Santa Clara County Municipal Code Ch. XV Senior Care Commission

The purposes of the Senior Care Commission are to research, assess and evaluate issues, legislation, services and programs that promote independence, good health and quality of life for persons 60 and over and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors through the Children, Seniors and Families Committee regarding said issues.

For the purpose of the Commission, "senior care" shall be defined as follows:

Senior care means a coordinated continuum of preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic, rehabilitative, supportive, and maintenance services that address the health, social, and personal needs of individuals who are 60 and over. These services shall be designed to recognize the positive capabilities of the individual and maximize the potential for the optimum level of physical, social, psychological, and personal independence in the least restrictive environment; and emphasis shall be placed on seeking alternative services other than institutionalization. Appropriate services may be provided by formal or informal support systems.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87; Ord. No. NS-300.450, § 1, 10-3-89; Ord. No. NS-300.667, § 1, 8-6-02)

The Commission shall consist of 13 members. Members shall have the following qualifications:

(a) Ten members, two appointed by each Supervisor, to include at least one person age 60 or over, appointed by each Supervisor; and

(b) Three members, to be appointed by the President of the Board of Supervisors, who shall represent nursing homes, residential care facilities, support services like adult daycare or home healthcare, advocate groups like the Long-Term Care Ombudsman or City Senior Commissions, or the County-designated Area Agency on Aging.

The term of office of each member shall be three years; provided, the members first appointed shall so classify themselves by lot that on each succeeding July 1, the term of one-third of the members shall expire. No member shall be eligible to serve on such Commission for more than three consecutive terms in addition to any portion of any unexpired term which may have been served.

A vacancy shall exist and shall be reported to the Board of Supervisors whenever a Commissioner fails to attend more than three consecutive regular meetings of the Commission without good cause entered on the minutes of the Commission; or when a member is unavailable or no longer able to participate for any reason.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87; Ord. No. NS-300.607, § 15, 1-13-98; Ord. No. NS-300.667, § 1, 8-6-02; Ord. No. NS-300.771, 12-12-06; Ord. No. NS-300.992, § 1, 12-3-24)

The Commission shall organize itself in accordance with Section 506 of the Charter. The Director of the Social Services Agency or designee shall be ex officio secretary of the Commission and shall be responsible for providing secretarial assistance to the Commission.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87; Ord. No. NS-300.812, 4-13-10)

Meetings shall be held at the County Government Center, unless the Board of Supervisors approves an alternate location.

Meetings of the Commission shall be held not less than monthly, and shall be open to the public.

The Commission shall conduct public hearings as needed and hold an annual public meeting on the activities of the Commission.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87)

Consonant with the provisions of Section A18-251, "Establishment and purpose," the duties of the Commission shall be as follows:

(1) Encourage communication among recipients and providers of services and the Commission.

(2) Assist in identification of unmet and potential service needs.

(3) Make recommendations on the development of a long-range plan for the delivery of services to senior residents of the County in need of long-term care.

(4) Identify problems in coordination of services offered by the County and other agencies to senior residents in need of care, including long-term care, and make recommendations for the resolution of such problems and for improved coordination of services.

(5) Encourage the elimination of redundant or unnecessary programs, and seek economical and efficient delivery of services.

(6) Evaluate policies and administration of such policies affecting the delivery of services.

(7) Form committees to assist the work of the Commission. Membership of committees shall provide for the broadest possible community representation within the specific area of the Commission, and shall include at least one Commission member.

(8) Gather, review, analyze, and make recommendations from/to the Board of Supervisors on proposed or pertinent legislation and County policy.

(9) Identify target groups, including: professionals, consumers, and the general public. Encourage the development of informational channels for reaching identified target groups.

(10) Advise the Board of Supervisors on matters relating to all of the above.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87; Ord. No. NS-300.667, § 1, 8-6-02)

The Commission shall relate to relevant County departments in meeting its charge. The Santa Clara County Public Health Department is designated as the primary County department for this purpose. Other County departments will cooperate with the Commission in its work as needed, including the assignment of staff liaison when requested by the Commission.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87; Ord. No. NS-300.667, § 1, 8-6-02)

The Commission shall submit a report every three years to the Board of Supervisors. Reports will be submitted on or before July 1, 1990, and every third year thereafter. The report will be filed pursuant with Chapter XII of Division A6, Title A of the Santa Clara County Ordinance Code.

(Ord. No. NS-300.418, § 1, 9-15-87)