For the first time ever, California is working to develop a historic, 10-year Master Plan for Aging that includes all older Californians, and not only those who utilize or have access to public programs and services the state administers.
This approach is as welcome as it is overdue, as the state seeks to build a more inclusive, age- and disability-friendly California. In recent months, a diverse array of stakeholders have been working diligently to craft the plan, which is due in October 2020.
They also are thinking about aging broadly, looking at the underlying social determinants of health, such as housing, employment, transportation, and education, as well as health and human services. The academic research is clear that social determinants of health have a significant impact on an individual’s health outcomes and well-being.
The Master Plan will create a shared vision of aging that serves as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations, academic institutions, and philanthropy to build environments that promote healthy aging.
Making Your Voice Heard
One of the keys to success is engaging as many Californians in this effort as possible to share their experiences and ideas. The California Department of Aging has launched an outreach campaign called EngageCA to help more Californians get involved in the development of the Master Plan for Aging. By going online to www.engageCA.org, you can get involved in a number of ways, including attending a meeting, submitting recommendations, or participating in educational webinars.
You can have a voice in the California Master Plan for Aging.
California’s over-65 population is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030. When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 10, 2019 calling for the creation of the Master Plan, he said: “An aging population will introduce new opportunities for economic and community growth, but also drive increased health and long-term care costs. We need a plan that brings everyone to the table—local communities, labor, private sector, and philanthropy—to help us understand what’s coming and guide us toward taking better care of older Californians.”
Newsom’s executive order directed the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency to convene a cabinet-level Workgroup for Aging to advise the HHS Secretary in developing and issuing the Master Plan. Additionally, the HHS, along with other state partners, convened a Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which includes a Research Subcommittee and a Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee. These subcommittees include older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government representatives, health care providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers, and organized labor.
In February, the Long-Term Care Subcommittee issued a draft report to the governor on stabilizing state long-term care programs and infrastructure, including In-Home Supportive Services.
Philanthropy Steps Up
Newsom first called for the creation of the Master Plan for Aging during his 2019 State of the State Address. He said “it must address person-centered care, the patchwork of public services, social isolation, bed-locked seniors in need of transportation, the nursing shortage, and demand for In-Home Supportive Services that far outpaces its capacity.”
However, the Master Plan order did not include any funding to support the process (other than in-kind support from agency staff). So six foundations—Archstone Foundation, the Gary and Mary West Foundation, the Metta Fund, the Rosalind and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, the San Diego Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation—have joined together to commit support to the process to ensure a high-quality and timely report. Foundation representatives meet regularly as a group and with state representatives to assure the state has the resources necessary to create a robust plan, with input from California’s diverse stakeholders.
Much progress has already been made, but there is still much to do. Please visit www.engageCA.org to see how you can get involved in building a more inclusive, age- and disability-friendly California for all of us.
For the first time ever, California is working to develop a historic, 10-year Master Plan for Aging that includes all older Californians, and not only those who utilize or have access to public programs and services the state administers.
This approach is as welcome as it is overdue, as the state seeks to build a more inclusive, age- and disability-friendly California. In recent months, a diverse array of stakeholders have been working diligently to craft the plan, which is due in October 2020.
They also are thinking about aging broadly, looking at the underlying social determinants of health, such as housing, employment, transportation, and education, as well as health and human services. The academic research is clear that social determinants of health have a significant impact on an individual’s health outcomes and well-being.
The Master Plan will create a shared vision of aging that serves as a blueprint that can be used by state government, local communities, private organizations, academic institutions, and philanthropy to build environments that promote healthy aging.
Making Your Voice Heard
One of the keys to success is engaging as many Californians in this effort as possible to share their experiences and ideas. The California Department of Aging has launched an outreach campaign called EngageCA to help more Californians get involved in the development of the Master Plan for Aging. By going online to www.engageCA.org, you can get involved in a number of ways, including attending a meeting, submitting recommendations, or participating in educational webinars.
You can have a voice in the California Master Plan for Aging.
California’s over-65 population is projected to grow to 8.6 million by 2030. When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on June 10, 2019 calling for the creation of the Master Plan, he said: “An aging population will introduce new opportunities for economic and community growth, but also drive increased health and long-term care costs. We need a plan that brings everyone to the table—local communities, labor, private sector, and philanthropy—to help us understand what’s coming and guide us toward taking better care of older Californians.”
Newsom’s executive order directed the Secretary of the California Health and Human Services (HHS) Agency to convene a cabinet-level Workgroup for Aging to advise the HHS Secretary in developing and issuing the Master Plan. Additionally, the HHS, along with other state partners, convened a Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which includes a Research Subcommittee and a Long-Term Services and Supports Subcommittee. These subcommittees include older Californians, adults with disabilities, local government representatives, health care providers, health plans, employers, community-based organizations, foundations, academic researchers, and organized labor.
In February, the Long-Term Care Subcommittee issued a draft report to the governor on stabilizing state long-term care programs and infrastructure, including In-Home Supportive Services.
Philanthropy Steps Up
Newsom first called for the creation of the Master Plan for Aging during his 2019 State of the State Address. He said “it must address person-centered care, the patchwork of public services, social isolation, bed-locked seniors in need of transportation, the nursing shortage, and demand for In-Home Supportive Services that far outpaces its capacity.”
However, the Master Plan order did not include any funding to support the process (other than in-kind support from agency staff). So six foundations—Archstone Foundation, the Gary and Mary West Foundation, the Metta Fund, the Rosalind and Arthur Gilbert Foundation, the San Diego Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation—have joined together to commit support to the process to ensure a high-quality and timely report. Foundation representatives meet regularly as a group and with state representatives to assure the state has the resources necessary to create a robust plan, with input from California’s diverse stakeholders.
Much progress has already been made, but there is still much to do. Please visit www.engageCA.org to see how you can get involved in building a more inclusive, age- and disability-friendly California for all of us.
Comments
This is a game-changer for California if we stay engaged. Thanks for highlighting this, the website is beautiful which will be more engaging. Now, California has a state-wide information & assitance line at 1-800-510-2020.