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Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee

About

All people, regardless of disability or age, should be able to live independently and participate fully in their communities. Every person should have the right to make choices and to control the decisions in and about their lives.

The purpose of the Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee (DACLAC) is to advance community living, inclusion, and integration across California. California is committed to community living for all, rooted in both the Olmstead Supreme Court decision of 1999 and in California’s values of diversity, inclusion, access, and equity.

DACLAC ensures the involvement of individuals with disabilities, older adults, and other partners who provide services or represent consumers. DACLAC advises the California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS), in addition to other state entities, on community living policies and programs, including but not limited to long-term services and supports, home and community-based services, transportation, housing, and employment opportunities.

For DACLAC-related questions and inquiries, contact Engage@aging.ca.gov.

Background

On June 22, 1999, the United States Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. that unjustified segregation of persons with disabilities constitutes discrimination in violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Court held that public entities must provide community-based services to persons with disabilities when 1) such services are appropriate; 2) the affected persons do not oppose community-based treatment; and 3) community-based services can be reasonably accommodated, taking into account the resources available to the public entity and the needs of others who are receiving disability services from the entity.

The Olmstead case started with two women, Lois Curtis and Elaine Wilson, who had mental illness and developmental disabilities, and were voluntarily admitted to the psychiatric unit in the state-run Georgia Regional Hospital. Following the women’s medical treatment there, mental health professionals stated that each was ready to move to a community-based program. However, the women remained confined in the institution, each for several years after the initial treatment was concluded. They filed a lawsuit under the ADA for release from the hospital.

The Olmstead Advisory Committee was originally established within the CalHHS in 2005. In March 2021, the Committee was renamed to the “Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee” (DACLAC) to better reflect and communicate the Committee’s vision and purpose. DACLAC builds upon the work of the California Olmstead Plan (2012), the Governor’s Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force Report (2020), and the California’s Master Plan for Aging (2021).

Membership

The Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee (DACLAC) members are appointed by the Secretary of California Health & Human Services Agency (CalHHS). The list of current DACLAC members and their biographies are posted.

DACLAC is comprised of no more than 40 members, representing consumers, family members, providers, and advocates. DACLAC members include older adults, people with disabilities, caregivers, providers, and subject matter experts to reflect California’s diversity. DACLAC members serve on a volunteer basis without compensation.

DACLAC includes a State Chair or Co-Chairs, which will be a CalHHS Department Director(s), who oversee programs or services serving older adults and people with disabilities, and two Stakeholder Co-Chairs, one representing the disability community and the other representing the aging community.

The following CalHHS Department Directors serve as State Representatives on DACLAC:  

  • Director of the California Department of Aging
  • Director of the California Department of Developmental Services
  • Director of the California Department of Health Care Services
  • Director of the California Department of Public Health
  • Director of the California Department of Rehabilitation
  • Director of the California Department of Social Services
  • Director of the California Department of State Hospitals

The CalHHS Secretary may designate a CalHHS representative as their designee to serve as a State Representative on the Committee.

Given the intersection between other focus areas of state government, the Secretaries of the following state agencies are asked to designate a State Representative to serve on DACLAC:

  • California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency
  • California State Transportation Agency
  • California Labor and Workforce Development Agency
  • California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
  • California Department of Veterans Affairs.

Meetings and Materials

 
DACLAC Committee Meeting Information
Past DACLAC Stakeholder Committee Meeting Materials
DACLAC Subcommittee Meetings

The Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee (DACLAC) holds three meetings per calendar year. Meetings are held virtually and open to the public. Time is set aside at the meetings to allow for public comment. Meeting agendas are posted in advance of each meeting. Meeting presentations, video recordings, and other materials are posted to the Past DACLAC Stakeholder Committee Meeting Materials tab following each meeting.

October 9, 2025 10am – 1pm

ACCESSIBILITY: DACLAC meetings are accessible to the public via webinar or telephone. American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation is available, and closed captioning is provided via the Zoom online meeting platform.    

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: If you require a disability-related accommodation, materials in alternate format or auxiliary aids/services, or translation services, email Engage@aging.ca.gov or call (916) 419-7500 at least five business days prior to the meeting. Any requests received after this timeframe will be given consideration, but logistical constraints may not allow for fulfillment.  

June 12, 2025 

March 6, 2025 

August 14, 2024 

May 22, 2024 

February 14, 2024 

October 11, 2023

June 7, 2023

February 8, 2023

August 10, 2022

May 11, 2022

February 9, 2022

November 16, 2021

August 26, 2021

April 30, 2021

The Disability and Aging Community Living Advisory Committee (DACLAC) has three stakeholder-led subcommittees that work to advance community living, inclusion, and integration across California. Subcommittees may be comprised of DACLAC Members as well as non-Members who have subject matter expertise or lived experience.

For subcommittee information, including meeting frequency and how to join, email Engage@aging.ca.gov. In your email, indicate the DACLAC subcommittee(s) of interest, your name, and email address. Your information and email will be forwarded to the DACLAC subcommittee chair(s) for follow-up.

  1. Home and Community-Based Services Subcommittee
  2. Housing Subcommittee
  3. Transportation Subcommittee