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DAS executive director and advisory council outline federal/state proposals and local initiatives, including Solidarity SF pilot
Summary
Executive Director Kelly Dearman briefed the commission on federal funding proposals and state May Revise items affecting older adults and people with disabilities, while the advisory council highlighted mental‑health bills, AB 484 (raising the personal needs allowance) and efforts to restore a $3,000,000 Dignity Fund allotment. Dearman also announced Solidarity SF, a pilot safe‑spaces campaign for AAPI older adults.
Executive Director Kelly Dearman used her first DAS commission report on June 2 to summarize key federal, state and local developments affecting older adults and people with disabilities and to preview a new local initiative.
Federal and state overview: Dearman said the Administration for Community Living had a program‑level request of $3.1 billion—an increase of about $768 million (roughly 32%) above fiscal year 2021—focused on Older Americans Act programs, long‑term care services under Medi‑Cal, caregiver workforce investments and other supports. On the state level, Dearman highlighted May Revise proposals that would expand Medi‑Cal coverage for undocumented people aged 60 and older (including IHSS access), $3,000,000 to the California Department on Aging to shore up data and staffing for the Master Plan on Aging, and $106,000,000 over three years for counties to address isolation and COVID‑related impacts on older adults. She also noted a one‑time $200,000,000 allocation for county career pathways for IHSS providers and a $100,000,000 'home safe' fund for APS services.
Project and city context: Dearman said Project Homekey received $2.75 billion over two years in federal proposals and that San Francisco’s mayoral budget proposal—supported in part by American Rescue Plan funds—reduced a projected shortfall and allowed investments in food security, shelter and behavioral health. She emphasized that the city will continue to focus on COVID recovery and building workforce supports.
Solidarity SF pilot: Dearman announced Solidarity SF, a new partnership with the Institute on Aging, Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, and the District Attorney’s Victim Services Division to create a network of community safe spaces for AAPI older adults who feel unsafe on the street. Participating businesses will display a window sticker; the campaign will pilot in the Sunset District in collaboration with the Outer Sunset Merchants Professional Association and hold a virtual press conference on June 15 to launch the initiative.
Advisory council and legislative items: Diane Lawrence reported the advisory council is seeking to restore a $3,000,000 Dignity Fund allotment and is tracking several bills. Lawrence and the joint legislative committee recommended sending letters of support for bills covering older‑adult mental health, AB 484 (raising the Medi‑Cal personal needs allowance from $35 to $80 per month), and S P 675 (property tax monthly payment option). Lawrence also summarized AB 1176 (a small monthly surcharge to fund broadband expansion) and bills to strengthen LTSS governance and emergency services representation for access and functional needs populations.
Why it matters: Dearman framed these developments as an opportunity to expand services, restore funding lost or deferred during the pandemic, and address long‑standing gaps such as broadband access and elder mental‑health services. Commissioners asked for follow‑up on wrap‑around services, Project Homekey implementation details and how the Solidarity SF pilot will scale.
Next steps: Staff will circulate follow‑up details requested by commissioners and prepare implementation milestones for Solidarity SF and the approved contracts.
