AGE FRIENDLY ALAMEDA COUNTY

 

Alameda County’s age friendly effort is a directive of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, which has heard numerous presentations on older adults from 2014 to the present and received year-end summaries. 

In March 2019, the County Board adopted a Resolution to join the Age Friendly Network. This Resolution called on the County to:

  1. Support healthy aging across the operations of all County government departments;

  2. Increase the number and coordination of cities within the County that support healthy aging; and

  3. Support healthy aging within the unincorporated areas of the County

presentation by AARP of Age-Friendly County Certificate  and of framed Board Resolution on 6/14/19

Alameda County has adopted an expansive 2026 vision which contains “10x” goals. The aging work aligns with all 10x goals in support of a shared vision of a “Thriving and Resilient Population” and “Safe and Livable Communities.

Countywide Plan for Older Adults: Your Plan, Your Voice!

Every four years, the Alameda County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) prepares a Countywide Area Plan for Older Adults (CWAP) that strategizes the provision of services for residents aged 55+ and brings Alameda County closer to our goals as an Age Friendly Community. The services are provided by the AAA along with a network of community partners, including the Advisory Commission on Aging, community-based organizations, public agencies, and the private sector. 

Planning for the 2024-2028 CWAP is underway, and your participation is crucial. By taking the CWAP Survey for Alameda County residents aged 55+, you help create an area plan that reflects your needs, your vision, and your perspective. Learn more. 

AC Plan Older Adults Implementation Reporting

 Assigned  = Assigned but not begun

 In Process  = Work has commenced

 Ongoing  = No further planning needed; implementation is ongoing

 Completed  = Objective met and work completed

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

This objective envisioned applying to become an WHO/AARP Age Friendly County, which involves a two-year planning process and development of an Action Plan, to be coordinated with the AAA’s planning process

  • 8/2017 – The Age Friendly Communities (AFC) Committee was established as a standing committee to support Alameda County’s effort to join the WHO/AARP Age Friendly Network
  • 2/25/19 - Draft Board letter and Resolution presented to Joint Health and Social Services Committee
  • 3/26/19 - BOS approval
  • 4/16/19 - Alameda County accepted into the WHO Age Friendly Network
  • 09/2019- Aligned the Age Friendly Council’s 10-point Workplan with the findings from the AAA’s CWAP Survey and Focus Groups/Public Forums used to prioritize the 8 Domains of Livability and add on Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias as a 9th Domain for Alameda County
  • 3/2020 – The Age Friendly Communities Committee pivoted to address the urgent needs of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., food resources, caregiver resources, senior resources to combat social isolation)
  • 11/2020 – Age Friendly Cities (Fremont, Berkeley, Oakland) share their Action Plans to align the County’s Age Friendly Action Plan and disseminate to other cities

Status: 

 Completed 

Key Activities and Milestones:

This objective involved creating and filling a position to staff the Age Friendly Council and related activities 

  • 1/2/17 - Staffed a Management Analyst position within the Social Services Agency dedicated to supporting the work of the Age Friendly Council 

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The Council is a forum for public and private entities and includes representatives of 28 organizations. Age Friendly Council overview and membership list

  • Council substantially expanded the volume of cross-agency contacts and collaboration among agencies that were already involved, such as the active involvement of SSA, BHCS, and CDA  in the development of Housing recommendations 
  • Additions to the Council in 2018 and 2019 included Alameda Alliance for Health, the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay, Alameda County Community Food Bank, and Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Counties
  • 2019-2020, the Age Friendly Council expanded partnerships through its sub-committees and workgroups to include subject matter experts in older adult case management services, life care planning, and housing
  • The Alameda County Responsibility to Community Health (ARCH) program launched in August 2020 and was initiated in partnership with SSA and the County Auditor-Controller Office
    • The ARCH Program provided a cash stipend for adults in specific high-risk areas of the County who have tested positive for COVID-19, must isolate, and do not qualify for Unemployment Insurance or sick leave
    • In December 2020, the opportunity to specifically support older adults financially through remaining Federal CARES funding allowed for the distribution of 40,000 stipends in the amount of $250.  Recipients were Seniors participating in Area Agency on Aging (AAA) services (i.e., senior nutrition programs including home delivered meals and congregate meals, legal assistance, disease prevention, family caregiver support, senior community service, health insurance counseling, senior injury prevention, adult day care, case management, visiting, etc.), IHSS Recipients AND non-related IHSS Providers.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The Countywide Plan is authored by the Area Agency on Aging, and many of its objectives fall within the ambit of AAA programmatic activities. The Advisory Commission on Aging oversees the AAA and its work. The Age Friendly Council, for its part, pursues projects that respond to Countywide Plan objectives, but may also pursue other projects that respond to identified needs. In 2018, the Council created a detailed workplan drawn in part from the Countywide Plan. 10 projects were prioritized: 

  1. Identify and advance housing solutions for seniors 
  2. Develop and promote "Embracing Aging" training curriculum 
  3. Support inclusion of the voice of older adults in significant initiatives, starting with AC3 
  4. Promote data collection and reporting on older adults, starting with AC3
  5. Pursue WHO designation as an Age Friendly County 
  6. Promote Age Friendly to cities 
  7. Join forces on legislative advocacy 
  8. Create backgrounders on key age-friendly topics, incorporating available data 
  9. Work with All In to reduce food insecurity for seniors 
  10. Build awareness around key issues
  • Summer of 2020 - the Council convened a retreat to review the 2018 Workplan accomplishments and start to develop the updated Council Workplan in alignment with the 2020/24 Countywide Area Plan, Age-friendly County Domains, and the Master Plan for Aging
  • Fall/Winter of 2020 - the Council assigned priority areas to the subcommittees and work groups for detailing the project descriptions and action plan/next steps for the updated Workplan

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2018, the Council made recommendations to Alameda County Care Connect regarding data collection, recommended screenings, and suggested queries for the AC3 data warehouse 
  • In 2018 and 2019, separate teams of subject matter experts developed draft Issue Guides on Housing and Homelessness, Social Isolation, Falls, Suicide, and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias; Issue Guides represent a strategy to “tell our story” using the best available data. Teams will continue efforts and new Issue Guides will be created as topics are prioritized and resources are identified. 
  • The Council initiated partnerships with faculty at local universities and institutes to extend the opportunity for graduate level students to research and collect local data for new Issue Guides.   

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2018, staff developed a concept paper, did the initial needs assessment, and began efforts to identify resources 
  • In January 2019, staff wrote and submitted letters of support from SSA and HCSA leadership to partner with UCSF’s Division of Geriatrics to develop and deliver trainings to older adult services providers at County agencies and CBOs on a variety of topics. 
  • UCSF renewed its 5-year  contract with HRSA, and in December 2019, SSA and HCSA jointly funded a full-time Training Coordinator position dedicated to work with UCSF to develop and implement the “Embracing Aging” training.
  • March 2020, the Embracing Aging Committee developed a Training Needs Assessment to pilot with partnering agencies, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee will revise the Needs Assessment to incorporate training needs/concerns related to COVID
  • November 2020, SSA and HCSA hired the permanent full-time Training Coordinator position to commence in January 2021

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In addition to the Council as a locus of cross-silo collaboration around older adults, the Health Care Services Agency maintains an Older Adults Internal Workgroup, and Behavioral Health Care Services convenes a regular Older Adult Provider Meeting 
  • In November 2018, the Senior Services Coalition (SSC) hosted its fifth annual conference, Making the Difference: Opening Doors for Older Adults in Alameda County - Building Allies to Address the Housing Crisis and the Unique Needs of Seniors. More than 130 local community-based service providers, health care professionals, County leaders, housing providers, policy makers, and community members attended. Participants gained a common understanding of the landscape of the crisis and the new initiatives that are in place, and explored collaborative ways to address the unique needs of older adults. SSA and HCSA participated in panels with Alameda Health System and CBOs to discuss preventing displacement and mitigating the impacts of homelessness.  
  • In November 2019, SSA and HCSA participated on panels with Board of Supervisors Wilma Chan and Nate Miley at the Senior Services Coalition 6th annual conference, Making the Difference: Leveraging Social Determinants, The Impact of Age-Friendly Change in Alameda County
  • In December 2019, members of the Age Friendly Council hosted and participated on panels at the 2019 Senior Policy Forum, Shaping the Future Together: Aging in the Bay Area focused on the Bay Area’s aging homeless population, senior housing, the 2020 census, age-friendly livable communities, and preparing advocacy work for federal and state initiatives.  

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2019, the County Veteran Service Office hired two Veteran Service Representative which gave the office the ability to process more claims. The CVSO continues to work toward establishing hours in satellite office throughout the County. 
  • In 2020, the CVSO increased their accredited Veteran Service Representatives by 1 (3 total + 1 CVSO)
  • During 2020 the CVSO filed 2,183 claims on behalf of veterans and their dependents while continuing to work toward improving remote communication capabilities to assist during COVID 19 protocols.
  • As of December 2020, the newly decided claims with recurring payments amounted to an increase of roughly $112,000 per month over 2019 and $892,000 in retroactive payments to Alameda County veterans and their dependents.

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

Disaster planning continues to be an area of discussion.  The Council will develop an Issue Guide focused on Emergency Preparedness for people with Access and Function Needs (AFN) to identify existing infrastructure and support for natural disasters in Alameda County and discuss the need for Continuation of Operations for the AFN population. 
  • The COVID pandemic, which emerged in the U.S. in March 2020, amplified the need for preparedness and planning to support older adults. The Council has discussed plans to debrief, document lessons learned from the pandemic and use them to inform preparedness and planning.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The County invested $750,000 through Measure AA expansion, continued its General Fund commitments and is still seeking out grant opportunities to support CBO infrastructure. 

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • The 2018-2022 RFP commenced in January 2018 and the BOS approved the recommended awards on 6/5/2018 for 73 contracts.   
  • Subsequently, AAA decided to contract Ombudsman services to an outside provider, the BOS approved the contract on 12/3/2019, which increased the total number of contracts to 74.  As of the last funding cycle, the AAA worked with 38 providers on 75 contracts 
  • In August of 2020 AAA released RFQ 901939 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding Emergency.  In response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act funding RFP sought to enable older individuals to maintain their well-being through locally developed community-based systems of services. To date 24 proposals have been submitted to the AAA and 20 contracts have been awarded.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The Council, through its staff and committee, have increased collaboration and activity around policy objectives, including increasing HCSA-SSA coordination and with the Advisory Commission on Aging 
  • In 2018, the Council enabled cross-silo work to raise awareness about Elder Abuse Awareness Month 
  • In 2018, the Council enabled joining forces in support of developing new legislation (C4A’s Community Living Act), advancing new state funding (Home Safe), and educating legislators about prioritizing the needs of older adults (MHSA PEI priorities) 
  • SSA’s OPEP office has trained Commission members on the PAL process and there is a process in place for rapid response to opportunities 
  • In 2019, Alameda County supported State legislation pertaining to older adults, including 5 chaptered bills, 3 vetoed bills, 8 two-year bills (may be reintroduced in Jan. 2020), and 6 budget requests
  • In 2020, the advocacy community, including members of the Council's Legislation and Advocacy Committee, joined with the legislature to successfully prevent state budget cuts to older adult programs and services during the pandemic-induced recession.
  • The Council continued to play a significant role in informing the Master Plan for Aging development with representatives from the Council on the Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • The AAA holds annual provider meetings to share program updates and CDA requirements. 
  • The Embracing Aging training curriculum will be used to support the workforce across multiple sectors 

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • AAA has initiated the ADRC recertification process for future funding 
  • AAA is working in collaboration with CRIL/CIL partners to discuss the MOU and RFP process to build staffing capacity and develop a framework for the “no wrong door” policy
  • AAA was awarded funding in 2020 to support its efforts towards its ADRC recertification
  • In December 2020, the AAA was recertified as an emerging ADRC by the California Department of Aging

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • Roundtables occur bimonthly. Typically, three guest speakers are invited to present on their programs, trends and data. These meetings regularly attract 40-60 senior service providers, consumers, and other parties interested in expanding their knowledge. 
  • In response to the Shelter in Place orders during COVID-19, the Roundtables transitioned to a video conference platform in July 2020. Discussion topics of note included:
    • Eden Information and Referral (2-1-1 Alameda County)
    • Great Plates Delivered
    • Report from the Learning Curve: Moving to Virtual Evidence-based Falls Prevention Programs
    • Medicare Open Enrollment Updates for 2021
    • California’s Master Plan for Aging

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2018, the Council convened a working group to develop a new website in partnership with the County’s Information Technology Department. Expected to launch early in 2020, the site aims to tell the story of older adults in Alameda County, provide improved online resources for older adults and their caregivers, and highlight topics of special interest 
  • In 2018-19, HCSA compiled information about resources it funds, and Council staff explored options for how best to display resource information from HCSA, the Area Agency on Aging, and other sources, such as 211 
  • In September 2020, the Alameda County Social Services Agency (SSA) and Health Care Services Agency (HCSA) launched the new Age-Friendly website at acgov.org which was developed at the request of the Alameda County Board of Supervisors, and in partnership with the Council for Age-Friendly Communities (Age Friendly Council). The website will serve as an ongoing resource for Alameda County residents to find support resources and learn about the County’s age-friendly efforts.
  • The Council developed hard-copy telephone resource flyers in multiple languages, for isolated seniors and caregivers of seniors without internet access, and distributed them in September and October.
    • SSA and Mercy Brown Bag distributed 12,000 senior resource flyers and 5,000 caregiver flyers
    • In the AAS Lobby, 250 copies were available to IHSS Providers and 150 copies for IHSS recipients
    • The resource flyers are available on the Age-Friendly website in a printer-friendly format.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

AAA has incorporated ongoing training on LGBT cultural competency for the Ombudsman program 

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • AAA actively participates in efforts through the SCAN funded coalition led by the Senior Services Coalition and the planning Committee for Family Caregiver Alliance  
  • AAA and Age-Friendly Council members participated in the planning Committee for Family Caregiver Alliance Conference that was held in January 2020
  • Two members of the Age-Friendly Council participates in the Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2018, members of the Advisory Commission on Aging and volunteers recently delivered 50 gift baskets
  • In 2019, ACA successfully prepared and delivered 60 holiday gift baskets 
  • In 2020, ACA successfully prepared and delivered 50 holiday gift baskets

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The AAA publishes quarterly newsletters and hand-deliver them to senior centers, and they’re published on the Alameda County website
  • Between January 2018 and December 2019, 8 editions were published 
  • In 2020, the Senior Update newsletters were delivered by direct mail, the ACA commissioners, as well as emailed and published to the SSA website. In December 2020, Senior Update launched the Senior Update Bulletin, a bi-monthly e-blast filled with local current events, announcements, and programs for older adults in Alameda County
  • In 2020, the CVSO office launched a bi-monthly Veteran's Update Bulletins which provides updates on benefits, new entitlements, and other additional resources related to veteran’s assistance 

Status: 

 Assigned 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The Council will continue to build partnership with local transportation providers through its age friendly efforts 

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

A variety of expanded services for seniors were funded through a third year of Measure A funding 
  • Advance Health Care Planning and Hospice $250,000) - The Getting the Most Out of Life (GMOL) program designs and implements data driven end-of-life care and advanced care planning awareness, education and training. Care Partners, an integrative palliative care coordination program, and helps clients remain at home safely and comfortably and connected to resources and supports that improve their quality of life
    • In 2018, 937 clients through the Care Partners program, 5,387 IHSS care providers and professional clinician teams trained
    • In 2019, 181 clients through the Care Partners program; 6,725 IHSS Care Providers & professional clinician teams trained
    • In 2020, 1,048 clients referred, and 438 clients served through Care Partners; 6,602 IHSS Care Providers & professional clinician teams trained; GMOL: Advanced care planning train-the-trainers with 18 CBOs & FBOs reached 6,056 residents including the CBO/FBO clients trained
  • Injury Prevention & Meals/Nutrition- This program is administered through an MOU between HCSA and the AAA. Though COVID-19 severely curtailed in-person activities and congregate dining in 2020, the AAA and Alameda County Public Health Nutrition Services (ACPHN) continued to partner in expanding services. Through the CARES Act, Alameda County was allocated an additional $3.1M to address changing needs: 37% ($1.16M) was programmed to supportive and family caregiver services, and 60% ($1.87M) to Meals on Wheels, translating to an additional 175,200 meals served. Additionally, the Board made multiple increases in its allocation of Measure A, state and federal nutrition funds to expand SOS Meals on Wheels and Mercy’s Brown Bag and SNAP Ed nutritional support programs; the expanded effort translated to more than 8,400 Emergency Grocery Bags to homebound seniors. SOS Meals on Wheels served 2,159 clients in FY19-20, roughly 336 of whom benefited from Measure A. In 2020:
    • 336 persons received 59,923 meals
    • 11,500 bags of groceries were distributed to older adults
    • 2,594 persons participated in 24,305 fall prevention activities
    • Continued support for 6 gardens at low-income senior housing sites

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

Measure A funding has been provided for three successive fiscal years for this purpose 
  • Home Visitation Nurse Case Management ($500,000) - “Older Adults, Healthy Results” provides comprehensive case management, care coordination, and home visiting to adults age 60+ with complex medical and psychosocial needs through a team comprised of two Public Health Nurses and a Public Health Nurse Supervisor; in 2018, 91 persons referred, 50 eligible 
  • In March 2020, the nurses were deployed to support the Departments COVID-19 response effort, and all cases were closed at that time. One OA/HR nurse supports the Long-Term Care Facilities Task Force that works to prevent transmission and contain COVID outbreaks in facilities housing elder, at-risk residents. The two other nurses are deployed to additional COVID relief efforts.

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

Alameda County Care Connect (AC3) is an important center of work around high utilizers; its Steering Committee includes Randy Morris, SSA’s Adult & Aging Services Director, and Wendy Peterson, Executive Director of the Senior Services Coalition 
  • In 2018, of 8,212 eligible persons over age 55, 7,937 were active and enrolled in AC3 
  • In 2018, the Council developed recommendations about suggested queries for AC3’s data warehouse
  • In 2019, 8,459 Eligible persons over age 55 and 2,698 Active & Enrolled; the Council provided additional information in response to questions from AC3 staff
  • In, 2020 41,395 Eligible persons over age 55 and 13,582 Active & Enrolled

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

Recent collaborative effort to protect MHSA funding for older adults represents effort related to this Objective. The creation and facilitation of a team to develop a Suicide Prevention Issue Guide also represents progress toward articulating needs and making recommendations for intervention related to behavioral health 

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • On 9/21/18, HCSA and the City of San Leandro co-sponsored A Community Conversation About Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias at the San Leandro Senior Community Center, in partnership with a planning committee that included SSA and a broad range of other stakeholders. Over 160 attendees learned about County-level data from the Community Assessment, Planning and Evaluation (CAPE) Unit; heard from persons diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers as well as CBO and health providers and County leaders; and brainstormed strategies to advance the field. The Convening evaluation generated an overall score of 4.7 out of five. After the convening, representatives from the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay (ASEB) joined the Age-Friendly Council. 
  • 2018-19: Council workgroups created Issue Guides on Falls, Suicide, and Social Isolation, and are in various stages of developing issue guides on Falls Prevention and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). 

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The Dementia Convening planning committee has continued to meet to develop local efforts related to three Actions from the Alzheimer’s Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map. These include: 
    • Action E7 - Improve access to and use of evidence-informed interventions, services, and supports for people with dementia and their caregivers to enhance their health, wellbeing, and independence;  
    • Action P6 - Assure public health plans that guide emergency preparedness and emergency response address the special needs of people with dementia and their caregivers, support access to critical health information during crises, and prepare emergency professionals for situations involving people with dementia;  
    • Action W4 - Foster continuing education to improve healthcare professionals’ ability and willingness to support early diagnoses and disclosure of dementia, provide effective care planning at all stages of dementia, offer counseling and referral, and engage caregivers, as appropriate, in care management; and  
    • Action W6 - Educate healthcare professionals about the importance of treating co-morbidities, addressing injury risks, and attending to behavioral health needs among people at all stages of dementia.
  • Council members worked with the Alameda County Public Health Department (PHD) Community Assessment, Planning and Evaluation (CAPE) Unit to draft an Issue Guide on ADRD. CAPE staff provided an extensive literature review and edited the draft document, which is under development for planned release in 2021.
  • In March 2020, the Council pivoted its evidence-based efforts to support people with ADRD and their caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current efforts include:
    • The Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Services of the East Bay (ASEB), both of which are represented on the Council, provided caregiver support programs online.
    • SSA and the Age-Friendly Council also collaborated to develop a PSA on Caregiver Support which was distributed online and via social media in May; and a hard-copy Caregiver Resource Flyer (see Objective 3.7).

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

The AAA Director and Veteran Service Officer participates as a member/partner of MHSA to facilitate inclusion of older adults in developing and implementing mental health programs.
  • In November 2020, the CVSO participated in a Proposition 63 MH roundtable hosted in partnership with local CBO Swords to Plowshare. Issues affecting local veterans included: Discontinuity of care, symptom/prescription management, Veterans in social isolation, assisting justice involved veterans, systematic racism as a barrier to care, formalizing collaborations and responding collectively to veterans in crisis.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

Leveraged Council around Elder Abuse Awareness Month; Dept of Adult Protection involvement in Dementia Conference and Housing Workgroup is translating to greater understanding of and articulation of abuse and neglect as a critical social determinant.
  • In July 2020, SSA’s Adult and Aging Services Department released a new PSA for Elder Abuse Awareness and the APS hotline to report suspected abuse and neglect that was shared widely across the agency’s social media sites

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2019, the AAS Department was approved to expand staffing in APS to improve response rates and client outcomes 
  • In March 2020, CDSS mandated COVID-19 outreach, overtime allocations were allotted for APS Workers to conduct this outreach. In-person responses required for APS investigations were modified to include phone and virtual assessments. In June 2020, in-person responses were required for APS investigations involving immediate life threats i.e., physical abuse and sexual abuse.

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • The Office of the District Attorney’s Elder Protection Unit has sent a representative to virtually every Council meeting and have been active participants in discussions. Council has been leveraged to raise awareness of their activities 
  • The Fiduciary Specialist Team was established by SSA’s Adult Protectives Services and the District Attorney’s office. Through this Team, an MOU was established between the County Treasurer-Tax Collector, 14 law enforcement jurisdictions within Alameda County, County Counsel, Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS) to address and prevent elder abuse. 

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • Between 2017 and 2019, AAA conducted one major recruitment effort in July 2019 at the Alameda County Fair.   
  • Additional volunteer recruitment efforts will be advertised in malls throughout Alameda County beginning January 2019.
  • In January 2020, the Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano, and Alameda Counties joined the Age Friendly Council
  • In May 2020, Alameda-Contra Costa Medical Association (ACCMA) launched the Long-Term Care Coalition to support partnerships across the health care system providing relief efforts to the nursing facilities (i.e., infection prevention, PPE support, staffing); Ombudsman Services joined the Coalition and continued its efforts to establish and implement the Statewide protocols around facility testing, PPE and staff training

Status: 

 Ongoing 

Key Activities and Milestones:

In 2018 and 2019, the Council joined forces to raise awareness about Elder Abuse Awareness Month 
  • Attended the City Council meetings and received proclamations 
  • 2019 presence at the Alameda County Fair  
  • Through partnerships within Alameda County and collaboration with contiguous counties, the following the elder abuse awareness campaigns were successful: BART, AC Transit, PSA commercial
  • In 2020, the Age-Friendly Council distributed to county staff and our community-based partners webinars to educate and bring awareness to elder abuse, the following webinars were shared: Alameda County District Attorney’s Office Elder Protection Unit’s 9th Annual Elder Abuse, Neglect & Financial Exploitation Symposium, Warren Publishing Group Sessions on Elder Abuse Prevention,  Legal Assistance for Seniors Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse During COVID-19
  • During the November and December 2020 Council meetings, The Age-Friendly Council discussed the National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) articles on the Mistreatment of Latinx and African American older adults

6.1 - Increase number of affordable housing units 

6.2 - Improve and preserve existing housing units 

6.3 - Support regulations to prevent displacement 

6.4 - Explore alternative housing options 

Status: 

 In Process 

Key Activities and Milestones:

  • In 2018, SSA received a two-year grant of $955,400 to launch a pilot to provide short-term assistance to prevent homelessness among Adult Protective Service (APS) clients who are dependent or age 65+, victims of fraud, abuse, or self-neglect, and at risk of housing insecurity. A collaboration between APS, CDA/HCD, and CBO partners, the pilot is projected to match 1,000 APS clients to appropriate housing. 
  • In 2018, the Board approved Measure A1 rental housing funding to an additional four projects.  The County has Measure A1 funding commitments to 18 projects containing over 1000 units, of which 28.6% (288 units) are dedicated to low-income seniors. Low-income seniors are also eligible for other units based on income levels and, for some, whether they meet other eligibility factors such as being homeless or veterans or having disabilities.  The 18 projects are in all regions of the county.  The senior-specific units are in Oakland, Pleasanton, and San Leandro. 
  • In 2018, the IHSS Bridge Pilot, which includes SSA, ACBH, and Justice in Aging, worked to identify people who may be able to exit homelessness by reconnecting with support networks and obtaining paid in-home support services. As of 2020, a cumulative total of 77 IHSS applications were received through the pilot; 46 of these were approved for IHSS.  
  • The Council convened a Housing Workgroup that met six times between August 2018 and March 2019 
  • In January 2019, the-Council submitted draft recommendations to County Administrator’s Homelessness Council that aim to prevent displacement and homelessness, increase the supply of housing, and better serve older adults experiencing homelessness. These recommendations were approved in October 2019. 
  • The Council Workgroup on Housing and Homelessness convened four times between October and December 2019 to develop strategies for addressing the 4 approved recommendations: 1) Protections for Older Adult renters and homeowners, 2) Older Adult subject matter expertise in newly developed programs, 3) Shelter and Temporary Housing innovations and adaptations for accessibility, and 4) Rapid response Intensive Case Management
  • Between 2019 and 2020, the Workgroup partnered with subject matter experts in ACBH Housing Services Office, County Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office, Legal Assistance for Seniors, Justice in Aging, Senior Services Coalition and City of Fremont to support the short-list of actionable recommendations approved by the County Administrator’s Homelessness Council in 2019.
  • HomeSafe: SSA launched a two-year (FY19-20 and 20-21) $955,400 pilot project in collaboration with APS, CDA/HCD, and CBP partners to provide short-term supports, case management, and housing navigation assistance to prevent homelessness among Adult Protective Services (APS) clients. The pilot, which entails collaboration between APS, CDA/HCD, and CBO partners, became operational in September 2019.  To date, there have been 77 applications; 46 of these were approved for IHSS.
  • In 2020, Project Roomkey hotels were leased to provide temporary shelter as part of the County's emergency response to COVID-19 to keep the community safe and decrease the spread of the virus. Both IHSS and APS streamlined their referral and application process for older adults housed through Project Roomkey.  To date 20 of the 55 referrals received were approved for IHSS.
  • Operation Safer Ground, part of Project Roomkey, has been providing safe housing during COVID-19 for homeless individuals who are over the age of 65, medically fragile, and/or high-risk with a variety of health conditions.  As of December 31, 2020, Operation Safer Ground had served 446 people age 62 and older.

County Age Friendly Efforts Timeline

2014

Board of Supervisors directive to prioritize older adults and work collaboratively across public and private sectors

2015

Countywide planning process generates six goals

2016

Countywide plan expands to address poverty

2017

Council for Age Friendly Communities launched

2018

Council establishes 10-point workplan; collaborative efforts continue

2019

County Board joins Age Friendly Network