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The 2024 OARD honorees surrounded by Commissioners from the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults (LACCOA) and AD Executive Team Members.
After a five-year virtual presence, the 59th Annual Older Americans Recognition Day (OARD) luncheon and awards ceremony returned to an in-person gathering bringing honorees and their guests together on Thursday, May 16, 2024. This joyous event, held at the elegant Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, honored over 70 older adults who have significantly contributed to their communities.
Chair of the Board of Supervisors from the Third District, Lindsey P. Horvath, Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults (LACCOA), Aging & Disabilities Director Dr. Laura Trejo, her executive team and staff, joined the honorees. These remarkable individuals, aged from 60 to 99 and a half, were celebrated for their active community contributions benefiting people of all ages.
This year’s theme, “Powered by Connection,” emphasized the importance of meaningful relationships and social connections on health and well-being. It highlighted the crucial role these connections play in fostering independence and aging in place.
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Supervisor Horvath and Commissioner Barbara Meltzer acknowledged the Third District award recipients. Supervisors from the other four districts also recognized their honorees through special video greetings, with Commissioners John Kotick, Scott Houston, Jerry Gaines, and Fran Sereseres presenting the awards on behalf of Supervisors Hilda Solis (First District), Holly J. Mitchell (Second District), Janice Hahn (Fourth District), and Kathryn Barger (Fifth District).
LACCOA Commissioner and Past President, Kim Bowman Jr., served as Moderator. The Los Angeles County Fire Department Honor Guard presented the Colors, followed by Carol Kemp, Los Angeles County Fire Department Ocean Lifeguard, who sang the National Anthem. LACCOA Vice President Ted Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance, and Helen Romero Shaw, LACCOA President, provided the opening remarks.
Dr. Laura Trejo expressed a renewed sense of joy in her address: “Today is not merely about marking an event; it’s about celebrating each and every one of you who embody wisdom, endurance, and community spirit.” She praised the honorees for enriching the community and laying the foundation for a more compassionate society.
Keynote Speaker Jenna Hauss, MSW, President & CEO of ONEgeneration, inspired the attendees with her words.
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 From Left to Right: Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities (LACCOD) President Carlos Benavides, DPSS Director Dr. Jackie Contreras, Daniel Salcido of the Rancho Los Amigos Patient Family Advisory Council, Fran Sereseres of the LA County Commission for Older Adults (LACCOA).
May serves as the annual CalFresh Awareness Month (CFAM), spotlighting the pivotal role of good nutrition in fostering wellness. This month-long initiative is dedicated to amplifying public understanding of the CalFresh program, which plays a vital role in enhancing the health and quality of life for Californians by facilitating access to nutritious food.
In a collaborative effort, the Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) joined the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services (DPSS), Public Health (DPH), and various other County agencies for a kickoff event and resource fair on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.
Located in Mar Vista Park within the vibrant Mar Vista neighborhood of Los Angeles, the event served as a platform for AD to engage with local residents, offering insights into our array of services. Our dedicated staff provided onsite assistance for L.A. FOUND and the New Freedom Transportation Programs, directly addressing community needs. The festivities commenced with DPSS Director Dr. Jackie Contreras followed by Los Angeles County Commission on Disabilities (LACCOD) President Carlos Benavides and other speakers.
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Beyond informational sessions, attendees had access to valuable resources, including enrollment assistance for the CalFresh Program, complimentary produce distribution, and participation in a food access advocacy workshop.
DPSS and DPH’s CalFresh Healthy Living Program spearheaded the launch of the annual CalFresh Awareness Month campaign, aimed at streamlining the application process for food assistance. These concerted endeavors seek to bolster purchasing power for nutritious meals and enhance overall nutrition through CalFresh, effectively combating food insecurity and promoting the well-being of numerous low-income individuals and families throughout the County.
By fostering community engagement and empowering individuals with access to essential resources, events like the CalFresh Awareness Month kickoff contribute significantly to building healthier, more resilient communities across Los Angeles County.
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Aging & Disabilities got talent!
The inaugural Employee Wellness, Arts, & Culture Festival, hosted by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), was a showcase of talent and creativity featuring Aging & Disabilities’ own Robert Cuff from our Internal Support Services Division.
Thanks to the collaboration of the County’s Department of Human Resources (DHR), Department of Arts and Culture, and LACMA, Wednesday, May 8th was dedicated to this extraordinary event, exclusively tailored for County employees. It offered a curated exhibition of artworks crafted by County employees, providing a platform for our talented workforce to shine.
Attendees were treated to self-guided tours of LACMA exhibitions, inviting them to immerse themselves in the diverse narratives of our world, history, and culture through the transformative power of art. The festival was brimming with engaging activities, including sound baths, movement sessions, meditation, and hands-on art-making activities, complemented by a captivating performance by DJ and producer Linafornia.
Among the showcased works was Robert Cuff’s digital photograph titled “Buildings and Light.” Cuff's piece captures the essence of downtown Los Angeles, where the interplay of natural light and architectural forms creates mesmerizing reflections.
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Wandering remains a pressing concern for individuals grappling with conditions like autism, dementia, or cognitive impairments. On Monday, April 29, 2024, L.A. FOUND hosted a webinar dedicated to exploring effective strategies for preventing wandering among those with Alzheimer’s, autism, and related cognitive challenges.
The webinar featured insightful presentations by notable experts, including Kate Movius from Autism Interaction Solutions, David Kochen representing the Aging & Disabilities Department, and Sheriff’s Deputy Dustin Schnakenberg. Following these presentations, attendees had the opportunity to engage with the speakers during a Q&A session.
Defined as the act of leaving the safety of supervision or a secure environment, wandering—also known as elopement or bolting—poses serious risks, including traumatic incidents, injuries, and tragically, fatalities. Common dangers associated with wandering encompass drowning, vehicular accidents, and potentially harmful encounters with strangers.
The Aging & Disabilities Department (AD) has forged partnerships with Project Lifesaver and the Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to aid in locating loved ones who have wandered. L.A. FOUND offers a voluntary system that provides free trackable devices for vulnerable individuals. When a person wearing such a device goes missing, LASD mobilizes a specialized team equipped to assist in search and rescue efforts by tracking the device’s signal.
These collaborative efforts are aimed at achieving three key objectives: safeguarding at-risk individuals from critical missing incidents, swiftly locating missing persons, and identifying individuals who are found but whose identities are unknown.
For those who missed the webinar, a recording is available for viewing.
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 Most importantly, mark your calendars for L.A. FOUND’s upcoming Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Webinar scheduled for Monday, June 17 at 11 am.
Dr. Tony Kuo, Director of the Department of Public Health’s Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention Division and Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology in the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Fielding School of Public Health will be sharing valuable insights on early detection strategies and offering advice on championing brain health and supporting loved ones.
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Members of the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) convened from across the state for the annual conference held in San Jose from May 1 to May 3.
The event served as a crucial platform for aging and disability network leaders, advocates, policymakers, and stakeholders to delve into recent national and state aging and disability policy updates; explore the evolution of existing programs and services; and discuss innovative solutions in the face of budgetary constraints.
Themed “The Best is Yet to Come,” the conference centered on Best Practices & Innovation Programs, Collaborations that Work, Building Organizational Capacity, and Policy, Advocacy, and Action.
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Dr. Laura Trejo, Director of the Aging & Disabilities Department, delivered an engaging presentation, sharing evidence-based health strategies aimed at improving outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries and the broader community.
Representatives from all 33 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) across California were in attendance, reflecting a concerted effort to prepare the state for an impending demographic shift toward a larger population of older adults.
Jarrell Griffin, Acting Assistant Director, highlighted the importance of Age Friendly Communities, emphasizing the necessity for collaborative input from all community stakeholders to enhance livability for aging populations.
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Amidst the vibrant whirl of rides, delectable treats, and captivating exhibits, May heralds the arrival of the Los Angeles County Fair, a quintessential celebration of all things fun and festive. This year, Saturday, May 4, 2024, marked County Day at the Fair, drawing together a tapestry of stars, stripes, and boundless enjoyment.
The fair’s opening weekend served as a rendezvous point for Supervisor Hilda Solis, Los Angeles County CEO Fesia Davenport, and esteemed executives from various County Departments, including Directors, Chief Deputies, and Assistant Directors. Among them, our very own Administrative Deputy Mike Tsao and Assistant Director Winna Crichlow, who joined the festivities.
Aging & Disabilities outreach staff were on hand to extend warm greetings to fairgoers and offer insightful answers to queries about our diverse range of programs. They were accompanied by representatives from numerous other County Departments, collectively illuminating the breadth and depth of services available to our communities.
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