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Ventura County says Area Agency on Aging will transition to community-based operator; county to help with the handoff
Summary
The Human Services Agency told supervisors the California Department of Aging is overseeing a planned transition that would move Ventura County’s Area Agency on Aging to a community‑based organization; staff said services won’t stop and outlined a Dec. 18 CDA meeting and a Jan. 28 stakeholder event.
The Ventura County Human Services Agency on Tuesday told the Board of Supervisors it intends to transition the county’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to a community‑based organization (CBO) under a process led by the California Department of Aging.
Director Robinson said the change is not a state mandate but follows a model used by about a quarter of California counties. Robinson told the board the county gave an eight‑month notice to the state — longer than the six months required — to allow contracts and services to transfer without interruption. He said the California Department of Aging will hold an internal meeting on Dec. 18 and county staff will host a public “blue ribbon” stakeholder meeting on Jan. 28 to answer questions and provide details about the request for proposals (RFP) that the state will issue in January.
Andrea Gallagher, president and CEO of Senior Concerns and spokesperson for the Ventura County Aging Services Coalition, urged the board to pause the transfer until the county completes a public impact analysis and a transparent stakeholder process. “Given the scale of this decision, that lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” Gallagher told the board, noting 1 in 4 Ventura County residents are age 65 or older and that many vulnerable residents rely on coordinated AAA services including nutrition programs, caregiver support, fall prevention and Medicare counseling.
Robinson said the Human Services Agency conducted a fiscal analysis and explained the county faces substantial near‑term budget pressures related to federal and state administrative changes. He said the agency may need to request additional general‑fund support in the coming fiscal year to maintain mandated services, and that a transition to a CBO could reduce administrative risk to the AAA program in the county’s view.
Supervisors asked whether the county could participate in the state's RFP development; Robinson replied the state manages the RFP but said the AAA council chair will be invited to CDA meetings to represent community input. The board also discussed making sure the county facilitates communication between community providers and the state while the RFP is developed.
The county emphasized its intent to remain a partner during the transition period and to provide continuity through the handoff; Robinson said county staff will support contract transitions and remain engaged in monthly stakeholder meetings during implementation.
