Planning for Elders works to organize consumers and service providers each year around state and local budget advocacy efforts.
Local City Budget Advocacy
Planning for Elders coordinate an Aging and Disability Coalition every year to focus on concrete and critical proposals to address unmet needs in the community through the SF City Budget Process.
During the years post the dot-com bust, Planning for Elders led the effort to stop the erosion of key services through proposed cuts to the Department of Aging and Adult Services and the Department of Public Health.
In the 2006-2007 city budget, our coalition was successful with the help of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council and others in getting more than $7 million in expanded services for seniors and adults with disabilities, including the unique community living fund.
In the 2007-2008 city budget, we were able to get a $2 million expansion of services, focusing on eviction prevention, consumer rights, training and pedestrian safety.
In addition, Planning for Elders staff and leaders have participated in the People's Budget Collaborative, a coalition of agencies and community organizations working to address the needs of all low income people through a fair and open city budget process.
State Budget Advocacy
Planning for Elders through our IHSS-Health Task Force participates in California State Budget Advocacy efforts, especially focused on improving access to in-home supportive services.
The IHSS-Health Task Force is currently working to identify legislators who will take up the issue of increasing the asset limit for IHSS to allow more people access to homecare services.
Newsletters
The Long Term Care News and Views reports on public policy and advocacy efforts to improve SF and California's home and community-based long term care system.
Senior Survival School
Utilizing presentations, discussions, and popular education activities, Senior Survival School trains seniors and adults with disabilities to effectively access vital community resources and to exercise their rights when they do.
HAT - Healthcare Action Team
HAT is a coalition of seniors, people with disabilities, caregivers and community agencies working together to advocate for expansion of homecare services and accessible, affordable, supportive housing as well as improvements to hospital discharge planning. We use theatre, song and other creative forms of advocacy and direct action!
IHSS - Health Task Force
The In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) - Health Task Force is an on-going group that brings all of the stakeholders together to work for improvements in the IHSS Program and other homecare services.