FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: Mar. 15, 2024

CONTACT: Tati Simonian, Public Information Officer
[email protected] I (424) 280-0571 (cell)

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Mar. 15, 2024) — The city of Santa Monica is developing a citywide action plan to enhance services for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers, thanks to a California Department of Aging Local Aging & Disability Action Planning (LADAP) grant.

With the $200,000 grant, the city joins nearly 100 communities across California that have already implemented age- and disability-friendly action plans, programs and policies.

The award will allow the city to begin the planning process to create a local age-and disability-friendly action plan to address the current, emerging and future needs of the city’s older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers.

“By creating Santa Monica’s Local Aging & Disability Action Plan, we’ll ensure that we care for our most vulnerable residents and provide them the services they need to thrive in our city,” said Housing & Human Services Director Heather Averick. “This plan advances the city’s key strategic priority of Justice, Equity & Diversity and I thank the California Department of Aging for selecting our city.”

The city is issuing a request for proposals and select experts to help lead the planning process alongside city staff, nonprofit partners, city commissioners and other key stakeholders. The community will be notified of opportunities to engage in the planning process. Staff are set to present a draft plan to the City Council in early 2025 for discussion.

The LADAP grant awards are part of California’s Master Plan for Aging, a 10-year blueprint to prepare the state for upcoming demographic changes and support California’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

For more information, visit mpa.aging.ca.gov.

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