SECTION 1.
The Legislature finds and declares the following:(a) The Public Policy Institute of California estimates that by the year 2030, California’s population of people over 65 years of age will nearly double, increasing by four million people, all the while becoming more racially and economically diverse.
(b) Many older adults and people with disabilities struggle to access the long-term services and supports necessary to meet individual needs and preferences. The problem is multifaceted, stemming from a number of factors, including system fragmentation at the state and local levels, lack of access to information and assistance, and an infrastructure that is unable to keep pace with population needs.
(c) One of the primary challenges faced by older adults, people with disabilities, and their families relates to finding and accessing services. Individuals struggle to navigate the system and do not know where to look for unbiased information and education.
(d) California’s home- and community-based long-term services and supports programs operate with separate eligibility determination and assessment processes, creating inefficiencies in the administration of programs and difficulties for people who need to access programs and services.
(e) A universal assessment process could enable individuals to be evaluated in a consistent manner and provided with services that are tailored to meet needs and preferences in an equitable manner. At the state level, the data generated could enable program planners to understand the needs of the population, support allocation of resources in a standardized way, and evaluate quality.