Novato, San Anselmo launch action plans for the elderly and disabled

The Town of San Anselmo and the City of Novato are thrilled to announce they are among the first Age and Disability Friendly communities to launch Local Age and Disability Friendly Action Plans (LADAP) in the State of California.

Thanks to grass roots effort and local government support, San Anselmo, along with the City of Novato, has been recognized with the AARP Age and Disability Friendly Community designation, a significant milestone in advancing equity, accessibility, and livability. This achievement was made possible in part through funding from the California Department of Aging’s Local Aging & Disability Action Planning (LADAP) grant program, which supported the development of San Anselmo’s and Novato’s comprehensive Age and Disability-Friendly Action 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 into its Age and Disability Friendly plan. The City of Novato will receive the AARP Age Friendly designation in 2025. This achievement is the result of a dedicated collaboration between the Age and Disability Friendly Novato (ADFN) Advisory Committee, the City of Novato and the Marin Aging and Disability Institute (MADI).

These two communities completed a thorough, multi-step process to successfully develop their local plans. The Marin Aging and Disability Institute (MADI) provided fiscal sponsorship and project oversight to the leadership team and citizen volunteer Advisory Committees, and to the respective Town or City staff who successfully 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.

Building age and disability-friendly communities supports broader statewide goals and addresses pressing local needs. In Marin County, adults aged 60 and older represent the fastest-growing segment of the population, with a projected 13% increase expected over the next decade (State of California, Department of Finance Forecasting, 2020–2060). This demographic shift underscores the importance of initiatives like these, which are essential to ensuring our communities remain inclusive, supportive, and prepared for the future.

Our local plans align with the Five Bold Goals of California’s Master Plan for Aging (https://mpa.aging.ca.gov/) and include the following:

• Housing for All Ages & Stages 
• Health Reimagined
• Inclusion & Equity, Not Isolation
• Caregiving That Works
• Affording Aging

Gerontologist Sara Robinson, the leader of Age and Disability Friendly planning who spearheaded these efforts in the Town of San Anselmo, shared,

“San Anselmo began its Age-Friendly journey in 2019. 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, translates community voices into lasting policies that promote independence, accessibility, and intergenerational cohesion for generations to come.”

Long-time Novato resident Lauren Vreeland Long, the driving force behind the ADFN steering committee, shared,

“At the City of Novato, we’re proud to be a community that welcomes and supports people of all ages and abilities. 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. From safe streets and parks to programs and services that bring people together, Novato is a place where everyone belongs. We are so grateful for the support of the City, especially the Recreation Department including Katie Gauntlett and Drew Bendickson, as well as the ongoing support of Supervisor Eric Lucan.”