SUBJECT
Title
AUTHORIZE ACCEPTANCE OF OLDER ADULT SERVICES REVENUE AGREEMENTS AND GRANTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 2028-29, AND AUTHORIZE APPLICATION FOR FUTURE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROGRAMS SERVING OLDER ADULTS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), Aging & Independence Services (AIS) serves as the region’s federally designated Area Agency on Aging and administers programs focused on the safety and well-being of older adults and persons with disabilities. These services align with the Aging Roadmap, the County plan to ensure the region has programs and communities that equitably support the needs and leverage the contributions of all older adults in the county.
On April 30, 2024 (7), the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) approved Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 revenue agreements, grants, and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the California Department of Aging to fund various programs that support older adults and persons with disabilities, allowing them to remain safely in their homes and access community resources. These programs and services support the goals and objectives established in the AIS 2024-2028 Area Plan, approved by the Board on April 9, 2024 (6). Required by the Older Americans Act (OAA), the AIS Area Plan 2024-2028 details how AIS will utilize funds received through the OAA to provide services that meet the identified needs of older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers throughout the county.
This item requests the Board authorize the acceptance of federal and State revenue agreements and grants for FY 2025-26 through FY 2028-29 to support these programs and services. Today’s action requests the Board waive Board Policy B-29, authorize the acceptance of $8,899,859 of federal and State revenue agreements and grants in FY 2025-26, $808,811 in FY 2026-27, $808,811 in FY 2027-28, and $80,000 in FY 2028-29, authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute revenue agreements and grants upon receipt, and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of HHSA to apply for future funding opportunities that support programs serving older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers. Additionally, today’s action would account for the required County match for the remainder of the MOU through FY 2028-29.
These actions support the County vision of a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all, specifically those communities and populations in San Diego County that have been historically left behind, as well as our ongoing commitment to the regional Live Well San Diego vision of healthy, safe and thriving communities. This will be accomplished by ensuring the County will continue to receive federal, State, and other funding to administer necessary programs and services for older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Waive Board Policy B-29: Fees, Grants, Revenue Contracts - Department Responsibility for Full Cost Recovery, which requires full cost recovery of grants and revenue contracts.
2. Approve and authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute, upon receipt, the following revenue agreements and grants:
o California Department of Aging Agreements (CalFresh Expansion and SNAP-Ed/CalFresh Healthy Living (CF-2526-23) and Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MS-2526-07))
o Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System (Veteran Directed Home and Community Based Service Program)
o University of California San Diego Research Foundation/Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program
3. Authorize the Clerk of the Board, subject to the approval of the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Health and Human Services Agency or designee, to execute all required documents related to the revenue agreements, and grants in Recommendation 2, including any extensions, amendments or revisions thereto that do not materially impact either the program or the funding level.
4. Authorize acceptance of the grant from the Corporation for National Community Service for the Retired Senior and Volunteer Program.
5. Authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Health and Human Services Agency or designee, to apply for future funding opportunities that support programs serving older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
There are nearly 710,000 San Diegans over the age of 60, and by 2029, that number is expected to increase to more than 824,500. Additionally, the population over the age of 85 in San Diego County is projected to grow faster than any other age group. The County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services (AIS) provides a wide array of services to meet the needs of this growing population and ensures the welfare of older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers.
AIS receives recurring input and feedback regarding programs and services through its various committees. On April 14, 2025, AIS received additional community input and feedback through the annual Area Plan Public Hearing. The Area Plan, required by the Older Americans Act (OAA), details how AIS will utilize funds received through the OAA to provide services that meet the identified needs of older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers, countywide. Accepting revenue agreements and grants will allow the County to continue administering vital programs and services for older adults and persons with disabilities, improving the quality of life for groups of all ages.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Working with partners to improve and expand programs and services that contribute to the safety and welfare of older adults and persons with disabilities will advance the County of San Diego (County) Sustainability Goal #1 to engage the community in meaningful ways; Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access to County services; and Sustainability Goal #4 to protect the health and well-being of everyone in the region. Specifically, programs and services provided with this funding allows older adults and persons with disabilities to remain safely in their homes and access necessary community resources. Additionally, the funded programs help meet the needs of caregivers, reduce isolation, and increase social connections.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for this request are included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-26 CAO Recommended Operational Plan in the Health and Human Services Agency. If approved, this request will result in costs of $8,910,767 and revenue of $8,899,859 in FY 2025-26, costs and revenue of $808,811 in FY 2026-27, costs and revenue of $808,811 in FY 2027-28, and costs and revenue of $80,000 in FY 2028-29. In addition, annual costs of $644,044 associated with the required match of the previously approved Memorandum of Understanding on April 30, 2024 (7) are anticipated for FY 2025-26, FY 2026-27, FY 2027-28, and FY 2028-29.
The funding sources include:
• State General Fund, Federal Medicaid Program;
• Federal SNAP-ED/CalFresh - Healthy Living, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services;
• Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System;
• Corporation for National & Community Service; and
• University of California San Diego.
A waiver of Board Policy B-29 is requested because the funding does not offset all costs. The B-29 costs are $654,952 for FY 2025-26, and $644,044 each year for FY 2026-27, FY 2027-28, and FY 2028-29, and will be funded with existing General Purpose Revenue allocated for these programs. The public benefit for providing these services, which allow older adults and those with disabilities to remain safely in their homes and access resources, far outweighs these costs. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The Aging & Independence Services Advisory Council reviewed this item at their regular meeting on April 14, 2025 and recommended approval.
BACKGROUND
According to San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) population projections, of the nearly 3.3 million people who resided in San Diego County in 2022, nearly 710,000 were adults aged 60 or older. By 2029, the number of adults 60 years and older in the county is expected to increase to more than 824,500. Additionally, those 85 years and older, the fastest growing age group in San Diego County, is projected to increase from an estimated 65,854 in 2022 to nearly 75,740 in 2029. Today’s action requests authorization to continue to receive annual funding from the following revenue agreements and grants for various programs benefiting older adults and persons with disabilities throughout San Diego County:
CalFresh Expansion and Snap-Ed/CalFresh Healthy Living ($728,811)
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23, CalFresh Expansion and SNAP-Ed/CalFresh Healthy Living funding were combined into one agreement and included funding for multiple federal fiscal years. CalFresh Expansion, as part of the FY 2018-19 State Budget Omnibus Trailer Bill, Assembly Bill 1811, expanded CalFresh benefit eligibility to include persons receiving or authorized to receive both Supplemental Security Income program and State Supplementary Payment program benefits, provided all other eligibility criteria are met. Starting in FY 2025-26, the CalFresh Expansion and SNAP-Ed/CalFresh Healthy Living allocation, determined by the State, will include funding for three federal fiscal years estimated at $2,186,433. The funds will be used to provide information regarding the expanded CalFresh eligibility, pre-screen, and provide application assistance to approximately 2,000 older adults in the county. The CalFresh Healthy Living (known federally as SNAP-Ed) federal funding provides nutrition education for CalFresh-eligible populations. The FY 2025-26 funding of $728,811 will allow AIS to provide nutrition education and physical activity programs for CalFresh-eligible populations through various virtual and in-person offerings. AIS will also provide training and technical assistance to community partners on implementing policy, systems, and environmental changes to improve access to healthy food and physical activity for older adults. The FY 2025-26 funding will allow AIS to not only provide outreach and application assistance, but also voter registration information.
Multipurpose Senior Services Program ($3,679,572)
The total funding of $3,679,572 for the Multipurpose Senior Services program provides State and federal funding for case management to eligible older adults, aged 65 and over, who receive Medi-Cal and are at-risk for institutional care. The program allows these older adults to safely remain in their homes at a lower cost than nursing homes. The program maintains a caseload of up to 687 older adults and serves these clients for as long as they need.
Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System ($4,302,398)
The total funding of $4,302,398 allows AIS to continue to provide a veteran-directed care program, serving veterans of any age who need assistance with activities of daily living, are isolated, or whose caregiver may need additional support. Through federal funding, the program provides the opportunity for veterans to receive home and community-based services to avoid institutionalization and to continue to live in their homes and communities. Currently, an average of 60 veterans are served by the program monthly. The funding for FY 2025-26 will allow the program to expand and serve up to 90 veterans per month.
University of California San Diego Research Foundation/Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program ($80,000)
A subgrant for AIS estimated at $400,000 in total, covering fiscal years 2024-29, allows County staff to support the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program and efforts facilitated by a federal grant received by the University of California San Diego’s San Diego Imperial Geriatric Education Center (SDIGEC). In FY 2025-26, the grant funding of $80,000 is for County staff to participate in the SDIGEC Leadership Team meetings, to provide dementia-friendly and related training to local service providers, to develop a personal care resource guide for Medi-Cal members with dementia, and to identify training needs related to dementia within Skilled Nursing Facilities.
Corporation for National and Community Service Grant ($109,078)
This federal grant totaling $109,078, funds the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which encourages older adults, aged 55 and older, to participate in their communities through volunteer service opportunities. AIS administers the program, which has over 900 volunteers who record over 100,000 service hours annually. Volunteers are serving in approximately 30 different stations including law enforcement agencies, museums, senior centers, and food security organizations. This grant requires County matching funds of $10,908.
California Department of Aging Memorandum of Understanding
The California Department of Aging has transitioned from annual revenue agreements to a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Area Plan, Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act program, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy program in effect until June 30, 2029. The MOU brought before the Board on April 30, 2024 (7) authorized acceptance of anticipated annual allocations of $19,902,838 through FY 2028-29. This MOU requires County matching funds of approximately $644,044 annually. A waiver of Board Policy B-29 is requested to account for the required County match through FY 2028-29, to align with anticipated annual allocations.
Today’s action requests the Board waive Board Policy B-29, authorize the acceptance of $8,899,859 of federal and State revenue agreements and grants in FY 2025-26, $808,811 in FY 2026-27, $808,811 in FY 2027-28, and $80,000 in FY 2028-29, authorize the Clerk of the Board to execute revenue agreements and grants upon receipt, and authorize the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of the Health and Human Services Agency to apply for future funding opportunities that support programs serving older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers. Additionally, today’s action would account for the required County match for the remainder of the MOU through FY 2028-29.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the County of San Diego 2025-2030 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Sustainability (Resiliency), Equity (Health), and Community (Quality of Life), and the regional Live Well San Diego vision by continuing services that assist vulnerable older adults, disabled residents, their caregivers, and military veterans of San Diego County.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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