Lake County supervisors agree to prepare advocacy letter after Older Americans Act funding left out of federal continuing resolution

Lake County supervisors discussed an urgent funding gap for the Area Agency on Aging serving Lake and Mendocino counties and agreed by consensus to have staff return with a finalized advocacy letter asking federal lawmakers to reauthorize the Older Americans Act.

Why it matters: County and AAA staff said the omission in the federal continuing resolution passed Dec. 20, 2024, created a shortfall of nearly $1 million for services that include senior center meals (Meals on Wheels), Alzheimer’s adult day care, legal services, information and assistance, family caregiver support and the long‑term care ombudsman. Staff and supervisors warned the gap could delay payments to senior centers and reduce staff time devoted to senior services if federal funding is not restored.

At the meeting, Lisa Ferrocco, program manager for the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), described the budget uncertainty and urged advocacy. “If the Older Americans Act is not reauthorized, about 60% of our budget is federally funded,” Ferrocco said. She told the board the AAA and the California Department of Aging have identified state…