In April 2021 through a historic motion by Supervisor Janice Hahn, the Board of Supervisors began the process to create a new County department dedicated to providing aging and disability services. As its first Director, I am proud to welcome you to the new Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department (AD)! I am humbled and honored by the Board's appointment to help improve the lives of older adults, adults with disabilities, and communities throughout LA County.
Dr. Laura Trejo is the first Director of the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department.
Appointed by the Board of Supervisors, Dr. Trejo oversees programs and service delivery for older adults and adults with disabilities, including Adult Protective Services (APS), the Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and the County’s fourteen Community and Senior Centers. Some of her key initiatives include Purposeful Aging Los Angeles (PALA) and the Los Angeles Aging Disability Resource Connection.
With over 36 years of experience from the fields of aging, health, mental health, Alzheimer’s, and rehabilitation, Dr. Trejo is committed to creating culturally competent and impactful programs to ensure that all older adults and adults with disabilities can live with dignity and independence.
A nationally and internationally recognized expert and advocate, Dr. Trejo is a sought-after panelist and keynote speaker.
Her commitment to excellence has earned recognition as an influential leader in program innovation, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Community Health Leadership award, considered the nation’s highest honor in community health. Dr. Trejo has also received Excellence in Leadership awards from the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (now USAging), American Society on Aging, and National Hispanic Council on Aging.
Her advocacy work elevating the needs of the most vulnerable populations has been recognized by Justice in Aging, the Los Angeles Aging Advocacy Coalition, the Mexican American Opportunities Foundation, Fearless Caregiver.com, and the City of Hope.
Los Angeles Magazine named Dr. Trejo among the “50 Most Influential Women,” and the United States Library of Congress has recognized Dr. Trejo’s accomplishments as a force for social change.
Dr. Trejo holds a doctorate in Social Work, Master level degrees in Gerontology and Public Administration, and a Graduate Certificate in Long Term-Care Administration, all from the University of Southern California.