California 2025 Wildfire Disaster Assistance Funding Request - The wildfires that erupted in Los Angeles County on January 7, 2025 inflicted major devastation across multiple communities. In the face of crisis combined with environmental factors of intense, hurricane strength winds, several fires spread fast with little time for those in the path of the fire to plan and evacuate. Older adults, those living with disabilities and their caregivers were amongst the most impacted by loss of homes or displacement, and loss of community resources and support. On January 8, 2025, the President of the United States signed a declaration of a major disaster for California’s fires which increased response and access to resources. As the area moves from disaster response to recovery, older adults continue to struggle to navigate the new normal including managing services, benefits, daily needs and having consistent, accessible access to the needed services, care, and social support required for daily living. The California Department of Aging (CDA) is requesting $200,000 in funding to address gaps and enhance the ability to respond to basic needs of the older adults, people living with disabilities, and their caregivers in the impacted areas. This funding will be used to provide ongoing access to the services and support needed for older adults, people living with disabilities and their caregivers to stabilize post-crisis and to continue living safely in the community by extending the reach of transportation and purchase of services to meet identified needs. The CDA will work in collaboration with Area Agency on Aging for Los Angeles County (PSA 19) and the Area Agency on Aging for the city of Los Angeles (PSA 25).
