Plan is due to the CDA no later than May 1st of each year. The CDA issued the 2024-2028 Area Plan instructions to the County on January 26, 2024.
In 1976, the State of California designated San Bernardino County (County) as the local AAA, also known as Planning Service Area 20 (PSA 20). This designation allowed the County to receive Federal Older Americans Act (OAA) and CDA allocated funds to provide a comprehensive and coordinated system of supportive and nutrition services based on need. On behalf of the County, the Department of Aging and Adult Services-Public Guardian (DAAS-PG) acts as the AAA and works in partnership with the County’s Senior Affairs Commission (SAC) to assess and develop services provided through Federal OAA and CDA allocated funds. The SAC was established by the Board in 1973 and serves as an advisory body on policy matters related to the service needs of senior citizens. The 2024-2028 Area Plan was developed with input from and in collaboration with the SAC, as well as with comments received from the community.
The format and general contents of the Area Plan are prescribed by the CDA. To develop the 2024-2028 Area Plan, DAAS-PG held a series of five public meetings throughout the County, utilized the results of a needs assessment survey provided by CDA from 1,026 seniors countywide, and held a public hearing in the city of San Bernardino on March 22, 2024. A total of 113 individuals were in attendance, of which 18 attendees provided comments in writing and 20 provided verbal comments to DAAS-PG staff.
Based on the surveys and public comments, major goals and objectives over the next four years of the 2024-2028 Area Plan include:
• Focused outreach to disseminate information and educate older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers on available resources within PSA 20. Increased focus on targeting marginalized populations and those more at risk and need.
• DAAS-PG will evaluate and strengthen current services under the Family Caregiver Support Program for caregivers and older relative caregivers to ensure older adults, adults living with disabilities, their families and caregivers receive information that will assist with their care and conditions.
• Certifying quality of services of contractor and the continuous modernization of service efforts to address the identified needs of older adults, adults living with disabilities, along with their families and caregivers.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on April 2, 2024; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on April 8, 2024, Finance (John Hallen, Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on April 8, 2024; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0238) on April 8, 2024.