Agenda

1:15 PM–2:15 PM Workshops

W02) Engaging Community Partners to Support Rural Transportation

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Rural transportation programs often face unique challenges due to inadequate funding, long distances, geography, weather-related road conditions and sparsely populated areas. Workshop attendees will hear from two National Aging and Disability Transportation Center grantees who are developing plans to address such barriers, including establishing community partnerships, to increase the availability of accessible and barrier-free transportation for older adults and people with disabilities. Through open discussion, attendees will have an opportunity to share ideas and solutions to rural challenges.

Presenters:

	Laura Jane Ward-Strunin, Program Manager, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Laura Jane joined USAging in October 2024 as the Program Manager for the NADTC. She holds a masters degree in gerontology from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Her expertise includes contract and grant management, long term care, and caregiver supports.
	Celia Garcia, Chief Operating Officer, Project Amistad, El Paso, TX [biography] Celia Garcia is the Chief Operating Officer of Social Services Programs at Project Amistad a nonprofit agency based in El Paso Texas She has served as the lead for the 2024 Rural Community Innovation Transportation Planning grant. She holds a masters degree in business administration.
	Melissa Potter, Mobility Manager, Cortland County New York Planning Department, Cortland, NY [biography] Melissa Potter, MPH has been the Mobility Manager for Cortland County, New York since 2021. Prior to her current role, she served in roles as a public health educator. She has a bachelors degree in kinesiology and a masters degree in public health.
	Meredith Bratton, Program Associate, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Meredith Bratton joined USAging in May 2021 and the Transportation Team in September 2023 as the Program Associate for the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center. Meredith provides information technical assistance and documents about transportation options that meet the needs of older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.

W03) Lessons Learned and Observations for Community Care Hubs from the COE

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Interested in learning about community care hubs (CCHs)? Come to this session for a discussion about lessons learned and observations from USAging's Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care (COE) after our first year of work with grantees and a new cohort of CCHs in the 2025 National Learning Community.

Presenters:

	Robert Mapes, Vice President of Healthcare Integration and Innovation, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Robert Mapes, MSW, is the Vice President of Healthcare Integration and Innovation at AgeOptions, the AAA of suburban Cook County, IL. He leads the Illinois Pathways to Health Community Care Hub, Medicare and Medicaid training and Development and Communications teams.
	Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] More than 30 years of experience in managed care and social service organizational leadership and consulting. Experience includes: State Insurance Regulator, Managed Care Corporate Director, AAA Hub Executive Director, and 10+ years USAging, SUA, state AAA association and AAA consulting.
	Mark Humowiecki, General Counsel and Senior Director, National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs, Camden Coalition, Camden, NJ [biography] Mark Humowiecki is an attorney with nearly two decades of experience as an executive leader in state government and CBOs. He is the founding senior director of the Camden Coalition’s National Center for Complex Health and Social Needs initiative that seeks to build the field of complex care through convening,

W05) Transforming AAA Operations: Automation in Action

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Are repetitive tasks such as running reports or maintaining tracking sheets slowing your team down? Discover how a central Indiana Area Agency on Aging has used automation to transform their agency’s operations and enhance service delivery, empowering staff to focus on the individuals they serve rather than routine administrative tasks. The results? Improved data quality, faster response times, greater contract compliance and more. Learn how to leverage Power Automate—already included in your Microsoft 365 Office Suite—to enhance workflows with the tools you may already use, like Excel, Teams and SharePoint. This session will include a live demo and Q&A discussion, offering practical tips to implement these innovative solutions in your agency. Join this session to see how automation can help your team work smarter, not harder!

Presenter:

Rebecca Hailperin-Lausch, Lead Data Analyst, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]

W06) ACP Toolkit: Making Advance Care Planning Part of Your Service Portfolio

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation and sponsored by USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute and the Coalition to Transform Advanced Care, this interactive session will provide the background, best practices and brainstorming your Area Agency on Aging needs to develop or enhance your organization’s services to those with serious illness, with a particular focus on Advance Care Planning programs.

Presenters:

	Brian Lindberg, Senior Policy Advisor, C-TAC, Washington, DC [biography] Brian W. Lindberg is a Washington, DC-based advocate, policy educator, and lobbyist. He serves as a public policy advisor to aging, health care, and special needs advocacy organizations and as Executive Director of the Consumer Coalition for Quality Health Care.
	Torrie Fields, CEO & Founder, TFA Analytics, San Luis Obispo, CA [biography] Torrie Fields is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TFA Analytics and a Strategic Advisor for C-TAC. Fields’ experience has encompassed work as an economist and population health researcher in a variety of settings, including health plans, health delivery systems, and local and federal health departments.
	Lea Tessitore, Director of Strategy and Partnerships, TFA Analytics, San Luis Obispo, CA [biography] Lea develops and executes collaborative, market-oriented strategies between TFA and partner organizations including health care providers, health plans, non-profit organizations, foundations, and others. Through these partnerships, TFA can advance its mission of ensuring effective, high-quality, and affordable care for those living with complex and serious illness and their families.

W07) From Awareness to Action: Creating Working Partnerships on Homelessness

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Looking for a shortcut on how to launch a partnership to address older adults’ homelessness? Workshop participants will receive a brief orientation to homeless response systems, including key players, terms and funding. With that grounding, AgeOptions and its homeless Continuum of Care partner will detail how they started working together during the pandemic: How did the two organizations connect? What questions were helpful to ask each other? How did their organizations build trust over time? Participants also will learn about workarounds for challenges that can be encountered and lessons learned. During the open forum segment, participants will generate ideas for potential connection points between Area Agencies on Aging and homeless response systems in their own communities. Attendees will be given a handout with a list of actions and helpful resources.

Presenters:

	Molly French, Director, Housing and Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] For USAging, Molly advances housing stability by promoting cross-sector partnerships between the aging and disability networks and the health and housing sectors. Across her career, Molly has 20 years of experience in improving the health and well-being of older adults and populations that have been underserved.
	Jason Echols, Manager of Planning and Evaluation, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Jason joined AgeOptions in 2010 and has had multiple roles with the agency. He received his MSW degree from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Before getting his MSW, Jason worked at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Gero-Ed Center.
	Katie Eighan, Continuum of Care Planning Director, Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, Hillside, IL [biography] Katie Eighan is the Continuum of Care Planning Director at the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County. Since 2018, she has spearheaded initiatives to prevent and end homelessness, focusing on strategic planning, funding, and community-led decision-making. Katie earned her MS in MS in Political Science and Community Development.

W08) Facing the fear, Shame and Pain: Why Aren't We Talking About Dementia-ism?

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Learn about the convergence of late-life risk factors contributing to an epidemic of suicidality in older adults and why dementia-ism is at the center. Learn how Oregon's Older Adult Behavioral Health Initiative is challenging the negative narrative of dementia, and participate in a thoughtful discussion of our own values through mindful awareness, compassionate presence, patience and listening.

Presenter:

Kera Magarill, Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist, Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, Hillsboro, OR [biography]

W09) Engaging Underserved Communities Through the Promotion of Health Benefits Tours

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers one-on-one assistance, counseling and education to Medicare beneficiaries and caregivers to help them make informed decisions about their health benefits. The Arlington, VA, Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) launched a pilot program in 2022 to provide targeted outreach to communities with limited resources and individuals with limited English proficiency during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP). The pilot was so successful that it was continued for the 2023 and 2024 OEP and will be expanded in 2025. One tangible result was an increase of 15 percent more beneficiaries served whose primary languages are not English.

Presenter:

Michelle Thomas, Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program Coordinator, Arlington County Government, Area Agency on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography]

W10) Trends in Expanding Caregiver Services, Funding Sources and Health Care Contracts

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Need and demand for caregiver services and supports is increasing throughout the country. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are leveraging their expertise in developing and providing caregiver services to both expand sources of funding beyond the National Family Caregiver Support Program and to serve more caregivers. One such strategy is to provide caregiver services to health care entities through contractual arrangements. This session will 1) highlight trends in the types of caregiver supports and services offered by AAAs—such as support groups, training/education, information and referral, caregiver counseling, respite, access services and evidence-based programs; 2) describe how AAAs are funding their caregiver services; and 3) provide a case example of how contracting with a health care entity can provide AAAs with additional funding to serve more caregivers.

Presenters:

	Beth Blair, Senior Research Associate, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Beth Blair joined USAging in July 2017 as a Senior Research Associate. In this role, she supports the work of the Aging and Disability Business Institute, the Trailblazers Learning Collaborative, and the Capacity Building Initiative through survey development, data collection and analysis.
	Traci Wilson, Director, Research, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Traci Wilson is USAging's Director of Research. Her work tracks the trends and new directions in the Aging Network through National AAA and Title VI Program Surveys and is used to develop products and resources that members can use to enhance their organizational capacity.
	Kate Singer, Senior Research Associate, Scripps Gerontology Center, Miami University, Oxford, OH [biography] Kate Singer is a Senior Research Associate at Miami University. Her research interests include long-term services and supports, specifically for caregivers and older adults living with dementia.

W11) What Do WE Want? Data! When Do We Want It? Now!

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

This session will showcase data from National Core Indicators (NCI) on social isolation, community engagement and relationships for people with disabilities and older adults who use state-funded long-term services and supports (LTSS). We will describe what NCI data shows about social connections among older adults, older adults with physical disabilities and older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities relative to one another and their younger peers. We will also describe what the data shows us about how these social connection outcomes are connected to broader health and community living outcomes. The panel will discuss strategies for leveraging this data with various groups, including LTSS users and families, state policy makers and more.

Presenters:

	Rosa Plasencia, Director, NCI-Aging and Disabilities, ADvancing States, Arlington, VA [biography] Rosa Plasencia is the Director of NCI-AD at ADvancing States and also participates in work related to long term services and supports policy, equity initiatives, and No Wrong Door/ADRC. Prior to this role she worked in state government, as a Title III-B legal services provider, and with healthcare focused nonprofits.
	Lindsay DuBois, Research Associate, Human Services Research Institute, Elmhurst, IL [biography] Lindsay is driven by a passion for collaborative, inclusive research to promote equity and support people to thrive in their communities. Lindsay is particularly dedicated to working with disability service systems staff to identify opportunities for improving the quality of services.
	Stephanie Giordano, Policy Associate, Human Services Research Institute, Cambridge, MA [biography] Stephanie co-directs the National Core Indicators project. Stephanie's areas of expertise lie in survey implementation methodology and techniques (including population-specific techniques), surveyor training, quality assurance, stakeholder engagement, and user-friendly dissemination of information.

W12) We Can All Care Like WA Cares: A Model for LTSS Financing

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

Share in advocacy lessons learned from WA Cares, the first public long-term-care insurance trust in the nation. Many years in the making, the program launches to Washington State beneficiaries in 2026, financed by a statewide payroll tax. Learn how Area Agencies on Aging were integral to the legislation, design and collaborative advocacy to pass, improve and defend this new benefit that will protect Washington workers and reduce future Medicaid spending. WA Cares offers a wide range of benefits and aims to empower individuals to age with dignity and independence while alleviating the financial burden on families and the state. Working Washingtonians are now investing in their future care needs, ensuring a more secure and compassionate tomorrow for all.

Presenters:

	Nicole Kiddoo, Executive Director, Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging, Olympia, WA [biography] Nicole Kiddoo is the Executive Director of the Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging in Olympia WA. She has been serving in the aging and disability network since 2010. Nicole is the current board chair of the Washington Association of AAAs and is a current USAging board member, alternate.
	Cathy Knight, State Director, Washington Association of Area Agency on Aging, Olympia, WA [biography] Cathy Knight is the State Director for the Washington Association of Area Agencies on Aging (W4A), the collective voice for the 13 Area Agencies on Aging serving WA State.
	Lynn Kimball, Executive Director, Aging and Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington , Spokane, WA [biography] Lynn Kimball is the Executive Director of Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, which serves 5 counties in Northeastern Washington, and is the Legislative Committee Chair for W4A. Lynn currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of the USAging Board.

2:30 PM–3:30 PM

2:30 PM–3:30 PM Workshops

W13) Embracing the Shift: The Impact of Health Care Contracting on AAAs

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Join this session to learn about the impact of contracting on Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). AAAs and other community-based organizations and networks are increasingly contracting with health care entities to assess and address health-related social needs. This session will share new data from a qualitative study conducted in partnership with Scripps Gerontology Center. Participants in this session will hear insights from interviews with AAAs on the impacts of contracting on organizational culture and structure, data infrastructure and staffing. Presenters will share lessons learned on developing a business case, negotiating contracts, managing change and more that AAAs can use in their own contracting work. A AAA presenter will also speak to the impacts of contracting on their specific organization.

Presenters:

	Beth Blair, Senior Research Associate, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Beth Blair joined USAging in July 2017 as a Senior Research Associate. In this role, she supports the work of the Aging and Disability Business Institute, the Trailblazers Learning Collaborative, and the Capacity Building Initiative through survey development, data collection and analysis.
	Suzanne Kunkel, Senior Research Scholar, Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University, Oxford, OH [biography] Suzanne Kunkel, PhD is a Senior Research Scholar of the Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Her primary research focus is on planning for the healthcare needs for the older population, and the role of the aging network in health outcomes for older adults and for communities.
	Lisa Sheppard, CEO, Missoula Aging Services, Missoula, MT [biography] Lisa has more than two decades of leadership experience in the aging and disability fields. Prior to becoming CEO of Missoula Aging Services in 2022, she served for nine years as the director of another AAA in Montana where she also oversaw the county’s public transportation service.

W15) Community Care Corps: Volunteer Power Supporting Healthy Community Living

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Community Care Corps (C3) is a national, ACL-funded program that fosters innovative local models in which volunteers provide nonmedical assistance to family caregivers, older adults and adults with disabilities to maintain their independence at home. In this session, C3 partners will expound on program alignment with National Strategy priorities, present key evaluation findings and share video stories of caregivers supported by C3 models. Speakers will also share how grantees sustain their volunteer models to expand support to harder-to-reach populations, engage more community members and improve health outcomes. Join us to learn about tools that will help you explore how to tailor support, coordinate volunteer assistance and adapt resources for your community.

Presenters:

	Darya Rahbar, Program Manager, Caregiver Navigation Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] In her role as Program Manager at USAging, Darya provides technical assistance, conducts webinars and learning collaboratives, supports the development of new resources and evaluates project impact. Darya holds an MS in Aging and Health from Georgetown University.
	Sara Paige, Project Manager, Oasis Institute, St. Louis, MO [biography] Sara is the Project Manager for Community Care Corps and has been with Oasis for eight years. Prior, Sara was a Project Coordinator focusing on falls prevention programs in the St. Louis area and across Missouri. Sara has 30+ years of experience as an OT in numerous areas of care.
	Christian Flores, Program Manager, USAging, LOS ANGELES, CA [biography] Christian Flores joined USAging in May 2023 and is a Program Manager for the Community Care Corps (C3) initiative, supporting grantees in strengthening volunteer-based caregiving models for older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers.

W17) Rural Relevant Solutions: Innovative Partnerships and Outreach Strategies

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

Discover how organizations can reduce barriers to care in rural and frontier communities. Lutheran Services in America’s Rural Aging Action Network (RAAN) will share actionable steps for developing both traditional and nontraditional partnerships in rural and frontier communities, emphasizing an asset-based approach. Explore how RAAN leverages local community strengths to address social drivers of health in these unique regions. Additionally, USAging will provide insights into addressing rural health-related social needs identified by aging and disability community-based organizations. Learn effective marketing and outreach strategies and gain tips for using comprehensive and authentic imagery.

Presenters:

Jessica Machler, Senior Program Manager, Rural Health and Social Engagement, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Regan McManus, Director of Aging Initiatives, Lutheran Services in America, Washington, DC [biography]

W18) What Is Important to You? Integrating Goal Conversations Into Value-Based Care

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Since 2023, the National Committee for Quality Assurance, Connecticut Department of Social Services, and the UConn Center of Aging have been collaborating to implement the person-centered outcomes (PCO) measures in Connecticut’s Access Agencies for value-based payment purposes. The PCO measures assess goal identification, follow-up and achievement. We begin the workshop with an introduction to the PCO measures. With this foundation, we will discuss our experiences implementing the PCO approach, including clinician training, technical assistance and adapting the measures for use in Connecticut’s HIE to support sharing of an individual’s goals, provider services and support care coordination. Session attendees will learn how to successfully implement the PCO approach, measures, strategies and learnings on building PCO into clinical workflows for value-based care from a participating Access Agencies.

Presenters:

	Lauren Campbell, Applied Research Scientist, National Committee for Quality Assurance, North Grafton, MA [biography] Lauren J. Campbell, M.A., Ph.D. is a Research Scientist at NCQA. Dr. Campbell leads quality measure development and testing in the area of health care resource utilization. Her research focuses on quality measurement and public reporting, especially as they relate to post-acute and long-term care settings.
	Andy Mincey, Data Director, Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging, Bridgeport, CT [biography] Andy Mincey is the Data Director for the Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging. A clinician-turned-developer; they have worked alongside SWCAA and its sister organizations in Connecticut to build bespoke client management systems from Medicaid waiver programs to OAA Title-III grants management solutions.
	Bonnie Sutherland, Clinical Research Associate I, UConn Center on Aging, Farmington, CT [biography] Bonnie Sutherland is a Clinical Research Associate at the UConn Center on Aging with 14 years of experience in human services. Bonnie specializes in Quality Management and is responsible for training state workers and contracted agencies on the administration of the Connecticut Universal Assessment, assessment techniques and person-centered planning.

W19) Volunteer-Provided Transportation

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

In this session, we will discuss the importance of providing transportation to clients for medical appointments. Volunteers play a crucial role in ensuring that individuals with limited access to reliable transportation can still attend their essential medical appointments. We'll also highlight the impact of these services on the overall well-being of the clients and share success stories, including Errand Buddy experiences. In addition, preliminary findings from a NCHRP (National Cooperative Highway Research Program) study of volunteer driver programs will be shared.

Presenters:

	Laura Allen, Volunteer Coordinator, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Mason City, IA [biography] Laura Allen, Volunteer Coordinator for Elderbridge Agency on Aging, has a passion for serving others in the community. Being an advocate for her mom to stay in her home after a brain injury is something that has really driven Laura to continue to help others stay in their homes. Laura
	Sandra Jackson, COO, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Mason City, IA [biography] Sandra Jackson, COO of Elderbridge Agency on Aging, brings 35 years of human services experience. She oversees operations across 29 Iowa counties and leads data analytics. A Certified Resource Specialist and UNI Social Work graduate, she's recognized for leadership excellence as a Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award recipient.
	Carrie Diamond, Senior Director of Transportation and Mobility, Easterseals, Inc., Chicago, IL [biography] Carrie Diamond, Senior Director of Transportation and Mobility at Easterseals, is a Research Associate on the National Cooperative Highway Research Project on volunteer driver programs in rural areas. She also serves as co-director of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) and previously oversaw human services transportation in Wisconsin.

W20) New Approaches for Reaching Communities With Falls Prevention Activities

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Falls among older adults are common, and significant strides have been made in disseminating evidence-based falls prevention programs to reduce falls risk. However, these efforts are not reaching all communities. They can be challenging for organizations with limited capacity and resources to offer, they may not resonate with all populations, and they may not be sustainable for all organizations. To address these challenges, the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) Innovation Lab awarded 18 community-based organizations grants to test and demonstrate falls prevention activities that are associated with reducing falls risks in communities with limited resources. Learn about the grantees, their planned activities and the challenges they address. Come away with an understanding of the potential impact for Area Agencies on Aging to meet the needs of a variety of populations in their communities.

Presenters:

Shannon Skowronski, Aging Services Program Specialist, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC

Emily Nabors, Senior Program Specialist, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography]

W21) Aligning the Internal Systems of Your AAA: Mobilizing Engagement for Long-Term Planning

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Is your organization struggling to translate multisector plans into meaningful action for those you serve? Discover how one Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is modernizing its approach by implementing an Internal Systems Bureau. This innovative strategy has catalyzed broad services and high-quality programs for older adults. Learn how leadership spearheaded a multilevel planning effort and research agenda, aligning with the National Plan on Aging to craft a compelling vision for older adults. Through community engagement and data analysis, we identified critical concerns, including affordable housing, health services, transportation and ageism. Our strategic plan prioritizes access for populations with limited resources, aiming to create an age-friendly community where all older adults can thrive. Join us to unlock the potential of your AAA's internal systems and drive change.

Presenters:

	Hannah Hardy, Assistant Director, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburgh, PA [biography] Hannah E. Hardy is the Assistant Director for Aging Services at the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. She works across all programs at the agency to assure that we provide high quality services to older adults in Allegheny County.
	Kenya Brown, Executive Assistant, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburgh, PA [biography] Kenya is the Executive Assistant to the Director of the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging. She holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Business Administration. She has five years of social work experience. Kenya is dedicated to improving the quality of life for older adults.
	Michael Kroeker, Project Manager, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburgh, PA [biography] Michael is a Project Manager at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging. He brings a social work lens and public health lens to human services. Michael’s role as a Project Manager focuses on aligning internal systems, improving communications, creating programs, and process improvement.

W23) Transforming Dementia Care in Rural Communities: The Aroostook Memory Center

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Outreach alone is insufficient. Engaging with family caregivers requires a cognitive effort to ensure they receive the health and human services they need to thrive and prevent burnout and maladaptive coping strategies during caregiving. This session highlights some creative approaches from grant projects that were funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living’s (ACL) Administration on Aging and which were dedicated to providing essential services for all family caregivers and recipients.

Presenters:

Chris Beaulieu, Director of Home Care & Nutrition Services, Aroostook Agency on Aging, Presque Isle, ME [biography]

Vi Belanger, Manager of Memory Center, Aroostook Agency on Aging, Presque Isle, ME [biography]

W24) Community Care Hub Collaboration: Joining Forces in a Competitive Landscape

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Taking this proverb to heart, AgeOptions’ Illinois Pathways to Health Community Care Hub, in partnership with the Coordinated Care Alliance and Rush University Medical Center, have built a collaboration between networks, including health care institutions and Area Agencies on Aging, to integrate care and improve quality of life for older adults. Hear from leaders of these organizations about big questions they had to ask to align efforts and build on each other’s strengths, as well as lessons learned in this process. Attendees will gain insight into best practices for fostering such partnerships, the impact on health outcomes for older adults and how these collaborations can be replicated in other communities.

Presenters:

	Robert Mapes, Vice President of Healthcare Integration and Innovation, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Robert Mapes, MSW, is the Vice President of Healthcare Integration and Innovation at AgeOptions, the AAA of suburban Cook County, IL. He leads the Illinois Pathways to Health Community Care Hub, Medicare and Medicaid training and Development and Communications teams.
	Bailey Huffman, Executive Director, Coordinated Care Alliance, Chicago, IL [biography] Bailey Huffman is Executive Director of the Coordinated Care Alliance. Bailey leads the organization in advancing opportunities for the CCA member network organizations, presenting the value of community-based organizations serving older adults and their caregivers. She advocates for more integration of these organizations into health and social care systems.
	Robyn Golden, Chairperson, Department of Social Work, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL [biography] Robyn Golden serves as the Associate Vice President of Social Work and Community Health and Chair of the Department of Social Work at Rush University Medical Center.

4:00 PM–5:30 PM

4:00 PM–5:30 PM General Sessions

GS01) Ensuring That People Living With Dementia Can Live, Engage and Thrive!

Focus Area: Plenary - N/A

The 50th USAging Conference will open in song! The Good Memories Choir, composed of people living with dementia and their care partners, will fill the room and our hearts with the power of music to ignite memories, connections and joy. People living with dementia are a key, critical and growing client base for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Aging Programs. This session focuses on the emerging and innovative roles that your agencies play in valuing and supporting people living with dementia through the lens of an expert dementia researcher, a AAA director at the forefront of Dementia Friendly America and an individual living with dementia and their care partner. Find out what we can all do to ensure people living with dementia can live, engage and thrive!

Sponsored by Mom's Meals

Presenters:

	Deborah Stone-Walls, Chief, Programs and Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Deborah Stone-Walls joined USAging in 2021 as the Chief, Programs and Services. She oversees the association’s programs that help its Area Agency on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Program members support older adults and people with disabilities as they live independently in the communities of their choosing.
	Dawn Simonson, President and CEO, Trellis, Arden Hills, MN [biography] Dawn Simonson is the President and CEO of Trellis. Dawn champions organizational vision and provides strategic leadership resulting in services and programs that benefit older adults and their families in the Twin Cities region and throughout Minnesota. With deep experience in the field of aging, healthcare, and advocacy.
	Sandy Markwood, CEO, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] As the CEO of USAging, Sandy Markwood is committed to ensuring that our society values and supports people across the lifespan. This commitment has taken many forms, including advocacy with multiple administrations and on Capitol Hill for the passage of legislation aimed at supporting older adults, including access to critical information, in-home services and caregiver support.
	Susan Frick, Social Worker, Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL [biography] Susan Frick, LMSW, has worked in the field of Alzheimer’s disease since 1987 and at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center since 1997. She coordinates dementia specific training programs and co-coordinates Dementia Friendly and Dementia Friends in Illinois. Susan received her master’s degree in social work from Loyola University of Chicago.
	Sandy Siegel Miller, Co-Founder and Good Memories Program Director, Sounds Good Choir, NFP, Chicago, IL [biography] Clinical psychologist Rev. Dr. Sandy Siegel Miller has been in private practice in the western suburbs of Chicago for more than 30 years. The “keeper of the culture” at Sounds Good Choir, Sandy is the guiding spirit of the organization’s programs for people with memory loss and their care partners.
	Jonathan Miller, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Sounds Good Choir, NFP, Chicago, IL [biography] Jon started in choral music in the Chicago Children’s Choir (now Uniting Voices Chicago). In 1993 he founded the virtuoso ensemble Chicago a cappella, serving as its artistic director for 27 years. Jon leads the conducting team and both the Sounds Good Choirs and the Good Memories Choir.
	Bruce Calder, Good Memories Singer, Good Memories Choir, Chicago, IL [biography] Bruce is a Good Memories singer with memory loss. Bruce holds a PhD and was a university professor, researcher and author. He is married to Elspeth Revere and has three adult children and four grandchildren. Bruce retired in 2010. He now gardens, creates ceramics - and sings.
	Elspeth Revere, Caregiver, Good Memories Choir, Chicago, IL [biography] Elspeth is the wife and care partner of Bruce Calder. Her career included being a city planner and working at nonprofit groups including the Woodstock Institute and the MacArthur Foundation. After retiring, she became a nonprofit consultant. In addition, she cooks, bakes, reads fiction, and helps Bruce enjoy his life.

5:30 PM–7:00 PM

Welcome Reception in the Tradeshow

Monday, July 21

6:30 AM–7:30 AM

20th Annual Early Bird Walk

7:30 AM–5:00 PM

Registration and Information Desk Open

7:30 AM–8:30 AM

Networking Refreshments in the Tradeshow

8:30 AM–10:00 AM

10:00 AM–10:30 AM

Networking Break in the Tradeshow

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

10:30 AM–11:30 AM Workshops

W25) Live from DC: A Federal Aging Policy Update

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

Advocacy is a critical part of our shared mission to support older adults and caregivers. To support Aging Network advocates, USAging's policy staff will expand upon our 2025 Policy Priorities and provide an in-depth, real-time update about breaking aging and health care policy issues that will affect your clients and community. Get the latest updates on the new Congress and Administration, OAA reauthorization, appropriations, Medicaid HCBS, caregiver policies, key advocacy messages and what you can do NOW to advance better federal aging policy! Session is appropriate for all levels of policy knowledge.

Presenters:

Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Olivia Umoren, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

W26) Celebrating 50 Over 60: Amplifying the Voices of Older Adults to Address Ageism

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Ageism directed at older adults results in poorer physical and mental health, social isolation and an overall decrease in the quality of life. Among the greatest champions against ageism are older adults themselves, who are making meaningful impacts on their communities through advocacy, education, multigenerational efforts and volunteerism. This session will focus on how one Area Agency on Aging launched a multiyear campaign to combat ageism by amplifying the voices of older adults, starting with a monthly “Aging Unbound” highlight of older adults who are role models in the community, culminating in a regional “50 Over 60” list and fundraising event. Join us to learn how to replicate this awareness campaign while also increasing your development efforts to secure meaningful resources.

Presenters:

	Jennifer Raymond, Chief Strategy Officer, AgeSpan, Lawrence, MA [biography] Jennifer is an experienced strategic thinker, coalition builder, and change leader. Driven by the desire to create healthy communities for all, she takes pride in aligning social missions with business acumen, providing the best approaches to sustainability possible. As Chief Strategy Officer, she builds cross-sector partnerships, creates shared alignment around
	Melissa Donegan, Director, Healthy Living Center of Excellence, AgeSpan, Lawrence, MA [biography] Melissa Donegan is the Director of the Healthy Living Center of Excellence (HLCE) at AgeSpan. Melissa assists in the overall management and dissemination of healthy living evidence-based programs in clinical and community settings across the state of Massachusetts.
	Joan Hatem-Roy, Chief Executive Officer, AgeSpan, Lawrence, MA [biography] Joan has worked in the aging services network for more than 35 years, improving the lives of older adults and their families across Massachusetts. As Chief Executive Officer, she is passionate about advancing collaborations with healthcare systems to address the social determinants of health. She is a licensed independent clinical

W27) Transformative Innovations in Health Care Contracting and Partnerships

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

The winners of The John A. Hartford Foundation 2024 Business Innovation Award, Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging (SARCOA), Allegheny DHS Area Agency on Aging, and ArtWorks will discuss their innovative partnerships and contracting models addressing health-related social needs and positively transforming the lives of older adults and people with disabilities in communities with limited resources. These national award winners will share the strategic planning, partnership building and evaluation processes they used to successfully improve the quality of life for these people. Presenters will share examples, outcomes and case studies, engaging the audience in discussions and allowing time for audience questions.

Presenters:

	Kathie Garbe, Senior Program Manager, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Senior Program Manager, Aging and Disability Business Institute, Dr. Garbe is the Editor of the BI Update and contributes to and manages projects at USAging and the Business Institute. Kathie holds a BS in Health and Physical Education, MS in Health Education and Ph.D. in Health Studies.
	Jane Carmody, Senior Program Officer, The John A. Hartford Foundation, New York, NY [biography] Senior Program Officer, The John A. Hartford Foundation, Dr. Carmody supports grants in three priority areas: Age-Friendly Health Systems, Family Caregiving, and Serious Illness and End of Life. Jane has a Doctor of Nursing Practice, MBA, BS. in Social Work, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
	Rainna Bernesser, Director of Special Services and Strategic Planning Bureau, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging, Pittsburgh, PA [biography] Rainna Bernesser, MSW, MPA is the force behind Allegheny County's Care Transitions Program as a leader in quality performance. She has built and continues to refine an effective and forward-thinking process improvement for CCTP. Rainna has 19 years’ experience working with AAA.
	Dave Crocker, Director Community Care, Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging, Dothan, AL [biography] Later
	Yumi Shirai, Director, ArtWorks, and Associate Professor, University of Arizona, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tucson, AZ [biography] tba

W29) Center for Dementia Respite Innovation

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

The Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) is leading the way in advancing dementia care by funding innovative respite care projects nationwide. Through a five-year initiative, CDRI will award $20 million in competitive grants to expand access to and enhance the delivery of dementia care, focusing on innovation, collaboration, accessibility, affordability and sustainability. This session will provide an overview of the U.S. Administration for Community Living’s strategic aims for respite services in dementia care, highlight innovative approaches from current awardees, and offer key insights into eligibility criteria and opportunities for upcoming grant cycles. Participants will leave equipped with knowledge to leverage these grants and contribute to the future of respite care.

Presenters:

	Sara Maloney, Program Director, Commit to Connect, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Sara Maloney is the Director of the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation and Caregiver Navigation Services at USAging. Since 2022, she has led national initiatives to expand vaccine access, innovate respite care solutions and strengthen caregiver support. Prior to USAging, Sara administered Older Americans Act programs in the Charlotte, NC, region. She holds degrees in psychology and gerontology from UNC Charlotte and an M.P.A. from UNC Chapel Hill.
	Erin Long, Aging Services Program Specialist, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography] Coming soon
	Isabella Marini, Associate Director, Alzheimer’s Association Center for Dementia Respite Innovation , Chicago, IL [biography] Isabella Marini is the Associate Director of the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation at the Alzheimer’s Association. Isabella holds a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit administration from Cleveland State University and is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in business administration and healthcare administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

W30) Striving for Sustainability: The Tale of Two CCHs

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

This interactive session will focus on how organizations that offer health and social care can integrate with the medical care system, addressing both the opportunities and the challenges. Consultant Tim McNeill will share pathways that Area Agencies on Aging, community care hubs (CCHs), and community-based organizations can take to achieve a sustainable business model. Two different CCHs will share their efforts to achieve sustainability: Western NY Integrated Care Network and Oregon Wellness Network. They will discuss how the 1115 Waiver is being implemented in their state and how they each adapted to an ever-changing landscape. Finally, we will break out into small groups and walk through the use of a financial readiness tool that organizations can use to test their own sustainability.

Presenters:

	Timothy McNeill, Founder and COO, Freedmen's Health, Washington, DC [biography] Timothy McNeill, Co-Chair of the Partnership to Align Social Care and a member of its Coordinating Committee, is founder of Freedmen’s Health, a healthcare consulting firm specializing in implementation of innovative models of care. He has led consultation services for the Administration for Community Living, various foundations and national non-profits.
	Nikki Kmicinski, Executive Director, Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, Inc., Buffalo, NY [biography] Executive Director Western New York integrated Care Collaborative, Nikki is leading a Community Care Hub for a regional network which includes AAAs, ILCs and CBOs committed to improving health in Western NY. Nikki obtained her Bachelor and Masters degrees at Rochester Institute of Technology and is a Registered Dietitian.
	Lavinia Goto, Operations Manager, Oregon Wellness Network , Salem, OR [biography] Lavinia has spent the last 7 years developing a community care hub for health and wellness service providers and community-based organizations (CBOs) in Oregon. Lavinia is a RN with doctoral degree in health care administration; she is diabetes educator (CDCES) and a student of global health.

W31) Building Bridges: Creating Partnerships to Connect and Support Unique Older Adult Communities

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

As the population of older adults grows more dissimilar, collaborative efforts are essential to meeting their needs. The Training and Health Equity Collaborative at the University of California-San Francisco supports different aging communities through multidisciplinary trainings. This interactive session will feature a panel with representatives from an Area Agency on Aging, a nonprofit serving older adults from a broad range of communities, and a health care training organization. Attendees will explore strategies to serve different populations, implement trauma-informed provider training and access local and national training resources. Stories from older adults engaged in advocacy will illustrate the impact of these approaches. Participants will also receive an organizational assessment tool to help identify community engagement strategies, address training needs and innovate services to better support unique aging communities.

Presenters:

	JB Del Rosario, Project Manager, Training and Health Equity Collaborative, San Francisco, CA [biography] I am a public health professional with years of experience in research, community engagement, and individual/organizational capacity building. I focus on implementing trainings to support diverse elders and their caregivers.
	Erica TeKampe, Program Director, Area Agency on Aging/HIV Care Directions, Phoenix, AZ [biography] Erica TeKampe is the Program Director of HIV Care Directions at the Phoenix Area Agency on Aging. She has thirty years of experience serving people living with and affected by HIV.
	Liz Stumm, Director, Shanti Project, San Francisco, CA [biography] Liz Stumm is the Director of HIV Programs at Shanti Project. Shanti is a pioneering nonprofit that builds human connections to reduce isolation, enhance health and well-being, and improve quality of life.

W32) What's Cooking With Virtual Healthy Habits

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Serve up our sizzling nutrition program to your participants! Virtual Healthy Habits is on its way to becoming evidence-based and may be the perfect program to round out your health-related workshops. This virtual program, which offers two sessions per week for five weeks, has proven to be highly effective in increasing nutrition knowledge, improving healthy eating habits and creating social connections. In addition to short nutrition education sessions, participants prepare and enjoy their own healthy meals! Recipes have been created by registered dietitian Brooke Huber and meet all the nutritional guidelines for older adults. The research study results and anecdotes tell a compelling story about how Virtual Healthy Habits makes a lasting and positive impact on the lives of those who participate in the program.

Presenters:

	Matthew Lee Smith, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [biography] Dr. Matthew Lee Smith is an associate professor in the Texas A&M School of Public Health. As an evaluator and interventionist, his research addresses health risk across the life-course and the uptake of evidence-based solutions for older adults. Dr. Smith’s translational work bridges research and practice issues across sectors.
	Juliet Simone, Chief Program Officer, The Oasis Institute, Saint Louis, MO [biography] Juliet Simone, MPH, MBA is Chief Program Officer for The Oasis Institute. She oversees and directs lifelong learning and health program offerings at St. Louis Oasis that are funded through grants and fees-for-service. She leads a team of professionals, participates in the strategic planning of the organization and business
	Brooke Huber, Registered Dietician, Aging Ahead, Saint Louis, MO [biography] Brooke Huber is a registered and licensed dietitian with Aging Ahead, where she finds public education, recipe building, and nutrition counseling to be most fulfilling. She holds a master’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences from the University of Central Arkansas and has experience in inpatient care, outpatient counseling, and

W33) The Power of Your Voice: Mastering Communication for Advocacy, Fundraising and Branding

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Effective communication is at the heart of every successful Area Agency on Aging. Whether you’re advocating for policy change, engaging donors or strengthening community partnerships, the way you present your message matters. This session will explore communication strategies at the individual, organizational and relationship levels to enhance advocacy efforts, improve fundraising outcomes and build a compelling agency brand. Attendees will gain practical skills in public speaking, storytelling and strategic messaging to elevate their agency’s visibility and impact.

Presenters:

	Randi Keesee, Vice President of Development, Peninsula Agency on Aging, Newport News, VA [biography] Randi Keesee, Vice President of Development for Peninsula Agency on Aging, is an advocate for aging issues and champion for ensuring people have the best supports to age well in their communities. Randi holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an emphasis on Marketing from College of Saint Mary’s.
	Joy Barresi Saucier, Executive Director, Aroostook Agency on Aging, Presque Isle, ME [biography] Joy Barresi Saucier, RN, MHA, FACHE is the Executive Director of the Aroostook Agency on Aging, a non-profit serving Aroostook County, Maine. She also serves as the President of the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging (M4A).
	Megan Walton, CEO, Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging, Portland, ME [biography] Megan Walton has served as CEO of Southern Maine Agency on Aging (SMAA), located in Portland, Maine, since 2019. Prior to joining SMAA, Walton worked as the COO for Amara, a Seattle nonprofit that supports children and families experiencing foster care.

W34) Turning Numbers Into Impact: How Kinship Data Unlocks Better Outcomes

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

A deeper dive into how the Exemplary Designated Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Kinship Navigator Program uses program performance measures to drive better outcomes for kinship and grandfamilies. Learn which program evaluation and survey tools are used to obtain data for reporting program performance measures and caregiver satisfaction. Find out how initial assessment and follow-up increases the caregiver’s awareness of community resources. Learn how educational programming, including evidence-based Child Traumatic Stress Workshops and Wellness Initiative for Senior Education, ties into improved outcomes for caregivers. Explore a myriad of outreach activities across sectors and how cultivating community partnerships and increasing community awareness has a positive impact on kinship and grandfamilies and reduces the likelihood of children being placed in the foster care system.

Presenters:

Arcelia Armstrong, Director, Caregiver Support and Kinship Navigator Programs, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]

Marsha Rose, Kinship Navigator Program Supervisor, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]

11:30 AM–1:00 PM

State Grassroots Coordinators Luncheon (by invitation only)

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Workshops

W38) Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) Super Scams

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

The SMP program is on the frontlines of fraud. The presentation will include new variations on common schemes, such as hospice, home health and durable medical equipment, and unique emerging trends such as urinary catheters and care management scams. Trend information will include geographic and statistical analysis, including the method of contact and percent change trends in specific categories. It will include information on remote patient monitoring and how this trend is mingling with other service types. New medical identity theft strategies will be discussed, including a fascinating look at the social engineering tradecraft used by criminals to convince beneficiaries to provide their personal health information and recent red flag indicators that scammers are building and sharing identity theft portfolios.

Presenters:

Jennifer Trussell, Fraud Prevention Consultant, Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center, Knoxville, TN [biography]

Nicole Liebau, SMP Resource Center Strategic Partnership and Engagement Director, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Waterloo, IA [biography]

W39) The Buzz on Hubs: Creating a Swarm Around Your CCH

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

What’s all the buzzBUZZ about? Community cCare Hhubs (CCHs) are emerging as the preferred way to pollinate social service contracts. Creating a buzz is essential to attract the swarm of partners needed to execute social care in the community. Fly into this session, and get a view from inside the hive of a developing CCH! Learn how each member of the colony plays a critical role in creating the sweetest and most high-quality honey, which that draws the attention of payors and provides sustainability to the Queen, (aka: Thethe Area Agency on Aging AAA). ReceiveDevelop a better understanding of the structure of the honeycomb and how each core function contributes to a fully supported CCHHUB that acts as the central place for “buzzness” to occur.

Presenters:

Ljudmila Burchfield, Senior Vice President, Compliance, Legal Affairs, Data Protection and Privacy, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, Uniontown, OH [biography]

Jessica Bader, Quality Improvement Manager, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, Uniontown, OH [biography]

W41) The Supportive Housing Model: Highlighting the Massachusetts Approach of Wraparound Care

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

This interactive workshop will provide a background on the national Supportive Housing Model, including the history and legislation that drove the generation of the model, with a lens to the fluidity and flexibility of how the model has been implemented state to state. Leveraging the expertise of two industry leaders involved in Housing Programming currently focused in the greater Boston area of Massachusetts, the workshop will use real-life information and examples of the impact of a wraparound approach to residential services. This includes the importance of collaboration between key stakeholders, such as supportive living coordinators, housing authorities and property management companies. The role of evidence-based practices and data collection will be an undercurrent of this presentation, sharing statistics and outcomes data of the Supportive Housing Model.

Presenters:

	Jesse Edsell-Vetter, Director of Impact and Community Care, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography] Jesse is a long-time non-profit professional with experience in program development, curriculum development, training facilitation, fundraising, and data. Throughout their career, Jesse has focused on developing innovate programs to address housing instability among vulnerable populations.
	Jeffrey Clement, Manager of Housing Programs, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography] Jeffrey is the Manager of Housing at Somerville Cambridge Elder Services and has supported the implementation, development and growth of the Supportive Housing Model of the organization. With a background in the public housing and congregate realms, Jeffrey is an emerging leader and subject matter expert in this space.
	Jess Colangelo, Chief Operating Officer, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Bolton, MA [biography] Jess is an LICSW / MBA with over 15 years experience in social and healthcare management. Having worked in the for and non-profit sectors across public and private sectors, Jess has extensive experience in the value and risk-based care model spaces focusing on preventative holistic care interventions.

W42) Engage, Connect and Act—Become A Dementia Friend Today!

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

There are more than six million Americans age 65 and older who live with Alzheimer’s today. This number is projected to double by 2050, excluding individuals under 65 and/or with other forms of dementia. A Dementia Friend is someone who will be able to recognize, respond to and support a person living with dementia. Dementia Friends USA is a global movement that is changing the way people think, act and talk about dementia. With an understanding of dementia and its effects on an individual, YOU can take action and impact the lives of people living with dementia. In this session, you will learn about dementia, engagement and communication tips, Dementia Friends’ Five Key Messages and how to bring Dementia Friends to your community.

Presenter:

Jennifer Hammer, Assistant Director, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

W43) Engaging Older Adults From Communities With Limited Resources: Strategies for Comprehensive Outreach

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

The Older Adults’ Equity Collaborative (OAEC), supported by the U.S. Administration for Community Living, brings together six organizations dedicated to providing culturally responsive resources for older adults from communities facing challenges with limited resources. This session will explore practical strategies developed by the OAEC to enhance outreach and engagement efforts tailored to cultural, linguistic and social needs. Attendees will learn about innovative approaches, success stories and actionable insights. Through interactive discussion and shared tools, this session aims to empower Aging Network professionals to design more welcoming and respectful outreach strategies.

Presenters:

Sumithra Murthy, Visiting Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL [biography]

Mansha Mirza, Professor, University of Illinois Chicago, College of Applied Health Sciences, Chicago, IL [biography]

W44) A New Approach to Improve Clinical Mental Health for Older Adults

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

How can your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) make great progress towards solving several tough but vitally important needs at one time? Join us to find out how our AAA worked with Council on Aging Directors and other nonprofit community organizations to design and fund a program to improve behavioral health and social connectivity for older adults by providing direct access to counseling and other supports at local senior and community centers. The vision of our group, South Shore Elder Mental Health Consortium, was to remove barriers towards better mental health. Ultimately, we found that embedding students working toward their graduate degree in social work at our local centers yielded amazing and surprising results! Come find out how this model could work for you!

Presenter:

David Klein, Administrator, Agency on Aging, Old Colony Planning Council, Brockton, MA [biography]

W45) Navigating Demand: Prioritizing Home-Delivered Meal Participants Effectively

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

The Elder Nutrition Program (ENP) is experiencing rising demand, necessitating universal and efficient service delivery. To address this, the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources developed the “Right Meal & Services for You” process, which applies the “Screen, Assess, and Intervene” methodology alongside a “Tiers of Service” framework. This approach effectively allocates resources by identifying and prioritizing individuals with the greatest need. This model promotes sustainability by tailoring services to client needs while also improving outcomes for vulnerable populations. Attendees will leave with a link to a toolkit containing materials to prioritize meals, avoid or manage waitlists and pivot to person-centered planning

Presenter:

Pamela VanKampen, OAA Consultant/Nutrition Specialist/Senior Center Representative, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Chippewa Falls, WI [biography]

W46) Workshop

W47) The Way Home: Unhoused Older Adults

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Homelessness among older adults is increasing across the country. Partnerships that bridge the continuum of housing and aging services are critical to addressing the unique needs of older adults and providing them with the necessary supports to live independently in the community of their choice. It’s important for communities and policy makers to understand the need and challenges, explore what is working and outline where we want to go in the future. This workshop will focus on building coalitions to effectively leverage resources and expertise that ultimately help enhance housing stability for older adults, assist older adults to exit homelessness and receive coordinated services and supports, and provide a way home for unhoused older adults.

Presenters:

	Rachel Coates, Bureau Director, Aging & Disability Services Division, Arlington County Department of Human Services, Arlington, VA [biography] Rachel Coates serves as Bureau Director for Arlington County’s Aging and Disability Services. She has been with the division since 2011, first with Adult Services/Adult Protective Services, then the Agency on Aging. Ms. Coates has nearly 20 years' experience in the field of aging.
	Maimoona Bah, Division Director, Aging & Disability Services Division, Arlington County Department of Human Services, Arlington, VA [biography] Maimoona Bah leads the Aging & Disability Services Division in Arlington County serving nearly 5,000 customers in community and behavioral healthcare clinical and supportive services. Maimoona is a passionate leader and Licensed Clinical Social Worker with two decades of social work experience in the field of aging.
	Nicole Dula, Housing Bureau Director, Arlington County Department of Human Services, Arlington, VA [biography] Nicole Dula, Housing Bureau Director for Arlington County’s Department of Human Services, leads housing advocacy, policy development, and program integration. Nicole oversees the County’s housing choice voucher program, permanent supportive housing, local housing grants, homeless services, and real estate tax relief for homeowners, ensuring affordable housing for vulnerable community residents.

W48) Building Legal Supports for Chicago’s Most Vulnerable: LTC Residents Facing Involuntary Discharge

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

An ongoing phenomenon in Chicago and across the United States is long-term-care (LTC) facilities’ use of involuntary discharge as a mechanism to remove residents. This practice has continued to disadvantage the most vulnerable and to be a grave concern for residents, their families and the communities where they live. This workshop details Chicago’s work to bolster their LTC Ombudsman program with Title III-B Legal Services to more fully fight and represent LTC residents against this practice. Combining individual case studies, discussion of existing laws and protections and ongoing advocacy, this workshop presents attendees with an opportunity to learn more about how this program was created and has been integrated into Area Agency on Aging services to more fully meet the needs of Chicago’s LTC population.

Presenters:

	Karen Kolb, Manager of Family and Support Programs, Chicago's Area Agency on Aging and Division of Family and Support Services, Chicago, IL [biography] Karen is the Manager of Chicago’s AAA and the Senior Services Division where she administers a broad portfolio of in-home supports, advocacy, and legal programs. A Gerontologist by training, Karen holds a Master of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and is a Registered Financial Gerontologist.
	Bernard Cobbins, Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman, City of Chicago Area Agency on Aging and Senior Services Division, Chicago, IL [biography] Bernard is Regional Long Term Care Ombudsman for Chicago’s Senior Services Division where he leads a team overseeing 159 facilities representing over 20,000 residents. He serves as President of Illinois’ Association of LTC Ombudsman and is an Elder Abuse trainer. He holds a MA from Northeastern Illinois University.
	Suzanne Courtheoux, Director, Long Term Care Practice Group, Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago, IL [biography] Suzanne Courtheoux is Director of the Long-Term Care Group at Legal Aid Chicago. Since 2013, Suzanne has advocated for LTC residents on a range of issues including involuntary discharge hearings and Medicaid appeals. Suzanne earned her bachelor’s at Yale University and her law degree at University of Chicago.

2:00 PM–3:00 PM

Networking Break in the Tradeshow

3:00 PM–3:30 PM

3:00 PM–3:30 PM Fast-Track Sessions

FT02) Facilitating Advocacy and Leadership Skills Development in Older Adults

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

Older adults and family caregivers are eager to be involved in advocacy, but the world of public policy is overwhelming and fraught with ever-changing information and players. Area Agencies on Aging are the drivers of empowering older adults to build the advocacy and leadership skills necessary to engage in the policy space. Through training, roleplaying exercises and peer-to-peer discussion, advocacy skills can be nurtured in even the most timid of potential advocates. By building up a base of engaged, excited advocates, your agency will have capacity to flexibly respond to urgent issues and develop long-range strategic planning on policy issues impacting older adults and family caregivers in your area.

Presenter:

Emily Petersen, Advocacy & Policy Manager, Milwaukee County Area Agency on Aging, Milwaukee, WI [biography]

FT03) Surprising Providers: Who’s Behind Your Next Bite?

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging serves 18 mostly rural counties, providing meals to older adults. When our primary meal provider raised prices by 11–18 percent, we explored alternatives. Initially, we considered frozen meals for rural congregate sites, but consumer feedback led us to local, unconventional providers offering fresher, higher quality meals at lower costs. This solution has been a win-win—better meals, lower prices and support for local providers. In a recent survey of congregate consumers, 69 percent of consumers rated the meals as “good,” and 97 percent reported improved health. Join us for an interactive session to learn how to identify local providers, develop action plans and improve your meal program to achieve higher consumer satisfaction and lower costs.

Presenters:

Janet Buls, Director of Nutrition Services, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Waterloo, IA [biography]

Anna Williams, Nutrition Team Lead Meals, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Waterloo, IA [biography]

FT04) From Homelessness to Hope: Housing and Care Solution For Those Who Served

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

In Massachusetts, the median monthly cost of assisted living facilities (ALFs) is $7,120—nearly three times the average monthly income of a veteran entering the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) homeless programs in the same state. To address this, the VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program offers older veterans experiencing homelessness in Massachusetts access to ALFs by partnering with the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), a national nonprofit model of health care. Through this collaboration, HUD-VASH provides housing vouchers, while PACE covers care costs at one of their contracted ALFs. This partnership creates an affordable, supportive living option with comprehensive care that would otherwise be inaccessible and unaffordable for some of our nation’s most vulnerable heroes.

Presenters:

Anh Nguyen, HUD-VASH Geriatric Coordinator, Department of Veterans Affairs, Boston, MA [biography]

Kerry Conlon, Senior Community Relations, Marketing Specialist, Harbor Health, Elder Service Plan, Mattapan, MA [biography]

FT05) We HEART Aging: A Discussion on Seattle's Citywide Anti-Ageism Training

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Creating an age-friendly city requires fostering a culture that celebrates aging and seamlessly addresses the needs of older adults. Join us to learn about the anti-ageism training we produced for City of Seattle staff, aimed at reducing ageist bias and integrating aging considerations into all aspects of city work. We’ll also discuss the next iteration we have launched, which is publicly available to the community at large. We'll share the genesis of these trainings, the topics included, lessons learned and the impact we've seen—and will leave time to share audience insights and experience around similar efforts to change the way we all think about aging.

Presenters:

Mary Pearson, Aging & Disability Services Director, Seattle-King County Area Agency on Aging, Seattle, WA [biography]

Andrea Yip, Planning Manager, Aging and Disability Services (Seattle-King County), Seattle, WA [biography]

FT06) National Caregiver Strategy Updates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Minority Health and CMS Office of Program Operations & Local Engagement partnered with NORC at the University of Chicago to identify gaps in caregiver resources and guide improvements. Recently, CMS hosted a series of listening sessions with caregivers, officials, advocacy groups and care facility staff to explore caregiving challenges, disparities and best practices. The sessions focused on local, state and national caregiving issues. Key findings highlighted challenges in caregiver identification, respite, service access, training, workforce, coordination and funding. Two main themes were care transitions and cultural competence. CMS used these insights to create eight policy and program recommendations to better support family caregivers. CMS will present the findings and progress towards filling the gaps for this critical population.

Presenters:

	Catherine Leonis, Special Assistant, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Chicago, IL [biography] Catherine Leonis has worked at the state, local and federal levels of government as well as the corporate sector in health policy. Ms. Leonis has an extensive background in Medicaid policy and program administration.
	Thomas Bane, Special Assistant, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, New York, NY [biography] Thomas Bane, PhD, LMSW is trained as a social worker and qualitative researcher. He began his federal career with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Presidential Management Fellow, and he currently is the Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator in New York.

FT07) Empowering Seniors as Grassroots Advocates in Communities With Limited Resources

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

The Senior Ambassador Program trains older adults to act as trusted advocates in their communities, sharing critical resources with seniors, caregivers and people with disabilities. Available in five languages, this grassroots initiative has trained more than 500 ambassadors, creating a model for reaching underserved populations and improving access to aging services.

Presenters:

Angela Richardson, Chief of Staff, DC Department of Aging and Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]

Charon P.W. Hines, Director, DC Departmant of Aging and Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]

FT08) TRIAD: An Entertaining, Engaging, and Modern Approach to Safety and Well-Being

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

What is TRIAD? TRIAD is a collaborative effort that unites law enforcement, social services organizations and older adults to provide education on various topics of interest, particularly emphasizing the prevention of fraud and scams in a unique and fun way. In this engaging session, participants will discover the essence of TRIAD, explore its significant influence on the safety and well-being of older adults, find out how to actively participate in existing TRIAD initiatives and learn the steps to establish a new TRIAD in their own communities.

Presenters:

Samaria Epps, Aging & Disability Rights Coordinator, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, Lombard, IL [biography]

Glenda Love, Equity, Justice & Advocacy Supervisor, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, Lombard, IL [biography]

FT09) Cultural Humility Elder Justice: Collaborative Approaches to Elder Abuse in Tribal Communities

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

This workshop will delve into the complexities of elder abuse within tribal communities, emphasizing the need for cultural awareness and sensitivity. Participants will explore culturally and trauma-informed responses that prioritize the dignity and well-being of indigenous elders. The session will also highlight the importance of cultural humility in elder abuse interventions and the role of a coordinated community response. By showcasing effective collaborations between Adult Protective Services, Area Agencies on Aging, and tribal communities, this workshop will provide attendees with best practices and strategies for building respectful, culturally responsive partnerships. Participants will leave with the tools needed to recognize and address elder abuse in ways that honor tribal values and strengthen support systems for indigenous elders.

Presenter:

Peggy Jo Archer, Director of Elder Justice Projects, The International Association for Indigenous Aging , Silver Spring, MD [biography]

FT10) Empowering Family Caregivers: A Comprehensive Approach to Enhancing Patient Care and Outcomes

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

More than 75 percent of caregiving is provided by family and friends, yet they often lack support. In 2020, 41.8 million Americans provided unpaid care to adults over age 50, nearly 17 percent of the U.S. adult population. Duke Health supports caregivers by integrating caregiver support referrals into EPIC, the nation’s largest electronic medical record system, making these referrals part of clinical interventions. This is further supported through educational events, media and advocacy. This session will explore the benefits of involving caregivers in patient care, addressing both care and outcomes. Participants will learn how health care organizations can collaborate with community partners, including our Area Agencies on Aging, to develop programs that improve care delivery through family and friends, assist with care transitions and reduce preventable hospitalizations.

Presenters:

Nicole Clagett, Director of Caregiver Support and Community Development, Duke Health, Durham, NC [biography]

Cooper Linton, Co-Founder, Integra Strategies, Chapel Hill, NC [biography]

FT11) Tax Deferral Options to Address Housing Challenges

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

The goal of this session is to inform attendees about the successful partnership between the Berks County Agency on Aging (AAA) and the county’s tax claim office. The presenter will share strategies on how this collaboration has enabled the AAA to assist individuals at risk of losing their homes due to tax sales. Through this program, both the AAA and the tax claim office can refer older adults who may qualify for assistance. The AAA case manager's role is to meet with individuals who are unable to complete the application process on their own. This partnership has helped the AAA identify older adults at risk of losing their property, thereby reducing their risk of homelessness and evaluating their overall situation to connect them with necessary services.

Presenter:

Kathleen Catchmark, Deputy Director, Berks County Area Agency on Aging, Reading, PA [biography]

3:45 PM–4:15 PM

3:45 PM–4:15 PM Fast-Track Sessions

FT14) Fast-Track

FT15) DIY NCQA Certification: The Successful Experience of Two AAAs

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

As National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) accreditation becomes increasingly crucial for demonstrating quality long-term-care services and positive outcomes, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) face a significant challenge: determining the most effective approach to achieve this certification. Two rural AAAs will share lessons learned from successfully navigating the NCQA accreditation process for multiple programs without relying on external consultants. Attendees will gain valuable insights into NCQA vocabulary and terminology, which often differs from standard waiver language. We will delve into practical strategies for organizing the implementation process, including developing timelines, identifying gaps in current practices, creating essential supporting documentation, leveraging existing resources and building effective teams.

Presenters:

Deborah Danner-Gulley, Director of Case Management Services, Ohio Area Agency on Aging, District 7, Wheelersburg, OH [biography]

Beth Fryman, VP of Medicaid Services, Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Ontario, OH [biography]

FT17) Unlocking Potential: Engaging and Retaining Older Workers

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

This presentation explores strategies for effectively engaging and retaining an aging workforce at an Area Agency on Aging. We will discuss the benefits of creating an age-friendly workplace, including increased employee engagement, improved productivity and enhanced organizational diversity. We will also delve into practical strategies for implementing age-friendly policies and programs, such as flexible work arrangements, skills development opportunities and mentoring programs. Additionally, we will discuss how to overcome common challenges in recruiting and retaining experienced employees. By the end of this presentation, attendees will have a better understanding of how to create a more welcoming and productive workplace for all ages. There will be a Q&A at the end of the session, and attendees will be provided with a handout and digital tools.

Presenters:

	Marla Fronczak, CEO, AgeGuide Northeastern IL, Lombard, IL [biography] Marla Fronczak is the CEO of AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois. She has a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management. Marla is the President of the Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging (I4A) and a member of the Milken Institute Alliance to Improve Dementia Care.
	Jeri Colucy, Director of Operations, Finance & Human Resources, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, Lombard, IL [biography] A highly skilled AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois Director that is seasoned in Performance Management, Leadership Development, and Age Friendly initiatives. Combatting work shortages with effective strategies with stage of life hiring and being an age-friendly workplace. Serving on the Advisory Council for HR Source and an AARP Job Pledge Member.
	Brian Kaskie, Professor, Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA [biography] Dr. Brian Kaskie is a professor of health policy at the University of Iowa specializing in gerontology. Their research focuses on the intersection of population aging with expertise in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act. Dr. Kaskie works with AgeGuide on the initiative of AgeFriendly Awareness in Illinois.

FT18) FlourishCare-Enhanced (FC-E): Advancing Age and Dementia-Friendly Health Care in Kentucky

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Join us for an engaging session on FlourishCare-Enhanced (FC-E), an innovative initiative driving positive outcomes and improved transitions of care for older adults across rural and urban settings in Kentucky. FC-E features the co-location of a social worker at the grantee site and the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) working in primary care and hospital settings to revolutionize care through unique, person-centered, age- and dementia-friendly approaches. Participants will explore this team-based approach centered on the 4 Ms Framework (Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility). The session will highlight our results to date and our partnerships with AAAs, state organizations and educational institutions to strengthen geriatric workforce development and support community health initiatives. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights into this opportunity for advancing age-friendly care and partnerships with health care.

Presenters:

Barbara Gordon, Director of Community Engagement, University of Louisville Trager Institute, Louisville, KY [biography]

Jessica Elkin, Director of Social Services, Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Agency Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living, Louisville, KY [biography]

FT19) Tools for Navigating Faith-Based Conversations with Black Americans Facing Terminal Illness

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

How do cultural perspectives on faith and spirituality shape end-of-life care for Black Americans with serious illness? This session provides practical strategies and tools to help providers engage in meaningful, culturally informed conversations about advanced care planning and hospice. Drawing from recent research, attendees will explore how faith, resilience and spiritual beliefs influence decisions about a "good death." Through case studies and actionable insights, participants will learn how to bridge cultural gaps and foster trust, ensuring that care aligns with the values and traditions of Black American patients and their families.

Presenter:

Chaka Brittain, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner & Assistant Professor of Nursing, University of North Florida, Boonton, FL [biography]

FT20) Changing Aging Attitudes: Tackling Ageism in Ourselves, Others and Systems of Care

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Beliefs about aging impact our systems of care, how we treat each other and, most importantly, our own health and lifespan. Learn about "Aging Attitudes," a community campaign in Oregon to 1) create awareness of ageism and its impact, 2) train systems of care to identify and address structural ageism and 3) empower older adults and community of all ages to discover and celebrate that aging is LIVING!

Presenters:

Kera Magarill, Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist, Washington County Disability, Aging and Veteran Services, Hillsboro, OR [biography]

Andy Wallace, Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist, Washington County Behavioral Health, Hillsboro, OR [biography]

FT21) Engaging Your Advisory Council: Strategies for Recruitment, Retention, and Impact

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

The Advisory Council (AC) is sometimes considered the Area Agency on Aging’s eyes and ears. With lived experience and local knowledge, Council members have unique and valuable insights on the changing needs of the community. Attendees will learn best practices for recruiting different AC members who bring valuable expertise and perspectives. The session will also cover techniques to maintain engagement and connection and explore the importance of clear communication to encourage collaboration. Additionally, the session will delve into effective meeting structures, including how to design productive and purposeful meetings involving staff and volunteers that promote member participation. Whether you're starting a new AC or seeking to rejuvenate an existing one, this session will provide actionable insights to strengthen your AC’s leadership and impact.

Presenters:

Molly Hofer, Chair, Advisory Council, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]

Andrew Teitelman, Vice Chair, Advisory Council, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]

FT22) Enhancing Your Caregiver Support Program With Community Partnerships

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Community partners are the backbone of impactful caregiving programs—we can't do it alone! This session explores how to effectively engage, utilize and maintain strong partnerships that benefit everyone involved. Learn how to recruit passionate, like-minded collaborators, foster mutual support and create a shared sense of purpose. With insights on setting clear expectations, nurturing relationships through tough times and knowing when to part ways gracefully, you’ll gain practical strategies to build a dynamic network. Discover how to make these connections meaningful and lasting, whether you’re seeking event sponsors, support group facilitators or coalition members. Join us to ensure your partnerships aren’t just productive—they’re transformative.

Presenter:

Geri Lehnardt, Caregiver Program Coordinator and Case Manager, Mountainland Association of Governments Aging & Family Services, Orem, UT [biography]

FT24) Integrating Health and Social Care in Rural Communities

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

This session will showcase community care hubs (CCHs) that link community-based organizations with health care partners to advance culturally relevant initiatives to improve health outcomes and care coordination within rural, frontier and tribal communities. Learn more about efforts to build the capacity of social and health care providers to reach remote areas and address the unmet needs of underserved populations. In this session, the Partnership to Align Social Care and USAging will share gaps and needs identified and potential opportunities to improve the integration of social and health care in rural and tribal communities. The session will feature existing and forthcoming resources and support for social and health care networks.

Presenters:

Jessica Machler, Senior Program Manager, Rural Health and Social Engagement, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Jeremiah Silguero, Senior Manager, Partnership to Align Social Care, San Fernando, CA [biography]

4:30 PM–5:00 PM

4:30 PM–5:00 PM Fast-Track Sessions

FT25) Reframing Aging: Through the Lens of Ethical Artificial Intelligence

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

AI ageism is caused by AI algorithmic discrimination, which leads to the unfair treatment of older adults. AI ageism broadens the AI physical digital divide. AI systems should be developed from a human/user-centric approach with the consideration of older adults embedded in their design. Attendees will develop an understanding of this issue and potential solutions so they can advocate effectively to policymakers that AI regulations, laws and policies must ensure that ethics are clearly identified to strengthen AI’s safety as well as assurance of universality for older adults.

Presenters:

Cynthia McNellis, Consultant, New Jersey Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Egg Harbor Township, NJ [biography]

Eric Fisher, AAA Executive Director, NJ Gloucester County Division of Senior Services, West Deptford, NJ [biography]

FT26) How to Move from Good to Great—Consumer Satisfaction Surveys

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Discover the transformative power of consumer satisfaction surveys to enhance business growth and service quality. Learn the survey process, leverage data for staff improvement, and align with National Committee for Quality Assurance metrics, driving your organization from “good” to “great” with actionable insights and strategic adjustments.

Presenters:

Heesoo Kim, Managing Director, Hana Research Group, Norristown, PA [biography]

Nita Bring-Mazurek, Director of Community and Waiver Services, Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging, Cleveland, OH [biography]

FT27) Kinship/Grandfamilies: Legal Issues, Options and Solutions

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Nationwide, more than two million relatives raise children whose biological parents are unavailable. Collectively, these families are often called “kinship families” or “grandfamilies,” and those raising the children are known as “kin caregivers.” Research shows that kin caregivers and children benefit from being in these families. Even so, kinship/grandfamilies face legal challenges unknown to parent-headed families. Unlike parents, kin caregivers do not automatically possess legal relationships with the children they raise, frequently causing issues when enrolling children in school or making health care decisions. Legal options exist. However, laws vary, and the cost of these options can be prohibitive—especially for low-income kinship/grandfamilies. Workshop attendees will hear about these legal challenges and options, the impact of foster care and the Indian Child Welfare Act, potential community partners and funders.

Presenters:

Leland Kiang, Program Manager, Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Kylee Kern, Technical Assistance Specialist, Generations United, Washington, DC [biography]

FT28) Going Your Way: End-of-Life Documentary and Toolkit for Events

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Engage in sensitive conversations around end-of-life issues inspired by the PBS documentary Going Your Way. Going Your Way focuses on the personal, medical and spiritual issues surrounding end-of-life decisions, the options available and steps that can be taken to put those wishes to practical use. The documentary’s title highlights the active role many people are not taking to ensure their death goes according to their own plans. End-of-life planning doesn’t have to be painful. Attendees will learn from the experts and people who have stories to share about preparing for life and death in the documentary.

Presenters:

Juliet Simone, Chief Program Officer, The Oasis Institute, Saint Louis, MO [biography]

Jim Kircherr, Executive Producer, Nine PBS, Saint Louis, MO [biography]

FT29) Help Shape the Future of AAA-Health Care Contracting!

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

The world of health care contracting and health systems integration is changing, and Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are changing along with it. USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute (Business Institute) is here to help you successfully negotiate those changes whether you’ve been engaged in health care contracting work for years or are just beginning your contracting journey. As we consider the future of the Business Institute, come to this session for a fast-paced interactive discussion about your AAA’s training and technical assistance needs in this space and how we can best support you and your networks in getting and keeping health care contracts.

Presenters:

Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

FT30) Building Connections: IA2's Healthy Brain Initiatives and Resources for Indigenous Communities

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

The International Association for Indigenous Aging (IA²) is a nonprofit committed to supporting the brain health and aging needs of American Indian, Alaska Native (AI/AN) and Native Hawaiian (NH) populations. This presentation will showcase IA²’s culturally centered process for adapting public health resources, such as Healthy Brain Initiative materials, to align with AI/AN/NH values and traditions. We will also share best practices for engaging with indigenous communities, including honoring sovereignty, fostering reciprocal relationships and integrating community input and indigenous knowledge into program development. Attendees will gain insights into IA²’s approach to creating impactful, culturally relevant resources and learn strategies for respectful, effective collaboration with AI/AN/NH communities.

Presenters:

Ron Eppes, Director of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Projects, International Association for Indigenous Aging, Guthrie, OK [biography]

Breana Dorame, Tribal Public Health and Aging Senior Associate, International Association for Indigenous Aging, Costa Mesa, CA [biography]

FT31) Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: How Evidence-Based Health Programs Create Connection

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Once simply considered a sad circumstance, loneliness and social isolation are now recognized as public health concerns—an epidemic, in fact. Join us for an informative overview of loneliness and isolation definitions and community health impact. We will then explore effective solutions to increase connections, including maximizing impactful and easy-to-implement strategies and programs that have multiple levels of health benefits.

Presenters:

Angie Sullivan, OAA Consultant–Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc., Madison, WI [biography]

Jill Renken, Executive Director, WI Institute for Healthy Aging, Madison, WI [biography]

FT33) Fast-Track

FT34) Igniting the Spark: Elevating BIPOC Leaders in Aging

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

This session will explore the powerful impact of mentorship and sponsorship on individuals and organizations. Hear firsthand from American Society on Aging RISE alumni about their transformative journey and how the program equipped them to lead in the aging field. Gain valuable insights from RISE funder The John A. Hartford Foundation about the critical role of these programs in fostering a welcoming and respectful workforce. Engage in an interactive conversation with our speakers and fellow attendees to discuss the importance of prioritizing fairness through intentional staff development, creating opportunities for growth and advancement through sponsorship, and leveraging both formal and informal mentorships. This session is designed for professionals who are passionate about fostering a more welcoming, fair and engaged aging field.

Presenters:

	Rani Snyder, Vice President, Program, The John A. Hartford Foundation, New York, NY [biography] Rani E. Snyder, MPA, is Vice President, Program at The John A. Hartford Foundation. Ms. Snyder has over 25 years of experience working with preeminent health care institutions across the nation improving the care of older adults and maximizing resources to improve health care broadly.
	Cristina Diaz, Manager of Community Programs, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Cristina works as AgeOptions Manager of Community Programs overseeing the Caregiver, Nutrition and Aging with Pride Programs and other special projects. Cristina holds a master's in public health (MPH).

FT35) How to Rock Long Distance Caregiving

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Families are often spread out across cities, states and even countries. What are the strategies to best handle a remote caregiving situation? Elizabeth Miller, founder of Happy Healthy Caregiver, will share personal remote caregiving stories and weave in suggested solutions that have worked for her or her clients. She’ll share technological options that help caregivers be present when they can’t be physically present and offer tips for how to create an emergency plan and stay organized. This session informs primary caregivers of the types of help that can be requested of their support care team members and for support caregivers to understand better how they can best support their care recipient and the primary caregiver.

Presenter:

Elizabeth Miller, Certified Caregiving Consultant, Certified Senior Advisor and Founder, Happy Healthy Caregiver, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, GA [biography]

Tuesday, July 22

7:30 AM–5:30 PM

Registration and Information Desk Open

7:30 AM–8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

Networking Breakfast for New Directors (by invitation only)

8:30 AM–10:00 AM

10:00 AM–10:30 AM

Break on Your Own

10:30 AM–12:30 PM

Mobile Workshops

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

10:30 AM–11:30 AM Roundtables

RT03) Innovative Partnerships to Provide Transportation in Rural, Frontier and Tribal Communities

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Join the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center staff for an exciting discussion on how organizations are building innovative partnerships to overcome transportation challenges in rural, frontier and tribal communities. Learn about the common barriers faced by rural Area Agencies on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Programs in delivering transportation. Explore creative funding sources, interventions and partnerships to enhance transportation access for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. Gain insight into best practices, success stories and lessons learned. Connect with peers to share ideas and solutions that ensure effective, accessible and reliable transportation for geographically isolated communities.

Presenters:

	David Somers, Senior Research Associate, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Dave Somers writes and produces publications and communications on accessible transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.
	Melissa Gray, Assistant Director, Transportation, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Melissa Gray is a nonprofit leader and visionary changemaker dedicated to driving meaningful impact at the intersection of strategic leadership and aging services With 15 years of experience in aging programs she provides strategic oversight and program leadership to ensure accessible transportation solutions for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
	Jessica Machler, Senior Program Manager, Rural Health and Social Engagement, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Jessica Machler serves as the Senior Program Manager of Rural Health and Social Engagement at USAging. In this position, she supports the implementation of USAging’s rural health initiatives to improve social connection for older adults and integrate health and social care in rural communities.

10:30 AM–11:30 AM

Caregiving Community Expo

10:30 AM–11:30 AM Workshops

W52) Bridging the Gap: A Toolkit for Strengthening AAA Relationships With Health Care Systems

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

As health care systems prioritize age-friendly care, they increasingly seek partnerships with community-based organizations to improve outcomes. However, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and health care entities often operate in silos, limiting collaboration and leaving health care providers unaware of valuable resources for older patients. This session introduces a toolkit designed to help bridge the community-health system gap by fostering strong community-clinic linkages and positioning AAAs as valuable health care partners. The toolkit offers practical strategies for outreach, follow-up, quality improvement and referral facilitation. These strategies can help AAAs address key challenges, such as increasing visibility and fostering collaboration. Participants will learn how to use the toolkit to develop and enhance sustainable partnerships, ensuring AAAs play a central role in improving care for older adults.

Presenters:

	Breanne Swanson, Community Services Senior Supervisor, Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington, Vancouver, WA [biography] Breanne combines a Master's in Experimental Psychology with over 12 years of experience at the AAA. She is a fierce advocate for older adults who thrives on strengthening healthcare partnerships and championing resources that help people age in place with dignity and independence.
	Felicia Sanchez, Programs Manager, Southeast Washington Aging & Long Term Care, Yakima, WA [biography] Felicia is a AAA Program Manager with a bachelors in Psychology from the University of Washington. Felicia has worked in healthcare for over twenty years in various capacities as a patient educator, advocate, and provider. Felicia’s focus at the AAA is to assist staff, clients, and providers with quality resources.
	Johnica Castro, Primary Care Liaison, Southeast Washington Aging & Long Term Care, Yakima, WA [biography] As a Primary Care Liaison at Southeast Washington Aging & Long Term Care, Johnica’s focus is on bridging the gap between community-based resources and health care. She strives to bring awareness of local resources to the health care systems to support the aging population in living stronger and healthier lives.

W53) Investing in Excellence: Launching Your Agency's Own Leadership Training Initiative

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Staff from Bay Aging and Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging (AAA) will detail their approaches to leadership development across their staff at all organizational levels, which resulted in trainings tailored to the needs of their agencies. Learn about the various strategies you can utilize when envisioning and executing internal training programs for your own staff, as well as the lasting benefits of investing in future leadership to your staff, your AAA and the Aging Network!

Presenters:

	Stephanie Hudgins, Director, Administration & Operations, Bay Aging, Urbanna, VA [biography] Director of Administration and Operations with 7 years of dedicated service to the aging community. Skilled in strategic planning, program development, and human resources. Passionate about improving the quality of life for older adults through efficient operations and innovative programs.
	MaDena DuChemin, Director, Human Resources, Bay Aging, Urbanna, VA [biography] B.S. in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and over 30 years’ experience. She is dual-certified in human resources. She believes everyone should “bring their A game” to work. Bring all your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences with you to be better today than yesterday.
	Kyle Sanchez, Planning Manager, Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging, Olympia, WA [biography] Kyle has a master’s in public administration with a focus on nonprofit management from the University of North Florida. In 2023 he joined Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging as ADRC Supervisor and moved to the Planning Manager role in 2024. He started his career in aging at ElderSource in 2020.

W55) Innovative, Replicable, and Effective Ways to Reach and Engage Older AAPI/Chinese Americans

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

Government agencies, nonprofit service providers and the private sector often feel that Chinese-American and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elders have been hard to reach due to language, cultural and other barriers that may prevent them from accessing adequate health, financial and information services. This workshop will share how Happy 50 Plus (Happy50) Foundation, a community-based nonprofit organization in California, has successfully reached and constantly engaged with more than 12,000 Chinese Americans age 50 and older and their family caregivers. Happy50 will share engagement strategies that are impactful, cost effective and replicable: 1) learn how to leverage in-language traditional and social media to reach your target audience; 2) understand how to leverage diverse community leaders, influencers, business partners and academia to raise awareness of local resources and programs; and 3) apply powerful culturally and language-appropriate tools to attract Chinese elders.

Presenters:

	Susan Wang, CFO, Happy 50 Plus Foundation, El Monte, CA [biography] Susan held various leadership roles at AARP ITS department and has more than 30 years of experience in the planning, development, and implementation of strategic initiatives aimed at achieving social impact and membership goals in target markets.
	Amanda Lee, CEO and Co-Founder, Happy 50 Plus Foundation, El Monte, CA [biography] Amanda Lee is a social innovator, cultural visionary, and leading authority on ethnic media. She co-founded Happy50Plus in 2018--a socially mission and consumer-centric free membership organization that helps the underserved Chinese-American/AAPI 50+ population in the U.S. to receive language-relevant information and resources.
	Lily Liu, Advisor, Happy 50 Plus Foundation, Washington, DC [biography] Lily Liu is a corporate communications professional with expertise in public outreach and specializes in corporate storytelling For more than two decades Lily worked at AARP most recently serving as AARPs Corporate Story Brand Manager. Prior to that, she was AARP's historian and archivist.

W57) Leveraging Libraries: Enhancing Social and Cognitive Well-Being for Older Adults

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

This session will highlight the important role libraries can assume within the Aging Network through successful partnerships and program implementation. This session will also explore Wits Workout, a peer-reviewed, pilot-tested brain health resource designed for leaders facilitating programs for older adults. The program is built on research showing that intellectual engagement and social connectedness significantly impact brain health. Wits Workout offers structured activities to engage older adults intellectually while fostering meaningful social connections through sustained group participation. We will also explore the brain health benefits of supporting a program promoting social engagement integrated with cognitive stimulation. Libraries make excellent partners within the Aging Network, as they provide accessible, welcoming spaces for community engagement.

Presenters:

Molly Hofer, Chair, Advisory Council, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]

Laona Fleischer, Program Specialist, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]

W58) The 3-C’s Framework of a Statewide AAA Association: Communication, Collaboration, and Coordination

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

The core key takeaways of this workshop, through an interdependent approach, will enable session participants to incorporate the 3Cs framework model to enhance relationships between their state Area Agencies on Aging and offer building blocks to strengthen relationships with their State Units on Aging, the U.S. Administration for Community Living and federal and local representatives who ultimately advance policy for aging well. This session will provide successful examples and interactive exercises for building a local association or building on existing association relationships.

Presenters:

	Maureen Bergeron, Executive Director, Senior and Disabled Services, Camden County, Blackwood, NJ [biography] Maureen Bergeron is the Director of Senior & Disabled Services in Camden County. She has over 30 years of experience in government and is responsible for providing the overall management for the Division. She is responsible for adhering to the Older American’s Act’s laws and regulations.
	Cynthia McNellis, Consultant, New Jersey Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Egg Harbor Township, NJ [biography] Cynthia has her Master’s in Public Policy. Recently retired, she was the Executive Director of the Atlantic County AAA in New Jersey, with 30 years’ experience in older adult services. Presently, she is the Advocacy Consultant for the NJ AAA State Association, promoting advocacy to all New Jersey older adults.
	Maria La Face, Director, Office of Senior Services, Ocean County Office of Senior Services, Toms River, NJ [biography] Maria La Face was appointed to the position of Director of the Ocean County Office of Senior Services on August 1, 2018, focusing her advocacy efforts on the rights of older adults in Ocean County in accessing services, allowing them to live independently in their homes and communities.

W59) Engaging Care Partners in Adaptations of the Home-Based CAPABLE Program

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Johns Hopkins completed two studies/pilot tests of two enhancements focused on caregivers and on people with mild cognitive impairment. These enhancements are being woven into the evidence-based home visit program, Community Aging in Place Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE), which builds functional health and reduces depression among older adults. The enhanced program could strengthen the tie between caregiver counseling and support services offered by Area Agencies on Aging with the local/regional CAPABLE program site. Likewise, there are opportunities to connect with local Alzheimer’s Association services to support individuals facing memory loss and their families.

Presenters:

Deborah Paone, Director of Implementation & Evaluation–CAPABLE, Johns Hopkins and the CAPABLE National Center, Denver, CO [biography]

Sherry Wright, Program Administrator, Area Agency on Aging of the Capital Area, Austin, TX [biography]

W60) One Path to Building a Critical Partnership Between AAAs and SUAs

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

The Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) recognize the importance of a positive relationship between the two most important organizations critical to providing services to older adults. The newly appointed director of the Illinois Department on Aging and the president of the Illinois Association of AAAs will share the story of growing and enhancing the AAA–State Unit on Aging (SUA) partnership. Attendees will hear our story and gain insights that may improve their partnerships. This session will illustrate methods of connecting AAAs and SUAs to focus on the positive aspects of our work. Learn how we build stronger rapport through respectful communication to build trust and how we are working to focus on overarching mutual goals as a team.

Presenters:

Diane Slezak, President and CEO, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]

Mary Killough, Acting Director, Illinois Department on Aging, Chicago, IL [biography]

W61) Integrated Care Boot Camp, Part 1: Where Are Health Plans Going in 2025, and Why?

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

In this session, we will discuss the complex challenges and pressures that health plans are experiencing, which drive their business decisions. By understanding these pressures and challenges, Area Agencies on Aging can better identify their own areas of expertise to market to health plans to help achieve their goals for their members. Key factors discussed include federal actions, such as sunsetting financial alignment initiatives and conversion to Special Needs Plan models; expected focus on nutrition and health-related social needs; oversight activities and health plan ratings (e.g., audits, Star ratings); and state Medicaid agency involvement in plan development (such as target populations or key metrics).

Presenter:

Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

W62) APS Integrated Care Services (ICS) Program in Collaboration With AAA Service Providers

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

The Adult Protective Services (APS) Integrated Care Services (ICS) Program is a $1.5 million contracted collaboration between Los Angeles County APS, Area Agencies on Aging’s service providers and community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide long-term case management to APS clients. Once the APS social worker has resolved the client’s immediate safety concerns, the APS case can be referred to a CBO. The CBO initiates case management services by assisting our APS clients with a person-centered approach, obtaining and maintaining adequate health care, nutrition, financial stability and housing. Through ICS, APS clients receive assistance with various and instrumental activities of daily living. This support includes home safety modifications, minor house repairs, hoarding clean-up, purchase of adaptive and mobility devices, respite care for caregivers and efforts to prevent social isolation.

Presenter:

Adrian Garcia, Human Services Administrator I, Los Angeles County Aging and Disabilities Department, Los Angeles, CA [biography]

11:30 AM–1:00 PM

Lunch on Your Own

1:00 PM–5:00 PM

Technology Lab

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Roundtables

RT04) Caregiver Navigation: Paving a Strategic Roadmap for the Future

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Join USAging for this dynamic discussion to help chart the path forward for Caregiver Navigation in Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Caregiver Support Programs across the country. USAging received the Caregiver Navigation Services grant in 2024 to enhance the capacity of YOUR agencies to provide vital caregiver navigation. We need your input to ensure that the future of Older American Act-funded caregiver navigation is not only based on what you do, but will best support your work in the future. Come prepared to delve into challenges, share solutions and identify opportunities for enhancement. This is your chance to contribute to the strategic roadmap for the future and provide direct input regarding how you want to shape the future of caregiver navigation in AAAs and Title VI agencies.

Presenters:

	Deborah Stone-Walls, Chief, Programs and Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Deborah Stone-Walls joined USAging in 2021 as the Chief, Programs and Services. She oversees the association’s programs that help its Area Agency on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Program members support older adults and people with disabilities as they live independently in the communities of their choosing.
	Sara Maloney, Program Director, Commit to Connect, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Sara Maloney is the Director of the Center for Dementia Respite Innovation and Caregiver Navigation Services at USAging. Since 2022, she has led national initiatives to expand vaccine access, innovate respite care solutions and strengthen caregiver support. Prior to USAging, Sara administered Older Americans Act programs in the Charlotte, NC, region. She holds degrees in psychology and gerontology from UNC Charlotte and an M.P.A. from UNC Chapel Hill.
	Zachary Trammel, Program Manager, Caregiver Navigation Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Zach Trammel is the Program Manager for Caregiver Navigation Services. In his role, Zach supports research and program initiatives aimed at enhancing navigation support for caregivers under the Older Americans Act Title II-E and Title VI-C. Prior to his current role, Zach supervised the national Eldercare Locator, connecting older adults, families and caregivers to critical resources. Zach has 10 years of experience in helping individuals navigate services. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human services from Queens University of Charlotte and is an InformUSA-certified Community Resource Specialist (CRS-A/D).

1:00 PM–2:00 PM

1:00 PM–2:00 PM Workshops

W63) Integrated Care Boot Camp, Part 2: Preparing Your AAA to Partner With Health Plans in 2025

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Come to this session to learn the “what” and the “how” for Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in forming successful partnerships and contracts with health plans. AAAs bring deep localized knowledge of the populations they serve and the provider networks they support to their relationships with health plans. We’ll discuss the ways your AAA can better leverage your capabilities in developing partnerships with health plans, including your ability to co-design operational models and your in-depth knowledge of the clients you serve, and how you can strengthen systems for staff and provider training, information sharing, workflow development and reporting/tracking to prepare for future partnerships.

Presenter:

Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

W64) Strength in Numbers: Tips for Joining Coalitions to Prevent Falls

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Falls among older adults are common, but not inevitable. Effective prevention stems from coordinated efforts across various stakeholders. Joining a state falls prevention coalition can help your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) reduce the risk of falls in your community; further, it can lead to new partnerships and opportunities to support your work. Come explore the ins, outs and benefits of coalition participation. Learn about coalitions’ state/local initiatives, including recently awarded coalition grants in 12 states. Hear from both the Illinois Falls Prevention Coalition lead about AAAs’ contributions to their statewide efforts and from a AAA on their experiences and advice to peers on getting involved. Come away with a plan to get involved with a falls prevention coalition in your area to better meet your community’s needs.

Presenters:

	Robert Mapes, Vice President of Healthcare Integration and Innovation, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Robert Mapes, MSW, is the Vice President of Healthcare Integration and Innovation at AgeOptions, the AAA of suburban Cook County, IL. He leads the Illinois Pathways to Health Community Care Hub, Medicare and Medicaid training and Development and Communications teams.
	Emily Nabors, Senior Program Specialist, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography] Emily Nabors is a Senior Program Specialist at the National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging. She works to increase access to falls prevention services for older adults and people with disabilities. She has a Master of Science degree in Gerontology from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.
	Elizabeth Peterson, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Director, Illinois Falls Prevention Coalition, and Clinical Professor, Director of Profession Education, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL [biography] Dr. Peterson’s research over the past 30+ years has focused on falls/fear of falling epidemiology, measurement, and interventions for older adults and people living with MS. She has contributed to fall prevention initiatives led by the AOTA, the NCOA and the AGS/BGS. She is a Fellow of the AOTA.

W66) Aging and HIV: Bridging the Gap in Services and Support

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

This interactive workshop introduces aging services providers to the intersection of HIV and aging—an often overlooked but critical issue. Participants will first explore the basics of HIV and aging, then hear a powerful personal story from someone living with HIV, offering insight into the unique challenges faced by older people living with or vulnerable to HIV. The session also highlights an Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Arizona that is demonstrating how local agencies can address the distinct needs of older people with HIV, along with a AAA in Illinois that is providing HIV prevention services. Participants will also learn about key HIV and aging resources available to their communities. Through interactive polls, practical insights and open dialogue, attendees will gain foundational knowledge and actionable strategies to enhance services, advocate for change and leverage community resources to better support older people living with or vulnerable to HIV.

Presenters:

	Carolyn Austin, Chief Executive Officer, AgeLinc, Springfield, IL [biography] Carolyn Austin is the Chief Executive Officer for AgeLinc/Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland located in Springfield Illinois. She is passionate about providing programs and services to both racial and ethnic minorities, and the LGBTQ community, and has implemented new programs to better serve these communities.
	Jeff Berry, Executive Director, The Reunion Project, Chicago, IL [biography] Jeff Berry is executive director and co-founder of The Reunion Project, the alliance of long-term survivors of HIV. Most recently Berry served as chief editorial officer at TPAN, having served as editor of Positively Aware magazine from 2005–2022. He resides in Chicago, Illinois with his husband Stephen
	Erica TeKampe, Program Director, Area Agency on Aging/HIV Care Directions, Phoenix, AZ [biography] Erica TeKampe is the Program Director of HIV Care Directions at the Phoenix Area Agency on Aging. She has thirty years of experience serving people living with and affected by HIV.
	Sanford E. Gaylord, Senior Lead Consultant, Gaylord Consulting, LLC, Chicago, IL [biography] Sanford E. Gaylord, founder of Gaylord Consulting, LLC, is a public health and administration expert with 20+ years’ experience. He’s a skilled strategist, facilitator, and Emmy-nominated producer for HIV and the Journey Toward Zero, created with the Chicago Department of Public Health.

W67) Innovative Solutions to Prevent and Address Homelessness

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Phoenix, where the housing crisis has had a devastating impact due to a housing shortage and high cost of rent, created the Homeless Prevention & Intervention Program (HIP). Through HIP, the AAA can pay utilities, rent/mortgage, property taxes and moving expenses, helping individuals stay in their homes and prevent eviction or utility shut-off. During this presentation, attendees will learn about the causes of homelessness in older adults and about how HIP has prevented more than 1,000 individuals from being evicted. The AAA’s partnership with the Justa Center is also highlighted. Justa Center is a day center that provides critical services and a safe, indoor space for older adults who are experiencing homelessness.

Presenters:

	Mary Lynn Kasunic, President and CEO, Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Phoenix, AZ [biography] Mary Lynn Kasunic has been the President & CEO of the Area Agency on Aging, Region One since 1990. Under her leadership, the Agency provides over 50 programs and services to more than 122,000 Maricopa County residents each year.
	Cindy Saverino, Vice-President of Planning and Program Development, Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Phoenix, AZ [biography] Cindy’s been in the field of Aging for 40+ years. She worked as a Senior Program Director for a non-profit organization. She then worked for the State of Arizona as the Aging and Disability Services Program Administrator in the State Unit on Aging for 13.5 years.

W68) Building Barrier-Free Aging Networks Through Interagency Relationships: Strategies for Title III AAAs

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) are considered the nexus of health and social care through programs and services—but there are only eight tribal AAAs nationwide to serve 574 federally recognized tribal communities, including in Alaska and Hawaii. Join our discussion to learn tips and strategies for developing interagency relationships with Tribal Nations to ensure building capacity in underserved areas, to improve access and to ensure fairness for Native American/Alaskan Native/Native Hawaiian elders. All of our relatives deserve to live well at any age and ability. Come learn how interagency relationships can help make that a reality.

Presenters:

Collette Adamsen, Research Assistant Professor; Associate Director, Indigenous Health and Aging/Research and Evaluation; Director, National Resource Center on Native American Aging; Director, Tribal LTSS National Resource Center, Center for Rural Health, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND

Elaina Seep, Senior Policy Specialist & Project Coordinator, National Resource Center for Native American Aging/Resource Center Native Aging & Disability, Madison, WI [biography]

W69) Supporting AAAs in Addressing the Digital Divide for Older Adults

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

In the post-Covid era, innovators of meaningful and safe digital access face three main challenges: how to provide quality programs and services online, how to scale and sustain national programs, and how to support a network of community organizations in a time of changing technology. To support Area Agencies on Aging across the country, Older Adults Technology Service from AARP (OATS) developed the Senior Planet licensing program, creating a mechanism by which any noncommercial entity can provide free, best-in-class technology programs designed for older adults. This panel will explore the multifaceted landscape of offering meaningful and safe digital access. It will feature perspectives from four practitioners and cover challenges, successes and opportunities. By examining different older adult communities, the session aims to uncover strategies to enhance meaningful and safe digital opportunities to help older adults navigate the digital world with confidence.

Presenters:

	Liz Yokley, Chief Operating Officer, Aging Matters, Cape Girardeau, MO [biography] Liz Yokley has been with Aging Matters since 2010 and is currently the Chief Operating Officer. Liz was born and raised in Southeast MO. She is married and has two children. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Social Work.
	Kristina Demery, Manager, National Licensing Program, Older Adults Technology Service (OATS) from AARP, New York, NY [biography] Kristina has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Asian Studies, a Master of Arts in Special Education with an Option in Visual Impairments and Blindness, and an advanced certificate in Assistive Technology Applications.
	Aubury Krueger-Kutchara, Director of Community Engagement, Connections Area Agency on Aging, Council Bluffs, IA [biography] Aubury Krueger-Kutchara MPA brings over 25 years of experience in the field of aging, including two decades with Connections Area Agency on Aging. Throughout her tenure, she has contributed to a wide range of aging programs, including volunteer management, elder abuse prevention, and service navigation.

W70) Increasing Social Connection Through Volunteerism: Lessons Learned From Commit to Connect

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Are you interested in how your organization can tap into volunteer-based programs to promote social connection? Attend this session to learn more about volunteerism as a promising approach to reduce social isolation and loneliness among clients and volunteers alike. Commit to Connect will share insights, strategies and learnings from its Community of Practice (COP) focused on evaluating volunteer-based programs on social connection. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith will provide an overview of the Upstream Social Interaction Risk Scale as a possible measure to evaluate volunteer-based programs. Attendees will also hear from Commit to Connect COP members about their experiences conducting an outcome evaluation and the social connection outcomes from their volunteering programs. Commit to Connect is an initiative led by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and coordinated by USAging.

Presenters:

	Meredith Hanley, Program Director, Commit to Connect, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Meredith Hanley serves as a Program Director overseeing USAging’s work relation to social connection, caregiving and kinship care.
	Katie Clark, Policy Analyst, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography] Katie is a Policy Analyst at the Administration for Community Living and leads the Commit to Connect Initiative, a cross-sector initiative promoting social engagement and connection.
	Matthew Lee Smith, Associate Professor, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX [biography] Dr. Matthew Lee Smith is an associate professor in the Texas A&M School of Public Health. As an evaluator and interventionist, his research addresses health risk across the life-course and the uptake of evidence-based solutions for older adults. Dr. Smith’s translational work bridges research and practice issues across sectors.

W72) Driving Respite: Using Transportation to Lighten the Load of Family Caregivers

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Transportation is an essential, yet often overlooked, care task performed by family caregivers. Despite its importance, it is rarely addressed in caregiver support programs. The Respite Care Association of Wisconsin and the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc., collaborated to create a solution by offering respite funding to cover transportation services. This initiative leveraged funding sources to better meet the needs of family caregivers, including those that are underserved. Aligned with the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, this session highlights transportation as a critical tool to reduce caregiver burden, enhance access to services and promote barrier-free caregiving. The session will explore the alignment between the Strategy’s call for innovative, universal and integrated caregiver support programs and the design of this initiative.

Presenters:

	Laura Jane Ward-Strunin, Program Manager, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Laura Jane joined USAging in October 2024 as the Program Manager for the NADTC. She holds a masters degree in gerontology from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. Her expertise includes contract and grant management, long term care, and caregiver supports.
	Bryn Ceman, Older Americans Act Consultant-Caregiver Support Specialist, Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc., Madison, WI [biography] Bryn holds a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has over 20 years of experience in long-term care. Her expertise spans case management, service coordination, and leadership, including roles with CIP/COP waiver programs and a Managed Care Organization, where she advanced to regional director.
	Lisa Schneider, Executive Director, Respite Care Association of Wisconsin, Appleton, WI [biography] As the Executive Director of the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin for the past seven years, she has successfully restructured the organization and created new programs to better support family caregivers throughout the state. Lisa is known for her leadership, strategic planning, and ability to build networks and collaborations.

W73) Reframing Aging: Breaking Silos to Build Age-Welcoming and Respectful Communities

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Area Agencies on Aging are breaking down silos to ensure communities provide the resources needed for everyone to age well. Building a society that supports productive, healthy lives requires cross-sector collaboration rooted in leadership, communication and trust. Transforming how we communicate about aging is key. Understanding and addressing ageism and implicit biases in messaging creates truly age-friendly communities. In this session, hear from Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging’s Rebecca May-Cole and Karen Leonovich, along with Trish D’Antonio from the National Center to Reframe Aging, as they share how they partnered to advance a well-framed multisector plan on aging.

Presenters:

	Rebecca May-Cole, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Harrisburg, PA [biography] Rebecca May-Cole is an experienced public policy and administration executive with extensive experience working with community-based human services organizations to serve older adults and people with disabilities.
	Patricia D'Antonio, Project Director, Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs, The National Center to Reframe Aging, Washington, DC [biography] Patricia "Trish" D'Antonio, BSPharm, MS, MBA, BCGP, is GSA’s Vice President of Policy and Professional Affairs and the Project Director for the National Center to Reframing Aging. D'Antonio received her Master of Science in health finance and Master in Business Administration from Temple University. She is a board-certified geriatric pharmacist.
	Karen Leonovich, Director of Policy & Programs, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Harrisburg, PA [biography] Karen Leonovich has been involved with Pennsylvania’s network of Area Agencies on Aging since 1998. She has served as an Older Adult Protective Services Supervisor and Agency Administrator. Ms. Leonovich joined the PA Association of Area Agencies on Aging in 2023 as the Director of Policy and Programs.

W74) Funding the Future: Driving Innovation to Combat Elder Abuse

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

This session brings together diverse perspectives to explore innovative strategies for addressing elder abuse through effective use of funding. Presenters include the director of the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging as well as the executive director and a geropsychologist of The Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center. Together, they will share insights on leveraging funding to implement cutting-edge practices that protect older adults, enhance service delivery and promote dignity and safety.

Presenters:

Jody Barker, Director, Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging/Council of Governments, Colorado Springs, CO [biography]

Sheri Gibson, Founding Member, Pikes Peak Elder Justice Center, Colorado Springs, CO [biography]

2:00 PM–4:00 PM

Mobile Workshops

2:15 PM–3:15 PM

2:15 PM–3:15 PM Roundtables

RT05) Navigate Your Priorities With USAging Consultants

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

The USAging Consulting Services program works with health and social care experts from across the country to offer tailored approaches to address the needs of Area Agencies on Aging, community-based organizations, states, associations and community care hubs. Bring your questions to this roundtable and talk directly with members of our Aging and Disability Business Institute (Business Institute) team and our consultants in small group, interactive discussions. Business Institute staff and consultants will be available to support you with advice and feedback to help you respond to business needs and opportunities at the intersection of health and social care.

Presenters:

Maya Op de Beke, Senior Program Manager, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

2:15 PM–3:15 PM

2:15 PM–3:15 PM Workshops

W80) Shaping the Future of Transportation Access: A Listening Session with FTA’s Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Aging Programs (Title VI programs) play an important role in providing transportation services to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. Their work often involves partnerships and working across numerous sectors, aligning with the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) goal to “improve multisector collaboration at all levels and across jurisdictions” and to “leverage existing resources to support mobility for all.” This listening session offers a unique platform for AAAs and Title VI programs to share their transportation experiences, challenges, and recommendations. Insights gathered will inform the ongoing implementation of the CCAM’s 2027–2031 Strategic Plan, aiming to enhance transportation access nationwide. Please join us in this critical dialogue and play a key role in shaping the future of transportation access!

Presenters:

	David Somers, Senior Research Associate, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Dave Somers writes and produces publications and communications on accessible transportation for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.
	Melissa Gray, Assistant Director, Transportation, National Aging and Disability Transportation Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Melissa Gray is a nonprofit leader and visionary changemaker dedicated to driving meaningful impact at the intersection of strategic leadership and aging services With 15 years of experience in aging programs she provides strategic oversight and program leadership to ensure accessible transportation solutions for older adults and individuals with disabilities.
	Bill Wagner, Director, Coordinating Council on Access & Mobility Technical Assistance Center, Community Transportation Center on Access and Mobility, Washington, DC [biography] Bill Wagner is Director of the Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center at Community Transportation Association of America Bill started with CTAA in 2021 as Deputy Director for the National Center for Mobility Management Previously Bill directed a regional mobility management program in upstate New York.

W81) Assess and Address Needs Through Data, Strategies for AAA Engagement with Tribes

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Join Dr. Collette Adamsen and staff of the National Resource Center for Native American Aging (NRCNAA) to learn about best practices in engaging with Tribal Nations for information and data gathering. This session will review key topics, such as data sovereignty, appropriate pathways for community engagement and how to use resources such as the NRCNAA's triennial elder health and quality-of-life survey. The workshop will share important statistics from the survey that highlight gaps in universality and access within aging services. Presenters will also discuss nationwide analysis of Medicaid participation and eligibility captured through the lens of the NRCNAA survey and how this information shows an opportunity and need for informed capacity building across Indian Country.

Presenters:

Elaina Seep, Senior Policy Specialist & Project Coordinator, National Resource Center for Native American Aging/Resource Center Native Aging & Disability, Madison, WI [biography]

W83) Briding Workplace Generational Gaps: Maximizing Strengths and Finding Common Ground

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

With four generations working side by side in the workplace today, coupled with the acceleration of technology over the past 10 years, there is a critical need to understand where generations intersect, where they diverge and what makes them tick. This session will diffuse colloquialisms, myths and tribal knowledge about each generation; provide templates to better understand and maximize colleagues’ skills and talents; and create an environment to transform thinking about who we work with and supervise by soliciting real-life experiences from the participants. This session will set up a framework for participants to experience the four generations; what each is passionate about; and how those passions influence the way individuals think, behave and envision their futures.

Presenters:

Deborah Stone-Walls, Chief, Programs and Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Christine Kahane, CEO, Institute for UNLearning, Denver, CO [biography]

W84) Happy Anniversary Dementia Friendly America! Celebrating Network Growth, New Resources and More!

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Join the Dementia Friendly America (DFA) team as we celebrate 10 years of fostering community support for people living with dementia and their essential care partners so they can safely remain and continue to engage in the community. Learn from our DFA network members and your Area Agency on Aging colleagues as we highlight the great work happening in communities across the nation. We will share opportunities for engagement, valuable resources that can support you in your dementia-friendly efforts and all that is in store for DFA. Already engaged or considering joining the DFA network? Come with your ideas, questions and your own success stories—we want to hear from you! You will be sure leave inspired by and excited for what the future holds for DFA!

Presenters:

Darya Rahbar, Program Manager, Caregiver Navigation Services, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Mary Ek, Director, Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

W85) Move Boldly: Leveraging Transportation for Senior Independence

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

The ConnectorCard Program is an income-based cost-share program providing older adults with subsidized transportation via a prepaid debit card. This innovative program ensures seniors have the mobility they need to move boldly, empowering them to reach vital destinations. Join us to explore how this program is transforming lives and how you can implement it in your own community.

Presenters:

Angela Richardson, Chief of Staff, DC Department of Aging and Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]

Charon P.W. Hines, Director, DC Departmant of Aging and Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]

W86) Evidence-Based and Fun! Lifelong Arts Strategies for Mental Health and Healthy Aging

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

The Indiana Arts Commission has recently developed the Lifelong Arts program model, a creative aging program that is designed to give older adults hands-on arts experiences, which has been proven to greatly improve participants’ mental and physical health. The program has been implemented by more than 100 community sites across the state. One Indiana Area Agency on Aging will share their experience with this program and the impact on their community. Attendees will have an opportunity to engage in an arts activity themselves, learn the Lifelong Arts model's key components and how to replicate them, and to hear about the evidence that demonstrates the positive impact of creative arts on older adults.

Presenters:

	Amanda Heckelsberg Wolfe, Senior Project Director, University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, Indianapolis, IN [biography] Amanda Wolfe, Senior Project Director at University of Indianapolis’ Center for Aging & Community (CAC), earned both her BA and MA in Sociology, with concentrations in Family and Gender Studies and program evaluations, from Indiana University. Wolfe is the lead researcher for the new Lifelong Arts Impact Evaluation Report.
	Mandy Williams, Vice President of Programs, LifeStream Services, Yorktown, IN [biography] Mandy is the Vice President of Programs at LifeStream Services, an Area Agency on Aging that serves 12 counties in East Central Indiana. With over 20 years of experience in education, training, outreach, and engagement, Mandy oversees the development and delivery of the wide variety of LifeStream's programs.
	Eric Ashby, Director of Programs, Indiana Arts Commission, Indianapolis, IN [biography] Eric serves as Director of Programs for the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) overseeing grant programs and services. Prior to the IAC, Ashby worked in economic development, small business development, social impact investing, and performing arts roles. Eric holds a B.S., an MPA, and an M.A. from Indiana University - Bloomington.

W87) Bridging Aging and Disability: Supporting Aging Adults With Developmental Disabilities and Caregivers

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

There is a growing population of older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), many of whom reside with aging family caregivers. This session will engage in a discussion of challenges and opportunities to collaborate across disability and Aging Networks to better serve these families. First, we will share emerging and promising practices from a U.S. Administration for Community Living-supported community of practice, in which 17 states are working together to bridge aging and disability. Illinois will highlight their experiences and the work being done to improve information and referral systems across Aging and disability Networks. Finally, the University of Illinois and USAging will share information about an opportunity for Area Agencies on Aging to partner on delivering an evidence-based intervention to assist adults with IDD and aging family caregivers in planning for the future.

Presenters:

	Joe Caldwell, Director of Community Living Policy Center, Brandeis University, Washington, DC [biography] Dr. Caldwell has extensive research and policy experience in Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), person-centered planning, self-direction, and family support, particularly supports for aging family caregivers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
	Tamar Heller, Director, Institute on Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL [biography] Tamar Heller, PhD, is a distinguished professor and director of the Institute for Disability and Human Development at University of Illinois Chicago. Heller’s research focuses on policies and practices to support individuals with disabilities and their families across the life course.
	Meg Cooch, Chief of Staff, Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Chicago, IL [biography] Meg Cooch serves the Chief of Staff for the IDHS Division of Developmental Disabilities. Previously for three years, she was the Deputy Director of Policy, Strategic Planning and Licensure, leading the Division’s work to meet requirements of the Ligas Consent Decree and overseeing policy development, strategic planning, administrative rule revision
	Jennifer Hebel, Special Assistant for Research, Illinois Department on Aging, Springfield, IL [biography] Ms. Hebel joined the Illinois Department on Aging in 2022. She was previously employed by the Illinois General Assembly's Legislative Research Unit from 2013 to June 2022. She holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from UIUC and Bachelors Degrees in English and Classical Studies from Cornell College.

W88) Strategic Community Partnerships to Enhance Safety and Well-Being

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Collaborating with unique community partners helps strengthen and expand programs and improve quality of life for older adults. This workshop will showcase two Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) and their partnerships with fire departments. Area Agency on Aging 3 in northwest Ohio will highlight its collaboration with local fire departments and emergency medical services on a referral system to connect fall victims to the AAA’s programs and resources, enhancing fall prevention efforts for older adults. Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington will then spotlight its Mobile Integrated Health partnership with Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue to deliver care transitions, as well as share ideas to find common ground with potential partners and bring new partners to the table to meet organizational needs.

Presenters:

	Christina Marneris, Community Services Manager, Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington, Vancouver, WA [biography] Christina Marneris leads program planning of 25+ services, manages partnership and business development and administers a $13 million-dollar annual budget. Christina has 22 years of experience in the aging field, including 14 years as a leader in Washington’s Aging Network. Ms. Marneris has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Recreation.
	Mike Jackson, Assistant Chief of Community Risk Reduction and Fire Marshal, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, Ridgefield, WA [biography] Mike Jackson with the Community Risk Reduction team deliver an innovative and multi-faceted mobile integrated health program. Mike has served as a Chief Officer for over 19 years with leadership experience in all areas of fire service organizations and 27 years of experience in fire and emergency services.
	Sam Lewis, CARES Program Manager, Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue, Ridgefield, WA [biography] Sam Lewis, with 20 years’ experience in behavioral health and social services, recognizes the link between first responders and individuals requiring behavioral health, social, and medical supports. Sam is the Program Manager of the CARES and Behavioral Health Crisis Response Programs, connecting individuals to resources to reduce dependence on 9-1-1.
	Ashlin Magrum, Population Health Director, Area Agency on Aging 3, Lima, OH [biography] Ashlin directs programs aimed at supporting individuals in maintaining active, healthy lifestyles, ensuring their independence, and enhancing their ability to contribute to society. Her work in Population Health encompasses areas such as Nutrition, Health Education, and Care Coordination, all focused on improving health outcomes and promoting long-term wellness.

W89) Empowering Family Caregivers in Emergency Preparedness: Exciting New Resources

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Are you ready to discover innovative ways to involve family caregivers in emergency response planning? Join us for an insightful session in which USAging will showcase new resources available through the Innovations in Family Caregiver Services and Supports Initiative! In collaboration with Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, a new comprehensive Action Guide tailored specifically to empower the Aging Network to better support family caregivers in emergency preparedness and response will be presented. Additionally, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging will share their impactful work ensuring that the unique needs of family caregivers are front and center in emergency preparedness and response strategies.

Presenters:

	Clairedine Senat, Program Manager, Innovations in Family Caregiver Services and Supports Initiative, USAging, Washington, DC [biography] Clairedine Senat joined USAging in July 2023 and is the program manager for USAging’s Innovations in Family Caregiver Services and Supports Initiative. In this role, Clairedine focuses on developing, implementing and evaluating activities that foster innovative caregiver services and supports for the Aging Network. Before joining USAging, Clairedine worked at an Area Agency on Aging in Tampa, FL, for more than seven years, overseeing program planning and development, quality assurance and improvement activities. Clairedine is a Certified Public Health professional (CPH) and obtained a master of public health at the University of South Florida.
	Lezlie Poole, Program Innovation Manager, Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, Americus, GA [biography] At RCI, Lezlie continues her work in the on- going implementation of evidence- based programs, as well as responsible for developing strategic initiatives to advance RCI’s mission through opportunity proposals, content and program development, and training to aid in supporting caregivers and their loved ones.
	Allegra Joffe, Supervisor of the Caregiver & Support Services Unit, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging, Fairfax, VA [biography] Allegra Joffe earned her bachelor's degree in counseling from South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary. Since joining the Caregiver & Support Services Unit in 2021, Allegra has been instrumental in developing and implementing a variety of caregiver programs, as well as fostering community partnerships through outreach and education.

W91) Celebrating 50 Years: Reflections, Advocacy and the Future of Aging Services

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

The session will reflect on the 50-year history of Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) highlighting accomplishments, challenges and the vital role AAAs played in shaping the aging services landscape from a local and national perspective. Three panelists who have a combined 148 years of Aging Network and advocacy experience will commemorate achievements of the last 50 years; highlight the importance of advocacy in the ongoing development of aging services and policies; present a forward-looking perspective on future challenges and opportunities for aging services, focusing on the next phase of advocacy; and engage participants in discussions about the next steps for sustaining and improving programs for older Americans in a rapidly changing world.

Presenters:

	Diane Slezak, President and CEO, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Diane Slezak is President and CEO of AgeOptions and the President of Illinois Association of AAA’s. She serves as a USAging Alternate Board member. She is known for her advocacy to establish programs to serve elders including recently, obtaining state funding to support caregivers.
	Mary Lynn Kasunic, President and CEO, Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Phoenix, AZ [biography] Mary Lynn Kasunic has been the President & CEO of the Area Agency on Aging, Region One since 1990. Under her leadership, the Agency provides over 50 programs and services to more than 122,000 Maricopa County residents each year.
	William Benson, Principal, Health Benefits ABCs, Health Benefits ABCs, Chicago, IL [biography] Bill Benson has worked 4+ decades at the local, state and national levels as a State LTC Ombudsman, Senior Congressional Staffer in the U.S. Senate and House, and Acting Assistant Secretary for Aging at U.S. Administration on Aging. He is co-founder/ President of the International Association for Indigenous Aging.

W92) Advocacy in Action: How to Win Lawmakers and Influence Policy

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

This session will cover strategies, actions, and tools that organizations can adopt to enhance the efficacy of their advocacy. Over the past four years, The Senior Alliance transformed its approach to advocacy by proactively building strong relationships with elected officials to ensure they know where to turn when aging-related policies or funding issues arise. In this presentation, we will discuss how we did so, noting the tips and tricks we’ve developed along the way. Topics covered include cultivating connections with elected officials and their staff, building memorable (and effective!) one-pagers, crafting advocacy alerts, creating a plan to maximize efficiency and impact and more. We will share tools and materials to help attendees advance advocacy efforts at their organizations.

Presenters:

	Amanda Sears, Chief Community Impact Officer, The Senior Alliance, Dearborn, MI [biography] Amanda Sears is the Chief Community Impact Officer at The Senior Alliance. She joined The Senior Alliance in 2022 as Director of Planning & Projects. Amanda has over 14 years of nonprofit leadership experience focused on expanding access to and availability of older adult and caregiving services.
	Jason Maciejewski, Chief Executive Officer, The Senior Alliance, Dearborn, MI [biography] Jason Maciejewski, M.P.A., is Chief Executive Officer of The Senior Alliance since 2021, previously serving as the agency’s Deputy Director and Chief Advocacy & Planning Officer. He also has thirteen years as a Government Relations Manager and legislative staffer. Jason serves as a Washtenaw County Commissioner, first elected in 2018.
	Emma Case, Planning & Advocacy Manager, The Senior Alliance, Dearborn, MI [biography] Emma Case is the Planning and Advocacy Manager at The Senior Alliance, where she works to support older adults through advocacy and community engagement. She holds a degree in Public and Nonprofit Administration and Political Science from Central Michigan University.

3:30 PM–4:45 PM

Workshop-75 min

3:30 PM–4:45 PM

W100) Blending and Braiding Dollars: Strengthening Public-Private Funding Partnerships

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

It is stated that around 2 percent of philanthropic funding in the United States goes to specific efforts to better the lives of older people. And while government funding streams are a critical piece of the funding puzzle, they cannot meet every need or support every innovative idea. Current funding for the Aging Network and its services remains inadequate in light of the growing unmet needs and shifting demographics. To effectively tackle these funding gaps, it is crucial to strengthen the alignment between public and private resources directed toward aging-related programs and services. This session will highlight a partnership between an Area Agency on Aging and philanthropy and will discuss strategies to blend and braid a variety of funding sources to unlock new opportunities and extend the reach of critical programs.

Presenters:

	Diane Slezak, President and CEO, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Diane Slezak is President and CEO of AgeOptions and the President of Illinois Association of AAA’s. She serves as a USAging Alternate Board member. She is known for her advocacy to establish programs to serve elders including recently, obtaining state funding to support caregivers.
	Emily Hinsey, Chief Program Officer, Grantmakers In Aging, White Plains, NY [biography] Emily serves as the Chief Program Officer for Grantmakers In Aging (GIA), a network of _x000D_ funders mobilizing money and ideas to strengthen policies, programs, and resources for all _x000D_ of us as we age.
	Serena Worthington, Senior Program Officer and Director of Equity and Inclusion, RRF Foundation for Aging, Chicago, IL [biography] Serena Worthington is a Senior Program Officer at RRF Foundation for Aging. In this role Worthington engages with a diverse group of community-based and advocacy organizations academic institutions public policy groups other foundations and philanthropic partners. She co-leads the Foundation's strategic priority areas of Caregiving and Social and Intergenerational Connectedness.

Workshop-75 min

3:30 PM–4:00 PM

3:30 PM–4:00 PM Fast-Track Sessions

FT37) Culturally Fluent Caregiver Support Vital for Tackling Racialized Health Disparities in Dementia

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

In this workshop, a neurologist, caregiver and case manager explore the role of culturally fluent caregiver support that uses technology and situated learning to address racialized health disparities in dementia care. Cultural factors impact diagnostic delays, caregiving practices and brain health. Empowering caregivers facing intersectional challenges in culturally responsive ways can reduce differences in dementia care. Through case studies and Q&A, stakeholders will learn how neglecting cultural beliefs, communication styles and structural challenges worsens health disparities, and how addressing these issues improves care quality and caregiver well-being. We build place-based communities of mutual aid. Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) can scale free dementia screening tools, a beginner’s guide and a library of more than 400 audio short stories for caregivers in four languages by using Harris County AAA’s dementia screening tools.

Presenters:

Dona Murphey, Neurologist, Self, Houston, TX [biography]

Paula Johnson, Bureau Chief, Harris County Area Agency on Aging/Houston Health Department, Houston, TX [biography]

FT38) Fast-Track

FT39) Integrated Care for Seniors and Repeat Users of 911 and Hospital Emergency Rooms

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

Challenge: Older adults face chronic health conditions, falls and emergency room (ER) visits. In Riverside County, 71 percent of repeat 911 callers are seniors, often due to illness and falls. Solution: Riverside County Area Agency on Aging, 911 and Riverside University Health System expanded efforts to target seniors age 60 and over with three or more encounters in one year. Data sharing endeavored to track high users of emergency services, enabling timely interventions such as managing health conditions, medication adherence and connecting to the Jurupa clinic hub for nonemergency care. Results: Outreach to seniors with repeat ER discharges yielded a 9-percent engagement rate, with 36 percent agreeing to services and 25 percent attending multiple clinic visits. Participants received resources such as food, transportation and utility assistance, along with access to behavioral health and housing supports.

Presenters:

Jewel Lee, Director, Riverside County Office on Aging, Riverside, CA [biography]

Jennifer Pabustan-Claar, Managing Director, Riverside County Office of Service Integration, Riverside, CA [biography]

FT40) Advancing Universality Through Area Agency on Aging Area Plans: A Step-by-Step Guide

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

Need a framework for documenting and organizing your goals for advancing universality in your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Area Plans? Join this session to become familiar with the USAging Aging and Disability Business Institute’s newest Step-by-Step Guide. Developed in partnership with HealthBegins, the guide is designed to help align your Area Plan with U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) Core Programs Requirements related to ACL’s 2024 updated guidance for developing state plans on aging specific to the Greatest Economic Need and Greatest Social Need key topic areas. This session will provide attendees with the intended purpose of the tool, how to use it, the benefits of using it, as well as examples of AAAs implementing barrier-free practices featured in the guide.

Presenters:

Maya Op de Beke, Senior Program Manager, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Taleen Yepremian, Training Program Manager, HealthBegins, Los Angeles, CA [biography]

FT41) Assisting Assistive Technology: Lessons Learned Developing Assistive Technology Programs for Older Adults

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

We all know that strong partnerships and programming are critical to supporting older adults and people with disabilities in the community. The Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) and the Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP) have established such a partnership through the Illinois Care Connections (ICC) grant. Started during the COVID-19 pandemic to address social isolation through tablets and the internet, this grant has expanded over the years to encompass providing assistive technology for older Illinoisans, helping them access equipment to maintain their independence and increase their ability to function in their homes and communities. In this session, IATP and IDoA will share how ICC has evolved, present data showing the impact the program has had, and offer tips and lessons learned for states interested in offering assistive technology programs.

Presenters:

Jennifer Hebel, Special Assistant for Research, Illinois Department on Aging, Springfield, IL [biography]

Willie Gunther, Chief Executive Officer, Illinois Assistive Technology Program, Springfield, IL [biography]

FT42) Strengthening and Enhancing Caregiver Navigation Services

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

This session will explore a three-year initiative funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living to enhance the capacity of the Aging Network in providing caregiver navigator services through Older Americans Act-funded Title III-E/VI-C programs. USAging, in partnership with ADvancing States, Family Caregiver Alliance, Scripps Gerontology Center, and the National Resource Center for Native American Aging, aims to understand current usage of caregiver navigation services, identify successful models and offer technical assistance to enhance services across different populations. This session will include insights into data collected to understand the current landscape of Caregiver Navigation Services and how this initiative will identify the most successful approaches for replication.

Presenters:

Sara Maloney, Program Director, Commit to Connect, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

Leah Eskenazi, Operations and Planning Manager, Family Caregiver Alliance, San Francisco, CA [biography]

FT43) Building Collaborative Networks for Kinship Caregivers: Expanding Partnerships and Supporting Families

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Making connections outside the aging arena can be challenging. What common ground do we share, and how can we help one another? In this session, you will learn how one local Area Agency on Aging stepped out of its comfort zone to invite new and innovative partners to the table, fostering collaboration around Kinship Caregiver services. Discover how engaging local schools, faith-based communities, minority health organizations, alcohol and drug abuse outreach programs and other community-based groups has created a cohesive network of services supporting kinship families.

Presenters:

Cassandra Valentini, Director of Communication and Community Outreach, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, Youngstown, OH [biography]

Christy Boone, Special Project Coordinator, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, Youngstown, OH [biography]

FT44) LIVE Case Study: Enhancing a Senior Housing Program With HUD Innovation

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) is leveraging U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP) funding to enhance its long-standing Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP). SHARP has successfully supported aging in place for decades, but HUD funding offers an exciting opportunity to pilot innovations and address challenges, such as streamlining processes, modernizing technology and introducing Occupational Therapist (OT) assessments into the program model. With OAHMP funding, PCA aims to incorporate these enhancements into SHARP to expand its impact and serve seniors more effectively. Join us for a LIVE Case Study session to explore how PCA is adapting HUD program requirements, addressing long-standing operational hurdles, and gathering recommendations to achieve sustainable improvements in home modifications for older adults.

Presenters:

Alyssa Kalter, Housing Sustainability Program Manager, Philadelphia Corp for Aging, Philadelphia, PA [biography]

Katie Young, Planning Manager, Philadelphia Corp for Aging, Philadelphia, PA [biography]

FT45) The Uniqueness of the Ombudsman Program

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

The Long-Term-Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) staff have an unusual place and role within an Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Very often, ombudsmen cannot share their notes. They may travel outside of the office frequently. AAAs may allow their ombudsmen to speak with legislators and the media. They are often included in budget and expenditure meetings. It may sometimes feel like they report to the State Ombudsman instead of to the AAA director. This session will explore—and explain—these and other aspects of the role of the LTCOP.

Presenters:

Susan Real, CEO, East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA), Bloomington, IL [biography]

Kelly Richards, Illinois State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Chicago, IL [biography]

FT46) Enhanced Caregiver Support: Driving Outcomes Through Grants and Community Resources

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Join us for an impactful session on building and sustaining evidence-based caregiver support programs funded by community grants. Caregivers face immense challenges, from physical strain to emotional stress. This program combines community grants and partnerships with local organizations to provide vital services like respite care, mental health support and wellness resources. Discover how these collaborations help create a network of care that empowers caregivers, improves their well-being and enhances their ability to support loved ones. This session offers practical insights and proven strategies for those passionate about making a difference in caregiver support. Together, we can build a brighter, more resilient future for caregivers and the communities they serve. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the solution!

Presenters:

Veronica Catoe, Vice President Business Development, ElderSource, Jacksonville, FL [biography]

Abigail Costley, Direct Programs Manager, ElderSource, Jacksonville, FL [biography]

4:15 PM–4:45 PM

4:15 PM–4:45 PM Fast-Track Sessions

FT47) Building Skills for Dementia Caregivers Statewide in Michigan

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

Knowing how hard it is for caregivers to carve out time for learning and support, Michigan Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) wanted to develop ways to deliver concise, accessible information to enhance caregiver expertise, while also providing support to them. In 2023, a team of content experts from Michigan AAAs partnered with the State Unit on Aging to create an updated three-part webinar full of practical ideas and vital information on dementia caregiving. The AAAs also collaborated to design monthly virtual support groups for dementia caregivers, general caregivers, professional caregivers and kinship caregivers across the state using AAA facilitators with expertise to run the groups. The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and they are building skills for caring for others while also learning to better care for themselves.

Presenter:

Martha York, Community Education Coordinator, WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging, Brooklyn, MI [biography]

FT48) Building Capacity and Bridging Knowledge Gaps: Onboarding and Grants Management Solutions

Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Leadership, Systems and People

Join us for an innovative session on building grantee capacity and strengthening service delivery through comprehensive training and digital solutions. This presentation will highlight AgeGuide’s journey to improve the capacity of grantees to deliver Older Americans Act services, manage their grants and ensure comprehensive understanding of all Aging Network services. Presenters will provide valuable tools and strategies for organizations in the Aging Network, addressing both the immediate needs for capacity building and the long-term goal of strengthening partnerships and knowledge sharing. By empowering attendees with the right tools, AgeGuide aims to create a more resilient Aging Network that continues to deliver essential services effectively, despite the challenges posed by workforce changes and financial constraints.

Presenters:

Lucinda Hurt, Manager of Access Services and Community Programs, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, Lombard, IL [biography]

Brianne Moser, Manager of Grants Administration, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, Lombard, IL [biography]

FT49) Bringing Meaningful, Safe Digital Access Home

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Howard County’s innovative approach to ensuring meaning, safe digital access for older adults brings devices to their fingertips and classes to their doorsteps. Discover how the Office on Aging and Independence collaborated with multiple partners to distribute HP Chromebooks to low-income older adults and paired that with Chromebook courses offered conveniently at their places of residence. Learn how impactful this approach can be on meaningful, safe digital access and empowerment in the community.

Presenters:

	Malarie Burgess, Digital Inclusion Specialist, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, Columbia, MD [biography] Malarie Burgess is the Digital Inclusion Specialist for Howard County’s Office on Aging and Independence.
	Alison Gerber, Operations Division Manager, Howard County Government, Columbia, MD [biography] Alison works for the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence as the Operations Division Manager. Previously, she held the role of Nutrition Program Manager and oversaw the Congregate Meal Program at 50+ Centers and the Home Delivered Meals Program across the County.

FT50) Facilitating Care: A Community Care Hub Success Story from a CBO-AAA Partnership

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

How can Area Agencies on Aging and community-based organizations (CBOs) partner to advance social care practices, increase service delivery and enhance sustainability? In this session, presenters will describe the development and establishment of their emerging community care hub (CCH) model, which offers a unique partnership between Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging and a CBO with experience in network partnership, health care contracting and claims reimbursement for disease prevention. Learn how two organizations with unique backgrounds and experiences joined together to facilitate the growth of an emerging CCH, including the development of an advisory council and creating a shared mission, values and goals.

Presenters:

Eric Bumbaca, Program Manager, Health Promotion Council, Philadelphia, PA [biography]

Karen Leonovich, Director of Policy & Programs, Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Harrisburg, PA [biography]

FT51) Engaging BIPOC Youth and Elders in Planning for Long-Term Care

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

The WA Cares Fund is the nation's first long-term-care benefit program. As trusted community partners, Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) have been conducting outreach at the local level to raise awareness about long-term care and the positive impact this program will have for Washington families. In culturally rich and varied King County, this outreach has focused on communities of color—the WA CARES Fund is an opportunity to move the needle on long-standing health and economic disparities. Learn how the Seattle-King AAA engaged youth and elders to raise awareness about the importance of planning for long-term care and how WA Cares can help.

Presenters:

Maria Langlais, Policy Advisor, Aging & Disability Services, Seattle-King County Area Agency on Aging, Seattle, WA [biography]

Mary Pearson, Aging & Disability Services Director, Seattle-King County Area Agency on Aging, Seattle, WA [biography]

FT52) Wisdom of the Ages: Lessons From 20 Years of Intergenerational Programming

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

The County of San Diego Area Agency on Aging, Aging & Independence Services, has been implementing intergenerational (IG) programs for more than 20 years. Join our session to learn from our successes and mistakes! Gain awareness of tools, strategies and pitfalls, laying a foundation from which you can plan and support your own IG programs, including selection of activities, recruitment strategies, evaluation methods and ways to identify partner sites. Learn how to leverage the talents of your younger and older community members to reduce social isolation, address ageism, promote welcoming and respectful interactions within different populations, encourage healthy habits and achieve a variety of other desired outcomes. Tap into the wisdom of the ages—ALL ages!

Presenters:

Dalija Dragisic, Community Programs Manager, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]

Pam Plimpton, Intergenerational Coordinator, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]

FT53) An Innovative Approach to Community Care Hubs and Network Development

Focus Area: Aligning Health and Social Care: Health Care Contracting and Systems Integration

In this interactive session, you will learn about an innovative approach to community care hubs (CCHs) and network development through the experience of five Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) in Vermont, including the initial development, launch, ongoing successes and progress to date. At the national and local levels, policymakers and health care leaders wish to improve outcomes by contracting with AAAs to provide social services that are strong and integrated through the CCH network. In Vermont, we are taking a different approach, with the goal to create economies of scale through shared services, thereby reducing duplication in operations to leverage efficiency and cost, while building capacity to improve coordination first—before establishing contracts and connections with payers and health care systems.

Presenters:

Cheryl Gilbert, Chief Financial/Chief Operating Officer, Vermont Aging Network Consortium, Danville, VT [biography]

Margaret (Meg) Burmeister, Executive Director, Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, St. Johnsbury, VT [biography]

FT54) Caring Together, Living Better: Empowering Caregivers Through Trusted Voices

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

The Caring Together, Living Better (CTLB) Program is a grassroots program by AgeOptions that partners with five faith and community-based organizations that provide resources, education and a sense of community to low-income African American and Latinx family caregivers. AgeOptions created this program when we learned that traditional programming did not address the Black and Latinx older adults needs. This session will review the CTLB program model; lessons learned; and strategies and best practices to build relationships between Area Agencies on Aging, aging service providers and local faith-based and community organizations. The goal is to connect caregivers to needed resources via trusted voices. Engage in an interactive conversation and hear from a CTLB partner about their experience leading their program as a volunteer and engaging with the Aging Network!

Presenters:

	Cynthia Ayala, Caregiver and Dementia Programs Specialist, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography] Cynthia is the Caregiver and Dementia Programs Specialist at AgeOptions. Cynthia leads the Caring Together, Living Better (CTLB) Program, extends support to the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program, and supports Dementia Friendly efforts.
	Gwen Haney, Caring Together, Living Better Volunteer Lead, Rock of Ages Baptist Church, Maywood, IL [biography] Gwen is the lead volunteer for Rock of Ages under the Caring Together, Living Better Program.

FT55) Steering Success: Strengthening Community Engagement Through Collaboration With AAAs in Rural Communities

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

Join this interactive session to explore how Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) engage rural communities in innovative ways to address nutrition, physical activity, social engagement and community support. From leading focus groups to delivering hands-on services and programs, AAAs are the driving force on the ground for social connection in geographically isolated areas. Discover exciting partnerships with health care and other sectors that showcase collaborative efforts. Don't miss this chance to fuel your knowledge and connect with forward-thinking AAA leaders steering the future of community engagement!

Presenter:

Jessica Machler, Senior Program Manager, Rural Health and Social Engagement, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]

FT56) Maintaining Autonomy and Self-Determination: How to Avoid Conservatorship and Court Intervention

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

No one wants to talk about death or prepare for the possibility of incapacity, and yet we are all going to face it one day. Avoiding discussions surrounding end-of-life care and death often result in the use of governmental programs such as the Public Administrator and Public Guardian. While these programs are an important safety net for vulnerable clients, they can be costly, intrusive and may not always align with the client’s or decedent’s express wishes. Attendees learn about alternatives to probate conservatorship and estate administration, such as durable powers of attorney for health care and finances, beneficiary account designations, trusts and life insurance.

Presenters:

Briana Brettillo, Supervising Deputy Public Administrator, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]

Elizabeth Castellanos, Administrative Analyst II, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]

5:00 PM–5:30 PM

5:00 PM–5:30 PM Fast-Track Sessions

FT58) The Village Movement and Healthy Aging

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

The Village Movement in the United States started around the year 2000, and describes a variety of grassroots, community-based initiatives that aim to support aging in place and promote social integration, health and well-being. Villages are a social and community construct rather than a physical place. At its core, the Village Movement shares the values of other movements in the country that focus on community transformation and social reform. There is also considerable alignment between the mission of Villages and the goals of other long-standing community-based organizations for older adults, such as senior centers and Area Agencies on Aging, including providing resources for aging in place. The value of community partnerships is key to the success of the Village model.

Presenters:

	Barbara Sullivan, Executive Director, Village to Village Network, Ventnor, NJ [biography] Barbara has been advocating for older adults since 2001. In 2007 she became active in the growing Village Movement to help seniors stay in their homes. In 2018 she became the National Directror of Village to Village Network.
	William Kincaid, President, Village to Village Network, St. Louis, MO [biography] William Kincaid is a graduate of Washington University and St. Louis University School of Medicine, Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology and holds a Masters of Public Health degree from the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston.

FT59) CommUNITY Kindness—Outdoor Chore

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

In this session, we will discuss an innovative idea called CommUNITY Kindness. This is an outdoor chore project that promotes volunteering and intergenerational connections. Students and volunteers assist with raking, trimming, etc. This program not only helps seniors maintain their homes and stay safe but also fosters intergenerational connections and community spirit. We'll cover the logistics of organizing these efforts and share stories of how this initiative has positively impacted both the students and the seniors involved.

Presenters:

	Laura Allen, Volunteer Coordinator, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Mason City, IA [biography] Laura Allen, Volunteer Coordinator for Elderbridge Agency on Aging, has a passion for serving others in the community. Being an advocate for her mom to stay in her home after a brain injury is something that has really driven Laura to continue to help others stay in their homes. Laura
	Sandra Jackson, COO, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Mason City, IA [biography] Sandra Jackson, COO of Elderbridge Agency on Aging, brings 35 years of human services experience. She oversees operations across 29 Iowa counties and leads data analytics. A Certified Resource Specialist and UNI Social Work graduate, she's recognized for leadership excellence as a Donna K. Harvey Legacy Award recipient.

FT60) Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Make Me a (Volunteer) Match

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

The Council on Aging of Central Oregon’s Caring Connections program addresses social isolation among rural and urban older adults through personalized matchmaking with volunteers. Launched during the pandemic in response to the significant impact of isolation on older adults' mental, emotional and physical health, the program has evolved over four years from a telephone-based service to one that prioritizes in-person engagement. Supported by federal, state and foundation funding, we’ve expanded volunteer roles, increased participation and reached new communities. This presentation will provide an overview of the program’s structure, practical implementation steps and methods for data collection and analysis. Attendees will gain insights into overcoming challenges and learn how our program transitioned to foster deeper, more impactful relationships. The presentation will also include opportunities for audience participation.

Presenters:

Marianne McClure, Director of Volunteer Services, Council on Aging of Central Oregon, Bend, OR [biography]

Jamie Lacore, Caring Connections Program Manager, Council on Aging of Central Oregon, Bend, OR [biography]

FT61) Guardianship 101: Understanding the Process, Capacity and Alternatives to Guardianship

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

This presentation will give an overview of guardianship. When is guardianship appropriate? How is the need identified? How is guardianship completed? What does this mean for the person under guardianship? Alternatives to guardianship will be discussed as well to promote autonomy in the person when possible. We will discuss the differences between Guardian of the Estate and Guardian of the Person. Discussion will be encouraged around competency versus capacity, how to establish the difference, and transient versus permanent capacity. Information will be provided about cognitive disabilities, and discussion will be held on how to best support individuals with enough capacity to avoid guardianship but still would benefit from assistance. Disclaimer: Details of the legal process will be specific to the state of Texas but major differences in other states will be briefly discussed.

Presenter:

Cara Lavender, Director, Texoma Area Agency on Aging, Sherman, TX [biography]

FT62) Empowering Area Agencies to Serve Blind and Low-Vision Older Adults

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

This session will focus on how Area Agencies on Aging can better serve older adults with blindness and low vision by connecting to vision rehabilitation resources. The session will highlight the partnership between American Printing House for the Blind (APH) ConnectCenter and Eldercare Locator to share lessons and best practices for connecting people to specialized services. This session will delve into the details of this partnership, highlighting national data and providing a snapshot of the needs of people living with blindness or low vision. Practical tips and practices will be shared that agencies can implement in their own practices to improve service delivery and resources for people with blindness and low vision. Attendees will also learn about APH ConnectCenter services and resources for people living with blindness or low vision.

Presenters:

Priscilla Rogers, Special Advisor, Aging and Vision Loss, American Foundation for the Blind, Mooresburg, TN [biography]

Katie Frederick, Digital Content Manager, American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville, KY [biography]

FT63) Revolutionizing Dining for Older Adults: Café-Style Approach to Expand Access and Nutrition

Focus Area: Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection

How can innovative dining models revolutionize services for older adults? Join us to explore NYC Aging’s Café-Style Dining Impact Study, funded by a U.S. Administration for Community Living Innovations in Nutrition grant. This initiative brings pop-up cafés to underserved neighborhoods in New York City, offering flexible hours, culturally varied meals and a welcoming environment for younger older adults and those with mobility challenges. The café reduces stigma often associated with older adult center (OAC) meal programs, making them more accessible and appealing. By reimagining traditional OAC services, these cafés promote social connection and improve community engagement. Attendees will gain insights into the research design, comparing health, nutrition and social outcomes between café participants and traditional OAC attendees. Practical strategies for adapting this model to communities will also be shared.

Presenters:

Rachel Berger, Senior Director of Nutrition Management, NYC Aging, New York, NY [biography]

Jacquelin Berman, Director of Research, NYC Aging, New York, NY [biography]

FT64) A Tale of Two Cities Within One City

Focus Area: Meeting the Unique Needs of Aging Communities

In northwest Ohio, we lose a generation of life by traveling less than 4 miles between the neighborhood where people are living the longest and the neighborhood where they are living the shortest. The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) in Toledo, OH, has taken a deep dive into the Census data and partnered with organizations living and working in the neighborhood with the shortest life expectancy to close this longevity gap. The AAA held a Legislative Breakfast event to educate public officials and community leaders about this longevity gap and solutions they can support to close this longevity gap. The AAA has also created a short documentary, putting a face on this issue, to help others understand the human impact.

Presenter:

Justin Moor, Interim CEO, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]

FT65) An Introduction to Creating and Advancing the Caregiving Research and Evidence Network

Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers

The National Alliance for Caregiving and its partners—Emory University, Marquette University and USAging—established the Creating & Advancing Caregiving Research and Evidence (CARE) Network to create a more unified and adaptable national infrastructure for family caregiver research. The CARE Network aims to support the collection of population-based data, use consistent language to define caregiving and support the expansion of research on family caregivers served across the National Family Caregiver Support Program/Native American Caregiver Support Program network. This presentation will highlight the objectives of the CARE Network and specific grant activities.

Presenter:

George Kueppers, Senior Research Manager, National Alliance for Caregiving, Washington, DC

FT66) "Delivery With A Ring" Doorbell Program

Focus Area: Aging Well in Community: Housing, Transportation and More

Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging’s (PSR) "Delivery With A Ring" program ensures older adults never miss a meal. After clients reported missing deliveries due to not hearing the knock, PSR provided doorbells with two receivers for those in need. Clients can place the receivers at different ends of their homes, reducing the chance of missed meals. The doorbells feature adjustable volumes and lights, making them easier for older adults to hear and see when a delivery arrives. Our friendly drivers install these easy-to-use doorbells during their regular meal deliveries, enhancing both safety and convenience for those we serve.

Presenter:

Nikki Dean, Nutrition Program Coordinator, Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Farmville, VA [biography]

FT67) Harnessing Coalition Power to Drive Policy Change for Older Adults

Focus Area: Advancing Advocacy and Elder Justice

This session will explore the power of coalition building between organizations that advocate for older adults, people with disabilities and the health and human services sector. Participants will learn how strategic partnerships and aligned messaging amplified efforts to achieve a historic increase in wages for the direct care workforce in Ohio and secure greater investments in home and community-based services by the state. By combining advocacy, research and shared goals, coalitions can create a stronger voice for policy change, improving the quality of care and ensuring that older adults and people with disabilities can live safely and independently at home. Attendees will learn practical strategies for building and sustaining these coalitions and be given real-world examples of successful campaigns and actionable steps to drive lasting change.

Presenter:

Kelsey Bergfeld, Chief Policy Officer, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Columbus, OH [biography]

FT68) Corporate Fast-Track

Wednesday, July 23

8:00 AM–10:30 AM

Registration and Information Desk Open

8:00 AM–8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM–10:00 AM