Senior News September, 2002 Vol. 21. No.  9

 

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Pan Dulce Steel Orchestra

Newsbriefs

Redwood Reading Service

Spotlight on the California Commission on Aging

Eureka and Del Norte learn about communication and behavior

Brookings: Journey of life takes us to just the right place

McKinleyville: Heroes

Crossing the Border

Sand Hills, Nebraska

Southern Humboldt County

Events at HSRC

Community Calendar

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Spotlight on the California Commission on Aging
by Mary Dennison

Following the California Commission on Aging field meeting in Eureka in April, I received many questions about the Commission. The CCoA was established in 1973 by the Burton Act and was confirmed in the original Older Californian Act of 1980 and again in 1996.

For more than 25 years, the Commission has played an important role in improving the lives of California seniors. In 1981 CCoA sponsored the State House conference on Aging, as well as the first session of the California Senior Legislature (CSL). In 1982 CCoA circulated a major policy statement on Social Security and Medicare; 1984-85 played a role in securing passage of the Nursing Home Patient Protection Act; more recently it convened a state wide symposium on revisions to the Older Californians Act, Home and Community Long-Term Care and Elder Abuse.

CCoA consists of 25 appointed members-19 appointed by the governor, three by the chair of the State Senate Rules Committee and three by the Speaker of the State Assembly. The members serve as volunteers, are appointed for three-year terms renewable once.

CCoA receives federal funds authorized under the Older Americans Act through the California Dept. of Aging.

CCoA functions as the principal advocate and advisor to the Governor, State Legislature, and state and federal departments and agencies to protect and support the rights of senior citizens to live with dignity in the environment they choose.

The Commission is presently involved in collecting information for the next State Strategic Plan. In order to obtain as much "grass roots" input as possible field meetings are being held in four areas of California. PSA (Public Service Area) 1 and 2, Humboldt & Del Norte counties; PSA 20, 21, & 22, Riverside, San Bernardino and Orange counties; PSA 14, Fresno and Madera counties; and PSA 4, Sacramento County.

There are four standing committees: Health, Housing, Transportation and Planning. Each has its established goals and objectives. I am a member of the Health committee. We are working on a goal to promote the establishment of Preventive Health Care Programs throughout all county Public Health departments including oral health care and the study of alcohol and drug use among seniors. I am looking forward to promoting legislation for a fully funded California Preventive Health Care Program Initiative.

For further information, contact me at 442-3164 or e-mail seniorcit@saber.net.

Mary Dennison is a member of the California Commission on Aging as well as the Senior Senator representing Humboldt and Del Norte counties.