REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY
AND RECORD OF ACTION
May 20, 2025
FROM
SHARON NEVINS, Director, Department of Aging and Adult Services
SUBJECT
Title
San Bernardino County Area Agency on Aging Area Plan Update for 2025-26
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the submission of the San Bernardino County Area Agency on Aging Area Plan Update for 2025-26 to the California Department of Aging.
(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 Update (APU) is a requirement by the California Department of Aging under Title 22, Section 7304 of the California Code of Regulations, enabling the local Area Agency on Aging (AAA), also known as Planning and Service Area 20, 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 State, 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. A Board of Supervisors (Board) approved annual APU is due to the State no later than May 1st of each year. An extension, requested by the Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), was granted by the State to submit this APU by June 1, 2025.
In 1976, the State of California designated San Bernardino County (County) as the local AAA. This designation allowed the County to receive the Federal Older Americans Act (OAA) and State Aging funds to provide a comprehensive and coordinated system of supportive and nutrition services based on need. DAAS 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 State Aging 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 older adults.
DAAS receives OAA funding to coordinate and administer Title III and Title VII programs and services that help older adults remain in their homes. The services provided under Title III and Title VII are:
• Supportive Services: Personal care, adult day/health care, homemaker, chore, assisted transportation, legal assistance, information and assistance, senior center activities, cash/material aid (utility payments), community education, mobility management, interpretation/translation, residential repairs/modifications, and outreach.
• Nutrition and Nutrition Education: Congregate meals, home delivered meals, and nutrition education.
• Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Activities to maintain or improve the physical, mental, and nutritional health of older adults.
• Family Caregiver Services: Access assistance, information services, support services including training, support groups, and counseling, respite care, and supplemental services, including material aid.
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program: Assist residents in long term care facilities with issues related to daily care, health, safety, and personal preferences.
• Elder Abuse Prevention: Activities to develop, strengthen, and carry out programs for the prevention, detection, assessment, and treatment of, intervention in, investigation of, and response to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation (including financial exploitation).
On April 23, 2024 (Item No. 7), the Board approved the 2024-28 Area Plan. The Area Plan was developed by DAAS through a series of public meetings and hearings to receive input regarding community needs from older adults, individuals with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Major goals and objectives of the Area Plan include focused outreach to disseminate information and educate older adults individuals living with disabilities, and caregivers on available resources, and authenticate quality services within the County.
The following list identifies new information provided in the APU recommended for approval:
• Sections updated
• Description of the planning and service area
• Priority services and public hearings
• Needs assessment
• Service Unit Plan
• Family Caregiver Support Program
• Legal assistance
• Disaster preparedness
• Governing board
• Advisory council
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by Human Services Contracts (Patty Steven, Contracts Manager, 388-0241) on April 15, 2025; County Counsel (Jacqueline Carey-Wilson, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 5, 2025; Finance (John Hallen, Principal Administrative Analyst, 388-0208) on April 30, 2025; and County Finance and Administration (Cheryl Adams, Deputy Executive Officer, 388-0332) on May 1, 2025.