The Senior Services Coalition of Alameda County is committed to advancing policy change that improves the lives of older adults in Alameda County. Aging in place, living with dignity, being part of a community, feeling safe, maintaining health and mobility, being able to exercise choice–these are expectations that all of us have as we age. SSC believes that home and community-based services are a necessary part of the equation in helping all of us address the challenges of aging and thrive in our communities, now and in the future.
SSC’s Policy Agenda looks to that future, addressing the longer-term implications of immediate policy choices that we face today. The Agenda guides our staff, defines the focus for our advocacy work, clarifies what collaborative actions we can join, and highlights our priorities for action.
SSC recently released our 2026 Policy Agenda.
Our Policy Agenda and Priorities for Action
Advance Economic Security
The economic reality for Alameda County’s growing aging population is grave. SSC must advance solutions at the state and local level that improve access to housing, healthcare, cash assistance, nutritious food, and other supportive services that bolster economic security, prevent displacement & homelessness, and promote optimal health.
ACTION:
- Work to ensure that local housing and homeless initiatives address seniors’ needs and include CBOs skilled in working with older adults.
- Champion funding for anti-displacement solutions such as case management, housing subsidies, and other programs that provide support and assistance.
- Actively support housing and homeless solutions that address diverse needs of older adults, including Assisted Living Waivers, IHSS Contract Mode, and deeply affordable housing.
- Work to protect and support programs and solutions that create income for low-income older adults, including SSI/SSP and senior employment.
- Actively support efforts to protect seniors from losing Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits due to work requirements and other federal restrictions.
Invest in Services
Population growth, rising acuity levels, and inadequate state and local investment in service capacity hamper community-based organizations’ ability to meet community needs. SSC must champion funding for the broad range of community-based services needed to meet current and future demands and prevent homelessness among older adults.
ACTION:
- Fight to protect state and local investments in aging services, and to build support for state and local investment in community-based services, including:
- Programs that are AAA-administered, including Senior Nutrition, Case Management, Legal Assistance, Visiting, Family Caregiver Support, Information & Assistance, Senior Centers, and Senior Injury Prevention;
- Behavioral Health Prevention services for older adults and language and culturally isolated communities that are impacted by Prop 1 cuts;
- Medi-Cal services, including Adult Day Health Care, MSSP, IHSS, PACE, optional benefits, dental, Enhanced Care Management, Community Health Worker, and Community Supports;
- Other state and local programs such as Healthy Brain Initiative, Older Adults Healthy Results, Home Sharing Age-Friendly Communities, and Aging & Disability Resource Connection.
- Champion funding for aging services in the County’s Measure W Essential Services 5-year plan.
- Champion protecting funding for APS Home Safe and HDAP to ensure adequate capacity for crisis and homelessness intervention services tailored to older adults.
- Actively support new funding to continue the Healthcare Career Pathway Program to strengthen the aging and direct care workforce.
- Actively support a CWDA state budget request to continue state funding of IHSS CFCO penalty fees to preserve local dollars for service delivery and quality improvement.
Unlock the power of CBOs
Community-based organizations advance the public good by serving vulnerable populations and marginalized communities. But inadequate funding, increasing costs, and policies that favor large for-profit businesses limit the sustainability of CBOs and their ability to serve their clients. SSC must elevate issues, identify solutions, and champion CBOs’ interests.
ACTION:
- Empower and support CBOs to stabilize rates, address barriers and inequities, reduce administrative burden and contracting delays, and improve access to contracting opportunities.
Transform Systems
Supportive services provided by local CBOs improve health and life outcomes, and their high-touch approach makes them powerful partners for health entities seeking to improve health outcomes. SSC must facilitate collaborative solutions and systems change that establishes community-based services as welcome partners with healthcare.