Welcome to the California Commission on Aging Website

The California Commission on Aging was established in 1973 by the Burton Act. It was confirmed in the original Older Californians Act of 1980 and reconfirmed in the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act of 1996. It is comprised of 25 commissioners; 19 appointed by the Governor, 3 appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and 3 by the Senate Rules Committee. All Commissioners serve three year terms as volunteers.

The Commission serves as "the principal advocate in the state on behalf of older individuals, including, but not limited to, advisory participation in the consideration of all legislation and regulations made by state and federal departments and agencies relating to programs and services that affect older individuals." As such it is the principal advisory body to the Governor, State Legislature, and State, Federal and local departments and agencies on issues affecting older individuals in order to ensure a quality of life for older Californians so they may live with dignity in their chosen environment.

CCoA Launches Senior Center Initiative

The CCoA is pleased to announce that Manoj Pardasani, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, will be the keynote speaker at the Senior Center Stakeholder Forum on February 4, 2009 in Sacramento. Dr. Pardasani, the leading national researcher of senior centers, is currently an Associate Professor of Social Work at Fordham University in New York.  He is also a member of the National Institute of Senior Centers. 

Dr. Pardasani started his career in social work as a Senior Center Director.  This experience sparked his passion for preserving the legacy of senior centers and enhancing their impact on the lives of older adults.

The Forum is part of the CCoA’s Senior Center Initiative. Senior Centers are places where “older adults come together for services and activities that reflect their experience and skills, respond to their diverse needs and interests, enhance their dignity, support their independence, and encourage their involvement in and with the center and the community.” There are approximately 500 multi purpose senior centers in the State along with nearly 225 nutrition-only sites.

For more information, click on the Senior Center Initiative tab (above).

---