Existing law establishes various programs and services for older adults, as defined, including, among other things, the Adult Education Program under the administration of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and health promotion and preventative health services for older adults under the administration of the State Department of Public Health.
This bill would establish the Health Aging Community Partnerships Program to authorize a local health department, area agency of aging, local school district, or other appropriate county department, as determined by a county, to establish community-based
programs for older adults designed to promote healthy aging, social engagement, and independent living in collaboration with relevant local entities, including school districts, libraries, faith institutions, and community organizations. The bill would authorize program activities to include, among other things, technology assistance, physical activity, and other community-based enrichment activities that support healthy aging and social connection. The bill would make implementation of these provisions subject to the availability of local resources and partnerships.
Existing law establishes the State Department of Public Health to, among other things, implement and administer various programs relating to public health. Existing law requires the department, after consultation with and approval by the California Conference of Local Health Officers, to establish by regulation standards of education and experience for professional and technical personnel employed in local health departments and for the organization and operation of the local health departments.Existing law establishes the Adult Education Program under the administration of the Chancellor of the California Community Colleges and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The program requires the chancellor and the Superintendent, with the advice of the Executive Director of the State Board of Education, to divide the state into adult
education regions and to approve one adult education consortium in each adult education region, as specified. Existing law requires that funds apportioned for the adult education program be used solely for specified programs, including, among other things, programs for adults, including, but not limited to, older adults, that are primarily related to entry or reentry into the workforce.This bill would authorize local health departments to establish older adult education programs in collaboration with relevant local entities including, among other entities, school districts. If a local health department establishes an older adult education program, the bill would require the program to include communal meals and specified instruction. The bill would authorize a school district to act as the fiscal agent for an older adult education program and, if a school district serves as the fiscal agent, would authorize the school district to use available local, public
health, or philanthropic funds for the program. The bill would prohibit a school district from being required to divert funding from adult education programs or elementary and secondary education programs for the older adult education program.