May 2, 2023
City Council
DATE: May 2, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Vice Mayor McLaughlin
Subject:
Support for the Reinstatement of State Funding for Older Adult Education
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with sending a letter of support.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
11/2/2021
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) and
the California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA) expressed their concerns in regard to the
defunding of adult education.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
AUTHORIZE a Support Letter from the City Council to
state officials to reinstate funding for older adult
education - Vice Mayor Gayle McLaughlin (510-620-
6636).
DISCUSSION:
On November 16, 2022, the California Council for Adult Education (CCAE) and the California Adult Education Administrators Association (CAEAA) expressed their concerns about the lack of adult education programs and suggested changes to adult AGENDA
REPORT
May 2, 2023
education funding. This organization of adult school students, teachers, and community supporters will like to call attention to a problem they have with the California Adult Education Program (CAEP). Under CAEP, state funding for older adult programs in K- 12 adult schools was eliminated. Educational services across the state have been terminated and the few areas which provided these services have significantly reduced.
In many cases adult students are charged to be in these programs. As a result of the lack of accessibility to these adult educational programs statewide, we are putting older adults at an increased risk of isolation.
Older adults need funding from the state for education. One quarter of California’s population will be over the age of 60 in a few years. This is the fastest growing demographic in our state. In addition to the state’s bold masterplan for aging, the state should restore funding to the state’s adult school system.
Restoring state funding for adult schools and Older Adult educational programs would work hand in hand with the Masterplan for aging. Seniors need to master technology in order to access resources such as affordable housing and transportation. Adult schools could offer curriculums that is specifically designed for the elderly, such as how to identify scams, computer courses, fitness classes to help seniors with their mobility and other useful classes or workshops that will help them navigate life and manage their finances.
Along with the Richmond Commission on Aging, I request that the City Council support the reinstatement of funding for older adult education.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Draft Support Letter
Attachment 2 – Democratic Party of Contra Costa County Resolution