The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers funds allocated to California under the federal Older Americans Act. These funds are used to provide services to seniors, including supportive services, nutrition programs, employment services, and preventive health services. In addition, CDA administers a range of programs, supported by state and federal funds, that provide noninstitutional services for older Californians and functionally impaired adults, including the Multipurpose Senior Services Program, Linkages, Adult Day Health Care, and the Alzheimer's Day Care Resource Centers. Finally, CDA administers the Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion, Respite Purchase of Services, Respite Registry, and Brown Bag programs.
The budget proposes expenditures of $167 million ($59 million General Fund) for CDA in 2000-01. This represents a 64 percent increase in General Fund expenditures over the current year, due primarily to a $22 million proposed increase for the Department of Aging's portion of the Governor's Aging with Dignity Initiative.
The Governor's Aging with Dignity Initiative includes $20 million for the "Golden Challenge" Long Term Care Innovation grants program and $1 million each for the Senior Housing Support Center and the Senior Wellness Campaign in the Department of Aging. Please see our analysis of the "Aging with Dignity Initiative" in the Crosscutting Issues section of this chapter.