Master Plan for Aging Convening

A terrific turnout of 380 representatives attended our Inland Empire Master Plan for Aging (MPA) Convening, held on Zoom on August 2nd, 2021.

We began with warm welcoming remarks from Gary Robbins, Deputy Director of Programs and Operations with the Riverside County Office on Aging; Sharon Nevins, Director and Public Guardian  from the Department of Aging and Adult Services with the County of San Bernardino; and Jarrod McNaughton, CEO with Inland Empire Health Plan. 

Claire Ramsey, Senior Staff Attorney from Justice in Aging, delivered an inspiring keynote, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring adults in the Inland Empire can age with dignity, respect and independence.

Next, Amanda Lawrence, Project Director, California Department on Aging, provided a brief overview of the MPA. This was followed by a summary of local legislative efforts related to the MPA, led by: Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes; Senator Rosalicie Bogh-Ochoa; San Bernardino County Board of Supervisor Dawn Rowe; and Riverside County Board of Supervisor Jeff Hewitt.

The discussion continued, with Gary Robbins engaging a panel of experts to dive deeper into the five bold goals of the MPA, including:

• Housing for All Stages & Ages – Heidi Marshall, Director, Riverside County Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions
• Health Reimagined – Dr. Wada, MD, MPH, Vice President, Population Health, Inland Empire Health Plan           
• Caregiving that Works – Carmen Estrada, MPA, Inland Caregiver Resource Center
• Affording Aging – Claudia Harris, District Manager, Senior Community Service Employment Program, San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services
• Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation – Jennifer Pabustan-Claar, Assistant Director Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Curtailing Abuse Related to the Elderly & Dependent Adults (CARE) Team

Ben Jáuregui, CCM Manger, Behavioral Health & Care Management Support Services, Inland Empire Health Plan and Commissioner, San Bernardino County Senior Affairs Commission, concluded the event by providing a short recap of key issues discussed, and proposing next steps. 

Thank you to all of our partners and stakeholders for participating to make this event a key success! We look forward to continuing to develop a Local Master Plan for Aging in 2022.