Merced County invites community members to attend the Aging & Disability Focus Group in Gustine, a crucial step in creating the Local Aging & Disability-Friendly Action Plan (LADAP). This interactive session will take place from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, at the Al Goman Community Center, 745 Linden Avenue, Gustine.
Participants will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on how to make their community more livable for older adults and individuals with disabilities over the next five years. Focus group facilitator Mike King from Pear Street Consulting emphasizes that this input will shape the county’s LADAP, scheduled for completion by June 2025.
“The primary aim of the focus group is to understand the general preferences and priorities of Gustine residents. There are many changes we could implement, but we need to identify what matters most to the community,” said King. The feedback collected will guide recommendations for the LADAP, which will align with AARP’s Eight Domains of Livability. These domains include:
• Housing
• Transportation
• Communication and Information
• Social Participation
• Civic Engagement and Employment
• Respect and Social Inclusion
• Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
This proven framework has been instrumental in helping communities nationwide organize their efforts to become more age and disability-friendly.
The input from this focus group will be shared with Merced County leadership and the LADAP Advisory Committee, which includes local age and disability service providers and experts. They will analyze the data to determine the most impactful recommendations to include in the final Action Plan.
“We are making every effort to reach as many community partners and diverse populations as possible,” King explained. To ensure inclusivity, materials and discussions will be translated into multiple languages. Additionally, feedback can be submitted during the focus group or afterward via email or phone.
In addition to receiving a $25 gift card for their participation, attendees will gain access to valuable resources, including:
• Current demographic data and priorities specific to Gustine.
• A list of local services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
• Examples of successful age and disability-friendly projects from other communities.
Participants will also enjoy light refreshments and beverages during the session. After the focus group, Merced County will keep in touch with attendees about the public comment period for the draft Action Plan and other opportunities for involvement.
Residents are encouraged to RSVP by emailing mk.pearstreetconsulting@gmail.com. Don’t miss this chance to contribute to the future livability of Gustine for all residents.
