Access Central Coast helps preserve critical services for older adults and people with disabilities during Area Agency on Aging transitions
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Access Central Coast is celebrating the signing of Senate Bill 1261, legislation that protects Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) services for thousands of people with disabilities, older adults and caregivers throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1261 on September 20. Authored by State Senator John Laird, the new law allows ADRCs to continue operating during transitions involving their Area Agency on Aging (AAA) partners. The legislation took effect immediately upon being signed.
The legislation grew out of a very real threat facing Access Central Coast and the communities it serves.
When the Area Agency on Aging serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties unexpectedly relinquished its designation earlier this year, Access Central Coast learned that existing state requirements could result in the local ADRC losing its designation and funding simply because its AAA partner was changing. Without legislative action, the ADRC serving Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties would have been forced to close on January 1, 2027.
Access Central Coast worked closely with statewide partners and Senator Laird’s office to find a legislative solution.
“This started with a very simple question: Why should older adults and people with disabilities lose services because of an administrative transition completely outside of their control?” said Jennifer Griffin, Executive Director of Access Central Coast. “We knew we could not just accept that outcome. We brought the issue forward, worked with our amazing statewide partners and were incredibly fortunate that Senator Laird and his team understood the urgency and were willing to act.”
Family Service Agency of Santa Barbara County has been selected to become the new Area Agency on Aging for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties. Because SB 1261 took effect immediately, Access Central Coast can continue providing ADRC services during this transition while Family Service Agency establishes and strengthens its new AAA operations. The organizations can then develop the partnership required for long-term ADRC operations without creating an unnecessary disruption in services.
“This law gives everyone the time to do this the right way,” Griffin said. “Family Service Agency needs the opportunity to come up to speed in its new role as the AAA, and Access Central Coast needs to be able to continue serving our community during that transition. SB 1261 creates that bridge.”
The law also provides important protections for Ventura County, where Access Central Coast operates an ADRC in partnership with the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging. Ventura County has been considering changes to its role as the AAA, creating a similar concern about the future continuity of ADRC services.
ADRCs provide a “No Wrong Door” approach to services. Older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers can connect with the ADRC for help navigating programs including healthcare, in-home supports, transportation, housing and community services, long-term care options, transition services and other resources that help people remain independent in their communities.
Access Central Coast’s ADRCs served nearly 12,000 individuals last year, approximately 65 percent of whom were age 60 or older.
Griffin credited Senator John Laird and his staff, particularly Quincy Stivers, for responding quickly when Access Central Coast raised the issue and for working through the legislative process to find a solution. She also recognized Christina Mills, Executive Director of the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and Ted Jackson, Policy Chair of CFILC and Executive Director of Marin CIL, for their immense work advocating for the legislation.
SB 1261 was sponsored by the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.
“This law would not exist without people being willing to listen, work together and recognize that an administrative rule should never be the reason someone loses access to services,” Griffin said. “We sincerely thank Senator Laird, Quincy Stivers and his entire team for carrying this legislation forward, and Governor Newsom for signing SB 1261 into law. We are also incredibly grateful to Christina Mills and Ted Jackson for their tremendous advocacy and partnership in getting this across the finish line.”
About Access Central Coast
Access Central Coast, formerly Independent Living Resource Center, is a nonprofit organization serving people with disabilities throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties. For more information, visit AccessCentralCoast.org.
