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Presentation on the City of South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan (Devin Stenhouse, DEI Officer)
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
It is recommended commissioners be updated on the City of South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan.
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BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
In August 2022, the City of South San Francisco began the process of applying for the Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) certification under the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and World Health Organization (WHO) Network of Age-Friendly Communities. The City was fortunate to receive the support and expertise of representatives from the Center for Age Friendly Excellence (CAFE), who provided technical assistance, consultation, applied research access, and community organizing guidance in helping City staff with the AFC certification application as well as developing an Age-Friendly Action Plan. CAFE’s work was grant-funded by San Mateo County and South San Francisco was one of several cities selected to work with CAFE.
South San Francisco recruited a diverse group of City staff, elected leaders, community stakeholders, and residents interested in older residents’ well-being to serve on South San Francisco’s first-ever AFC Task Force. They initially gathered information through in-person interviews, virtual meetings, and one-on-one phone interviews. Focus groups explored the strengths, livability challenges, and possible solutions as they pertained to the eight domains: Transportation, Housing, Social Participation, Respect and Social Inclusion, Civic Participation and Employment, Communication and Information, Community Support and Health Services, Outdoor Space and Buildings, and the City and CAFE added a ninth domain, Emergency Services.
At the City Council meeting on December 14, 2022, an Age-Friendly Initiative update presentation was given by Roy Earnest, Associate Director from CAFE.
In May 2023, AARP and WHO formally recognized the City of South San Francisco as an Age-Friendly City. As a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities the City committed to an assessment process and five-year cycle of continuous improvement. The process requires the City to:
Step 1: Establish a way to include older residents in all stages of the age-friendly process
Step 2: Conduct community needs assessment
Step 3: Develop an action and evaluation plan based on assessment results
Step 4: Implement and work toward the goals of the plan
Step 5: Assess the impact of implementing the plan and submit progress reports
Step 6: Share solutions, successes, and best practices across the Network
Step 7: Repeat
In May 2024, South San Francisco’s Age-Friendly Task Force, in collaboration with CAFE, started preparations for developing the City of South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan for 2026-2029. The City and CAFE held community engagement meetings in October 2024 and disseminated an AARP survey from August through December 2024. Staff interviews were held in February 2025. These efforts helped in the development of a draft of the Age-Friendly Action Plan. This plan is a comprehensive overview of the feedback received from the age-friendly community survey, community engagement sessions, and staff interviews. The Commission on Equity and Public Safety was presented with an update of the action plan at the regular December ’24 meeting.
The City of South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan is considered a living document. It allows staff, the City Council, community partners, and residents to assess and update it to meet the community’s changing needs and priorities. It will be continually reviewed and evolve to ensure relevance and effectiveness in supporting older residents. The action plan was presented and unanimously approved by the City of South San Francisco city council at their regular meeting on October 22, 2025.
CONCLUSION
Commissioners be updated on the City of South San Francisco Age-Friendly Action Plan.
ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS
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