On Monday, June 10, Governor Newsom announced the creation of a
Cabinet-level Workgroup for Aging to be convened by the Secretary
of the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). As the
aging population is forecasted to rise significantly, the
workgroup, led by recently confirmed HHS Secretary Dr. Mark
Ghaly, will work to provide an actionable Master Plan on Aging
with the goal of transforming California into an age-friendly
state.
The Executive Order N-14-19, which establishes the workgroup
and requires the Master Plan on Aging, acknowledges the
contributions of older adults throughout California and the need
to prioritize their needs throughout state. The Executive Order
includes a wide range of directives that aim to plan for the
growing challenges of long-term care and supports for this
population. These directives include provisions that require:
The Master Plan on Aging to be developed by October 1, 2020.
The Master Plan on Aging to include data indicators with
10-year targets
The Plan to include federal, state, and local government
coordination recommendations
CHHS to convene a diverse Master Plan on Aging Stakeholder
Advisory Committee with a Research Subcommittee and a Long-Term
Care Subcommittee to provide input for the Master Plan.
The Long-Term Care Subcommittee will issue a report to the
Governor by March 2020 on stabilizing long-term care programs,
including In-Home Supportive Services.
Following the
Governor’s press release, CHHS Secretary Ghaly and CHHS
Program and Fiscal Deputy Secretary Marko Mijic convened a
stakeholder call to provide the Administration’s vision for the
Master Plan on Aging. During this call the Administration voiced
the importance of engaging across agencies and departments to
provide an extensive roadmap. Key to the success of the Plan will
be participation from stakeholders, including local government
representatives. CSAC will actively engage with CHHS as they
begin to internally vet possible appointments to the Committee
and Subcommittees.
