Candidates sought for California Senior Legislature

CSL Informational Flyer

Candidates are sought to serve as local delegates to the California Senior Legislature, for a four year term beginning June 2018.

“The Area Agency on Aging is responsible for the conduct of the election of three local delegates to the California Senior Legislature,” announced Barry Jay Marks, Chair, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. “The election will be held in May 2018 and candidates must declare their intention to be a candidate by April 30^th.”

The California Senior Legislature (CSL) is a non-partisan, grass-roots body of 120 elected members 60 years of age and older, who serve as unpaid volunteer advocates. The CSL meets annually in a legislative session in the State Capitol Building to develop legislation responding to the needs and concerns of older Californians.

The CSL drafts Senior Legislative Proposals, hears testimony, debates, may amend, and votes approval or disapproval. Of those approved, the highest Ten State Government and the highest Four Federal Government Senior Legislative Proposals become that year’s priorities, and receive special attention throughout the year.

Senior Legislators work throughout the year to find State and Federal lawmakers to author their priority Senior Legislative Proposals and they continue to advocate for the adoption of those bills when authorized. The first California Senior Legislature was held in 1980. Since that time, the CSL has had a very successful track record with the State Legislature in gaining passage of priority Senior Legislative Priorities.

” Any person aged 60 years of age or older, who is a registered voter in either San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara Counties , is eligible to run for the Senior Legislature, ” continued Mr. Marks. “Interested persons are required to complete a Nomination Petition, a Statement of Commitment, Code of Ethics, and Biographical statement and submit these completed forms to the Area Agency on Aging office in Santa Maria by April 30, 2018.”

“This Area Agency on Aging will sponsor several information sessions for interested persons ’, continued Mr. Marks. “At these information meetings we will provide information about the election, duties and responsibilities of a CSL delegate and respond to questions. All interested persons are welcome to attend.”

The information sessions are scheduled as follows:

in San Luis Obispo: Ludwick Community Center, 864 Santa Rosa St., Friday, March 2^nd at Noon;

in Santa Barbara: Carrillo Community Center, 100 E. Carrillo, Thursday, March 8^th at 2:30 p.m.;

in Santa Maria: Area Agency on Aging office, 528 S. Broadway, Monday, March 5^th at 2 p.m.

For a copy of the Nominating Petition, the other forms and additional information, please contact the Area Agency on Aging office in Santa Maria at 965-3288, 925-9554 or 541-0384, via email at seniors@KCBX.net  or www.CentralCoastSeniors.org .

NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR AWARDS CELEBRATING OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

Nominees are being sought for seven categories of awards to be presented as part of the Older American’s Month – May 2017 – celebration activities. The seven award categories are: Senior Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen Program of the Year, Public Official of the Year Media, Advocate of the Year, Caregiver of the Year, Older Worker and Intergenerational Effort of the Year.

Nomination Form SB County            Nomination Form SLO County

‘2017 marks the 33rd year of activities to celebrate Older American’s Month’, announced Barry Jay Marks, Chair, AAA Advisory Council. ‘2017 marks the 33rd year of activities to celebrate Older Americans Month in Santa Barbara County. At this time, the community recognizes significant achievements and the contribution of senior citizens to the community.

The theme for Older Americans Month 2017 is Age out Loud. The theme is intended to give aging a new voice—one that reflects what today’s older adults have to say about aging. Age Out Loud gives us an opportunity to shine a light on many important issues and trends.

What it means to age has changed. More than ever before, older Americans are working longer, trying new things, and engaging in their communities. They’re taking charge, striving for wellness, focusing on independence, and advocating for themselves and others. They expect to continue to live their lives to the fullest, and they’re insisting on changes that make that possible. Older Americans Month’17 is a perfect opportunity to recognize and celebrate what getting older looks like today.

All persons are invited to present candidates for the award categories. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens by calling 1-800-510-2020 or via email at seniors@KCBX.net or on the website (www.CentralCoastSeniors.org). Deadline for submission of nominations is April 28, 2017
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In Santa Barbara County the celebration to honor the nominees will be held at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriot on May 26, 2017 at 2 p.m. In San Luis Obispo County the celebration to honor the nominees will be held at the Sierra Vista Hospital on May 22, 2017 at 2 p.m.

For more information about local activities for Older Americans Month contact joyce ellen lippman, Area Agency on Aging, at 805.925.9554 (voice) or via e-mail at seniors@KCBX.net.

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AAA supporting national campaign to address lonliness

The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging is pleased to announce that it is supporting a national campaign to raise awareness of the growing problem of social isolation and loneliness in older Americans.

“It is estimated that one in five adults over age 50 are affected by isolation, a problem that has been associated with higher rates of chronic disease, depression, dementia and death,” announced Barry Jay Marks, Chair, AAA Advisory Council. ‘That means that over 30,000 older residents of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties are isolated and lonely.”

“This topic is especially timely because it is developed to encourage discussion of important issues affecting older Americans at a time of the year when family and friends often gather together”, continued Mr. Marks.  “The Area Agency on Aging is specially equipped to offer information and resources to help older adults reduce their risk of becoming isolated or lonely.”

“This Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and its many partners provide crucial home and community-based services and supports for older adults throughout this two county region”, continued Mr. marks.  This AAA is uniquely positioned to shine a light on this growing problem and to help find solutions.”

“Because our agency is on the frontlines of helping older Americans live with dignity and independence in their homes, connecting them to an array of home and community based services so vital to their well-being, we are often the first to realize that an older adult is isolated and lonely,” continued Mr. Marks.  “That’s why we believe our participation in this national campaign can have such a major impact locally. This campaign is led by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), in collaboration with the AARP Foundation.

For more information about the campaign to prevent isolation and loneliness, please contact the Area Agency on Aging at 965-3288, 925- 9554 or 541-0384.

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Community input sought for funding priorities

Community input is sought to create Senior Friendly Communities throughout this area and ensure that limited federal monies are meeting the priority needs of senior citizens through the work of the Area Agency on Aging.

The Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging, announces that four (4) public hearings will be held throughout San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties in January 2017 to secure comment from the public.

“With the uncertainty of funding from the federal and state budgets, it is imperative that we hear from senior citizens, caregivers and other interested persons about the priority needs as we attempt to have a ‘senior-friendly’ community,” announced Jim Talbott, President of the Board of Directors. “These are very difficult times and we need to be sure we are on the right track.”

“In developing the draft Plan for 2017/18, the Area Agency on Aging decided to project that federal and state funding remained stable” continued Mr. Talbott. “That may be a positive outlook but there are no indications of what changes may be sought by the new federal administration. The Area Agency on Aging services are basic services – designed to ensure safety and security for older persons and caregivers in this two county region.”

“Annually the Area Agency on Aging prepares a Draft Area Plan which presents a proposed allocation of Older Americans Act monies to address the needs of senior citizens in greatest social and economic need in the two county region,” continued Mr. Talbott. “This year it is especially important to look at our funding priorities and ensure they help us to maintain a senior friendly community.

“All interested persons are invited to attend and present comment at the public hearings,” continued Mr. Talbott. ” The intent of the public hearings is to receive community comment regarding the priorities, goals and objectives of the Area Agency on Aging for the second year (2017/18) of the four year Area Plan , which are outlined in the Draft Area Plan.”

“The Area Plan expresses the intent of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) to implement the goals and objectives of the Older Americans Act,” announced Barry Marks, Chair, AAA Advisory Council. “We are responsible for over $2.7 million for supportive, health and nutrition services to assist older persons and caregivers to remain safe and secure in their own homes.”

“We want to hear from the community whether our Plans for the expenditure of these federal monies are properly targeted,” continued Mr. Marks. “The basic question is how to allocate the limited federal revenues to maintain a senior friendly community?

Public comment on the DRAFT Planning and Service Area Plan can be provided at either a public hearing or in writing to the Area Agency on Aging office by February 12, 2016. The email address is: seniors@KCBX.net .The public hearing schedule is:

in Paso Robles: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at the Senior Center, 270 Scott St., beginning at 2 p.m.

in San Luis Obispo City: Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Ludwick Community Center, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

in Santa Barbara: Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the Carrillo Community Center, 100 E. Carrillo St., beginning at 9 a.m.

in Santa Maria:   Monday, January 23, 2017 at the Area Agency on Aging office, 528 S. Broadway, beginning at 2 p.m.

“The Draft Area Plan has been prepared by the members of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and Board of Directors to ensure the development of a community based system of social and nutrition services in the two county region,” continued Mr. Marks. “The challenges ahead for the Area Agency on Aging include support of a social service system which strengthens the capacities of older persons in greatest social and economic need within the financial constraints imposed by federal and state governments.”

Copies of the Draft Planning and Service Area Plan are available at the local libraries and the  Area Agency on Aging office. All interested persons are invited to attend the hearings. Persons needing accommodation must contact the Area Agency on Aging by January 13, 2017.

For more information contact Mrs. lippman, AAA Director at 925-9554.

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Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Supports CSL Legislative Priorities

The Advisory Council of the Central Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging (AAA), announces their support of the federal and state legislative priorities adopted by the California Senior Legislature (CSL) at their recent session in Sacramento.

“The Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council is pleased to announce their support of the ten state and four federal legislative priorities identified by the 120 member CSL,” stated Barry Jay Marks, Chair, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council. ‘The California Senior Legislature convened its 36^th Annual Legislative Session in late October.”

“Each year the AAA Advisory Council reviews the legislative priorities identified by CSL,” continued Mr. Marks. “As the Area Agency on Aging the Council is responsible for the election of the three delegates from this region to serve on the California Senior Legislature. Currently, the local delegates are Gari Cave of Morro Bay, Alice Loh of San Luis Obispo and Martin Tucker of Summerland.”

“This year the variety of topics included in the CSL priorities is impressive,” continued Mr. Marks. “The range included labeling of prescription drugs, Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers, Alzheimers’ Research Funding, Medi-Cal Long-Term Care Personal Needs Allowance, Mobile Home Residency Rights, Unit pricing of food products, Social Security Burial Benefits and grab bars.”

For a complete copy of the legislative priorities of the California Senior Legislature click here or please contact the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-510 – 2020 or seniors@KCBX.net .

“The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Advisory Council advocates on behalf of older persons,” concluded Mr. Marks. “The Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council is looking for new members. We are looking for retired persons who have an interest in helping senior citizens and enjoy advocacy and reviewing the issues and legislation.”

For additional information contact Barry Jay Marks, Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council Chair, or Mrs. lippman, AAA Director, at 925-9554 or 1-800-510-2020.