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Agenda Item No. 5(F) CITY HALL 10890 San Pablo Avenue, El Cerrito, CA 94530 Telephone (510) 215-4305 Fax (510) 215-4379 http://www.el-cerrito.org MAYOR MARK FRIEDMAN April 7, 2015 The Honorable Jerry Brown Governor of California c/o State Capitol, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 The Honorable Loni Hancock The Honorable Tony Thurmond California State Senate California State Assembly Elihu Harris State Building Elihu Harris State Building 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2202 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2201 Oakland, CA 94612 Oakland, CA 94612 RE: Designated State funding for Adult Education’s Older Adults programs in the California State Budget Dear Governor Brown, Senator Hancock and Thurmond: Upon the recommendation of El Cerrito’s Committee on Aging and on behalf of the El Cerrito City Council I am writing you in support of continued funding for Older Adult Education in the Proposition 98 General Fund for the Adult Education Block Grant. El Cerrito Seniors will be negatively impacted if these funds are eliminated. Currently there are three places where older adult programs are being held. Christ Lutheran Senior Center has 75 members, St. John’s Senior Center has 50 members, and Sakura Kai Senior Center has 105 members, 15 associate members, and 30 on the waiting list. On January 1, 2011, the oldest Baby Boomers turned 65. Every day for the next 19 years, about 10,000 more will cross that threshold. By 2030, when all Baby Boomers will have turned 65, fully 18% of the nation’s population will be at least that age, according to Pew Research Center population projections. Today, just 13% of Americans are aged 65 and older. By force of numbers alone, they almost certainly will redefine old age in America, just as they’ve made their mark on teen culture, young adult life and middle age. As of 2010 El Cerrito’s senior population of 65 years and over was 17.9% of the City’s population compared to 11.4% for the State of California as a whole. By 2030 El Cerrito could see over 25% of the city’s population being seniors. These numbers alone show that more funding, not less, is needed to keep pace with this growing population. Let us ensure that some of our most vulnerable and valuable citizens remain connected to society and enjoy as high a quality of life as possible. Sincerely, Mark Friedman, Mayor City of El Cerrito Enclosure ---PAGE BREAK--- 1 April 7, 2015 The Honorable Jerry Brown Governor, State of California State Capitol, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 The Honorable Loni Hancock The Honorable Tony Thurmond California State Senate California State Assembly Elihu Harris State Building Elihu Harris State Building 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2202 1515 Clay Street, Suite 2201 Oakland, CA 94612 Oakland, CA 94612 RE: Establishing designated funding for Adult Education’s Older Adult programs Dear Governor Brown, Senator Hancock and Thurmond: On behalf of the Committee on Aging of the City of El Cerrito, we would like to urge you to include designated funding for Adult Education’s Older Adults programs in the California state budget. Classes for older adults 55 to 95 years of age have been provided in El Cerrito for many years. Our participants include our own residents and many from nearby cities who cherish the stimulating programs that are offered. A number of attendees reach the Senior Centers on subsidized transportation, Easy Rider, provided by the City of El Cerrito or Para-Transit and participate in the low-cost Nutrition Lunch Program while they are there. Our senior centers are excellent places to hold the classes since they can accommodate the needs of those older adults who suffer from mobility disorders and need the aid of walkers and wheelchairs. There are three places where the programs are held. Currently, Christ Lutheran Senior Center has 75 members, St. John’s Senior Center has 50 members, and Sakura Kai Senior Center has 105 members, 15 associate members, and 30 on the waiting list. Including those on the waiting list, the total is 275. Included in the programs are classes on computer skills, languages such as Japanese, Spanish and German, as well as other ones of cultural interest. There are a number of exercise and fall prevention classes to keep our older citizens stronger and healthier. These programs are well attended and the classes given in Japanese even have a waiting list. They provide an affordable way for seniors who have worked hard all their lives and paid taxes to continue lifelong learning in safe, friendly, neighborhood centers. It has been shown that seniors who participate in such physically, mentally, and socially stimulating programs as provided at our Senior Centers contract dementia at an 18% lower rate than seniors who do not participate in such program. (American Journal of Epidemiology, vol.155, no 12, June 15, 2002). As we all know the cost of caring for ---PAGE BREAK--- 2 victims of dementia is staggering and increasing. Therefore these programs should be supported with designated funding since decreasing the dementia rate will produce substantial savings for the state as the number of Californians over the age of 65 increases. In conclusion, we would like to urge you to provide ongoing designated funding for Older Adult Education in the California state budget. It will benefit all Californians to continue to provide affordable education for older adults. Yours truly, Pansy Kwong, MD Vice Chair Committee on Aging City of El Cerrito Kimi Honda Co-Director, Sakura Kai Senior Center Member, Committee on Aging City of El Cerrito