VENTURA — The Ventura County Board of Supervisors (March 3) approved a measure brought forward by Chair Jeff Gorell to pause the proposed transition of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) away from County administration, allowing additional time for public engagement and a deliberate evaluation of service delivery options.
“This measure asks the Board to pause the current process that began late last year and would allow the County to divest itself of responsibility for administering programs under the Area Agency on Aging,” said Chair Gorell.
AAA oversees essential senior programs including nutritional meal deliveries, caregiver support, transportation services, health insurance counseling, fall prevention programs, and other critical supports for older adults and caregivers throughout Ventura County.
Chair Gorell acknowledged that discussions about transitioning administration to a local community-based organization were well-intentioned and driven by fiscal pressures, including federal program changes under H.R. 1 and ongoing state budget challenges.
“We find ourselves here because of unforeseen program cuts and eligibility changes — not because our County places these senior programs at any level of priority other than the top,” Gorell said.
However, concerns emerged regarding the pace of the transition, the readiness and capacity of potential nonprofit partners to assume full responsibility at scale, and the implications of relinquishing Ventura County’s Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) accreditation.
“The entire issue deserves additional time and input to fully understand both the opportunities and the challenges,” Chair Gorell said. “Haste is not required here and can limit our flexibility if unintended outcomes arise.”
Under the proposed transition, Ventura County would have been required to surrender its ADRC accreditation and would be ineligible to seek re-accreditation for 18 months or more. Gorell noted that in other counties, transitions to CBO-led models have presented challenges, including instances where contracted organizations were unable to fulfill their obligations, requiring state intervention. In such cases, the County would not be positioned to quickly reassume administration once accreditation is relinquished.
The approved measure directs staff to pause the transition, preserve ADRC accreditation, work with the California Department of Aging to withdraw the current Request for Proposals, and return to the Board with a comprehensive review of viable service delivery models.
“For our seniors who rely on these services, we owe them stability, not uncertainty,” Chair Gorell said. “I want to sincerely thank Andrea Gallagher, Director of Senior Concerns, along with the many caregivers, advocates, and community members who took the time to reach out and share their perspectives. These important voices helped elevate this conversation and underscore how deeply these services matter to our community.”
Chair Gorell also thanked the leadership and staff of the Ventura County Human Services Agency and the Area Agency on Aging for their dedication to serving older adults and caregivers, and for their professionalism in supporting a thoughtful and collaborative path forward.