L.A. County Regional Coordinating Council for Aging and Disability: Launch and Second Meeting

The Los Angeles County Regional Coordinating Council for Aging and Disability held its inaugural meeting on January 27, 2025, and its second meeting on March 18, 2025. Co-chaired by Dr. Laura Trejo, Director of the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department (AD), and June Simmons, President & CEO of Partners in Care Foundation (PICF), the Council was established to strengthen the state’s No Wrong Door access systems and foster collaboration between local and state public health departments, community organizations, and service providers.

The January launch meeting brought together 41 industry leaders to discuss the creation of a more integrated and efficient system aimed at improving the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities across the region. Dr. Trejo addressed the urgent needs of the community, particularly in the wake of recent wildfires, where housing was identified as a top concern. Other critical topics included access to care management services, digital literacy, and ways to leverage resources to address systemic issues in healthcare and homelessness.

Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging (CDA), attended the launch, joining representatives from various Los Angeles County departments, such as Public Health, Mental Health, Public Social Services, and Economic Opportunity, along with organizations like ONEgeneration, Kaiser Permanente, L.A. Care Health Plan, HealthNet, and Anthem Blue Cross among others.

During the March 18 meeting, participants shared impactful stories that highlighted the real-life influence their organizations have on the communities they serve. June Simmons underscored the importance of continued collaboration, encouraging the group to join forces in building systems that will improve lives.

At the meeting, the Council also formally presented its “Charge,” which outlines its mission: “A Regional Coordinating Council for Aging and Disability in partnership with the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department/Area Agency on Aging and Partners in Care Foundation, bringing together diverse health and social care organizations, will promote integrated, whole person care. The focus is on creating a collaborative, efficient, and equitable system that enhances the quality of life for older adults and persons living with disabilities. The goal is to align and optimize public and private resources across health, public health, and social care sectors.”

Participants were divided into four working groups to discuss key priorities: Housing, Community Engagement and Communication, Emergency Preparedness, and Resource and Data Sharing. Each group established goals, identified areas of focus, and set priorities for future work.

Later in the meeting, Amy Gotwals, Chief of Public Policy and External Affairs for USAging, joined via Zoom to share insights into federal funding efforts related to the Older Americans Act (OAA) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as work and deliberations taking place at the federal level.

June Simmons highlighted the importance of collaboration, saying: “It’s very important to see the leaders across so many vital sectors of Los Angeles County—both public and nonprofit—joining forces to build and protect the safety net for all.”

Dr. Laura Trejo reflected on the spirit of teamwork that has defined their friendship as well as the Council: “We collaborate always, as a team, on behalf of the community. It’s been a pleasure working with June and her team, and we’ve seen remarkable engagement from leadership across the region. Together, we will create meaningful change that improves the well-being of those we serve.”

Looking ahead, the Council has agreed to meet again in April to continue its work on setting actionable goals and forming steering committees to guide future initiatives. With strong leadership and wide participation, the Council is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities throughout Los Angeles County.