Overview

Madera County worked with residents and community partners to identify barriers facing older adults and people with disabilities. Community feedback helped shape a local aging and disability action plan focused on improving access to services, transportation, housing, and healthcare.

The Challenge

Many older adults and people with disabilities in Madera County face challenges accessing transportation, healthcare, housing, and other essential services. Rural geography, limited internet access, and language barriers make it harder for residents to connect with community supports. Nearly half of Madera County households speak a language other than English, creating additional challenges to accessing information and services.

The Approach

With support from a California Local Aging and Disability Action Planning grant, the Madera County Department of Social Services partnered with the San Diego State University Center for Excellence in Aging & Longevity to gather community input through surveys, interviews, and Listening & Learning sessions held across the county. More than 700 residents participated, helping identify priorities and develop strategies to improve livability and access to services. Community members identified affordable housing, transportation, healthcare access, and the need for clearer communication about county programs as some of the county’s most urgent needs.

Residents also took part in Action Planning Sessions, where they worked alongside county staff, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and community leaders to identify local solutions. An advisory board guided the process to help ensure the plan reflected the needs of Madera County’s diverse communities and supported long-term coordination across agencies.

The Results

Community feedback directly informed Madera County's Local Aging and Disability Action Plan, which was approved by the county’s Board of Supervisors. The local Action Plan will help guide county-level resources, funding, and policy decisions related to aging and disability services.

Developing the local Action Plan also strengthened coordination between county departments, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, and community groups. Organizations that once worked separately are now collaborating more closely to improve outreach, communication, and service delivery for residents. The project created new opportunities for residents, service providers, and county leaders to work together on solutions that better reflect local needs and priorities. The Madera County Department of Social Services plans to continue hosting community Listening & Learning sessions to ensure residents remain involved in identifying needs and solutions.