History
Planning for Elders in the Central City (PECC) was founded in 1990 by a consortium of senior agencies and community organizations. Initial funding was provided by the Bay Area Independent Elders Program, a consortium of funders including the San Francisco Foundation, Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, Koret Foundation, and Marin Community Foundation. The shared goal was to strengthen community support for elders and their caregivers.
In 1991, PECC undertook a comprehensive survey of Central City elders, caregivers, and service providers. The survey was conducted in nine languages through neighborhood "housemeetings" and personal interviews. Findings identified the four crosscutting issues that persistently compromise the health and well being of disadvantaged elders in our community:
- High levels of poverty and isolation among frail elders: seniors who are very low income and without family or friends suffer from disproportionately high rates of disability and chronic illness. These elders are especially vulnerable and at risk of not receiving critical health and support services.
- Barriers to information and basic services based on language, culture and literacy: diversity demands innovative and culturally relevant ways to reach beyond the mainstream "active senior" community.
- Lack of support for self-help, advocacy and organizing efforts: elder consumers must be encouraged to evaluate the services that exist for their benefit and to participate in shaping the public policies that affect them. Communities as a whole must participate in problem solving.
- Lack of continuum within the complex network of services: the bewildering array of services and their rules of eligibility has become an overwhelming bureaucracy for seniors who need services. Categorical funding patterns promote fragmentation of services. Point of entry into the service system is usually during crisis.
Over the years, PECC has developed a number of programs and initiatives that have expanded beyond the Central City of San Francisco, but PECC's Mission to improve the quality of life for elders, persons with disabilities and their care providers remains rooted in addressing these cross-cutting issues.
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.