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AGE, DISABILITY ACTION PLANS LAUNCHED

Age and Disability Friendly Novato Advisory Committee members include Sara Robinson, Tenesa Vuillemenot, Lisa Swanson, Drew Bendickson, Colleen Arnold and Katie Gauntlett (from left). Photo courtesy of Colleen Arnold

The Town of San Anselmo and the City of Novato are among the first in California to adopt Local Age and Disability Friendly Action Plans. Thanks to grassroots effort and local government support, San Anselmo, along with Novato, has been recognized with the AARP Age and Disability Friendly Community designation.

This achievement was made possible in part through funding from the California Department of Aging’s Local Aging and Disability Action Planning grant program, which supported the development of San Anselmo’s and
Novato’s plans.

The Town of San Anselmo earned its age- friendly designation in 2019 with the leadership of Sara Robinson and Age Friendly San Anselmo and has further expanded its efforts this year
by integrating a disability-friendly component. Novato will receive the AARP age-friendly designation in 2025.

“San Anselmo began its age-friendly journey in 2019,” Robinson said. “Though the pandemic temporarily paused strategic planning, town staff and residents upheld their commitment to safety and inclusion through volunteer efforts. Thanks to support from the California Department of Aging and the Marin Aging and Disability Institute, the town advanced this mission with the Age and Disability Friendly Action Plan — built on insights from over 500 residents. This plan, alongside
the General Plan 2045 Update, creates policies that promote independence, accessibility and intergenerational cohesion for generations to come.”

The two communities completed a multi- step process to develop their local plans. The Marin Aging and Disability Institute provided fiscal sponsorship and project oversight to the leadership team and citizen volunteer advisory committees, and to the respective town or city staff who launched the initiatives. The process began with specialized training in ageism and ableism, the documentation of resident-lived experiences, utilization of focus groups and the cultivation of community awareness. Final steps included an assessment of local strengths and needs, and development of the action plan.

“At the City of Novato, we’re proud to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all ages and abilities,” said Lauren Vreeland Long of the Age and Disability Friendly Novato Advisory Committee. “Whether you’re raising
a family, enjoying retirement, or living with a disability, we’re committed to making Novato accessible, inclusive and full of opportunities for everyone to thrive.”

According to the State of California Department of Finance, Marin County adults ages 60 and older represent the fastest-growing segment of the population, with a projected 13% increase expected over the next decade.

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