Madera County adopts Local Aging and Disability Action Plan after yearlong community process

The Madera County Board of Supervisors on March 18 adopted the county's Local Aging and Disability Action Plan (LADAP), approving a strategy developed with residents, caregivers and the San Diego State University Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity.

The plan, created after community engagement across the county, was presented to the board by Ming Wang, deputy director for adult services at the Madera County Department of Social Services, and partners from San Diego State University. "Our recommendation today is for the Board to adopt the Madera County Local Aging and Disability Action Plan," Wang said.

The plan was developed with funding and guidance from the California Department of Aging. As Michelle Madder, director of aging for SDSU's Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity, told the board, "By investing in this effort now, Madera County is not only preparing for the demographic changes but also actively shaping a future where people of all ages and abilities can live with dignity, independence, and opportunity." The county was one of 36 communities awarded the Local Aging and Disability Action Planning Grant Program.

County staff and the consultant team said the LADAP was based on a policy and program scan, a baseline survey and community sessions. According to the presentation, the county collected 381 survey responses countywide, held 183 participants at listening sessions, and convened 36 participants for action-planning sessions. The plan condenses community input into six priority domains (transportation, housing, communication and information, health and supportive services, social participation and public spaces) and lists goals and actionable steps for each.

Board members highlighted communication and senior centers as central priorities. Supervisor Warmhoff emphasized the need for ongoing outreach: "We struggle with communication. We struggle with letting people know about these services'where they're going to be, how they benefit them." Several supervisors also noted the role senior centers play as sources of social connection and information, and asked staff to report back on ways to sustain and coordinate those resources.

Actionable items discussed during the presentation included exploring low- or no-cost personal alert devices through Adult Protective Services, strengthening referral pathways to existing county programs, and continuing Spanish-language outreach and promotora involvement in rural communities. Deputy director Wang and consultant staff said the next steps include returning to senior centers to share the plan and invite residents to participate in implementation and advocacy.

The board approved the item by voice and roll-call vote. The clerk recorded a 5-0 vote: Supervisor Warmhoff, Supervisor McCauley, Supervisor Rogers, Supervisor Porteous and Chair Tara Gonzales voting yes. No public comment was filed in opposition.

The adoption places the LADAP on the county's official workplan; staff said they will seek opportunities for grants and partnerships to support implementation but did not specify a dedicated county funding source at the meeting.