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DATE: |
October 21, 2025 |
08 |
SUBJECT
Title
APPROVE OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL FOR COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO REPRESENTATIVES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JAPAN CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE US-JAPAN PROGRAM ON HEALTHY AND RESILIENT AGING (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
In accordance with San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) Policy D-7, Out-of-County Business and Related Guidelines and Processes, and Administrative Code section 470(h), this is a request to approve out-of-country travel for the Director, County of San Diego (County) Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services (AIS) and the Acting Director, County Office of Emergency Services (OES) to participate in the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) one-week learning tour in Japan.
JCIE, in partnership with AARP, invited County policymakers, leadership and community partners to join the tour, scheduled for early December 2025, based on the County’s recognized leadership in implementing the Aging Roadmap and advancing age-friendly initiatives. The goal of the tour is to foster collaboration and information-sharing across regions to address common issues facing aging societies and creating age-friendly environments. The tour will focus on shared challenges facing aging societies, with a special emphasis on disaster preparedness and response, and social isolation-all of which align with the County’s Aging Roadmap priorities.
Furthermore, in-person attendance is essential, as it will allow County representatives to participate in site visits, engage with Japanese policymakers, service providers and researchers, and gain first-hand insights into innovative, age-friendly practices that cannot be fully replicated through virtual participation. This opportunity is offered at no cost to the County, with JCIE covering airfare, accommodations, and related program expenses.
Today’s action requests the Board authorize out-of-country travel, in accordance with Board Policy D-7, Out-of-County Business and Related Guidelines and Processes, and Administrative Code section 470(h), for the Director of AIS and the Acting Director of OES to participate in the JCIE one-week learning tour in Japan in early December 2025.
This item supports the County’s 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 continuing to support older adults and persons with disabilities through collaborating with other jurisdictions to share and learn about disaster preparedness and social isolation mitigation strategies.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
Per Administrative Code section 470(h), authorize the Director, Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services and Acting Director, Office of Emergency Services out-of-country travel to Japan to participate in the Japan Center for International Exchange one-week learning tour scheduled for November 29 through December 6, 2025.
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Continuing to support those most disproportionately affected by social isolation, disasters, and emergencies is a priority for the County of San Diego (County). Building on ongoing cross-departmental and community collaboration, and the priorities outlined in the Aging Roadmap, County staff continue to seek innovative ways to address the needs of the most vulnerable populations. Participation in this one-week learning tour will benefit older adults, persons with disabilities, caregivers, and their families by facilitating the exchange of knowledge on successes, challenges, and lessons learned related to disaster preparedness and response, and reducing social isolation.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Approving today’s recommendation for out-of-country travel to Japan for County of San Diego (County) representatives to participate in the Japan Center for International Exchange one-week learning tour supports the County’s Sustainability Goal #2 to provide just and equitable access to County services, and Sustainability Goal #4 to promote health and well-being. This learning tour provides a unique opportunity for County leaders to strengthen strategies and expand knowledge that will support older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and their families, particularly in the areas of disasters preparedness, emergency response, and reducing social isolation.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the proposed action. Travel expenses, including airfare, accommodations, and related program expenses will be covered by the Japan Center for International Exchange. County of San Diego representatives will receive regular salary and benefits, and no overtime will be incurred as a result of this trip. There will be no change in net General Fund costs and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
The Aging & Independence Services Advisory Council’s Executive and Membership Subcommittee reviewed this item at their regular meeting on September 30, 2025, and recommended approval.
BACKGROUND
According to population estimates from San Diego Association of Governments, of the nearly 3.3 million people currently residing in San Diego County, approximately 710,000 are adults aged 60 years and older. By 2029, this number is expected to increase to more than 824,500.
In 2016, the County of San Diego (County) joined the AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities, affirming its commitment to creating livable communities for people of all ages. Building on this foundation, the County developed the Aging Roadmap at the direction of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors (Board) on September 24, 2019 (4). The Aging Roadmap is a comprehensive framework for policies, programs, and initiatives that equitably support the needs and leverage the contributions of the growing population of older adults in the region.
As submitted to the Board on September 30, 2025 (2), 2 of the 10 priority areas within the Aging Roadmap, Social Participation and Preparedness, focus on vital priorities for older adults, persons with disabilities, caregivers, and their families. Social Participation focuses on a range of social and community engagement opportunities for older adults that promote active living, reducing isolation, and providing enriching experiences across all age groups and generations. Preparedness focuses on preparing older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, and people with other access and functional needs for safety during times of disaster and emergencies.
Recognizing the County’s comprehensive approach and innovative work within the Aging Roadmap and age-friendly programs, the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), in partnership with AARP, invited County leadership and local community partners to participate in a week-long learning tour scheduled for early December 2025. The goal of the tour is to foster collaboration and information-sharing on addressing common issues facing aging societies - particularly disaster preparedness and response, and social isolation - which align with Aging Roadmap priorities. Additionally, this opportunity will be sponsored by JCIE at no cost to the County, with all travel, lodging, and program costs covered by JCIE.
Japan provides a unique setting for this exchange. According to the JCIE, more than 28% of residents in Japan are aged 65 or older, making it one of the most rapidly aging regions in the Asia-Pacific. Recognizing parallels with the United States, JCIE created the US-Japan Healthy & Resilient Aging program to foster collaboration on aging issues and engage policymakers, service providers, and researchers in dialogues that generate innovative, sustainable solutions and spark future collaboration.
The one-week tour will include meetings with Japanese policymakers, local leaders, service providers, and researchers, as well as site visits to communities implementing forward-thinking, age-friendly practices. These site visits will allow County representatives to observe community-based approaches first-hand, build stronger peer-to-peer relationships, and engage in deeper, more productive discussions that would not be possible in a virtual format. Therefore, in-person attendance is critical. The JCIE has emphasized that in-person participation is essential to maximize the value of this exchange and strengthen long-term collaboration between San Diego County and Japanese counterparts.
Participating in this tour will provide invaluable insights and best practices that can inform and enhance the County’s ongoing efforts to create age-friendly programs, services, and systems. As a next step, JCIE will coordinate a return visit in 2026, during which a delegation of Japanese leaders will travel to San Diego County. County staff will support site visit planning and coordination for the delegation, further strengthening international collaboration and creating an opportunity to showcase the County’s age-friendly initiatives.
Today’s action requests the San Diego County Board of Supervisors authorize out-of-country travel, in accordance with Board Policy D-7, Out-of-County Business and Related Guidelines and Processes, and Administrative Code section 470(h), for the Director of Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, and the Acting Director of the County Office of Emergency Services to attend the JCIE one-week learning tour in Japan.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the County of San Diego 2025-30 Strategic Plan Initiatives of Sustainability (Resiliency), Equity (Health), and Community (Quality of Life), and the regional Live Well San Diego vision by enhancing knowledge and mitigation strategies related to disaster preparedness and response, and social isolation in support of older adults and persons with disabilities.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony n. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
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