LA County Regional Coordinating Council on Aging and Disability

Los Angeles County Regional Coordinating Council on Aging and Disability

About the Los Angeles County Regional Coordinating Council on Aging and Disability: The focus of this council is on creating a collaborative and efficient system that enhances the quality of life for individuals, particularly older adults and other individuals living with complex health needs. As a countywide, cross-sector effort spanning all regions of Los Angeles County, it works to align and optimize public and private resources across health, public health, and community-based services. The Los Angeles Regional Coordinating Council on Aging and Disability will help bolster efforts to enhance the state’s No Wrong Door access systems and works in partnership with local and state public health departments to improve coordination and service delivery. 

Led By: June Simmons, President & CEO, Partners in Care Foundation and Dr. Laura Trejo, Advocate for Aging and Disability

Workgroups

• Housing Workgroup
• Community Engagement and Communications Workgroup
• Benefits Workgroup
• Resources and Data Sharing Workgroup (Sunsetting January 2026)
• Emergency Preparedness Workgroup (Sunset December 2025)

Housing Workgroup

Focuses on advancing homelessness prevention for older adults and people with disabilities through policy, screening tools, and improved coordination across housing and support systems.

• Chair: Jean Galiana, MASM, LA County Department of Homeless Services and Housing
• Liaison: June Simmons and Dr. Laura Trejo
• Charge: Focuses on advocating for the development and promotion of affordable, accessible, supportive, and preventative housing solutions for older adults and people living with disabilities, in collaboration with key partners across Los Angeles County.  
• Focus Areas:
  • Housing Solutions:
    • Advocate for the availability of accessible, affordable, and supportive housing options for older adults and people with disabilities – including those needing support with activities of daily living.   
    • Promote the development, preservation, and funding efforts of housing models that integrate services to support independent living.  
  • Prevention: Focus on early interventions that prevent housing insecurity and homelessness by identifying and scaling programs with proven success for older adults and individuals with disabilities.  

Community Engagement and Communications Workgroup

Develops inclusive, accessible messaging and outreach tools to support effective communication across aging and disability networks and elevate community-centered best practices.

• Co-Chairs: TBD
• Liaison: June Simmons
• Charge: Works to combat ageism and increase the visibility and engagement of older adults and persons living with disabilities in the community.  
• Focus Areas:
  • Accessible Communication: Ensure communications to people with disabilities and older adults are accessible, practical and adapted to address barriers.  
  • Ageism and Ableism Reduction: Promote inclusive narratives and improve perceptions of aging and disability.  
  • Visibility: Increase the visibility of people with disabilities and older adults and highlight their community contributions.

Benefits Workgroup

Works to strengthen income security by improving access to public benefits and supports through coordinated strategies, education, and systems-level collaboration. This group is new.

• Focus Areas: TBD
• Co-Chairs: TBD
• Liaison: TBD
• Charge: TBD

Resources and Data Sharing Workgroup (Sunsetting January 2026)

• Co-Chairs: Maribel Marin, Executive Director, 211 and Bertha Sanchez-Hayden, Associate Vice President of Justice for Seniors and Dependent Adults, Bet Tzedek Legal Services
• Liaison: Dr. Laura Trejo
• Charge: To identify, map, and integrate data and resources across systems to provide coordinated, comprehensive support for older adults and people with disabilities.
• Focus Areas:
  • Data Integration: Clear governance and local control for faster, safer data sharing 
  • Resource Mapping: Identify existing assets and gaps; build on current programs 
  • Accessibility & Equity: Ensure information is culturally, linguistically and digitally inclusive 
  • Collaboration & Referrals: Move toward integrated, closed-loop referral systems; explore CIE models

Emergency Preparedness Workgroup (Sunset December 2025)

• Co-Chairs: Michael Martinez, DDARC Coordinator, CALIF and Ted Smith, Commissioner, Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults
• Liaison: Dr. Laura Trejo
• Charge: Develops and implements plans to ensure the safety and wellbeing of older adults and persons with disabilities during emergencies.  
• Focus Areas:
  • Risk Assessment: Conduct assessments to identify the specific needs and vulnerabilities faced by older adults and people with disabilities in emergencies.   
  • Preparedness Planning: Develop and implement emergency preparedness plans that address the needs of people with disabilities and older adults.   
  • Training and Education: Provide training and education to older adults, adults with disabilities, caregivers, and service providers on emergency preparedness.  
  • Coordination: Coordinate with local emergency management agencies to ensure that the needs of older adults and people with disabilities are included in emergency response plans.  
  • Communication and Activation: Develop strategies, protocols, and a toolkit to ensure effective communication with and activation of older adults and people with disabilities during emergencies.