4170 Department of Aging
Program Descriptions

10 - NUTRITION

The Nutrition Program provides nutritionally-balanced meals, nutrition education and nutrition counseling to individuals 60 years of age or older. In addition to promoting better health through improved nutrition, the program focuses on reducing the isolation of the elderly and providing a link to other social and supportive services such as transportation, information and assistance, escort, employment, and education.

20 - SENIOR COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SERVICE

The federal Senior Community Service Employment Program, Title V of the Older Americans Act, provides part-time subsidized training and employment in community service agencies for low-income persons, 55 years of age and older. The program also promotes transition to unsubsidized employment.

30 - SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND CENTERS

This program provides supportive services including information and assistance, legal and transportation services, senior centers, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and elder abuse prevention, and in-home services for frail older Californians as authorized by Titles III and VII of the Older Americans Act. The services provided are designed to assist older individuals to live as independently as possible and access the programs and services available to them.

40 - SPECIAL PROJECTS

This program includes the community-based Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). HICAP provides personalized counseling, community education and outreach events for Medicare beneficiaries. HICAP is the primary local source for accurate and objective information and assistance with Medicare benefits, prescription drug plans and health plans.

45 - CDA MEDI-CAL PROGRAMS

This program includes the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) and Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) program, which will be eliminated effective February 29, 2012. The new Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) program will begin March 1, 2012 and will provide necessary medical and social services to those in the elder community with the greatest need. The CBAS program is to be operated by the Department of Health Care Services, which will require a revision to the proposed budget to reflect this shift in program operation. The MSSP provides health/social case management to prevent premature and unnecessary long-term care institutionalization of frail elderly persons. The Department provides program oversight of the MSSP via an interagency agreement with the Department of Health Care Services.