Committee Agenda Date ;Februaty15, 2006

County of Santa Clara
Social Services Agency
Department of Aging and Adult Services Programs
Senior Nutrition Program

CSFCSSAOl 021506

Prepared by: Michael Bobadilla
Management Analyst

Reviewed by: Betty Malks
Director Aging and Adult
Services

DATE:

February 15, 2006

TO:

Supervisor James T. Beall, Jr., Chairperson
Supervisor Don Gage, Vice-Chairperson
Children, Seniors & Families Committee

FROM:

Will Lightboume
Agency Director, Social Services Agency

SUBJECT: Progress Report and Update on the Senior Nutrition Program.

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Accept progress report and update from the Department of Aging and Adult Services on the
Senior Nutrition Program plan targeting nutrition services to under-served seniors in poverty.
FISCAL TMPErCATIONS

There are no fiscal implications.

Board of Supervisors; Donald F, Gage. Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.
1

Committee Agenda Date :February 15, 2006

CONTRACT HISTORY

Not Applicable.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

In response to a referral from Supervisor Beall at the Children, Seniors and Families
Committee (CSFC) meeting May 10, 2005, the Senior Nutrition Program (SNP) presented a
status report and update on September 21, 2005 to CSFC.
The status report included SNP outreach and marketing activities, preliminary analysis of
non-county food resources, the number of senior housing eomplexes by supervisorial district
and efforts to obtain data from the Council on Aging Silicon Valley(COA)for future

planning services. Results were pending from an analysis conducted by the County Planning
Department that would present poverty data by supervisorial district using Census 2000 data
and focus on individuals in poverty who could be eligible for certain need-based services
including the Senior Nutrition Program, the First Five Commission and other need-based
services.

At the meeting CSFC requested that SNP provide a future update that included a report

identifying nutrition areas, as well as a plan, in cooperation with the cities, relative to funding.
The importance of establishing a comprehensive plan was discussed. A direetive was issued
by CSFC to provide an update report in the beginning of calendar year 2006.

This progress report establishes the basis for the Senior Nutrition Program's planning initiative
and provides a comprehensive report on events and data used to formulate the plan.

BACKGROUND

Timeline pertaining to events relative to this report:

October 20, 2004 CSFC meeting - The Senior Nutrition Program presented a proposal for a
Strategic Planning Council to develop a strategic funding plan for SNP. The proposal was
accepted and a request was made by Supervisor Beall for the County Executive staff to

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
Count/ Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
2

Committee Agenda Date ;Februaty 15, 2006

determine whether data pertaining to seniors could be extracted by supervisorial district from
census tract data by the Planning Department.
February 16, 2005 CSFC meeting - The Office of Budget and Analysis reported back to
CSFC on census information as to the number of seniors eligible for the Senior Nutrition

Program and the number of seniors living in poverty by supervisorial district. The Planning
Department developed the report utilizing an estimated methodology. The Senior Nutrition
Program reported back on the establishment of a Strategic Planning Council. An initial
Strategic Planning Council meeting had been calendared in March 2005. Supervisor Beall
noted that District 4 had the second highest number of seniors in poverty and received 7
percent of congregate meals.

May 10, 2005 CSFC meeting - SNP reported back to CSFC on the status of the creation of a
Senior Nutrition Strategic Planning Council and reported that a meeting to discuss strategic
long range plans with Board of Supervisor aides, COA representatives, city representatives,
community-based organizations. Department of Aging and Adult Services staff and Senior
Nutrition staff did not convene due to several cities citing an unwillingness to commit to the
planning efforts initiated by the Santa Clara County Senior Nutrition Program. A
re-consideration of the creation of the Strategic Planning Council was to be discussed with
Council On Aging Silicon Valley (COA). A referral was requested by CSFC for SNP to
provide an update in September 2005.

June 21, 2005 Board of Supervisors meeting - The Board of Supervisors requested that the
Planning Department develop poverty data by supervisorial district using Census 2000 data
and focused on those individuals in poverty who may be eligible for certain need-based
services including the Senior Nutrition Program, First Five Commission, and other
need-based family services.

September 21,2005 CSFC meeting - The Senior Nutrition Program presented an update and
was directed by CSFC to provide a future update at the beginning of the calendar year relative
to targeting nutrition services to seniors in poverty.

Board of Supervisors meeting September 27, 2005 - Under advisement from June 21, 2005
the County Department of Planning presented a report back re: people in poverty by

Board of Supervisors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
3

Committee Agenda Date iFebruary 15, 2006

supervisorial district. The report was based on Census 2000 data with an emphasis on
children, seniors, and families in poverty. The data provided by the Planning Department was
integral for SNP to reference quantifiable data that would provide the basis to develop a future
plan that would address under served areas of the County and be in context with targeting
nutrition services to seniors in poverty.
Data Results

The "Estimating Methodology" that was originally developed for CSFC February 16, 2005

analysis using Census Tracts was used to develop the data identifying the number of seniors in
poverty by supervisorial district. At that time information on the number of seniors in poverty
by supervisorial district was provided at the Census Tract level. In this instance, however, the
data was refined to develop information from Census Block Groups based on the Board of
Supervisors' request to use the smallest level of geography possible to report the data by
supervisorial district. The data was estimated by applying a practical and appropriate method
using a formula based on percentage of population by census block and Census 2000 data.

The Planning Department's foremost issue in developing poverty data by supervisorial district
is that supervisorial districts are created by assembling Census Blocks, and the U.S. Census
Bureau does not provide poverty data at this geographic level. The data is available at larger
levels of geography. The supervisorial districts are also not entirely coincident with the larger
levels of geography.

The Planning Department stated that the values reported are estimates based on the
methodology used. It is possible that the data used to split Block Groups does not accurately
represent the actual distribution because there is a level of uncertainty in the correlation
between total population and demographic characteristics that could have an effect on how the

populations are disbursed. For this reason ranges were included using the range of the number
of individuals for each of the selected populations in each supervisorial district based on the
analyzed data. The range for Seniors 65 and over in Poverty from the Planning Department
(Attachment A: Table 6B)is included for reference .

The Senior Nutrition Program's emphasis was to review and analyze the distribution of seniors
in poverty by supervisorial district in order to provide guidelines for current and future

Board of Supen/isors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
4

Committee Agenda Date :Februatv15, 2006

planning for potential placement of senior nutrition sites in appropriate geographic areas
(Attachment A: Table 6A). The demographic relationship between the locations of senior
nutrition sites and the distribution of seniors in poverty was mapped using the analyzed data.
The October 2005 revision (Attachment B)was distributed by the Planning Department to the
Board of Supervisors and is included for reference. The remainder of the data representing
overall individuals, families and children are in the original report.

The data identified pockets of seniors in poverty throughout the County. The SNP congregate
meal sites were superimposed providing geographic references in relation to where seniors in
poverty are concentrated. While there are many Senior Nutrition sites distributed in areas of
poverty, there are other areas where seniors could benefit from additional sites. A plan will
address the under served areas and will be in concert with the tenets of the Older Americans

Act that prioritizes seniors in the greatest economic and social need and emphasizes the needs
of minority older persons.

As a result of the Planning Department data report an examination of under served areas of
seniors in poverty was discussed with District 4 staff. On January 3, 2006 representatives from
Supervisorial District 4, the Council On Aging, and the Department of Aging and Adult
Services met to discuss the Planning Department report. SNP staff reported on potential sites
that could be located in under-served areas. It was suggested that a quarterly meeting be

scheduled to provide ongoing consultation, discussion, and continuity to the planning process.

A January 17, 2006, the Department of Aging and Adult Services, Supervisorial District 4,
and Council on Aging representatives reviewed specific sites for potential expansion of
congregate nutrition locations. The following sites have been identified as potential
congregate site locations that could meet the goals of expansion in under served areas where
seniors in poverty reside. Cost analysis proposals are being developed on the viability of
establishing programs.

1. Self-Help for the Elderly - Amber Glow located at 1050 St Elizabeth Dr. San Jose
Self-Help for the Elderly Santa Clara, a current nutrition contractor, proposed this new
site. A Monday through Friday congregate meal is projected to serve 55 -75 daily hot
meals featuring Chinese and Western cuisine. The facility would have 3 different
operations serving different needs of their clients. This would include a Senior Center
that would provide the daily hot meals, an Assisted Living environment for resident

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.
5

Committee Agenda Date :February 15, 2006

seniors, and an Adult Day Care to provide daily onsite services for non-resident
seniors.

2. Cypress Senior Nutrition Center. 403 S. Cypress Avenue. San Jose and Kirk Senior
Nutrition Center 1601 Foxworthy Ave. San Jose have been identified by the City of San
Jose as potential expansion sites that would be funded from the revenue sharing
relationship established under the current congregate nutrition agreement with the City
of San Jose. Both of these City of San Jose senior nutrition program sites currently
serve between 45-60 meals daily, with the potential to serve up to 100 meals. The Kirk
center serves a high density area of seniors in poverty.
3. Camden Community Center. 3369 Union Avenue. San Jose is administered by the City
of San Jose and is a potential expansion site. Discussions on this site expansion
proposal have been held between Department of Aging and Adult Services and City of
San Jose staff, with additional meetings planned between San Jose Council Member
Judy Chirco ans Supervisor Beall to address under-served seniors in poverty living in
the Camden area. The Camden Community Center would provide services to a high
density area of seniors in poverty.
4. Santa Clara Valiev Blind Center. 101 N. Bascom Avenue. San Jose(SCVBC)is a

community based organization that is dedicated to increasing the confidence, and
quality of life of the blind and visually impaired. Currently over 100 adults attend
activities at SCVBC,and have an interest in considering a 1 or 2 day catered hot meal
program with the Senior Nutrition Program.
5. Indian Health Center. 1333 Meridian Ave, San Jose flHCJ- The possibility of creating
a senior nutrition site was discussed and their staff is assessing their level of interest.
Funding Considerations

All of the above sites are under consideration with further program and cost analysis needed.

The program cost analysis currently being conducted to determine fiscal feasibility of
expansion will require joint cooperation from Council on Aging, cities, community-based
organizations and the County. With fiscal pressures affecting the availability of funds for

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
6

Committee Agenda Date iFebruar/15, 2006

expansion at all levels of government and the community, a collaborative effort will ensure
that seniors will continue to receive senior nutrition services now and in the future.

The Senior Nutrition Program's progress in establishing future program plans has been
solidified with supportable information gathering and analysis. Supportive efforts from the

County Board of Supervisors, the Council on Aging Silicon Valley and other municipal and
community based organizations have provided the initiative to determine justifiable goals that
will positively benefit the seniors of Santa Clara County.
Outreach Efforts

The Senior Nutrition Program continues its participation with the county-wide Food Safety
Net committee that includes other Social Service Agency partners and community based
organizations to identify and coordinate gaps in available food resources in Santa Clara
County.

The Senior Nutrition Program was also invited to Join and participate in the County Hunger

Gap Analysis Committee with Second Harvest Food Bank, Social Services Agency's(SSA)
CalWorks, the Women's Infant and Children Program (WIC)and other community

organizations. The Senior Nutrition Program provides the Congregate Meals and Meals on
Wheels programs as integral components of this county—wide effort that will be addressed in
the County Hunger Gap Analysis report to CSFC later this year. The Second Harvest Food
Bank and SSA Cal Works will present and provide results-to-date on behalf of the
committee.

SNP also has coordinated with Second Harvest Food Bank programs in the Campbell

distribution centers to provide targeted outreach with personal invitations to Brown Bag

participants to attend the Campbell Community Center nutrition site. Continued outreach in
this area is hoped to stimulate attendance at the Campbell Community Center's nutrition site.
Additional Outreach efforts by the Senior Nutrition Program included ad placements in
November and December for the Meals on Wheels program in the San Jose Mercury News

that included a solicitation for a newly established Meals on Wheels donation account

available to the public. In addition, the availability of the account for donations by SSA

Board of Supervisors; Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
7

Committee Agenda Date :Februan/15, 2006

employees was published on the Social Services Agency Intranet. The Meals on Wheels
donation account will also be included as an ongoing account in the Santa Clara County

Combined Giving Campaign next year. $2,130 dollars have been contributed to date.

SNP is continuing its pursuit of establishing an online donation link to receive donations to
the Meals on Wheels Program. The Board of Supervisors accepted a recommendation from
the Office of the County Executive on January 10, 2006 to retain the current practice
established for acceptance of Electronic Fund Transfer Payment Methods by the County
Finance Agency Controller-Treasurer Department. SNP will follow up with SSA Information

Systems Department and County Information Services Department to continue assessment of
the online donation project.

SNP has participated in recent community outreach events including: the Health Fair
sponsored by State Assemblymember Rebecca Cohn, the Project Homeless Connect Event,
the Department of Aging and Adult Services Resource Faire, Valley Transportation Agency
(VTA)Community Outreach Event at the Great Mall Milpitas and the West Valley Winter
Senior Walk at the Westgate Mall with Supervisor Beall.

SNP has partnered with COA and is scheduled to participate in a nation-wide "March for
Meals on Wheels" campaign sponsored annually by the Meals on Wheels Association of
America(MOWAA)to call attention to the problem of senior hunger in America. From
March 7-9 2006, Meals on Wheels programs nationwide will ask local mayors to distribute
home-delivered meals in a special "Mayors for Meals" promotion of the March for Meals
campaign. Invitations were mailed to our city mayors requesting their participation. The
mayors from the following cities and towns have accepted the invitation to participate:
Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto,
San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale.
Next Steps

Cost analysis will be undertaken for proposed expansion sites. When funding sources and
amounts are identified, a recommendation will be developed. Assessment of under-served
seniors in poverty will continue for the entire county.

Board of Supervisors; Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McFtugh, Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
CounV Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
8

Committee Agenda Date iFebmaty 15, 2006

The collaborative process involving supervisorial staff, city and community based
organization representatives, Department of Aging and Adult Services and Senior Nutrition
Program staff demonstrates that the County is committed to establishing practices and
processes that will best meet the needs of seniors in the community.
CONSEQUENCES OF NECATTVE ACTION

Negative action will result in CSFC not accepting this report from the Senior Nutrition
Program.
STEPS EOT J.OWTNG APPROVAL

The Clerk of the Board will follow the usual steps for this type of report.
ATTACHMENTS

• Attachment A: Seniors over 65 in Poverty by Supervisorial District
• Attachment B: Seniors 65 and older in Poverty by Census Block Group

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.
9

Senior Nutrition Progress Report and Update CSFC Feb 15, 2006

Attachment A: Seniors 65 years and older in Poverty
For seniors in poverty the following data was presented by supervisorial district for
seniors 65 years and older in Poverty:

Table 6A: Seniors 65 years and older in Poverty
Totai Seniors
65+*
District 1
District 2

District 3
District 4
District 5
Total

27,127
24,624
24,959
34,889
42,731
154,330

Seniors 65+

Percent of Seniors 65yrs+

in Poverty*
1,373
2,726
1,552
2,418

in Poverty
14.0%
27.7%
15.8%
24.6%

1,773

18.05

9,842

100%

Table 6B: Seniors 65 years and older in Poverty
Range: Total Seniors 65yrs+ *
District 1

82,071
1

District 2

63,366

District 3

76,161
i

District 4

79,673
85,545

District 5

84,984
64,469
78,221
84,697
87,394

Range: Seniors 65yrs+
in Poverty *
2,508
5,368 2,256 2,512 1,782 -

2,547
5,395
2.356
2,702
1,841

* This is the highest income to poverty ratio reported in Census 2000 data.

Source: Content from September 27, 2005 Memo to County Board of Supervisors from
Steven Golden, Planner I II, County Planning Department.

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