Martinez, Calif. – Contra Costa County’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has announced its 2019 Needs Assessment Survey of residents who are 60 years or more. The survey’s purpose is to gather valuable data on the service needs of older adults and their caregivers residing within the county’s 19 cities. AAA will use the data for the county’s Four-year Area Plan on Aging.
The AAA is encouraging all seniors and caregivers to respond to the survey so the agency can collect accurate data for implementing services for the community. The Needs Assessment Survey is available online as well as in print. Seniors and their caregivers may take the survey from May through September 2019. AAA will tabulate the results during the fall and winter months, and present at the agency’s public meeting in March 2020.
The AAA Needs Assessment Survey is key to the entire planning and service delivery process. It presents questions to help in determining which services to establish. The survey will inform the development and implementation of the Contra Costa Four-year Area Plan on Aging. It will help identify existing and potential needs of older adults within the county, the area’s existing resources, as well as unmet needs, under-utilized services, and barriers that may prevent access to available services.
The goal of the Four-year Area Plan on Aging is to provide a comprehensive view of how local services will address the need(s) the survey identifies, and demonstrate integration into the community service network.
The AAA reviews the analysis of all of its surveys with its Advisory Council. The AAA expects that the Contra Costa community’s service needs correspond with how the agency and its Advisory Council allocate Older American’s Act funds, recognizing that the need in the community in all areas often exceeds available services.
Contra Costa County Area Agency on Aging (AAA)
Contra Costa County’s AAA mission is to provide leadership in addressing issues that relate to older Californians, to develop community-based systems of care that provide services which support independence within California’s interdependent society, protect the quality of life of older adults and persons with functional impairments, and promote citizen involvement in the planning and delivery of service. EHSD’s Aging & Adult Services Bureau leads the Area Agency on Aging which the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors formed in 1975.
Contra Costa County Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD)
The Employment & Human Services Department partners with the community to deliver quality services to ensure access to resources that support, protect, and empower individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. Based on the core values of promoting organizational excellence, delivering an exceptional customer experience, encouraging open communication, embracing change, practicing ethical behavior, and respecting diversity, EHSD envisions Contra Costa County will continue to be a thriving community where all individuals and families can be healthy, safe, secure and self-sufficient. More information about EHSD is available at www.ehsd.org.
