Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) Advisory Council 2025 Annual Report
Prepared & submitted by
Carmen E. Reyes - City of Camarillo Liaison
February 2026
The focus of VCAAA activity has been the sudden announcement by Human Services Agency to relinquish its administrative role of the VCAAA requesting the California Department of Aging take it over. In other words, the VCAAA will no longer exist as is.
Background:
On November 11, 2025, Monique Nowlin, VCAAA Director, informed Advisory Council members (via email) of upcoming changes to VCAAA status. See email context below:
From: Monique Nowlin, VCAAA Director
To: VCAAA Advisory Board members
The Ventura County Human Services Agency (VCHSA) is hereby notifying the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council of the following important announcement.
• Effective June 30, 2026, VCHSA will transition the administration of the Area Agency on Aging Program to the California Department of Aging (CDA). • CDA could select a non-profit to deliver AAA services, and that entity would have the flexibility to raise private funding to supplement CDA funding, conduct extensive recruitment of volunteers, and engage in advocacy without the constraints under which government agencies operate.
• We will provide ongoing updates as we learn more about how contracts will be handled for FY 26-27, with a focus on ensuring sufficient time for approving councils and boards to consider options for service provision in partnership with a non-County entity and related contracting matters.
• VCHSA is committed to ensuring a continuity of services and a smooth transition for clients and contractors as we seek to focus County efforts on programs that must be administered by local government.
Please contact VCAAA Director Monique Nowlin at (805) 477-7309 if you have any questions.
Bottom line: HSA unable to administratively take on fiscal burden of AAA services.
After budget evaluation, HAS decided to formally move the VCAAA under the administration of the California Department of Aging (CDA). CDA agreed thus setting forth the sequence of events to follow. At this time, it is not known of the VC Board of Supervisors have been informed. CDA to issue a RFP (request for proposal) seeking a non-profit entity to administer VCAAA services.
VCAAA (established 45 years ago) recent transition timeline:
• 2023/2024 –VCAAA transitions to HAS due to budgetary issues • 9/25 – HSA submits request to CDA relinquishing its role as VCAAA operator (fiscally motivated – did not want administrative burden) for CDA take it over until a non-profit org is selected to become new VCAAA operator effective June 2026 • *Action taken without prior stakeholder awareness/involvement/community public comment, input, dialogue or collaboration with VCAAA Advisor Council, Ex Com, Cities or community at large of re-designation request to CDA • 11/11/25 – VCAAA Division Director per email informs VCAAA AC of changes • 11/12/25 – VCAAA AC meeting - HSA informs members of action taken to relinquish its role
• Nov/Dec 2025 – Senior Concerns (provider) convenes VC Leadership Coalition (new group) to address AAA re-designation, composed of aging service, providers, advocates, older adults and interested community stakeholders. A “Call to Action” and Board of Supervisors public comment drafted. Jan 21 – Coalition met again to prep for Jan 28 – HSA stakeholder forum • Dec 16 – Attended BOS mtg to give public comment.
• Stressing lack of transparency of process – blatant omission of any form of communication or engagement with service providers, VCAAA AC, stakeholders, community-at-large
• A pause is requested to conduct a formal fiscal analysis, a visible, transparent, equitable collaboration with opportunities for community public comment and input/feedback by those most impacted by re-designation • Attended Jan 28 – HSA hosts Stakeholder Forum (future scheduled forums have been canceled due to latest developments - see below), where many questions and concerns are raised re the lack of transparency, lack of direct stakeholder involvement/input, unrealistic timeline, unrealistic expectations services will not be disrupted, and total loss of the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) programs - acts as
a "No Wrong Door" system, providing coordinated information and access to long-term services and supports for older adults (60+), people with disabilities, and caregivers in Ventura County. In partnership with the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC), it offers personalized counseling, service navigation, and support to foster independence.
CDA RFA timeline
• FEB – RFA released - https://caleprocure.ca.gov/event/4170/0000038019 • April – New operator/entity selected
• July – Programs move to new operator
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS – VCBOS STEPS UP
Chair of the Board Jeff Gorell has placed an item on the upcoming Board of Supervisors agenda to preserve current senior programs and pause proposed transition of the Area Agency on Aging Administration while further evaluation takes place. The item will be on the March 3, 2026 Board of Supervisors Agenda.
See Gorell Board Letter here https://vcaaa.venturacounty.gov/vcaaa-transition-faq/
Attachments:
• Gorell Board Letter
• VCAAA FAQs