Who Are We?

The Sonoma County Agency on Aging was established in 1980 by the California Department of Aging. The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors serves as the Board of Directors of the Area Agency on Aging.

The Area Agency on Aging is part of the Sonoma County Human Services Department, Adult and Aging Division, located at 2250 Northpoint Parkway, Santa Rosa. The phone number is 707.565.5950. The fax number is 707.565.5957

The Sonoma County Agency on Aging is part of an aging network that includes 33 Area Agencies on Aging statewide and over 675 nationwide. The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging is responsible for policy, planning, funding and advocacy to address the needs of seniors (age 60 and older), adults with disabilities (age 18 and older), and family caregivers. The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging services include: information and assistance, and two case management programs (Linkages and Multipurpose Senior Services Program).

The Elder Abuse Prevention Council is a project of the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging. The Elder Abuse Prevention Council is committed to providing services through the following four workgroups: 1) education and training, 2) public relations and media, 3) court advocacy, and 4) speakers bureau. The Elder Abuse Prevention Council meets quarterly; volunteers are welcome and encouraged to participate.

As an advocate for older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers, the Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging strives to ensure opportunities for independence and the highest possible quality of life are available to Sonoma County residents 60 years and older and younger adults with disabilities. The agency and its 21-member Advisory Council review pending legislation, regulations and advocates with state lawmakers for the best interests of our older population.

Mission Statement

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging provides leadership, services and advocacy to promote the dignity, independence and quality of life for seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregivers. To implement the mission, the Area Agency on Aging is guided by the following principles:

• Respect for the individual
• Self determination
• Promote safety and well being
• Quality accessible services
• Target resources to the most vulnerable
• Ensure non-discrimination
• Develop community options

This mission is accomplished through a network of services, education, advocacy, problem solving, program planning and funding.

The Older Americans Act

The federal Older Americans Act (OAA) was enacted by Congress in 1965 to establish mandates for the provision and funding of services to the 60-plus population. The Administration on Aging (AoA) through state units on aging is responsible for distributing funds and monitoring OAA mandates.

The OAA and the AoA, along with state units on aging, are the foundation for a nationwide network of senior advocates called Area Agencies on Aging.

The Agency on Aging was created by the OAA mandating local leadership and advocacy to accomplish state and federal program goals within the guidelines of the California Department of Aging. The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging works hand-in-hand with the community to carry out the objectives of the OAA and provides the necessary tools to build a quality way of life with dignity and respect.

Community Outreach

Community outreach is important to the Area Agency on Aging. Community contact serves as an avenue to assess the current needs of older adults.

The Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging makes itself available to the community through public meetings, by participating in senior functions and by making the agency accessible to the people it serves. Advisory Council members and agency staff provide presentations on senior services and resources, elder abuse prevention and family caregiver issues to community groups and organizations upon request, call 707.565.5950.