San Jose, August 26, 2019: In an effort to provide comprehensive insight and advocacy for a highly diverse senior population in Santa Clara County, the Sourcewise Advisory Council announces an historic addition of the LGBT senior community position.
“I am excited to see the inclusion of an LGBT representative on the advisory council. This is an important step in strengthening the outreach and support of LGBT older adults,” states Sherrill Wayland, Director of National Education Initiatives for Sage— the national organization offering supportive services and consumer resources to LGBT older people and their caregivers since 1978.
Sourcewise is a pioneer in better serving the LGBT community. In 2018 and in partnership with Sage, Sourcewise began the work to gather important needs assessment data of Santa Clara County older adults and caregivers. Sourcewise invested in SageCare to provided training for its staff and grantees to better understand the needs of LGBT community and to communicate with compassion and dignity.
In 2018, Sourcewise achieved Bronze Level LBGT Cultural Competency Training for its investment in 25% of all staff receiving training.
Older adults who identify as LGBT are more likely to face poverty and homelessness and to have poor health due to stigmas and discrimination.
In fact, 40 percent of LGBTQ people in their 60s and 70s state that their health care providers do not know their sexual orientation, according to the County of Santa Clara’s Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Affairs.
Every four years, the Sourcewise Area Plan takes into consideration the health and wellbeing of special populations of older adults. The data captured from the LGBT community is vital to the funding plan for the county.
Sourcewise Advisory Council members provide input into the Area Plan on Aging during its development, under the direction of Sourcewise.
The community representative position for the Advisory Council is voluntary with a term of three years. Eligibility for the position includes: Santa Clara County residents; 60 years or older (preferred); a representative of the LGBT community; and a dedicated advocate of supportive services for the aging population. The council meets the first Monday of select months, 10 times throughout the year.
Interested parties may contact Ursula Davila at udavila@mysourcewise.com or Tom Picraux, Advisory Membership Chair, at dpicraux@gmail.com.
Sourcewise is the designated Area Agency on Aging of Santa Clara County and is one of thirty-three Area Agencies on Aging in California. As an independent non-profit organization, Sourcewise educates, prepares, and provides direct support services and resources to older adults, caregivers and individuals with disabilities in Santa Clara County.
Learn more about the Sourcewise Advisory Council and services offered by Sourcewise in support of the Santa Clara County community at mysourcewise.com/advisory.
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