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 funding options that could be used temporarily but said using state funds now could complicate later federal backfill and would require a separate contracting process with senior centers that could delay payments.

Public commenter Betsy Khan also urged action, saying the existing programs are limited and vulnerable. “The existing services, the ones that were already in place before this cut are so so meager,” Khan said, and described long waiting lists for legal services and other supports.

Board and staff details: Staff reported that the AAA area plan funding for Lake and Mendocino counties was about $1.8 million for fiscal 2024 and that roughly 60% of that total is federal funding. Staff estimated a shortfall of nearly $1 million for the period Jan. 1–June 30 if federal funds are not restored. The California Department of Aging has been approving invoices month‑to‑month and prioritizing contracts in place so senior centers should receive expected funding through June, staff said; however, if AAA must convert federal contracts to state‑funded contracts there could be delays of up to two months for some invoices while the contracting is executed.

Supervisors pressed staff on timing and options. Supervisor Paiske noted the role of Meals on Wheels in identifying isolated seniors who need help after a driver could not get a door response. Supervisor Sabatier called the situation “not a good situation” and questioned whether federal action is likely before the March 15 deadline for the continuing resolution; Sabatier urged the county to coordinate advocacy now. The board also discussed using lobbyists and bringing a finalized county letter back on consent at the next meeting so it could be transmitted promptly to members of Congress and U.S. senators.

What the board decided: Rather than a formal motion and vote, the board reached consensus to direct staff to return with a finalized letter of support for the AAA that could be placed on a future consent calendar and signed by the chair. Staff said the AAA governing board will be asked for recommendations before any county funding request is made and that counties would be approached only after the AAA governing board determines its needs.

Context and numbers cited at the meeting: staff said Lake County adults experienced an 18% poverty rate (countywide adult poverty figure cited by staff), Mendocino County adults age 60 were cited at 17% in poverty, and staff gave an approximate area plan total of $1.8 million for Lake and Mendocino in 2024; about 60% of that figure is federal. Staff and commenters also referenced roughly 20,000 older adults in Lake County and commented that a notable share live near the poverty threshold; commenters and staff used slightly different percentages for senior population concentration (one speaker cited "26%–27%" as an estimate). Where a number was not specified in the meeting, the article notes that the detail was not specified.

Next steps: Staff will draft a finalized letter of support for the board’s consideration and anticipated placing it on a future consent agenda; the AAA governing board will be consulted before any county funding request. The county will continue to coordinate with both the California Department of Aging and lobbyists while monitoring federal action before the continuing resolution expiration date.