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Board proclaims May 2025 Older Americans Month; Area 1 Agency on Aging warns of funding uncertainty
Summary
The board adopted a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Older Americans Month after a presentation by Area 1 Agency on Aging that highlighted federal and state funding risks for senior services in Del Norte County.
The Del Norte County Board of Supervisors adopted a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Older Americans Month and heard a detailed update from the Area 1 Agency on Aging on programs and funding risks.
Maggie Craft, executive director of Area 1 Agency on Aging, briefed the board on the agency’s role in bringing federal and state dollars to Humboldt and Del Norte counties and listed services it supports, including home-delivered meals, legal services, HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program), ombudsman services and caregiver supports. Craft said the agency brings “more than $3,000,000 in state and federal funding” to the region and warned that pending federal and state budget proposals could reduce or re‑classify funding that currently supports nonmedical services for older adults.
“Some of this is designed to move money into Medicaid, and they’re not medical services,” Craft said, describing the potential for confusion and service disruption if funding streams are reallocated. The board discussed the briefing and several public commenters urged the board to pursue advocacy against proposed cuts.
Area 1 staffer Abby Holloway described local programs underway in Del Norte County, including fall‑prevention classes and a digital literacy program with plans for mobile lab sessions in Crescent City, Klamath and Smith River. The board praised the agency’s local efforts and voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation.
The proclamation text — read into the record by Chair Borges — cites the “flipping the script on aging” theme and notes the agency’s local funding, nutrition programs and partnerships, and calls on the community to uplift older adults and advocate for their needs.
Supervisors and members of the public highlighted the possible impact of state and federal budget changes on Medi‑Cal eligibility rules, SNAP‑Ed and other programs that support older adults.
The board approved the proclamation by unanimous roll call.
