Low rates of service to older persons in community mental health programs were investigated in 20 California county government sponsored programs. County administrative officers, mental health advisory board members, directors, clinic supervisors, and clinical staff were surveyed through a mailed questionniare. Levels of awareness of problems of the older population, familiarity with relevant government policy, perception of the community's priority for elders, and personal priority for elderly and attitude toward them were explored. The study controlled for urban/rural locale and for the availability of alternate services. Results indicated that perception of communities' priorities for providing service was significant. Awareness of problems of elders and of relevant governmental policies, especially federal, was generally low. Attitude toward aged was highly positive among all respondents but, in contrast, personal priority for service to elders was lowest. Among policy formers, directors and advisory board members tended to be more important in developing services to elders. (Author)