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Staff Report PREPARED BY: ARN ANDREWS Assistant Town Manager Reviewed by: Town Manager, Library Director, and Town Attorney 110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832 www.losgatosca.gov TOWN OF LOS GATOS COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: 09/05/2017 ITEM NO: 13 DATE: AUGUST 25, 2017 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER SUBJECT: WITH THE TOWN’S RECENT DESIGNATION AS A WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION AGE-FRIENDLY CITY, AFFIRM AND PRIORITIZE THE FOUR GOALS IDENTIFIED BY THE TOWN COUNCIL APPOINTED AGE-FRIENDLY TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATION: With the Town’s recent designation as a World Health Organization Age-Friendly City, affirm and prioritize the four goals identified by the Town Council appointed Age-friendly Task Force. BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities was established in 2010 as a way to connect cities, communities, and organizations worldwide with the common vision of making their communities great places to grow old. The initiative was established in response to global population aging and focuses on action at the local level that fosters the full participation of older people in community life and promotes healthy and active aging. The Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities provides a global platform for information exchange, mutual learning, and support. Santa Clara County embraced this initiative and launched an Age-Friendly campaign with the stated goal of getting all fifteen cities and towns in the County to apply for the WHO Age-Friendly designation by June 2017. In January 2017, the Town Council identified pursuit of the designation as a Strategic Priority. PAGE 2 OF 5 SUBJECT: AFFIRM AND PRIORITIZE THE AGE-FRIENDLY GOALS DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2017\09-05-17\Age Friendly Workplan\Staff Report - Age Friendly Final.docx 8/31/2017 11:27 AM SLL BACKGROUND (Cont’d) On February 21, 2017, the Town Council authorized the creation and appointment of a seven- member Task Force to proceed with the WHO Age-Friendly application process. The Age- Friendly Task Force was comprised of the following community representation:  Lyn Dougherty – Town of Los Gatos Library Board Member  Mary Goulart – Live Oak Nutrition Center, Director  Cindy McCarthy – Los Gatos-Saratoga Recreation, Director of Recreational Services  Cherie Ravel – Jewish Community Center of Silicon Valley, Director of Adult Programming  Margaret Wilmer – El Camino Hospital, Director of Community Health and Older Adult Services  Don Callahan – Coldwell Banker Realty, Partner Callahan Real Estate Group  Tom Picraux – Town of Los Gatos Community and Senior Services Commission Chair Throughout the entire application process, the Town collaborated with the Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services, and also partnered with the Center for Age Frie ndly Excellence (CAFE), which provides technical assistance to all of the cities within the County on their WHO applications and age-friendly goals. On May 16, 2017, the Town submitted its Age-Friendly application (see Attachment 1). With the submittal of the application, the Age-Friendly Task Force concluded its work. On July 27, 2017 the Town received its official notification of membership in the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (Attachment 2). With the designation, the Town of Los Gatos became the 11th of 15 communities within Santa Clara to receive the membership. This report outlines the Age-Friendly designation process, the subsequent work of the Community and Senior Services Commission (CSSC), and the requested actions for the Town Council. DISCUSSION: Age-Friendly Task Force To comply with the WHO Age-Friendly application process, the Task Force was charged with convening two focus groups of community members comprised of working professionals, senior citizens, local services clubs, religious institutions, local business owner s, and community leaders operating local non-profit groups. The Age-friendly Task Force invited community members who were either seniors living in Los Gatos or professionals who provided services to seniors. PAGE 3 OF 5 SUBJECT: AFFIRM AND PRIORITIZE THE AGE-FRIENDLY GOALS DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2017\09-05-17\Age Friendly Workplan\Staff Report - Age Friendly Final.docx 8/31/2017 11:27 AM SLL DISCUSSION (Cont’d): The focus groups were established and surveyed to identify needs and potential gaps in services beneficial for an aging community. The focus group survey format was established by the WHO and comprised of the following eight domains:  Transportation  Housing  Social Participation  Respect and Social Inclusion  Civic Participation and Employment  Communication and Information  Community Support and Health Services  Outdoor Spaces and Buildings Upon completion of the focus group sessions, CAFE analyzed the data and presented the findings to the Task Force and Town staff. The Task Force then distilled that information into the four broad areas of community needs. These areas became the goals that form the basis of the Town’s WHO application. Offer age-friendly and inclusive social events and community-wide dances through a collaborative of community partners.  The data suggested a need for more social gathering spaces and opportunities for seniors, especially those facing isolation. Many of the community organizations in Los Gatos already hold dances but there could be improved coordination, marketing and methods for providing transportation to attend events. Provide emergency preparedness lectures and demonstrations specific to older adults. The community partners would provide access and contributions of emergency supply kits.  The data showed that many seniors were not aware of services provided by the County Fire and Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Departments, and that more emergency preparedness training for residents should be explored. Actions could include hosting events specifically geared for older adults and possibly offering education, materials, and supplies needed in case of an emergency. Produce an infographic resource describing available community services for all residents. These would be available at the Town Departments including the Library and Police Departments as well as local community centers.  Creation of a convenient handout that all local community agencies could provide to residents. The handout would list available services, such as housing resources, food pantries, and other social services. The infographic could include contact information and represented agencies should play a role in keeping it up to date. PAGE 4 OF 5 SUBJECT: AFFIRM AND PRIORITIZE THE AGE-FRIENDLY GOALS DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2017\09-05-17\Age Friendly Workplan\Staff Report - Age Friendly Final.docx 8/31/2017 11:27 AM SLL DISCUSSION (Cont’d): Explore a public/private partnership to offer a variety of on-demand transportation options for older adults.  The data indicated a need for more transportation options for seniors and a way to collaborate with other public and private agencies or ridesharing agencies. This was recognized as a regional challenge and would require working with community partners in neighboring cities and Santa Clara County to come up with regional options. It should be noted that many of the identified Age-Friendly initiatives align well with the goals of the Human Services Element of the Town’s 2020 General Plan. Community and Senior Services Commission In addition to the efforts completed by the Age-friendly Task Force, the Town’s Community and Senior Services Commission (CSSC) has been actively following and deliberating the findings of the Task Force. On July 25, 2017, the CSSC discussed how the Commission could be most effective in helping the Town achieve the age-friendly goals. The Commission created four teams to evaluate existing and planned programs which intersect with the four goals and to identify opportunities and challenges associated with successful implemen tation of the goals. The four reports are included as Attachment 3 to this report. CONCLUSION AND NEXT STEPS: The WHO Age-Friendly initiative culminated in the following areas being identified for Council consideration:  A community collaborative to offer social events and dances;  More emergency preparedness training opportunities to residents;  An infographic resource describing available community services for all residents; and  Options for additional senior transportation The Town Council is being asked to prioritize the age-friendly goals provided by the Age Friendly Task Force. Based on the priorities, the CSSC will begin implementation of the goals. COORDINATION: This report was prepared in coordination with the Town Attorney’s Office and Library Department. PAGE 5 OF 5 SUBJECT: AFFIRM AND PRIORITIZE THE AGE-FRIENDLY GOALS DATE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2017 S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2017\09-05-17\Age Friendly Workplan\Staff Report - Age Friendly Final.docx 8/31/2017 11:27 AM SLL FISCAL IMPACT: The prioritization of the goals has no fiscal impact. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT: This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is r equired. Attachments: 1. Town of Los Gatos WHO Age-Friendly application 2. WHO Age-Friendly designation letter 3. Community and Senior Services Age-friendly Goals Information