REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Update on Actions Taken Related to Membership in the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) (Information Only)
Report
BACKGROUND
On March 28, 2017, the City Council approved a study issue to explore the feasibility of obtaining age-friendly city designation from the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC). This action was taken, in part, at the request of Santa Clara County to join a County-wide “Age-Friendly Silicon Valley” initiative which seeks to have all cities in the County apply for designation by July 2017. To receive this designation, a City must:
1. Develop a baseline assessment of age-friendliness in eight designated areas identified by the World Health Organization;
2. Develop a 3-year city-wide action plan based on the findings of the assessment; a minimum submission of one age-friendly practice per year is expected to maintain on-going membership in the network; and
3. Submit an application to the World Health Organization.
In support of the County’s initiative and timeline, the actions listed above must be completed by June 30, 2017. The purpose of this report is to provide the Council with a status update on staff’s efforts towards that goal.
EXISTING POLICY
Goal CV-1 Community Participation and Engagement
Goal LT-5 Effective, Safe, Pleasant and Convenient Transportation
Goal CC-12 Maximum Access to Recreation Services, Faculties and Amenities
Goal HE-5 Equal Housing Opportunities
Goal SN-3 Safe and Secure City
DISCUSSION
The County of Santa Clara has launched an initiative, “Age-Friendly Silicon Valley” with a goal of having all cities in the County becoming active members of the GNAFCC by June 30, 2017. An “age-friendly” city is defined as an inclusive and accessible community environment that optimizes opportunities for health, participation, and opportunities for all people so that quality of life and dignity are ensured as people age. Cities in the community commit to continuously assess and improve their age friendliness and adapt their structures, policies, settings and services to be accessible to, and inclusive of, older people with different needs and abilities. As of April 2017, six of the County’s fifteen cities (Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, San Jose and Saratoga) have already become members. The cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Gatos, Palo Alto and Santa Clara are currently studying proposed membership.
The City of Sunnyvale’s Department of Library and Community Services has taken the following actions in support of the “Age-Friendly Silicon Valley” initiative:
• Engaged Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services and identified the steps necessary to assist the County with their initiative;
• Planned and scheduled two focus groups (7-9 members per group) required to complete the assessment phase of the “Age-Friendly Silicon Valley” initiative:
o Group A: Professionals from agencies that provide service to older adults in the City of Sunnyvale; and Sunnyvale residents interested or impacted by programs, services or issues around older adults or aging including Mid-Peninsula Housing (Fair Oaks property); Fremont Union High School Adult Education Program; First 5 Santa Clara County Generation2Generation Program; Trinity Church of Sunnyvale; Heart of the Valley-Services for Seniors; Catholic Charities - Day Break Cares Program; Sunnyvale United Methodist Church - Senior Nutrition Program; Sunnyvale Host Lions Club; and Valley Health Center Sunnyvale-Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
o Group B: Older adult residents who reside in retirement communities and low income housing; caregivers (identified by Catholic Charities, Alzheimer’s Association and Stanford Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center); Parks and Recreation Commissioner; community residents not active at the Senior Center; and active participants of the Senior Center;
• Identified a task force to review focus group findings and make recommendations on Age-Friendly Projects/Practices to the City. Per Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services and Center for Age-Friendly Excellence, task force is to be comprised of members from the City’s leadership team, Senior Center Advisory Committee, City Council, and other city departments (i.e., Public Safety and Community Development);
• Secured Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFÉ) to facilitate the focus group meetings, compile the feedback from the meetings, and work with staff on submitting the application to the World Health Organization.
To complete the application process in a timely manner, the following timeline has been established:
1. Focus group meetings to be completed by April 28, 2017.
2. CAFÉ to provide report on focus group findings and Task Force to identify Age-Friendly Projects/Practices by May 31, 2017.
3. Resolution in support of the City’s efforts to obtain designation to be adopted at the June 20, 2107 Council meeting.
4. Application for membership into the GNAFCC to be submitted by June 30, 2017.
Completion of these items will be sufficient to meet the guidelines for obtaining age-friendly designation.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City's official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall, at the Sunnyvale Senior Center, Community Center and Department of Public Safety; and by making the agenda and report available at the Sunnyvale Public Library, the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.
Staff
Prepared by: Gerard Manuel, Community Services Manager
Reviewed by: Daniel Wax, Superintendent, Community Services
Reviewed by: Cynthia E. Bojorquez, Director, Department of Library and Community Services
Reviewed by: Walter C. Rossmann, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Deanna J. Santana, City Manager
ATTACHMENT
1. Study Issue LCS 17-02 Potential Membership in GNAFCC