REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Santa Clara Senior Needs Assessment Administrative Draft for Review and Comment
Report
BACKGROUND
On October 25, 2016, the Santa Clara City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the City to participate in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly City Global Network. Santa Clara is committed to being an age-friendly community that promotes the health and wellbeing of residents of all ages. In May 2017, the City of Santa Clara initiated a Senior Needs Assessment (Assessment) to better understand how to align Santa Clara’s existing services and efforts to become more age-friendly and to address the current needs of older adults. Working with senior serving agencies, the Parks & Recreation Department developed and conducted the Assessment to provide Council with information about Santa Clara’s older residents in the WHO age-friendly domains of: Economics and Employment; Community; Housing; Outdoor Spaces and Buildings; Transportation and Streets; Health, Wellness, and Nutrition; Social and Civic Engagement; and Access to Community Resources and Information. Together with findings from both the 2017 Assessment and the 2010 Senior Needs Assessment, the City is positioned to work in collaboration with the Senior Advisory Commission, community partners, and agencies to better understand and align programs and services with senior needs and priorities.
The Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Department 2017 Senior Needs Assessment focused on understanding the priorities and interests of older adult residents of Santa Clara ages 50 and over. Sources of data collection included online and paper surveys that were available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese, and focus groups offered in English, Spanish, and Mandarin. A total of 785 residents completed online or paper surveys and 31 Santa Clara older adult residents participated in seven focus groups. Outreach for the survey was conducted at the Santa Clara Senior Center, senior resident facilities, community events, and locations visited by older adults such as grocery stores, the library, and a farmers market.
Parks & Recreation Department staff convened community partners in May 2017 and February 2018 to obtain input on the assessment design as well as trends observed by partner agencies and other City Departments. The participants in the meetings represented non-profit organizations, hospitals and major county service providers including the Santa Clara County Department of Public Health, Department of Aging and Adult Services, and Valley Transportation Authority. Participation from the City of Santa Clara included members of the City Council, Senior Advisory Commission, Cultural Commission, and staff from various departments. Applied Survey Research, a social research firm, was contracted to analyze the assessment data, prepare the 2017 Needs Assessment report of findings, and facilitate the February 2018 meeting with community partners.
The City plans to draw upon the assessment findings to formulate a work plan that will align the City’s programs, policies, and priorities with the variety of priorities of older adults and to inform coordination with providers of older adult services.
DISCUSSION
At the regular meeting of March 2019, the Park & Recreation Commission will review and provide feedback to staff on the 2017 Senior Needs Assessment Administrative Draft. The steps in the review process include the Senior Advisory Commission review of the document (initiated January 28, 2019), City departments review, and Santa Clara County Senior Agenda Network review (February). Feedback will be compiled and incorporated into a final draft document. It is anticipated that the Senior Advisory Commission will review the final draft and consider a recommendation for the City Council at their March 2019 meeting. Staff anticipates Council review of the final draft in April/May 2019.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The action being considered does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Park & Recreation Commissioner’s agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, e-mail clerk@santaclaraca.gov <mailto:clerk@santaclaraca.gov> or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
Staff
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: James Teixeira, Director Parks & Recreation Department
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2017 Santa Clara Senior Needs Assessment - Administrative Draft