9002. (Amended by Stats. 2026, Ch. 26, Sec. 14.)

(a) Programs shall be initiated, promoted, and developed through all of the following:

(1) Volunteers and volunteer groups.

(2) Partnership with local governmental agencies.

(3) Coordinated efforts of state agencies.

(4) Coordination and cooperation with federal programs.

(5) Partnership with private health and social service agencies, community benefit organizations, and health plans.

(6) Participation by older adults in the planning and operation of all programs and services that may affect them.

(b) It shall be the policy of this state to give attention to the unique concerns of older adults with the greatest social and economic needs.

(c) In recognition of the many governmental programs serving older adults, and as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 9102, the California Department of Aging should coordinate, as existing resources permit, with other state departments in doing all of the following:

(1) Promote clear and simplified access to information assistance and services arrangements.

(2) Ensure that older adults retain the right of free choice in planning and managing their lives.

(3) Ensure that health and social services are available to do all of the following:

(A) Allow older adults to live independently at home or with others.

(B) Provide for advocacy for expansion of existing programs that prevent or minimize illness or social isolation, and allow individuals to maximize their dignity and choice of living.

(C) Provide for protection of older adults from physical and mental abuse, neglect, and fraudulent practices.

(4) Foster both preventive and primary health care, including mental and physical health care, to keep older adults active and contributing members of society.

(5) Encourage public and private development of suitable housing.

(6) Develop and seek support for plans to ensure access to information, counseling, and screening.

(7) Encourage public and private development of suitable housing and recreational opportunities to meet the needs of older adults.

(8) Encourage development of efficient community services including access to low-cost transportation services, that provide a choice in supported living arrangements and social assistance in a coordinated manner and that are readily available when needed.

(9) Encourage and develop meaningful employment opportunities for older adults.

(10) Encourage the development of barrier-free construction and the removal of architectural barriers, so that more facilities are accessible to older adults.

(11) Promote development of programs to educate persons who work with older adults.

(12) Encourage and support intergenerational programming and participation by community organizations and institutions to promote better understanding among the generations.

(d) The California Department of Aging shall ensure that, to the extent possible, the services provided for in accordance with this division shall be coordinated and integrated with services provided to older adults by other entities of the state. That integration may include, but not be limited to, the reconfiguration of state departments into a coordinated unit that can provide for multiple services to the same consumers. Services provided under this division shall be managed, directly or through contract, by local area agencies on aging or other local systems.

(e) On or before September 30, 2027, and in consultation with area agencies on aging and stakeholders, the department shall do all of the following:

(1) Identify the core programs and services to be provided to older adults and family caregivers, as directed by the Older Americans Act by all area agencies on aging or their contracted service providers.

(2) Submit to the Legislature and the federal Administration for Community Living an update to the intrastate funding formula, based on any revised area agency on aging designations and any modifications to planning service area map boundaries, and other factors and weights that may be adopted or required under state and federal statute and regulations.

(3) Develop objectives, key results, and a performance measurement methodology for core programs and services identified in paragraph (1) for adoption by the area agencies on aging.

(4) Develop a statewide consumer engagement plan. The statewide consumer engagement plan shall seek to raise public awareness of older adult and family caregiver programs and services, identify access points for information and assistance, provide consistent messaging to all audiences, and improve outreach to underrepresented communities and underserved populations, including rural Californians, Asian-Pacific Islander, Black, Latino, Native American and LGBTQ+ older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.

(f) (1) In consultation with area agencies on aging and stakeholders, the department shall develop and submit regulations to the Office of Administrative Law that address, at a minimum, all of the following:

(A) The application process to determine an area agency on aging designation.

(B) The criteria used for an area agency on aging designation.

(C) The criteria used to remove an area agency on aging designation.

(D) Substantive updates to the intrastate funding formula.

(2) At the conclusion of the rulemaking process identified in paragraph (1), the department may consider letters of intent from counties interested in being considered for designation as the area agency on aging that serves its local jurisdiction.

(3) The department shall submit a plan including the updated area agency on aging designations and any corresponding changes to the statewide planning and service area map to the Legislature at least 90 days before final adoption.

(g) (1) A change made pursuant to this section shall be made in accordance with applicable federal statutes and regulations.

(2) The department shall take reasonable steps to ensure minimal disruption in the provision of older adult and family caregiver services in affected counties.