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FY 2025-26 COA Commissioner-prepared Liaison and Committee Summaries Liai
son Reports
Vent
ura County Human Services Agency Area Agency on Aging (VCAAA) Agency Mission: “Provide comprehensive, coordinated system of care that enables older individuals, children and adults with disabilities, and their caregivers to live in a community-based setting. The VCAAA advocates for the needs of those 60 years of age and older in the county, providing leadership and promoting citizen involvement in the planning process as well as in the delivery of services”.
Freq
uency of meetings: Six annual meetings for Advisory Council and various subcommittee meetings
Liai
son Report from Commissioner Nivedita Vaidya, City Council Appointed Representative to the VCAAA Advisory Body: I was on the Workforce Development Committee and this year we were successfully able to host a Job Fair at the Wellness Fest, held in January of 2026 at the Goebel Adult Center in Thousand Oaks. We engaged diverse seven local employers; private, non- profit and city departments, to provide information about their employment needs, training and workforce development approaches with interested older adults seeking part-time or full-time employment. It is recorded that there were 400 older adults who came by and some were able to get required information on job availability in the area.
As a c
ity appointed liaison on the VCAAA Advisory Council, I was privileged to the sudden announcement of separating VCAAA from the Human Services Agency in the month of November by California Department of Aging on behest of the Human Services Agency’s se nior administrative staff. Since then, many local nonprofit agencies, contractors and subcontractors have been rallying to understand this sudden transition without any local discussion and input in terms of how it will impact the delivery of services to older adults in our community after June 2026.
Some programs such as ADRC and HICAP were to be suspended after June.
There were many concerns and questions which were not being answered by CDA nor the HSA. Andrea Gallagher of Senior Concerns provided great leadership and brought it to the attention of the Board of Supervisors after which a vote was held, and the Board of Supervisors sought a pause on the transition by CDA. The CDA has paused their search for a local nonprofit or any other department to take over the delivery of services to older adults in the region for a year. Currently the HSA is providing the same services with fewer employees and uncertainty.
A Ventura County Aging Services Coalition consisting of advisory council members, stakeholders who advocate for older adults have been working on the costs and benefits of such transition, communicating with other AAAs in CA that are managed by non- profits, to understand their challenges and strengths so we can propose an evidence-based reason for change or no change.
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request city council members to be vigilant and aware of the tumultuous change that is likely to affect our growing older adult population in the Ventura County region. Your involvement and advocacy on behalf of 141,000 older adults in Ventura County and 25,589 older adults in Thousand Oaks will provide support for upholding the quality of life of older adults in our community. They represent 17% to 20% of your constituents. We are fortunate to have leaders in our community who are willing to voice their concerns and take appropriate action.
Li
aison Report from Stephanie Belding, City Council Appointed Representative to the VCAAA Advisory Body : I attended Advisory Board meetings, Workforce Committee meetings (chair), and Housing and Transportation Committee meetings every other month. I led supplemental meetings related to relevant events and activities (such as planning and organizing a Job Fair . Also represented VCAAA at a ½ day forum at the VC Workforce Development Board.
Later I gave a presentation to the VCAAA about this event; and provided highlights to the City of Thousand Oaks Council on Aging. I a ttended several transition meetings for the upcoming changes to VCAAA. Moving forward, as of July 2027, VCAAA programs will transition to a new provider chosen by the California Department of Aging. I also attended the Volunteer Fair presented by the COA.
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attended six COA meetings during the year and reported on information regarding:
o Housing programs such as Home Share, and those serving low income and the homeless.
o Access to Public Hearings and Stakeholders Transition meetings. o Property Tax Postponement Program for homeowners age 62+ o Caregiver Support information and resources for family caregivers. o Free Health Insurance Counseling for Medicare (HICAP) o Meal services, including home-delivered meals and congregate meal sites. o Transportation services, including Dial a Ride and MediRides public transit and paratransit.
o Grey Law legal services, which provides access to legal guidance and advocacy.
G
oebel Adult Community Center & the Goebel Senior Center Commission Agency Mission: The Goebel Center is a vibrant, and contemporary full-services community hub for older adults, offering recreation classes, special events, social services, day-trip excursions, outdoor fitness equipment, a café, a variety of drop- in programs , and more. The Goebel Senior Center Commission oversees the nonprofit community service organization for the enrichment of local seniors at the Goebel. The Commission:
• Establishes policies relative to the operation of the Goebel Adult Community Center
• Acquires and allocates funds to benefit the Goebel Adult Community Center • Volunteers their time and special skills, serve on committees, and assist in planning, organizing, marketing, and conducting programs to benefit seniors
Frequency of meetings attended: Fourth Wednesday of each month
Liaison Report from Commissioner Jean Kammerer: My responsibility was to attend Gobel Senior Center monthly board meeting and report back to the Council on Ageing. The Goebel board is run very efficiently and effectively, and I learned many things I did not know about them and the many classes, programs , and services they provide. In my role as liaison, I also enjoyed lunches at the Senior Nutrition Program and a couple of social events. The Goebel Center is a wonderful resource, is run well, and serves many people. It is very much deserving of city support.
Liaison Report from Chair Dorothy Hatfield: Being on both the CoA and the Goebel commissions gave me the opportunity to see how beneficial it would be to have the two commissions working together for our community.
Conejo Senior Volunteer Program (CSVP)
Agency Mission: Provides opportunities for adults age 55+ to use their life experience and skills to meet local community needs.
Liaison Report from Commissioner Karen Pavic -Zabinski: CSVP Advisory Board
Frequency of meetings attended: Sept, Nov, Jan, March, and May- attended all
Report: Reported on activities of the COA, assisted in the planning for the January Wellness Fest as requested.
Liaison Report from Vice Chair Joseph Donohue: CVSP Tax Assistance Program
Frequency of meetings attended : Twice weekly during season, once a month off-season
Report: This setting has facilitated the direct distribution of the Older Adult Resource Guide to those, who through conversation, present a need that one of our agencies might be of assistance. The individual 1:1 setting provides insights into everyone’s unique story, their living situation, and their met and unmet needs.
The greatest benefit is having insight into what they do not know or have been mis- informed about; and helping them better plan for their financial future.
Conejo Free Clinic
Agency Mission: To serve Ventura County & Los Angeles Counties as a quality resource in promoting & providing access to medical care, dental care, legal and advocacy services to individuals who would not otherwise receive such care and services.
Frequency of meetings attended: Consulted, one to two times per month with Health Education Specialist and or Executive Director during this year of programmatic development & restructuring. Invited and attended the newly developed Community Engagement meeting dinner where healthcare te ams discussed planning & logistics as they prepared to launch blood pressure & glucose screening outreach to the Oxnard community in partnership with Manna Food distribution network.
Liaison Report from Commissioner Pamela Davis: After originally, meeting the Executive Director, leadership & staff during a summer project of assembling dental and medical kits for those in need, I was very impressed hearing about the impactful work & impact of the clinic upon the community in need. T hey were excited to hear of my interest to Liaison & it has been a joy. They were pleased to present at the COA meeting & to have also, received a community grant acceptance following their application. Met wi th staff to deliver COA updated Directories & they were thrilled & impressed with how helpful and useful they would be.
Senior Concerns
Agency Mission: To provide programs and services which support and improve the health, well-being and quality of life for seniors and family caregivers.
Frequency of meetings attended: Kick-off, then approximate in person monthly, educational seminars.
Liaison Report from Vice Chair Donohue: Senior Concerns and their substantive contributions need no introduction to our City Leaders, but with greater attendance in their service offering and interacting with attendees, I have continued to better understand, and appreciate the needs, anxieties and challenges facing our Older Adult community. The slogan written over the entrance rings so true “Every Senior has a Story”. I have appreciated the opportunity that a COA liaison has afforded me – more insight into the varied lives of an aging community and how our City can help support the quality of their lives.
Many Mansions
Agency Mission: Provision of affordable housing to low-income residents
Frequency of meetings attended: bimonthly
Liaison Report from Commissioner Penny Greenblatt : While I was aware of Many Mansions and the importance of the work that they do, until I became the Council on Aging liaison to the organization, I had no idea how amazing they truly are. Prior to my attendance at their Services Committee Meeting, I met wit h Dalit Shlapobersky, Executive Vice President. I learned about current and upcoming projects and then toured several of their apartment communities. At the bimonthly meetings that I attend, I learn of projects and items of potential concern relating to older adults in the community and then report back to the Council on Aging.
Committee Reports
Resource Directory and Outreach Committee
Purpose of Committee: To review, update, and release the third edition of the City of Thousand Oaks Resource Directory for Older Adults, as well as coordinate outreach at the Goebel Adult Community Center to share information and offer resource referrals to support older adults and caregivers.
Frequency of meetings held: Work was done individually and before the CoA monthly meetings we would meet to discuss.
Outcome: The 30-page directory connects older adults, caregivers, and families with essential community resources, including housing, food support, caregiving services, and other programs. Available in large- print and digital formats on the City’s website, www.toaks.gov/olderadults, more than 1,000 printed copies have been distributed. In addition, COA Commissioners volunteer to table at the Goebel Adult Community Center and the CSVP Tax Program, providing information, referrals, and resource materials to community members.
Committee Report from Chair Dorothy Hatfield: Tabling at the Goebel – giving out the Resource Guide made by the CoA and talking to people about the center and issues/concerns they have – brings to life the value of the Resource Guide.
Nearly every time I was there I was able to provide assistance to people looking for a service that they did not know existed. It made me proud to have been a part of bringing that publication to our community.
FY2025-26 COA Project Committee: Civic Engagement and Volunteer Fair Purpose of Committee: To increase awareness of civic engagement and volunteer opportunities for older adults and other residents interested in giving back, but unsure how to get started or connect with local organizations.
Frequency of meetings held: Monthly or more frequently from September 2025 to April 2025
Outcome: A successful event on April 17, 2026 from 10am -12pm. T he event brought together 27 local nonprofit and community organizations seeking volunteers and welcomed approximately 150 attendees.
Report from Commissioner Karen Pavic -Zabinski: COA attended Sept, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, March, April and May meetings. Chaired the planning committee for the COA Volunteer Fair.
Report from Commissioner Pamela Davis: It was nice re -engaging with nonprofits following a career of work & event planning & development for those seeking graduate school volunteer Interns. I enjoyed researching and developing an agency list of nonprofits and discovered even more during my research while utilizing the COA Directory as my base. The committee worked to provide bags with theme logo and offered snacks & raffle and nonprofit and community member feedback was very positive. Thank you to City Council for this very critical and impactful opportunity which has come during a time of reduced government funding and a time where COA has worked hard to assist and support agencies in filling many gaps. I look forward to hearing of follow up regarding Demographic research done by the COA Committee last year and finally, a big thank you to Sarah Mailes who is very skilled, bright, kind and supportive for her leadership. It has been an honor to serve on the COA for both years.
Report from Commissioner Penny Greenblatt: As this is my first year on the council, the initial few meetings were spent learning the overall functioning of the group. Individuals on the council are all highly intelligent and active seniors from the community, who share the common goal of enriching the lives of older adults in the City of Thousand Oaks. The speakers presenting their various agencies/organizations at each meeting increased my overall awareness of services available to seniors in the community. I was a member of the Senior Volunteer Resource Fair sub-committee. This was a fantastic event that connected local older adults with local not -for-profit agencies in need of volunteers. Both individuals and not -for-profits that attended reported positive and enthusiastic response to the event, and being able to help make this event a reality was extremely rewarding.
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