Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Aging Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Community groups press Ventura County to pause planned transfer of Area Agency on Aging; county outlines transition
Summary
Senior services leaders urged the Board of Supervisors to pause the county Human Services Agency’s notice to the state to relinquish the Area Agency on Aging designation and to require an impact analysis and public stakeholder process; county staff described an RFP‑driven transition and preliminary fiscal scenarios.
Andrea Gallagher, president and CEO of Senior Concerns and spokesperson for the Ventura County Aging Services Coalition, told the Board of Supervisors the Human Services Agency (HSA) notified the state of its intent to relinquish Ventura County’s designation as the Area Agency on Aging without meaningful consultation. “Given the scale of this decision, that lack of transparency is deeply concerning,” Gallagher said, urging the board to pause the designation process, require a public impact analysis, and reestablish transparent stakeholder engagement.
Director Roger Robinson of the county’s Human Services Agency responded that the change is being implemented through the California Department of Aging (CDA) process and will move responsibility to a community‑based organization selected through a forthcoming state RFP. Robinson said the county has scheduled a CDA meeting for Dec. 18 and a local stakeholder event Jan. 28 where community questions will be addressed. “This is a transition to a community based organization that will happen in our county,” Robinson said, adding the county plans to provide eight months for contract transition and to remain involved in onboarding the new provider through mid‑2026.
Robinson also discussed fiscal planning tied to the decision, saying the agency has identified administrative costs and potential future budget requests tied to broader statewide changes in benefit administration. He described an administrative request of about $3.25 million and referenced larger scenario figures discussed internally, noting the agency has modeled potential supplemental requests that could total tens of millions across programs. He framed the transition as one step to manage increasing administrative pressures and program risks in the next fiscal year.
Supervisors asked for more detail on the planned stakeholder events and whether the county can play a role in the RFP process. Robinson said the CDA manages the RFP and final selection, but the chair of the local AAA council will be included in CDA meetings so community input can be heard. He emphasized the county will continue to partner with the eventual contractor during the transition period.
Why it matters: the AAA coordinates nutrition programs, caregiver support, Medicare counseling and other services relied on by older adults and adults with disabilities; advocates warned a hasty or opaque transfer risks interruptions to services and urged a thorough public impact analysis. The board heard the comments and the staff briefing; no formal policy vote or action to reverse the transition was announced at the meeting.
Next steps: CDA and HSA will meet Dec. 18 and the county plans a public stakeholder event on Jan. 28. Advocates asked the board to direct staff to return with a public impact analysis and a plan for ongoing public engagement.
