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Seniors' groups alarmed as Area Agency on Aging shortfall prompts requests for emergency funds
Summary
Community providers told Alameda County supervisors an unexpected $2.17 million reduction in Area Agency on Aging contracts will force layoffs and service cuts; the Senior Services Coalition requested a combined $2.17 million remedy using $1.17 million from the board plus $1.0 million the coalition says is unallocated in AAA, while county staff identified $1.4 million for restoration and promised follow-up.
Dozens of senior-service providers told Alameda County supervisors on Monday that recent, unannounced cuts to Area Agency on Aging (AAA) contractor allocations will significantly reduce services for older adults unless the board acts quickly.
What was raised: Wendy Peterson of the Senior Services Coalition told the board that contractors were informed two weeks earlier of a total reduction of $2,170,000 to AAA allocations and said those cuts could cause layoffs and program eliminations that would disrupt services such as Meals on Wheels, case management and friendly visiting. "The total reduction in service allocations that we found out about for Area Agency on Aging contractors just 2 weeks ago is $2,170,000," Peterson said.
The ask: Peterson and AAA network leaders requested two steps: a one-time board allocation of $1,170,000 and that the board direct the AAA to use an identified $1,000,000 in unallocated AAA general-fund dollars for FY24'025 so the full $2.17M shortfall would be covered before July 1.
County response and staff numbers: County Administrator's staff and Social Services Director Andrea Ford said staff was working to reconcile differing figures. The Social Services Agency identified a $1,400,000 recommendation to restore base funding for affected AAA contracts; Ford said she would provide more detail and work with finance to clarify whether additional unallocated dollars exist in AAA's FY24'025 budget.
Why the figures vary: Board members and staff noted several numbers on the table: a $2.17M shortfall reported by the Senior Services Coalition, a $1.17M written request submitted to the board, and a $1.4M staff recommendation. Supervisors asked staff to return with clarifying detail at tomorrow's deliberations.
Public comment: Several CBO leaders testified to concrete impacts: Helen Lim of Family Bridges said proposed cuts would eliminate services for more than 1,700 low-income seniors in her programs; Corinne Jan, Family Bridges' CEO, said reductions would reverse decades of progress. Other providers described immediate operational problems, audit and compliance difficulties and the need for rapid clarity to avoid layoffs.
Next steps: County administrators told the board they would clarify the funding differences and provide an update during deliberations on June 25. The CAO had already included in the record a Social Services Agency letter recommending a $1.4M allocation to AAA contracts as part of the board's final budget adjustments.
