On January 8, 2024, the County Human Services Department launched a county-wide Age Well Santa Cruz County, Community Needs Assessment, or "CNA" Survey. This survey aimed to collect community feedback focused on aging in the county. The CNA survey was a collaboration between community members, elected officials, leadership from County government and all four Cities within the county, the Seniors Council, and community-based organizations. It has resulted in providing a framework and call to action to prioritize age-friendly policies, both locally and statewide, with the goal of creating a cohesive landscape of systems and supports.
By the survey's close on March 31, 2024, over 3,200 residents 40 and older across the county had responded. In September of 2024 we released preliminary survey data briefs, linked below. In August of 2025, the full, comprehensive Santa Cruz County Master Plan for Aging CNA report was finalized and released, culminating 18 months of data collection and analysis, determining needs and gaps, and ultimately recommending a crucial blueprint to promote healthy aging in every capacity, for all residents of Santa Cruz County.