| 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM
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Registration and Information Desk Open
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Lactation Room
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| 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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| 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM Pre-Conference Intensives
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PC03) From Principles to Practice: Integrating Equity and Accountability to Accelerate Your AAA's Community Impact
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
In this pre-conference session, participants will delve into a multi-panel session on the principles of health equity and accountability, the impact of health and social inequities on impacted populations, current legislative and industry initiatives and updates, best practices, successes and challenges from cross-sector experts regarding DEI and accountability. This session will also address DEI resistance to decrease inequities for older adults and persons living with disabilities. Participants will then engage in an equity-focused quality improvement workshop where they will identify actionable strategies for embedding DEI and accountability within their organizations and their area plans. Attendees will leave equipped to implement transformative changes within their organizations, making a tangible impact on their communities.
Presenters:
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Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Marisa Scala-Foley serves as the Director of the Aging and Disability Business Institute at USAging, which provides community-based organizations (CBOs) with the tools and resources to successfully adapt to a changing health care environment, enhance their organizational capacity and capitalize on emerging opportunities to diversify funding.
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Maya Op de Beke, Senior Program Manager, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Maya Op de Beke is the is the Program Manager for USAging’s Aging and Disability Business Institute, focused on supporting community-based organizations (CBOs) in their pursuit to strengthen partnerships with the health care system. She has a Master of Science degree in Gerontology and a Bachelor of Science in
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Sharon Williams, Founder & CEO, Williams Jaxon Consulting, LLC, Detroit, MI [biography]
Sharon Williams is an enterprising leader in both the health and social care industries. Sharon specializes in the administration of government funded healthcare administration, especially Medicaid managed care, Managed Long Term Services and Supports and Medicare Special Needs Plans. Sharon founded Williams Jaxon Consulting, LLC to accelerate her work.
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Taleen Yepremian, Training Program Manager, HealthBegins, Los Angeles, CA [biography]
Taleen Yepremian has her master’s degree in health administration from the University of Southern California. She aspires to improve the quality of healthcare services through innovative process improvement solutions. Through previous roles, she coordinated various projects and initiatives to improve access to mental health services for underserved youth throughout Los
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Kari Benson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Kari Benson leads the Administration on Aging in advocating on behalf of older Americans. She guides and promotes the development of home and community-based services and policies designed to afford older people and their caregivers the ability to age with dignity and independence.
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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.
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Lenel James, Business Lead, HIE & Innovation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Chicago, IL [biography]
Mr. Lenel James has over thirty-five years of experience in the field of management, systems consulting, and standards development � and over 20 years of focused experience in the healthcare industry & 5+ year of focus on health equity. He has conducted local and national seminars on health information exchange, health equity and clinical information systems. His engagement in community is reflected as a past-member of the executive committee of the Great Lakes Regional Health Equity Council (RHEC-V), co-chair of the Social Determinants of Health Committee of RHEC-V and co-chair of the Cross-RHEC Community Health Worker Coalition.
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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.
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Mandy Williams, Vice President of Programs, LifeStream Services, Inc. , 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 LifeStream\'s programs, including client services, community programs, outreach, and development. As the Vice President of Programs, she works to address barriers in service areas by understanding the specific needs of the aging community, evaluating current service delivery, and implementing strategies to improve accessibility, equity, and outcomes.
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PC04) AAAs Lead the Way! Transportation Innovations That Work
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
In 2023, NADTC issued a call for transportation innovations that impact the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and underserved and marginalized groups living in the community. We created a Showcase of 14 Outstanding Innovations, three of which were submitted by AAAs. This Pre-Conference Intensive will provide an overview of the innovations, including presentations by the AAAs selected. Additionally, the session will focus on adoption and sustainability of the practices presented and explore practical issues such as costs, funding options, timing and staff commitment. The session will include a small group activity and discussion.
Presenters:
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Bryan Black, Transportation Manager, home52 Transportation, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati, OH [biography]
Bryan K. Black is currently working as the Transportation Manager for Home52Transportation, a subsidiary of the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. He obtained his Master of Arts graduate degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology in 2005 from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, TN. Bryan has a wide range of career experiences consisting of 7 years of experience working in the corrections field with juveniles; working with adults in mental health and addictions treatment, and 15 years of business operation and ownership in the trucking industry. Bryan’s work experience has provided him with a great understanding and viewpoint of combining logistics in the human services field. When he is not thinking of transportation Bryan likes to relax by attending the symphony, playing with my children, traveling, and reading a good mystery novel.
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David Somers, Senior Research Associate, NADTC, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Staff
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TaMara Banks, Certified Travel Trainer, Healthy Generations Area Agency on Aging, Fredericksburg, VA [biography]
TaMara Banks has been in the transportation industry for almost 25 years. She started her career in the emergency medical field as an emergency medical vehicle instructor. She later became a regional operations supervisor for Bay Transit, road supervisor for Hampton Roads Transit, dispatch and safety instructor for the Fairfax Connector, a safety instructor and accident investigator for First Transit at Reagan National Airport and now a certified Travel Trainer for Healthy Generations Area Agency on Aging. She is committed to introducing everyone to the use of Fredericksburg Regional Transit. She holds many certifications in transportation safety and security; received the Transportation Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certificate from the USDOT, and certification from Easterseals Project Action Certified Travel Training Instructor Course. The HGAAA – Mobility Options - Travel Training program was recognized by the VA Transit Association for Outstanding Community Program 2022.
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Mitch Elliott, Transit Director, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Big Stone Gap, VA [biography]
Mitch Elliott is the Transit Director for Mountain Empire Older Citizens Transit in Big Stone Gap Virginia. I have been in this position for the last 10 years. I began the Transit journey as a part-time bus driver 16 years ago. This is my third career I managed a small group of Grocery Stores for 10 years and a larger group of Convenience Stores for 5 years. I have been an ordained minister since 1986. This is where I developed my passion to help people and Transit provided a golden opportunity for me to accomplish that goal. The work that I do truly is a calling in my life and not just a job.
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Melissa Gray, Assistant Director, Transportation and NADTC, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Melissa Gray joined USAging in January 2017. As Assistant Director of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), she serves as a resource on accessible community transportation addressing the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. She provides program management, communications, and programmatic support to the NADTC leadership team and to internal/external partners that are also working to promote accessible transportation options in their local communities. Melissa is passionate about supporting communities in their transportation efforts to enable older adults to maintain their independence and age in place in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
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PC05) Putting Your Organization's Demographic Data to Work
Focus Area: Data, Information Exchange and Interoperability
Demographic data—we know it’s important. We painstakingly collect it, report about it, talk about it and use it to tell stories. But could we be doing more with data? Hear about how national and local Information and Referral (I&R) teams have leveraged data from multiple sources to illustrate the quality of supportive services programs, strengthen community resource information, and assess whether they are reaching target populations. Also hear from the U.S. Census Bureau about demystifying demographic data through partnership and understanding what questions to ask. We invite you to bring your questions and expertise to the conversation—what have you learned so far on your organization’s demographic data journey?
Presenters:
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Nanette Relave, Senior Director, ADvancing States, Washington, DC [biography]
Nanette serves as the Senior Director of the National I&R Support Center administered by ADvancing States. In this capacity, Ms. Relave provides technical assistance to aging and disability information and referral/assistance (I&R/A) agencies, provides I&R and AIRS certification training, and coordinates learning opportunities at ADvancing States and partner conferences.
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Sara Tribe Clark, Director, Eldercare Locator and Disability Information and Access Line, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Sara is the Director of the Eldercare Locator and DIAL at USAging, national call centers serving people with disabilities and older adults. Before joining USAging, she was a program manager at DC’s ADRC, and various Massachusetts AAAs, and the director of the National I&R Support Center at ADvancing States.
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Alice Huang, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Alice Huang is an Assistant Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Aging. She oversees programs serving older adults, including nutrition, health promotions, family caregivers, and senior centers. She was previously a city planner, focusing on improving food access in Baltimore’s food system.
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Amanda Smith, Epidemiologist, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Amanda Smith, PhD, MPH has been an epidemiologist at the Baltimore City Health Department since 2019, where she led the data portion of the COVID-19 vaccination response. Currently she provides epidemiology support, and oversight in a variety of program areas, including aging.
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Zachary Trammel, Program Manager, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Zach Trammel is the Program Manager of the Eldercare Locator and DIAL at USAging, national call centers serving older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. He supports the operations and training of both national call centers.
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Noelia Ana Moussignac, Data Dissemination Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau , Ft. Meyers, FL [biography]
Noelia Moussignac is a Data Dissemination Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau (2017-present). She is one of several specialists throughout the country that are available to conduct training, give presentations and provide assistance with inquiries for several types of stakeholders.
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| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
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| 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Pre-Conference Intensives
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PC06) National Survey Insights: Research and Resources for AAAs and Title VI Programs
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
Join USAging for an intensive session on the tools and resources available from our Research program. This discussion is the culmination of the three-year Information and Planning Grant, which aims to increase understanding of how AAAs and Title VI programs adapt, enhance and expand services and supports to meet the evolving needs of older adults and caregivers. Attendees will learn about the results of national surveys of AAAs and Title VI programs that highlight data and resources on new trends and challenges—and how AAAs and Title VI programs are responding to them. Attendees will also hear from other agencies about how they use this data to support their service delivery, funding requests, advocacy and planning.
Presenters:
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Traci Wilson, Director, Research, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Traci Wilson is USAging's Director of Research. Her primary responsibility is leading the Information and Planning Grant Program, which is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and includes the administration of the National AAA and Title VI Program Surveys, topical polls, and analysis and dissemination of findings.
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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.
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Greg Link, Director of the Office of Supportive and Caregiver Services, Administration for Community Living/U.S. Administration on Aging, Washington, DC [biography]
Mr. Link oversees programs funded under the Older Americans Act (OAA), including Title III-B in-home supportive services, Title III-E National Family Caregiver Support Program as well as ACL’s Alzheimer’s disease programs. Most recently, Greg’s team developed and released the 2022 National Family Caregiving Strategy.
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Beth Kowalczyk, Chief Policy Officer, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a), Columbus, OH [biography]
Chief Policy Officer - Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) and member of City Council in Worthington, Ohio. Bachelor of Arts, Kent State University. Juris Doctorate, New York University School of Law. Admitted to Ohio Bar in 1993.
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| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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USAging Aging Innovations & Achievement Awards Luncheon (by invitation only)
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Hot Topics
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HT01) Helping AAAs Navigate Access for Beneficiaries With Medicare Part D and Medicaid Prescription Drug Programs
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
This session will provide basic education on important changes in Medicare and give access to valuable resources that can help AAAs advise their clients and assist them with navigating care. Speakers will provide several resources that will be helpful for beneficiaries in Medicare Part D and Medicaid Prescription Drug Benefit programs, such as the Medication Assistance Tool. A brief overview of federal policies that could hinder access will be discussed, as well as guidance on where stakeholders can participate or provide input.
Sponsored by PhRMA
Presenters:
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Sharon Lamberton, Deputy Vice President, State Policy and External Outreach, PhRMA, Washington, DC [biography]
Sharon Lamberton, a nurse by training, works in state policy for PhRMA. A long time patient advocate and former policy analyst for seniors, she brings passion and clinical expertise to the policy field in the bioharmaceutical instrument that benefits patients. She focuses on access and affordability.
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Liz Maher, Director of Advocacy and Strategic Alliances, PhRMA, Washington, DC [biography]
Liz Mahar is a Director of Advocacy and Strategic Alliances at PhRMA. Liz’s portfolio includes health equity and Medicaid, along with stakeholder outreach to multicultural organizations and the disability and caregiving communities.
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Corporate Workshops
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CW01) Health and Social Care Systems Integration: Technology Solutions and Critical System Capabilities
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
What attributes make a good technological solution? How can a proper platform or software, and its capacity, enhance your ability to manage your client workflows, drive efficiencies and empower the exchange of data? What should you look for in your solutions and what do your colleagues see as important pieces of any technological solution? Join our panel of AAAs as they tell you what technology attributes and functionality requirements top their list in “must haves”!
Sponsored by CCS Health
Presenters:
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Kara Lorenz-Goings, Chief Operating Officer, WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging, Brooklyn, MI [biography]
Kara Lorenz-Goings is the COO at WellWise Services Area Agency on Aging in south-central Michigan, where she has worked there for 9 years. She has worked in this field for 22 years. Kara is a Social Worker, a Certified Geriatric Care Manager and has a Project Management for Nonprofits certification.
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Jessica Bader, Quality Improvement Manager, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, Uniontown, OH [biography]
Mrs. Bader has been actively engaged in work with older adults since 2010.? She has a wide range of experience within the aging network across focus areas. Mrs. Bader is a licensed social worker and a graduate of the University of Akron and alumni of THE Ohio State University.
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Kathy Vesley, President & CEO, Bay Aging dba VAAACares, Urbanna, VA [biography]
Kathy Vesley is the President and CEO of Bay Aging, a nonprofit Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and VAAACares®, Virginia’s Community Care Hub. VAAACares® is a nationally recognized successful hub that contracts with multiple health plans, health systems, the VA, and partners with a variety of CBOs to provide
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
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| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM Workshops
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W01) Implementing the Give 5 Program—A AAA Perspective
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
The Give 5 program is known as “couch repellant.” Launched in Springfield, Missouri, and now implemented in 14 communities, it matches retirees with volunteer opportunities in their communities. The Give 5 program empowers older adults by providing hundreds of opportunities to apply their unique talents and passions to impact the community's primary areas of need. The process is one of “civic matchmaking,” with the program providing the journey to find the best fit between program participant and nonprofit(s) in need. Come learn about the program and the implementation through the eyes of an AAA CEO who is hosting the Give 5 Program in her community. Discover a proven social engagement model that works and is a win-win.
Presenters:
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Greg Burris, President/CEO United Way of the Ozarks, United Way of the Ozarks, Springfield, MO [biography]
Greg Burris is President & CEO of United Way of the Ozarks, founder of the Give 5 Program, and the former City Manager of Springfield, Missouri.
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Cora Scott, Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement, City of Springfield, Springfield, MO [biography]
Give 5 Co-Creator Cora Scott is currently the Director of Public Information & Civic Engagement for the City of Springfield, Missouri, and assists with Give 5 installations.
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Jennifer Shotwell, Chief Executive Officer, Region X AAA, Joplin, MO [biography]
Jennifer Shotwell is the Chief Executive Officer of the Area Agency on Aging, Region X in Southwest Missouri (Joplin). Jennifer has been leading Region X since 2018, with a vision to enhance the quality of life and well-being of older adults and their caregivers through social connectedness.
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W02) Team Building 101—Learning to Grow Together
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
The Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens recognizes the importance of a positive working environment for job satisfaction and high performance among staff and seeks to make all employees feel valued. The latest strategy that embodies AASC’s core values is the Team Building Program. Session attendees will learn how to engage employees with fun and interactive learning experiences. This session will illustrate methods of connecting staff in different agency departments with a team approach that helps focus on the positive aspects of work. Learn how teamwork helps create a strong rapport by communicating with coworkers, respecting each other and building trust within your agency. Become skilled at providing a stable, non-judgmental environment for employees to learn, grow and bond as a complete agency working together for the same goal.
Presenters:
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Wayne Damron, Director of Aging Services, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, Cedar Bluff, VA [biography]
Wayne Damron has worked in many capacities at Appalachian Agency since he began as a volunteer in the adult day center in 2008 -- an intake coordinator, a care coordinator and VICAP counselor. He was named Director of Aging Services after serving as director of Care Coordination for 5 years.
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Lynna Mitchell, Grant Writer, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, Cedar Bluff, VA [biography]
Lynna Mitchell has been the grant writer for AASC since January 2018 and has secured funding for a wide variety of programs that address the needs of the agency's clients and help improve their quality of life. She submits nominations for state and national awards and has presented at conferences.
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Katie Justus, Team Lead, Care Coordination Department, Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, Cedar Bluff, VA [biography]
Katie Justus is the team lead of the Care Coordination Department at AASC. She coordinates the Bridge and Link programs, a partnership with the local hospital that focuses on reducing readmissions of clients. Katie is a United Health Care health coach and also focuses on reducing readmissions of United Health Care members. In addition, she provides Options Counseling, which is a person-centered method of providing services and coordinating with other agencies. Katie holds a master’s in public health and a master’s in human services counseling. She is the county captain of the Southwest Virginia Medical Reserve Corps.
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W03) Housing: Beyond the Bricks and Mortar
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
AAAs across the country recognize that we have a housing crisis and that having a home is essential to the health and well-being of those we serve. Home isn’t just four walls. It is a place where an individual can thrive, age in place and remain independent. Hear from experts who are making a difference in keeping older adults housed without donning a hard hat or becoming a landlord. Participants will learn about replicable models, be able to ask questions and swap ideas for having an impact on housing.
Presenters:
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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.
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Duana Patton, CEO, Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Ontario, OH [biography]
Duana Patton has been with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. since 1994 where she started as Director of HR. In 2006, Ms. Patton became the Chief Executive Officer. Duana is a Certified Trainer and Executive Coach. She proudly serves on local, state and national boards.
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Kelly Butts-Elston, CEO, Connections Area Agency on Aging, Council Bluffs, IA [biography]
Director and C.E.O. of the AAA serving 20 counties in western, southwestern and south central Iowa. 25+ years experience in the aging network.
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W04) Equity and the ACL Innovation Lab: A New Approach to Falls Prevention
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
In this session, presenters will describe the ways in which the Aging Network leads the advancement of knowledge and implementation of equitable and community-driven practices to prevent falls and reduce falls risk amongst older adults across the nation. Participants will learn about the Lab, including its inception, intent, goals and primary activities. Participants will also hear about forthcoming Lab-supported funding opportunities for aging service organizations.
Presenters:
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Amanda Cash, Supervisory Social Science Analyst, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Dr. Amanda Cash is the Director of ACL's Office of Performance and Evaluation. She has expertise in research and evaluation related to public health and social service programs and systems.
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Emily Nabors, Senior Program Specialist, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA
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W05) Leveraging National Service to Support Veteran and Military Family Caregivers
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
Discover an innovative program that leverages national service to provide family caregivers support and respite. Legacy Corps for Veterans and Military Families is an AmeriCorps-funded project at Arizona State University that delivers caregiver support services through partnerships with eligible agencies across the United States. Learn more about this unique model of respite delivery and how it aims to address the specific needs of veterans and military families. The session will review the benefits to partner agencies and national service participants.
Presenters:
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Laura Copeland, Program Manager - National Field Director, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ [biography]
Laura is the National Field Director for Legacy Corps for Veterans and Military Families. She is an alumna of the United States Peace Corps, having served in Ethiopia, then spent over 8 years working in Florida’s aging network in the government and nonprofit sectors.
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Sandi Gorley, Program Manager - National Project Director, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ [biography]
Sandi is a Sun Devil lifer, having grown up around the university and earning her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from ASU. She’s currently the National Project Director for Legacy Corps for Veterans and Military Families, an AmeriCorps-funded project housed in the Center for Urban Innovation on ASU’s Downtown Phoenix Campus.
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W06) How to Improve Staffing with a Four-Day Work Week
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
Fill your open positions with high-quality staff, prevent turnover, reduce burnout and improve senior care. Converting to a four-day work week turned out to be the solution to several concerns plaguing our organization, and it can benefit your operations, too. We will answer all your questions and concerns and share our challenges and successes.
Presenters:
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Sam Hancock, VP Human Resources, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Toledo, OH [biography]
Dr. Sam Hancock works for the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio as the Vice President of Human Resources. In his spare time he is a minister and enjoys his wife and adult children.
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Rebecca Liebes, Vice President, Nutrition, Health, and Wellness, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Toledo, OH [biography]
Rebecca Liebes, PhD, MPH, RDN has spent 27 years with the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio (AOoA). Through her work she elevates Nutrition, Health and Wellness services for older adults through education, meal distribution, and the Senior Farmers\' Market Nutrition Program. Rebecca also administers one of the MyCare Ohio contracts and conducts advocacy for the AOoA.
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W07) Demographic Information: Why Do AAAs Need It? How Does ACL Use It?
Focus Area: Data, Information Exchange and Interoperability
A joint session hosted by SAGE and ACL will discuss the importance of collecting SOGI and demographic data to understand how to serve populations served by OAA programs. They will also discuss the purpose and use of demographic data more broadly as well as predicting future changes and how we collect race and ethnicity data. The session will also include how ACL uses and reports on demographic data, and how AAAs should be reviewing the demographic data they collect to understand changes in the populations they are serving.
Presenters:
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Kristen Robinson, Senior Social Science Analyst, Office of Performance and Evaluation, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Kristen Robinson, PhD, Senior Social Science Analyst, Administration for Community Living, Office of Performance and Evaluation. Dr. Robinson has a background in social science, data management, and research methods. She has over 25 years of experience conducting research on issues important to older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers.
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Aaron Tax, Managing Director of Government Affairs and Policy Advocacy, SAGE, Washington, DC [biography]
Aaron Tax is the Managing Director of Government Affairs and Policy Advocacy for SAGE, the nation’s largest and oldest organization dedicated improving the lives of LGBTQ+ older people. Until June 2011, Aaron served as the Legal Director at Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN).
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Linda Levin, CEO, ElderSource [biography]
Linda Levin has her Masters Degree in Gerontology, has worked for Area Agencies on Aging for 33 years and most recently is the CEO of ElderSource since 2004. A graduate of USAging’s Leadership Institute and Business Academy, Linda is a member of the USAging Board.
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W08) Legal Help Is a Phone Call Away: Case Studies of Senior Empowerment
Focus Area: Elder Justice
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs funds Florida’s innovative Senior Legal Helpline (SLH) housed at Bay Area Legal Services, which provides legal counsel and advice over the phone to eligible seniors throughout Florida. When seniors need additional assistance, SLH attorneys refer clients to legal providers across the state for extended services and potential representation. Many legal aid organizations receive funding from their local Area Agency on Aging to provide this extended service. The Bay Area is generously supported by its local AAA, Senior Connection Center. Join attorneys from Bay Area’s SLH and Senior Advocacy Unit as they walk you through the trajectory of three successful legal cases, starting with each client’s initial phone call and ending with an empowering outcome for the seniors.
Presenters:
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Maria Carrubba-Fuentes, Staff Attorney, Bay Area Legal Services, Inc., Tampa, FL [biography]
B. Maria Carrubba-Fuentes has been a full-time staff attorney in the Senior Advocacy Unit at Bay Area Legal Services since 2019. She represents seniors in cases involving housing issues, family law, public benefits, and long-term care involuntary discharges. Maria is admitted to practice in Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
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Ellen Cheek, Staff Attorney, Bay Area Legal Services, Inc., Tampa, FL [biography]
Ellen Cheek is a senior staff attorney on the Florida Senior Legal Helpline. In addition to direct client service, she has been involved in both federal and state grant-funded projects which are designed to facilitate and improve vulnerable adults’ access to civil legal services.
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Melissa Craig, Managing Attorney, Bay Area Legal Services, Inc., Tampa, FL [biography]
Melissa Craig is the managing attorney of Bay Area Legal Services' Senior Advocacy Unit (SAU). Melissa was a member of Bay Area Legal Services' Fair Housing team from 2013 until 2018 when she joined the Senior Advocacy Unit. Melissa earned her law degree from Florida State University College.
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W09) What’s New in AAA–Health Care Contracting?
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Come to this session to learn what’s new in the world of AAA–Health Care Contracting! AAAs, community-based organizations (CBOs) and networks are increasingly contracting with health care entities to assess and address health-related social needs while improving quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. This session will provide new data on contracting trends from the fifth USAging Aging and Disability Business Institute CBO–Health Care Contracting Survey, conducted since 2017 in partnership with Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University. Presenters will discuss trends in the types of health care entities with which AAAs, CBOs and networks contract, the services they provide through these contracts, data access and exchange, participation in networks and the benefits and challenges they experience.
Presenters:
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Suzanne Kunkel, Senior Research Scholar, Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University, Oxford, OH [biography]
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.
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Mark Cullen, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Trellis, Arden Hills, MN [biography]
Mark Cullen cultivates healthcare sector partnerships and drives strategic organizational growth in his role with Trellis. Prior to coming to Trellis, Mark served as a program officer at the Corporation for National and Community Service where he administered the Federal Government’s investments in AmeriCorps VISTA and Senior Corps programs. He has also held positions with United Way and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Mark holds a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota.
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| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
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| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Corporate Workshops
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CW02) Health and Social Care Systems Integration: Data, Data, Data…. How Good is Yours?
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Data is critical to telling your agency’s story—whom you serve, how effectively you serve them and what outcomes you were successful in delivering for your clients and community. What data do you have in hand to share with others? What data do you need from others to better serve your clients? What are the barriers and what are the opportunities to securing the best data as you work with numerous partners, manage many taxonomies and systems and work to integrate with health care partners. How do you create your data success story? Come hear from agencies winning the data race!
Sponsored by CCS Health
Presenters:
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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
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Brian Handspicker, President, PracticalMarkets, Inc., North Adams, MA [biography]
Brian D. Handspicker is Advisor to the Center on Excellence for Alignment of Health and Social Care. He is a Fellow of the National Interoperability Collaborative and Technical Co-Lead for Project Unify. He also serves on the Board of DirectTrust, Chairs the Information Exchange for Human Services (IX4HS) Consensus Body, Co-chairs the HL7 Human Services Support WG, and participates in the HL7 Gravity Project Technical Advisory Committee, HL7 Community-Based Care and Privacy WG, HL7 Gravity Project (Social Determinants of Health/SDOH) Technical Advisors Committee, and other interoperability standards working groups.
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Kelsey Chance, Director, Data and Research, CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Kelsey Chance is the Director of Data and Research at CICOA. She leads CICOA’s data efforts to support and enhance reporting, program operations and evaluations, and research and innovation to better serve our clients and community. Kelsey also supports CICOA’s engagement with academic partners and institutions for research.
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Michael Klinkman, MD, Michigan Health Information Network, and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI [biography]
Dr. Klinkman is a family physician whose academic work has focused on developing the human and technical infrastructure needed to support “whole-person” primary care. He has worked directly with community stakeholders to co-design solutions to support shared care across the US, and since 2020 he has worked with the Michigan Health Information Network (MIHIN), and national collaboratives including the Gravity Project and Direct Trust to develop scalable solutions for cross-sector data exchange to connect health and social care providers.
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| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
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| 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Workshops
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W10) Food First—Helping Caregivers Text Their Way to Culturally Appropriate Meals
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
Food First Caregiver Connect used funds from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to implement this project over two years in collaboration with Bento, a California-based software enterprise firm that uses texting to connect participants to pre-paid, nutritious meals through local restaurants. Food First Caregiver Connect is designed to improve the health, community connectedness and quality of life of African American, Arab American and Hispanic family caregivers and those under their care in Highland Park, Hamtramck and Southwest Detroit. The programs build an infrastructure providing healthy, culturally specific meals to improve health status, connectedness to community and quality of life.
Presenters:
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Evan Doherty, Program Manager, Bento, Los Angeles, CA [biography]
Evan Doherty, is a Program Manager at Bento. With backgrounds in community health and cognitive science, she have a passion for creating human-centered approaches to accessing essential needs and healthcare services. Since Bento’s inception in 2020, she has helped connect thousands of families across the country to nutritious food
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Gilbert Lopez, Director - Nutrition & Community Health Promotions, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Detroit, MI [biography]
Gilberto Lopez, RD, MPA has worked with senior meal services for 24 years. He has oversight of Nutrition/Community Health Promotion Services at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging. He is married and his family lives in the Detroit area. He loves fishing, hunting, and kayaking.
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Jacinta Smith, Program Manager, Bento, Los Angeles, CA [biography]
Evan Doherty, is a Program Manager at Bento. With backgrounds in community health and cognitive science, she have a passion for creating human-centered approaches to accessing essential needs and healthcare services. Since Bento’s inception in 2020, she has helped connect thousands of families across the country to nutritious food
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W11) Community of Care—Transforming Complex Care Through Integration and Health Care Contracting
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Amid growing focus on addressing health-related social needs and AAAs innovative strides in health care contracting, the Community of Care (CoC) emerges as a pioneering model. This initiative strategically integrates AAA social care clinicians into medical teams, fostering a synergistic approach to social and medical care. Developed in collaboration with the local health system and a network of community-based organizations, CoC has been instrumental in resolving social determinants of health barriers and improving patient and caregiver outcomes while effectively reducing health care costs for complex care older adults. Join our session to learn about CoC’s reduction in hospital and emergency room visits, its progressive transition from grant-funding to sustainability through Medicare billable codes, and efforts underway to evolve to a value-based payment model with shared risk and shared savings.
Presenters:
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Theresa Uhrich, Chief Operating Officer, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, St. Joseph, MI [biography]
Theresa Uhrich is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years in the Aging Network. As Region IV Area Agency on Aging's Chief Operating Officer, Uhrich spearheads the development and implementation of health care partnerships, product development, and contract execution and implementation.
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Christine Vanlandingham, Chief Executive Officer, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, St. Joseph, MI [biography]
Chief Executive Officer, Region IV AAA, Christine leads the integration of health and social care on a regional level and works with public health, academia, state and federal policymakers, community planners, and coalitions to shape public policy and service systems. Christine holds a BS degree and a Gerontology certificate.
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W12) Building an Aging Alliance: A Collective Impact Approach to Older Adult Wellness
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
The San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services–Public Guardian’s Age Wise Program is a seven-time award-winning behavioral health program serving older adults through a nontraditional, comprehensive treatment model. This workshop focuses on a groundbreaking approach to integrating these wellness services into other aging friendly programs, such as through collective impact partnerships with In-Home Supportive Services and USAging’s 2023 first-place-awarded Adult Protective Services At-Home Homelessness Prevention Program. Participants will be introduced to this “No Wrong Door” approach, learn preferred practices for client and provider engagement and collaboration to help reduce stigma and barriers associated with accessing care, and gain tangible ideas for addressing the specialized needs of aging adults that improve outcomes and individuals’ quality of life.
Presenters:
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Krystle Rowe, Deputy Director, San Bernardino County, San Bernardino, CA [biography]
Dr. Krystle Rowe, is a Deputy Director within the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services – Public Guardian, providing support to the County’s Area Agency on Aging and Age Wise Program. Dr. Rowe is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has a Masters Degree in Business.
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Chanel Serano, District Manager, San Bernadino County Department of Aging and Adult Services, San Bernadino, CA [biography]
Dr. Chanel Serano is a District Manager for San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services – Public Guardian Adult Protective Services Division. She has worked in the helping profession for close to 30 years. Dr. Serano is a published author and believes in equipping the next generation of leaders.
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W13) AAAs and Homeless Continuums of Care: Connecting the Dots to Housing Stabilization
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
Older adults are the fastest growing group of people experiencing homelessness. The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) seeks to reduce housing instability among older adults and people with disabilities by increasing access to home and community-based services and housing that is affordable and accessible. As local experts in aging services, AAAs can expand their role in preventing homelessness, including through partnerships with Continuums of Care (CoCs). Attendees will learn how AAAs can partner with CoCs and other organizations for homelessness prevention and response supports. USICH will provide a national overview describing several pathways for partnership formation. Two AAAs will describe their homelessness prevention and response programs’ beginnings, partnerships, outcomes and lessons learned.
Presenters:
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Erika Jones-Haskins, Director of Policy Initiatives, U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Washington, DC [biography]
Erika Jones-Haskins directs policy initiatives at the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Previously, she was program manager, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Her 20+ years of experience spans human services, housing, community planning, and program design. Her MSW is from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Jody Michaelson, Program Manager, Multnomah County Aging Disability and Veteran Services, Portland, OR [biography]
Jody Michaelson is a native Portlander who loves helping those in a housing crisis and in need of care. She has extensive experience developing and growing innovative programs that lead to more consumer independence, satisfaction and quality of life. Her degree in social work is from Oregon State University.
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Diane Slezak, President and CEO, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]
Diane Slezak is President and CEO of AgeOptions and the Illinois Association of AAA’s VP. 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 and creation of a statewide Caregivers’ Coalition.
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W14) Fundraising From the Inside Out: Building an Effective Culture of Philanthropy
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
Fundraising requires time, energy and resources. Hear from three AAAs that have built cultures of fundraising and are at different stages of this journey—from not having a fundraising staff member to having a team of five, and how they prioritized fundraising, turned program staff into key team members and saw results.
Presenters:
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Mary Westphal, Chief Development Officer, Northwest Ohio Area Office on Aging Foundation, Toledo, OH [biography]
A senior executive with 35 years of fundraising and communications/marketing experience. Prior to joining the AOOA Foundation, Mary served as executive director for Susan G. Komen, Northwest Ohio. Mary brings direct experience with sponsorship development, individual giving, major gifts, special events, capital campaigns and planned giving.
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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.
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Heang Tan, AAA Director, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Heang Tan is the Deputy Commissioner of Aging and Care Services at the Baltimore City Health Department. As a long-time public health and community advocate, she leads the City's efforts to improve the lives and well-being of older adults.
Heang started her career as a community health worker and has nearly twenty years of progressive public health experience focused on serving the most vulnerable communities, mitigating disparities, and promoting health equity. Before joining the Baltimore City Health Department, she was with the Society for New Communications Research and led statewide efforts to reduce health disparities in Connecticut.
In addition to serving on the USAging board, Heang serves on several boards and Commissions focused on improving the lives of older residents, including the Governor's Oversight Committee of Long Term Care and the of Area Agencies on Agencies.
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W15) Supporting Elders in Indian Country: Learnings from the 2023 Title VI Survey
Focus Area: Title VI Native American Aging Programs: Unique Challenges and Solutions
Learn about the many ways Title VI programs support American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian elders and caregivers. Presenters will highlight trends and share new data from the 2023 Title VI Program Survey, including Title VI nutrition programs and traditional foods, supports for grandparent and kinship caregivers, transportation options and challenges, elder justice initiatives, partnerships with Title III and more. Speakers will introduce new resources and give time for participants to interact with the materials and each other. This work was funded, in part, by the Administration for Community Living and developed in partnership with Scripps Gerontology Center. This session is for anyone who wants to learn more about how Title VI programs support elders in Native American communities across the country.
Presenters:
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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.
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Traci Wilson, Director, Research, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Traci Wilson is USAging's Director of Research. Her primary responsibility is leading the Information and Planning Grant Program, which is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and includes the administration of the National AAA and Title VI Program Surveys, topical polls, and analysis and dissemination of findings.
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W16) Listening Session: Shaping the National Plan on Aging
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
Join the Administration for Community Living for a conversation to shape the development of a national plan to improve the experience of aging in America. ACL will provide an update on the work of the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Healthy Aging and Age-Friendly Communities, including an overview of its report to Congress, which provides a strategic framework for the national plan. For most of this session, however, the floor is yours! We need to hear what you think is most important to include in the national plan—the biggest challenges you face, the opportunities you see and the issues that must be addressed in order to create age-friendly communities that appreciate the contributions of older adults, sustain health and well-being at all ages, recognize and support family caregivers and value and reward the work of the professionals who provide in-home care.
Presenters:
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Kari Benson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
As the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Aging, Kari Benson leads the Administration on Aging in advocating on behalf of older Americans. She guides and promotes the development of home and community-based services and policies designed to afford older people and their caregivers the ability to age with dignity and independence.
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Kelly Cronin, Deputy Administrator for Innovation and Partnership , Center for Innovation and Partnership, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Kelly Cronin serves as Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Innovation and Partnership at HHS’s Administration for Community Living. She oversees grant programs that help Medicare beneficiaries’ access to low-income benefits and health insurance counseling, State No Wrong Door systems to enable access to long-term services and supports, as well as state programs to enable individuals access assistive technologies. Her Center also leads efforts to align health and social care through Community Care Hubs and networks of community-based organizations as well as inter-agency efforts to address the direct care workforce crisis and improve access to housing and services.
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Alison Barkoff, Performing the Duties of Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Alison Barkoff was sworn in as Principal Deputy Administrator on January 20, 2021, and is currently performing the duties of ACL’s Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging. She provides executive leadership and coordination for ACL programs nationwide and advises the HHS Secretary on issues affecting people with disabilities and older adults.
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Jennifer Baker, Advisor, Immediate Office of the Administrator, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Jennifer Baker, MPH, serves as an Advisor in the Immediate Office of the Administrator at the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and advancing accessible community-based programs and services that support older adults and people with disabilities in living in the community. She joined ACL after leading the aging services portfolio for the United Stated Senate Aging Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. She earned her Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and her Bachelor of Arts from Hendrix College.
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W17) Advancing Cross-Sector Collaboration to Implement the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
Last year, the National Alliance for Caregiving, in partnership with USAging, launched a national campaign to drive federal policymakers, program administrators and influencers on the national level to support and resource implementation actions outlined in the RAISE National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Due to the collective action across sectors in the caregiving landscape, the Administration for Community Living has committed more than $20 million to advance the implementation of the National Strategy across each of the strategy’s five goals. This session will cover action-oriented strategies and opportunities to encourage implementation of the National Strategy among AAA stakeholders via a new cooperative agreement initiative.
Presenters:
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Lance Robertson, Director (Health), Guidehouse Inc., Oklahoma City, OK [biography]
Hon. Robertson is the former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Aging at the Health and Human Services Administration on Community Living and the former State Director for Aging Services at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services. His extensive experience includes involvement with RAISE implementation in his prior position as Secretary.
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Mike Wittke, Vice President, Policy & Advocacy, National Alliance for Caregiving, Washington, DC [biography]
Mike Wittke, VP of Policy & Advocacy, National Alliance for Caregiving. Mike leads NAC’s national engagement strategy working with Congressional offices, federal agencies, the White House, and key national organizations.
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Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role, Amy leads USAging's public policy, advocacy, communications, external relations and membership relations activities. Representing local aging agencies, Amy serves as the lead in outreach to Congress and the Administration to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers.
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W18) Closing the Transportation Gap: TrustedRiders Chaperones—People Power Plus Technology
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
The TrustedRiders Chaperone model provides training and technical assistance by seasoned service professionals to support local programs. Now in 13 sites nationally, trusted local community organizations and hospitals deploy Volunteer Chaperones to populations in need of extra assistance to attend non-emergency medical appointments and other essential services, bridging the gap in existing available transport, including rideshare, taxis, volunteer drivers, public transportation, vans and paratransit. Learn more about how locally customized TrustedRiders-affiliated programs provide accountability, with Chaperones able to act as the “responsible adult” mandated by insurance for patients discharged from procedures requiring sedation; reduce health care costs; support the safety, security and comfort of patients; improve health outcomes; and address social determinants of health.
Presenters:
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Deborah Kayton Michals, Chief Operating Officer/Co-Founder, TrustedRiders Inc., Riverside, CT [biography]
Deborah has developed human resource programming and training, emphasizing the relationship between movement, cognitive function and social determinants of health. For three decades, she has created and directed programs at institutions including Educational Alliance, NYC 14th and 92nd St Y’s, Edulearn Barcelona, Yale University, Moving Senior Arts, and state resources.
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Alan Lopatin, Chief Executive Officer, TrustedRiders Inc., Washington, DC [biography]
Alan has worked on aging and multigenerational issues for three decades. As a House Committee Counsel on Capitol Hill, Alan staffed reauthorization of the Older Americans Act. As Director of the Washington Office of the National Senior Corps Association, he has worked to promote productive aging and community services.
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Robert Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), Washington, DC [biography]
Robert “Bob” Blancato is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. He is also President of Matz, Blancato and Associates, the National Coordinator of the bipartisan 3000-member Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator of the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition.
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W19) Dementia Friendly America 2024: A Growing Network, New Resources and More!
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
Join the DFA team to celebrate 10 years of Dementia Friendly America. The session will reflect on where we stand today as a clearinghouse of dementia-friendly resources and a growing network of dementia friends, communities and national partners committed to supporting people living with dementia and their care partners. We will walk you through our new website; introduce our new and enhanced resources, initiatives and partnerships; and teach you how you can engage or reimagine your engagement in dementia-friendly efforts. You will have the opportunity to network with others, share a bit about your interest or current engagement in dementia-friendly efforts, ask questions and learn about how DFA and our resources can support your work.
Presenters:
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Mary Ek, Director, Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Mary Ek is the Program Director for Dementia Friendly America, a national initiative administered by USAging. Through her work, Mary supports dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends administrators by providing technical assistance, facilitating webinars and collaboration among stakeholders and managing the development and sharing of dementia-resources.
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Darya Rahbar, Program Manager, Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps, 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.
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Aleiah Mann, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role as Senior Program Associate at USAging, Aleiah provides general program administration, technical assistance, community engagement, evaluation support and maintains program resources. Aleiah earned an MS in Dementia and Aging Studies from Texas State University and a BS in Psychology from University of Georgia.
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| 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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| 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM General Sessions
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GS01) Building a Longevity Mindset
Focus Area: General Session
Breakthroughs in the study of longevity are fueling the possibility that some of us may live into our 100s. That requires a new mindset about our lives—who we are, what we do and how we do it. In this opening general session, Dr. Archelle Georgiou, a physician and TV medical correspondent, will share her experiences from the Blue Zones, which are demographically, geographically defined areas where people are known to live longer—over the age of 90—than in other parts of the world, where she helped explore the secrets of longevity. She will discuss how AAAs can embrace longevity innovations while designing an environment that supports joy, happiness and quality of life for the individuals they serve.
Sponsored by Mom's Meals
Presenter:
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Dr. Archelle Georgiou, Physician and Author, Health Care Choices: 5 Steps to Getting the Medical Care You Want and Need, Minneapolis, MN
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| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
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Welcome Reception in the Tradeshow
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| 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
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19th Annual Early Bird Walk
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| 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
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Registration and Information Desk Open
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Lactation Room
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| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
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Networking Breakfast in the Tradeshow
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| 7:40 AM - 8:20 AM
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Dementia Friendly America Networking
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| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
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| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM General Sessions
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GS02) Policy Advancements in Aging and Community Living: A Federal Perspective
Focus Area: General Session
With new regulations and a pending reauthorization by Congress, the Older Americans Act has appropriately received a lot of attention lately. But there are other pressing issues and opportunities facing the Aging Network in 2024 and beyond. Hear from a Biden Administration top official on aging and disability about the vision and work of ACL and how it all impacts your efforts to serve older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers on a host of issues.
Sponsored by Centene
Presenter:
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Alison Barkoff, Performing the Duties of Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Alison Barkoff was sworn in as Principal Deputy Administrator on January 20, 2021, and is currently performing the duties of ACL’s Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging. She provides executive leadership and coordination for ACL programs nationwide and advises the HHS Secretary on issues affecting people with disabilities and older adults.
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| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
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Networking Break in the Tradeshow
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| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
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| 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM Mobile Workshops
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MW01) The Encore District: A Visit to One of Tampa's Master-Planned Communities
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
David Hollis of the Tampa Housing Authority will be your guide on a tour of one of Tampa’s master planned communities. The Encore District, a mixed-use development located in downtown Tampa, is a premier example of a public/private partnership offering affordable housing to families and older adults. Two senior residential buildings are located in the Encore, and one will be the focal point of the tour. A distinctive aspect of the Encore is the focus on redeveloping the Central Avenue area of Tampa, whose rich musical and cultural history is ubiquitous. The vibrancy and amenities offered through the Encore development give residents an incredible location to live, work and play. This workshop is limited to 24 conference registrants with transportation provided.
Presenter:
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David Hollis, Chairman, Hillsborough County Housing Finance Authority, Tampa Housing Authority, Tampa, FL
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Roundtables
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RT01) Navigating DEI: Strategies for Inclusive Aging and Disability Services
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
Please join us for a roundtable discussion focusing on the proactive steps Area Agencies on Aging are taking to engage their communities in diversity, equity and inclusion conversations and practices. Come learn from AAAs as they share their approaches to ensuring inclusivity and responsiveness to the diverse populations they serve.
Presenters:
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Sara Tribe Clark, Director, Eldercare Locator and Disability Information and Access Line, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Sara is the Director of the Eldercare Locator and DIAL at USAging, national call centers serving people with disabilities and older adults. Before joining USAging, she was a program manager at DC’s ADRC, and various Massachusetts AAAs, and the director of the National I&R Support Center at ADvancing States.
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Melissa Gray, Assistant Director, Transportation and NADTC, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Melissa Gray joined USAging in January 2017. As Assistant Director of the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC), she serves as a resource on accessible community transportation addressing the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. She provides program management, communications, and programmatic support to the NADTC leadership team and to internal/external partners that are also working to promote accessible transportation options in their local communities. Melissa is passionate about supporting communities in their transportation efforts to enable older adults to maintain their independence and age in place in their homes and communities for as long as possible.
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Hot Topics
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HT03) Collaborating on Caregiving—MCO Partnerships That Help AAAs Support Caregivers
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
Caregivers are critical to care teams and critical to supporting loved ones with complex health needs. But what support do caregivers need to manage the stress, social isolation and the physical health issues that we see in caregivers? How do we provide caregivers the support and information they need while helping them navigate the system? What resources and collaboration can MCOs provide to help AAAs help support caregivers? Join us to learn what made a meaningful difference for our caregivers.
Sponsored by CareSource
Presenters:
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Terrie Hottle, Director, SDOH, Life Services, CareSource, Tipp City, OH [biography]
Terrie joined CareSource as a Life Coach for the CareSource JobConnect™ program and in 2017, she moved into the Enterprise role to develop and implement programs for social determinants of health for current and new markets. Currently, she focuses on workforce development (CareSource JobConnect™) and caregiver supports (CaregiverConnect™), SDOH data management, and process implementation. She also leads a team that focuses on food and nutrition and housing.`
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Chris Fagerstrom, Senior VP, Home & Community Based Services, Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities, Uniontown, OH [biography]
Chris has been employed with Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities for the past 25 years. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Akron, and a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Malone University. The division he oversees currently has 140 staff members who serve over 7,500 individuals, with the focus being to maximize their health outcomes, while keeping program costs low and client satisfaction high.
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Michael Eidsaune, CEO, Caregiving.com, Dayton, OH [biography]
Mike Eidsaune is the CEO of Caregiving.com, an ecosystem and platform that helps caregivers and their loved ones live more fulfilling lives throughout their care journey. He believes that supporting family caregivers is the key to finding solutions to many of the challenges we face today in the broader healthcare landscape.
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Corporate Workshops
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CW03) Integrated Care Boot Camp, Part 1: Building Collaborative Care Coordination Contracts
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Participate in a lively discussion with leaders from AAAs and health plans on how to leverage the natural operational strengths and capabilities of AAAs and health plans and build collaborative relationships. Panelists will discuss how to anticipate, avoid and respond to common challenges that can arise when AAAs, community care hubs and payers partner. Find out how you can set your care coordination contracts up for success and achieve the shared value that comes when health and social care partners work together.
Sponsored by Humana
Presenters:
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Brandy Bailey, Associate Vice President, Strategy Advancement, Medicaid Program Management, Humana, Oklahoma City, OK [biography]
Brandy Bailey serves as the Humana Associate Vice President of Integrated Operations. Brandy leads the National Medicaid LTSS strategy & operating model as well as the strategy and operating model for integration points with Medicare. This work includes spearheading partnerships with AAA organizations which emphasize leveraging the strengths of partners and Humana in a way that brings the best to members while caring for the experience of our valuable HCBS partners. Brandy has more than 15 years of leadership experience in LTSS & Home & Community Based Services.
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Natasha Dravid, Chief Strategy Officer, Camden Coalition, Camden, NJ [biography]
Natasha Dravid joined the Coalition in 2013 and currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer, working to drive forward the Coalition's mission of strengthening ecosystems of care, in Camden, the state of NJ, and across the country. In this role she leverages over a decade of experience in complex care, clinical redesign and data-driven practice spanning a wide range of clinical and social focus areas. She brings deep expertise in operationalizing innovation projects that bring together CBOs, providers, payers, policymakers and community members to reimagine healthcare delivery. She holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, and a BA in English from Haverford College.
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Melissa Gualtieri, Director of Clinical Innovations, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Columbus, OH [biography]
Director of Clinical Innovations, Central Ohio AAA, Melissa develops innovative programs to generate new contract opportunities with a focus on health equity. Melissa believes AAAs and CBO’s have the social care clinicians necessary to impact change and improve health outcomes. Melissa is an RN, receiving her BSN from Capital University.
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Melissa Gualtieri, Director of Clinical Innovations, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Columbus, OH [biography]
Director of Clinical Innovations, Central Ohio AAA, Melissa develops innovative programs to generate new contract opportunities with a focus on health equity. Melissa believes AAAs and CBO’s have the social care clinicians necessary to impact change and improve health outcomes. Melissa is an RN, receiving her BSN from Capital University.
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Workshops
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W20) Are We There Yet? Designing Complete Trips and Age-Friendly Communities
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
Access to transportation is one of the greatest challenges facing older adults who desire to live independently and actively. Initiatives like Age-Friendly Communities and Complete Streets help re-focus transportation planning to include all road users, regardless of age or abilities. This workshop will begin with a perspective from the Federal Transit Administration on the “Complete Trip” from booking a ride to navigating street infrastructure and boarding and exiting the vehicle. The Atlanta Regional Commission will present on their coordinated community efforts to address mobility and access challenges facing older adults and people with disabilities, efforts to advance Age-Friendly and Complete Streets objectives and the active role AAAs can play in improving accessibility for everyone.
Presenters:
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David Somers, Senior Research Associate, NADTC, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Staff
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Becky Kurtz, Managing Director, Aging & Independence Services and Director, Area Agency on Aging, Atlanta Regional Commission, Atlanta, GA [biography]
Becky Kurtz, JD, leads service delivery and prepares for the future of the rapidly aging metro Atlanta region, as the director of the area agency on aging within the Atlanta Regional Commission. Each year, tens of thousands of people receive services through ARC’s Empowerline, a trusted source for connecting resources.
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Mike Alexander, Chief Operating Officer, Atlanta Regional Commission, GA [biography]
Mike Alexander is the Chief Operating Officer of the Atlanta Regional Commission, managing the Community Development, Natural Resources, Research & Analytics, Transportation Planning, Mobility Services, Aging and Independence Services, Workforce Development, and Homeland Security Departments of the ARC. Mike has over 20 years of public policy experience focused on regional and local community planning.? As the COO, he leads this multidisciplinary, professional staff in the fields of transportation planning, environmental planning, community and workforce development, economics, aging services, and demographic forecasting.
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W21) Lay-Led Behavioral Activation for Older Adults With Depression
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
This session looks at the methodology, progress and interventions in an ongoing, NIMH-funded, multisite randomized clinical trial comparing Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression as delivered by master’s level clinicians to a lay-led version (called “Do More Feel Better”) delivered by older adult volunteer coaches to reduce depressive symptoms for older adults. Dr. Nicole Crawford will provide an overview of the study rationale, interventions, methodology and progress. Mary Jo McKay will describe her experience as the county’s lead aging service agency collaborating on the study. And Enid Rubio will describe her experience as a Do More Feel Better coach, including training, supervision, observations, challenges and facilitators to delivering the intervention.
Presenters:
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Nicole Crawford, Project Coordinator, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL [biography]
Nicole O. Crawford, DrPH, LCSW, is the project coordinator at the University of South Florida for a five-year NIMH R01 multi-site randomized control trial, “Lay-Led Behavioral Activation for Older Adults with Depression.” She has a private practice serving older adults through therapy, advocacy, educational presentations, caregiver consultation, and research.
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Amber Gum, Professor, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL [biography]
Amber Gum, PhD, is Professor in the Department of Mental Health Law & Policy at the University of South Florida. She conducts research on the integration of behavioral health services for older adults and primary care patients. Her research has been funded by NIMH, PCORI, RRF, and other sources.
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Mary Jo McKay, Nutrition and Wellness Manager, Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services, Tampa, FL [biography]
Ms. Mary Jo McKay is Nutrition and Wellness Manager for Hillsborough County Department of Aging Services, the lead aging service agency for Hillsborough County, Florida. She oversees numerous senior centers and wellness programs across the county. She collaborates closely with the NIMH-funded study of lay-led behavioral activation for depressed seniors.
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Enid Rubio, Do More Feel Better Volunteer Coach, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL [biography]
Ms. Enid Rubio is a retired family medical practice manger. She has experience volunteering with a local senior center and as a bilingual peer coach for the Do More Feel Better Study. She is a wife, mother, and caregiver to her mother.
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W22) Making Great Leadership Transitions
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
There is no perfect way to make a great leadership transition, but a formal process and transparent communication is key. This workshop will explore three different approaches to making a great leadership transition and pitfalls to avoid a difficult transition. Learn from the lived experience of three AAA CEOs who have replaced long-time predecessors. One AAA promoted from within without doing an external search. Another selected its new CEO externally. The third CEO was promoted from within as an interim CEO while the organization engaged a search firm to do a national search. Whether your AAA is facing a transition now or years in the future, get practical tips that can be applied at any stage of the plan.
Presenters:
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Justin Moor, CEO, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]
Justin Moor serves as the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio’s VP of Planning & Program Development. During his 19-year career at the Area Office on Aging, Justin has had responsibility for $11 million of the agency’s budget for service provider contracts, housing, strategic planning, and more.
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Abby Morgan, CEO, Direction Home Akron Canton, Medina, OH [biography]
National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (now USAging), Administration for Community Living (ACL), and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Current responsibilities include: Operations, strategic and operational planning, provider relations, project & performance management, development, quality improvement and new programs. Passionate about: LEAN/Six Sigma, community organizing, running.
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Katie White, Agency Director, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Columbus, OH [biography]
Director, Central Ohio AAA, Katie leads the execution of federal, state, and local programs related to aging and accessibility. Utilizing engagement and strategic thinking, Katie directs a 400-person agency toward social service innovation. Katie has a BS in Health Sciences in Geriatrics and Gerontology and a MSW.
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W23) Venture Into Volunteering—One Solution to Recruitment, Collaboration and Engagement
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
Finding ways to engage volunteers in the community through service has become more challenging as the pandemic created barriers to service and changed the service delivery model for some agencies. Partnering with local government, business and nonprofits to develop a volunteer fair that highlights local needs and connects potential volunteers to many ways to engage and support the community through service. Share in our successes and failures. Walk away with a step-by-step guide to building partnerships and hosting a local volunteer fair. Learn what boomers, seniors and retirees want in a volunteer assignment. Be able to replicate the award-winning Venture into Volunteering Fair and promote volunteerism in your community.
Presenters:
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Trina Mayhan-Webb, Director, Adult and Aging Services, County of Fairfax, Fairfax, VA [biography]
For over 30 years, Trina has advocated and worked in Aging programs and services. After completing a MA in Human Services with a concentration in Executive Leadership, Trina knew her career would be focused on the aging population. Trina has been a Certified Volunteer Administrator since 2007.
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Emily Swenson, Social Services Supervisor, Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging, Fairfax, VA [biography]
Emily Swenson is the Social Services Supervisor of Volunteer Solutions. Emily holds a degree in Public Administration from James Madison University and is a Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA). Emily has had a long career in volunteer administration and engagement for older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers and children services.
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W24) Memory Cafés—A Journey of Connection
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
Memory Cafés are known for creating space for socialization and connectedness for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Dementia Capable Southern Arizona, acting as the community hub for Memory Cafés, has partnered with organizations locally and nationally planning and implementing cafes around the community. We began establishing Memory Cafés in our community in 2020. Through planning and implementation, we discovered that Memory Cafés serve as an opportunity to foster and grow longstanding relationships while creating new avenues for collaboration with community partners. This systematic hub approach has ensured access to various geographic regions and underserved populations, expanded services and increased opportunities for funding and support. We will share successes, challenges, lessons learned, our evolving ‘hub’ approach and path forward.
Presenters:
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Elizabeth Cozzi, Associate Vice President of Community Development, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Elizabeth Cozzi, AuD has a background in healthcare, community outreach and education, program development and implementation, clinical supervision, patient advocacy and improving access to care. Liz holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Education, a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing, and Doctorate in Audiology.
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Harbhajan Khalsa, Dementia Capable Southern Arizona, PCOA, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Harbhajan Khalsa, Dementia Capable Southern Arizona Program Director, a Tucson native, has served her community in a professional capacity for over 8 years. While she began her career providing services to individuals in a behavioral health, she began working directly with older adults in 2018 when she joined Pima Council
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Rebekah McGee, Senior VP Business Development & Strategy, Pima Council on Aging, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Rebekah McGee has spent over 20 years with nonprofit human and social service organizations the last 15 years spent serving in an executive leadership capacity.
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W25) Community Care Hub Indiana: Achieving Quality and Scale to Support Indiana PathWays mLTSS Program
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
The movement of states toward mLTSS has left many AAAs outside the new system of care. As Indiana transitions to its mLTSS launch this summer, Community Care Hub Indiana (CCHI) has developed an infrastructure to facilitate partnership between managed care entities (MCEs) and AAAs to enhance care provision for clients. Functioning as the contracting bridge between all three selected MCEs in Indiana and the AAA provider network, CCHI assures referrals can be received and managed at scale, workflow is standardized, quality and compliance are documented, and payments can flow. Join us to learn how CCHI was organized, capitalized, technology enabled and staffed. Discover from our journey what might be possible in your own state to ensure meaningful AAA engagement in mLTSS.
Presenters:
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Tauhric Brown, President & CEO, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Tauhric Brown is the President and CEO of CICOA
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Debra Nauls-Freeman, Chief Operating Officer, CCHI, Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne, IN [biography]
Debra Nauls-Freeman is focused on improving the lives of those she serves daily. Her tenured career in the managed care space with a specific focus on Social Drivers of Health, led her to this current role leading the work to develop our statewide network under the Community Care Hub umbrella.
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Jim Vandagrifft, Chief Strategic Business Development Officer, AIHS & Executive Director, CCHI, Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne, IN [biography]
Jim Vandagrifft is driven to discover innovative ways to improve processes and make positive impact in people’s health and quality of life. Today, his primary focus is on the post-acute continuum and Social Determinates of Health (SDoH) driving healthcare costs.
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W26) The Detroit Story: Strengthening Caregivers Through Community Collaborations
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
This Detroit-based Caregiver Resource Center offers a variety of services for caregivers including initial assessments, access to online training and an array of evidence-based and informed classes which help caregivers receive supportive services that increase confidence in their abilities to provide safe and compassionate care. The workshop will examine how community partnerships function as a foundation to the program and broadens its capacity to serve a diverse population of caregivers, whether they are male, long-distance, dementia-focused or at the end of their caregiver journey. Evidence-based and informed caregiver classes, webinars and events expand our reach to caregivers to provide comedic relief or a hug. Referrals to respite care, adult day care and other programs are a phone call away—thanks to the CarePartners.
Presenters:
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Anne Holmes Davis, Vice President, Planning & Program Development, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Detroit, MI [biography]
Anne Holmes Davis, MUP, is Vice-President of Planning and Program Development at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging and has worked in the field of aging for over 40 years. She has oversight of Planning, Caregiver Support Services, MMAP, Home Repair and Transportation and Nutrition/Community Health Promotion.
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Laura Riddick, Caregiver Support Coordinator, Detroit Area Agency on Aging , Detroit, MI [biography]
Laura Riddick BSP, MAHS, has been a Caregiver Support Coordinator at the Detroit Area Agency on Aging for nearly 2 years. Human Services has always been in Laura’s path and journey of serving in a nonsecular arena for over 20 years through Faith-based audiences.
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Crystal White, Caregiver Support Coordinator, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Detroit, MI [biography]
Crystal White, MA, FLE joined the Detroit Area Agency on Aging in 2018 as the Community Resource Navigator. In 2019 she became the Caregiver Support Coordinator, having the honor of building out a new Caregiver Resource Center for the agency.
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W27) Healthy Homes: Federal Grant Programs to Promote Safe and Healthy Living Environments
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
Learn how our grant programs are helping to lead the nation to a future where homes are healthy, safe, affordable and habitable. Following the eight principles of healthy homes, HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes (OLHCHH) programs identify and remediate household environmental hazards. The office provides funding for home modification and maintenance-based interventions in a manner that supports the long-term health and independence of community-dwelling aging adults. The OLHCHH programs benefit low-income vulnerable populations that reside in privately owned, rental and/or owner-occupied homes.
Presenters:
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Taneka Blue, Occupational Therapist, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, Government Technical Representative - Older Adult Home Modification Program, The Department of Housing and Urban Development- Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, Washington, DC [biography]
Dr. Blue is an Occupational Therapist and Certified Aging in Place Specialist at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and leads the Older Adult Home Modification Program within the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. She serves as the Government Technical Representative for the grant program.
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Brenda Reyes, Director, Policy & Standards Division, Office of Lead Hazard Control, The Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC [biography]
Dr. Reyes is the Director of the Policy Standard and Division of the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. As such, she is in charge of a group of scientists, to support, guide and fund research
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W28) Aging Funders Forum
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
Grantmakers In Aging is a community of funders mobilizing money and ideas to strengthen policies, programs and resources for all of us as we age. Learn about the scope of aging philanthropic funders and how your agency may be able to tap into their funds to support older adults and caregivers in your community.
Presenter:
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Emily Hinsey, Director of Programs, Grantmakers In Aging, Washington, DC [biography]
Emily Hinsey is the Director of Programs. In her capacity, Emily coordinates the programmatic work of the organization, including the webinar series, member meetings, funder networks on housing, serious illness, caregiving, technology, rural health, and multisector plans for aging, and grant-funded projects. Prior to beginning her work with GIA in 2017, Emily was the Administrator and Project Development Manager at Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, where she advised on the organization’s accreditation and new business development. Emily began her career as the Prevention Coordinator at the Open Arms Domestic Violence Center. Emily serves on the Fort Wayne Mayor\'s Age-Friendly Council. Emily holds a BA in Social Work from Bluffton University.
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W29) State Unit on Aging and State Association Collaboration for Innovations in Aging
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
Are you looking to enhance aging services, legislative advocacy, innovative programs, and build a public private partnership between state government and state advocates? The New York State Office for the Aging and The Association on Aging in New York have aligned to provide significant enhancement, and opportunities for local AAAs to enhance services and utilize technology to address social determinates of health. Additionally, the Association on Aging has created an Independent Practice Association for participation in value-based payment arrangements and engagement in Federal Medicaid Waiver Programs. NYS is currently in process of creation and implementation of a Master Plan on Aging and is participating with leadership at the federal level for a federal Master Plan on Aging.
Presenters:
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Greg Olsen, Director, New York State Office for the Aging, Albany, NY [biography]
Greg Olsen is the Acting Director of the New York State Office for the Aging where he is responsible for the oversight and day to day operations and the administration of federal and state funded programs designed to assist the more than 4.6 million older adult residents in the state.
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Rebecca Preve, Executive Director, Association on Aging in New York, Albany, NY [biography]
Becky Preve is the Executive Director for the Association on Aging in New York, a member organization representing the 59 area agencies on aging in NY. The mission of the Association is to support and enhance the capacity of New York’s local area agencies on aging and to work in
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W30) Live From DC: Federal Policy Updates From USAging
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
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 2024 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 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:
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Olivia Umoren, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role, Olivia directs the association’s legislative affairs and advocacy efforts to advance federal policies that address the needs of an aging America, plays a vital role in the development of USAging’s policy positions and priorities, and represents USAging in meetings with congressional staff and administration officials.
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Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role, Amy leads USAging's public policy, advocacy, communications, external relations and membership relations activities. Representing local aging agencies, Amy serves as the lead in outreach to Congress and the Administration to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers.
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| 11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
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State Grassroots Coordinators Luncheon (by invitation only)
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Networking Lunch in the Tradeshow
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Roundtables
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RT02) Health Care Contracting and Social Care Network Development in Rural Areas
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Explore the distinct advantages and obstacles of health care contracting and social care network development in rural regions through a roundtable discussion. Discover and share effective strategies for member engagement, network infrastructure development and partnership formation with health care organizations. Gain valuable insights to enhance your agency’s contracting capabilities and apply practical solutions within your AAA.
Presenters:
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Jessica Machler, Senior Program Manager, Rural Health and Social Engagement, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Jessica Machler joined USAging in January 2023. Prior to joining USAging, Jessica worked for the Area Agencies on Aging in Pennsylvania. Since 2015, she has served various roles to assist with building and scaling networks to increase the quality and geographic reach of care for older adults.
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Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Marisa Scala-Foley serves as the Director of the Aging and Disability Business Institute at USAging, which provides community-based organizations (CBOs) with the tools and resources to successfully adapt to a changing health care environment, enhance their organizational capacity and capitalize on emerging opportunities to diversify funding.
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Hot Topics
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HT04) Making Sense of Health and Social Care Systems Integration
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Entities like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the broader health care landscape are moving quickly to integrate the screening for and provision of social determinants of health services and supports in health care settings. From evolving data standards, codes, new Physician Fee Schedule rules and in-patient hospital screenings, to changes in state Medicaid programs, this space is quickly evolving. How do you share care with health care clinicians? What impact does it have on workflows? Who should be doing the work? How do you exchange information with your clinical care partners? Is the health care system ready for the reality of social care providers? And, finally, what is the best advice for agencies working to understand and navigate this space?
Sponsored by USAging Data & Technology
Presenters:
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Brian Handspicker, President, PracticalMarkets, Inc., North Adams, MA [biography]
Brian D. Handspicker is Advisor to the Center on Excellence for Alignment of Health and Social Care. He is a Fellow of the National Interoperability Collaborative and Technical Co-Lead for Project Unify. He also serves on the Board of DirectTrust, Chairs the Information Exchange for Human Services (IX4HS) Consensus Body, Co-chairs the HL7 Human Services Support WG, and participates in the HL7 Gravity Project Technical Advisory Committee, HL7 Community-Based Care and Privacy WG, HL7 Gravity Project (Social Determinants of Health/SDOH) Technical Advisors Committee, and other interoperability standards working groups.
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Kelly Cronin, Deputy Administrator for Innovation and Partnership , Center for Innovation and Partnership, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Kelly Cronin serves as Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Innovation and Partnership at HHS’s Administration for Community Living. She oversees grant programs that help Medicare beneficiaries’ access to low-income benefits and health insurance counseling, State No Wrong Door systems to enable access to long-term services and supports, as well as state programs to enable individuals access assistive technologies. Her Center also leads efforts to align health and social care through Community Care Hubs and networks of community-based organizations as well as inter-agency efforts to address the direct care workforce crisis and improve access to housing and services.
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Michael Klinkman, MD, Michigan Health Information Network, and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI [biography]
Dr. Klinkman is a family physician whose academic work has focused on developing the human and technical infrastructure needed to support “whole-person” primary care. He has worked directly with community stakeholders to co-design solutions to support shared care across the US, and since 2020 he has worked with the Michigan Health Information Network (MIHIN), and national collaboratives including the Gravity Project and Direct Trust to develop scalable solutions for cross-sector data exchange to connect health and social care providers.
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Duana Patton, CEO, Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Ontario, OH [biography]
Duana Patton has been with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. since 1994 where she started as Director of HR. In 2006, Ms. Patton became the Chief Executive Officer. Duana is a Certified Trainer and Executive Coach. She proudly serves on local, state and national boards.
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Corporate Workshops
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CW04) Integrated Care Boot Camp, Part 2: Creating Sustainable Partnerships to Support a Social Care Workforce for the Future
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
AAA and community care hub partnerships with health care organizations can promote whole-person care and drive sustainability for agencies and health plans alike. Join us for a panel discussion focused on fostering workforce development partnerships to meet both individual and organizational needs. Learn collaborative strategies to establish a high-quality, enduring system of community-based care.
Sponsored by Humana
Presenters:
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Taib Dedic, Senior Director, LTSS Growth & Development, Centene, St. Louis, MO [biography]
Taib Dedic is a Senior Director with Centene�s Growth and Development Team. Taib is responsible for growth and development of Centene�s Long Term Services & Supports (LTSS) programs.
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Andrew Renda, Vice President of Population Health for Humana Healthy Horizons, Humana, Louisville, KY [biography]
Dr. Renda is a collaborative and cross-functional leader, recognized for co-creating medical, behavioral, and social health solutions that maximalize Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and improve health outcomes. A published researcher and speaker in the fields of population health, health-related social needs (HRSN), health equity, and chronic disease, Dr. Renda's work strives to inform co-created solutions to improve community health.
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Theresa Uhrich, Chief Operating Officer, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, St. Joseph, MI [biography]
Theresa Uhrich is a Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years in the Aging Network. As Region IV Area Agency on Aging's Chief Operating Officer, Uhrich spearheads the development and implementation of health care partnerships, product development, and contract execution and implementation.
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Workshops
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W31) Clear Path Forward to Emergency Preparedness: Roles, Responsibilities and Actions for AAAs
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
This workshop highlights the collaboration efforts in producing a usable and replicable Emergency Preparedness Handbook by the Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities, Oregon Department of Human Services, the Federal Emergency Management Administration Region 10 and the Administration for Community Living. The handbook was created for Oregon AAAD as a result of many natural disasters and the need for improved emergency coordination to meet the needs of older adults and those with disabilities. The session will provide an overview of the handbook formulation, emergency preparedness roles and responsibilities and action steps to take when creating an agency emergency preparedness plan. Attendees will leave with a usable and replicable guide to implement in their local AAA.
Presenters:
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Ilyssa Plumer, Community Preparedness Officer, FEMA Region 10, Bothell, WA
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Louise Ryan, Regional Administrator, Administration for Community Living, Seattle, WA
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Philip Warnock, Executive Director, Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities, Salem, OR
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W32) Bridging Aging and Disability: Promising Practices Partnering AAAs and Disability Organizations
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
This session will highlight promising practices that have been developed in states between AAAs and grantees for the ACL Community of Practice "Bridging Disability & Aging Networks" grant.
Presenters:
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Joe Caldwell, Director of Community Living Policy Center, Brandeis University, Washington, DC [biography]
Joe Caldwell has extensive background working in the aging and disability fields. Mr. Caldwell is the author of the Promising Practices for the Bridging Disability and Aging Networks grant.
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Walt Glomb, Director, Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hartford, CT [biography]
Walt Glomb is the Director of the Connecticut Council on Developmental Disabilities. He is also a parent of an adult with a Developmental Disability.
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Andrew Morris, Consultant, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Washington, DC [biography]
Andrew Morris has worked in the disability policy field for over 20 years with ten plus years in the disability field and a number of years working on policy issues related to both the disability and aging.
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Maureen McIntyre, Chief Executive Officer, North Central Area Agency on Aging, Hartford, CT [biography]
Ms. McIntyre has been with the North Central Area Agency on Aging in Hartford CT for 24 years and has served as its CEO for the past 10. Ms. McIntyre’s first job at the AAA was as the agency’s SHIP Regional Coordinator. She finds the CEO position to be far less complicated and significantly more restful.
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W33) Direct Care Workforce–A Recipe for Success
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
The increasing need for home-based services for older adults is outpacing the capacity of the direct care workforce nationwide. The solution to this does not just lie with the direct care worker (DCW). This is an aging, homecare, industry and community issue. The recipe for success lies in three key areas: The DCW themselves, the most successful environment for a DCW and community awareness. What does it take to be a DCW? What are the expectations? What supports does a DCW need to promote career longevity, and how do we engage the community in long-term, far-reaching systemic solutions? We share how our innovative, system-change-based approach to this work addresses all three of those areas and has demonstrated successes over the last three years.
Presenters:
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Yadira Mosqueira, Director, PimaCare at Home, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Yadira Mosqueira, has experience in the healthcare field beginning her career a nursing assistant while earning a Bachelors of Arts in Medical/Legal/Business Spanish Translation and Interpretation. After exploring a career in Interpretation, she returned to her healthcare roots serving older adults at PimaCare at Home in 2016.
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Elizabeth Cozzi, Associate Vice President of Community Development, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Elizabeth Cozzi, AuD has a background in healthcare, community outreach and education, program development and implementation, clinical supervision, patient advocacy and improving access to care. Liz holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Education, a Master of Science in Speech and Hearing, and Doctorate in Audiology.
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W34) Respite for ME Grants Pilot Program: Challenging the Notion of Caregiver Services
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
The Respite for ME Grants is a two-year pilot program administered through Maine’s AAAs and managed by the state’s Office of Aging and Disability Services. There are many objectives to the pilot, but the most important is answering the question: “What do Maine’s caregivers need to better care for themselves and their care recipient?” Using a person-centered approach and multiple assessment tools, Maine is expanding covered services beyond traditional respite to evaluate the varying needs of Maine’s family caregivers. This session will review statistics and trends related to family caregiving in Maine, the history and implementation of the Respite for ME Grants Pilot Program, in addition to sharing caregiver impact stories.
Presenters:
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Catherine Slye, Family Caregiver Specialist, ME-DHHS-OADS, Augusta, ME [biography]
Catherine Slye holds a MA in Clinical Counseling from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and a BA in Psychology from the University of Tampa. She began her journey into aging and disability services in 2018 working at a local area agency on aging, where she found a new
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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.
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W35) Recognizing the Value of a Strong State Association
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
This session at last year’s conference was so well received we are doing it again, with new panelists and different perspectives! Having a seat at the table is crucial for effective advocacy by AAAs but can be difficult if your state network is not organized. State associations with paid staff have been an effective force in advocacy on behalf of state Aging Networks. Learn more about the value a strong state association can bring to the AAA network in your state.
Presenters:
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Michael Costa, Executive Director, California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Oakland, CA [biography]
Michael is Executive Director of the California AAA Association. With extensive health policy experience and an MPP from the University of Michigan, he was hired in 2021 to facilitate integration of social and healthcare services within the AAA network and to build the scope, reach, and effectiveness of the Association.
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Rebecca Preve, Executive Director, Association on Aging in New York, Albany, NY [biography]
Becky Preve is the Executive Director for the Association on Aging in New York, a member organization representing the 59 area agencies on aging in NY. The mission of the Association is to support and enhance the capacity of New York’s local area agencies on aging and to work in
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Beth Kowalczyk, Chief Policy Officer, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a), Columbus, OH [biography]
Chief Policy Officer - Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) and member of City Council in Worthington, Ohio. Bachelor of Arts, Kent State University. Juris Doctorate, New York University School of Law. Admitted to Ohio Bar in 1993.
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Christine Vanlandingham, Chief Executive Officer, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, St. Joseph, MI [biography]
Chief Executive Officer, Region IV AAA, Christine leads the integration of health and social care on a regional level and works with public health, academia, state and federal policymakers, community planners, and coalitions to shape public policy and service systems. Christine holds a BS degree and a Gerontology certificate.
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W36) The Evolution of Community Health Workers at Central Indiana AAA
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders at CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, the AAA for central Indiana, took the first steps in an incredible journey in the world of employing Community Health Workers (CHWs). Since the first CHW position was filled in April 2022, CICOA has hired 21 CHWs with more to come. CHWs are implemented into care management teams, senior nutrition programming and the facilitation of a behavioral health grant. This presentation builds on a presentation at last year’s conference. Learn about the strategy, evaluation and innovation involved in being one of the largest employers of CHWs in the state and what’s to come next!
Presenters:
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Donata Duffy, Vice President, Business Development, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Donata Duffy, BSW, MHA, is the Vice President of Business Development at CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions. Donata is responsible for overseeing several departments that provide a variety of services from meals, transportation, care coordination and healthcare contracting.
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McKenzie Reed, Community Health Worker Coordinator , CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
McKenzie Reed, certified CHW, is the Community Health Worker Coordinator currently overseeing the implementation of new CHW programs and long-term CHW sustainability within CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions. McKenzie was the first CHW hired at CICOA in 2022 and helped build the processes and procedures for CHWs.
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Rebecca Hailperin-Lausch, Data Analyst, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Rebecca Hailperin-Lausch joined CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions as a data analyst in March 2023. Since joining, she has played a key role in consolidating and unifying CICOA's diverse data sources. Using Tableau, Rebecca creates dynamic, live dashboards that serve as important tools for stakeholders throughout the organization.
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W37) Adult Protective Services and Public Guardian: MDT and Collaboration
Focus Area: Elder Justice
Adult Protective Services (APS) is on the front line of elder abuse and self-neglect. When there is no one willing or able to assist a senior or dependent adult who lacks capacity, APS will refer them to the Office of the Public Guardian (PG). These cases can take months before they are before the courts, leaving many of these vulnerable individuals between services and potentially at risk. Learn how San Diego County, the PG and APS identified the need to address this gap prior to the appointment of a conservator.
Presenters:
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Alejandrina (Alex) Martin, Supervisor, County of San Diego, San Diego, CA [biography]
I have a Bachelor’s of SW from San Diego State University. I have been in the field of SW for over 38 years. I have worked with the homeless population, and as a case manager with conservatee’s that were under LPS conservatorship. For the last past 16 years I have been working for the county of San Diego as a supervisor. I am a mom of 3 and a grandma of 2.
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Michelle Abrena, Supervising Deputy Public Guardian, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]
I have a Bachelors Liberal Arts and Sciences Communicative Disorders. I have been in the field of social services since 2001. I have worked with elders 60 years and older, dependent adults 18-59 years, homeless population, as a case manager with IHSS, CCTP, APS, Alzheimer�s� Response Team, APS-Continuing Services which provides person�centered case management as well as comprehensive information and assistance services to APS cases that are high risk and require on-going support and assistance to monitor for safety and harm, and currently working with the Public Guardian Office as the Supervising Deputy Public Guardian. I have three children and enjoying spending time with friend and family at the beach.
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W38) How Can We Make Transportation Accessible for All? New Ideas From ATRC
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
The new Accessible Transportation Resource Center (ATRC), funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), has embarked on an effort to both identify the barriers encountered by transportation users who are older adults, have disabilities or are marginalized or underserved and learn about approaches that work to address those barriers. ATRC’s work is guided by a diverse Steering Committee that includes providers, researchers, advocates and transportation users. This workshop will include both an overview of the work of ATRC to improve the accessibility of transportation and offer concrete examples of ways in which communities can increase transportation access to better meet the needs of vulnerable users. Speakers from ACL and the ATRC Steering Committee will present.
Presenters:
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Virginia Dize, Director, Transportation and Co-Director, NADTC, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Virginia Dize is the Program Director of Transportation at USAging and Co-Director of the FTA-funded National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). Ms. Dize also directs USAging’s work on the National Transportation Accessibility Center and Inclusive Coordinated Transportation Partnership Project, funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
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Lori Gerhard, Director, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Lori Gerhard is the Director of the Office of Integrated Programs, U.S. Administration for Community Living in Washington, DC. As part of her work, she oversee the Accessible Transportation Resource Center.
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Stephanie Blunt, Executive Director, Trident Area Agency on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Center, North Charleston, SC [biography]
Stephanie Blunt is the Executive Director of Trident Area Agency on Aging/Aging and Disability Resource Center in North Charleston, SC. She was hired as Program Manager in August 2000 and was promoted as Executive Director in January 2002. Under the direction of the Trident Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors, Stephanie provides oversight for all Older Americans Act Services, including Title III-B Supportive Services. She ensures that Title III-B Funding is allocated to providing safe, affordable, and accessible transportation in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties.
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Grayson Lee, Program Associate, Community Transportation Association of America, Washington, DC [biography]
Grayson Lee is a Program Associate at the Community Transportation Association of America, which operates the Accessible Transportation Resource Center through funding by the Administration on Community Living. Previously, she also worked briefly on Transit Planning for All, an ACL technical assistance center focused on inclusive planning. She graduated from Brown University with a degree in International Relations.
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W39) Examining Best Practices to Reduce Readmissions and Enhance Post-Discharge Outcomes in Aging
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Leaders from the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging will: 1) show how CCTP saves one health plan $1.5 million per year, 2) examine the financial model the agency uses to operate sustainably and 3) review business principles payers and CBOs must agree to for successful relationships. The goal of this presentation is to show organizations seeking to increase their profitability and impact through care transitions how they can create a process that is sustainable and raise the health and wellbeing of their communities.
Presenters:
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Rainna Bernesser, Director of Special Services and Strategic Planning Bureau, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Area Agency of 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.
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Darren Cerrato, Senior Analyst, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Office of Analytics, Technology, and Planning, Pittsburgh, PA [biography]
Darren Cerrato has worked at Allegheny County DHS for 17 years across most human service domains managing custom, state, and/or federal software solutions. He manages AAA’s software solutions, including a few WellSky products. He ensures all Aging data from 124 streams across the county are integrated in our Datawarehouse.
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W40) Multi-Sector Plans 101: Coming to a State Near You?
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
There’s lots of buzz around master or multi-sector plans on aging, but what do AAAs and Title VI programs need to know now? Hear national, state and local perspectives on how these planning efforts can benefit aging policy and services in your state—and ideally complement and support your area plans. Gather examples from other states to inform your state’s AAA and Title VI involvement!
Presenters:
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Jennifer Crawley, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Jennifer Crawley was appointed as Maryland's Department of Aging Deputy Secretary in July 2023. Crawley has more than 25 years of experience in local and state government and the healthcare industry. Crawley earned her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland.
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Victoria Jump, Executive Director, Ventura County Area Agency on Aging, Ventura, CA [biography]
Ms. Jump has been the Ventura County Area Agency on Aging executive director since 2004. Under her leadership the organization adapted programs based on the communities’ needs and developed additional programs to support the community as needed. Working within the older adults’ services arena, Ms. Jump’s efficacy as a leader
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Amy Herr, Director, Health Policy, West Health Policy Center, Washington, DC [biography]
Amy Herr is the Director, Health Policy for the nonprofit, nonpartisan West Health Policy Center. West Health is dedicated to lowering healthcare costs to enable seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence. Amy leads the organization’s aging policy portfolio, including championing Multisector Plans for Aging at the state level, expanding the PACE program, and advancing actionable policy proposals to lower the cost of healthcare and accelerate the move to a value-based care system.
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W41) Accelerating Housing, Health and Social Care Partnerships to Advance Housing Stability
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
The relationship between housing and health is well established. Poor housing conditions can worsen health outcomes related to infectious and chronic disease, injury and mental health. Older adults are the fastest growing age group experiencing homelessness, composing nearly half of the homeless population, and their numbers are estimated to triple by 2030. A growing number of states are leveraging new flexibilities under Medicaid, federal housing resources and the Older Americans Act (OAA) to cover services and supports that help people find, obtain and maintain their housing. HHS and HUD launched the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator to support states working to expand innovative housing-related supports and services. This session highlights efforts and investments across HHS and HUD promoting multisector collaboration and lessons learned through the Accelerator.
Presenters:
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Ryan Elza, Interagency Housing Innovation & Strategy Lead, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC
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Lynn Kimball, Executive Director, Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, Spokane, WA [biography]
Lynn Kimball is the Executive Director of Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, which serves a mix of urban and rural counties in Washington State. Lynn came to the Aging Network in 2006 and found her home combining her passion for helping older adults and people with disabilities with her love of advocacy and community organizing. She has served on the USAging Board of Directors, representing Region X, since 2019, and currently serves in the position of 2nd Vice President.
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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
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| 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
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| 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Mobile Workshops
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MW02) Navigating Independence: Empowering Older Adults Through Local Transit Solutions
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
In this interactive session, attendees will explore the dynamic world of travel training within local routes, with a particular focus on older adults utilizing fixed-route buses and streetcars.
Embark on a journey aboard the TECO Line Streetcar for a firsthand look at its accessibility features, followed by a comprehensive presentation at the streetcar barn. From there, this mobile workshop will delve into the nuances of travel training, emphasizing the importance of personalized routes tailored to individual needs, safety considerations and mobility aid accommodation.
Discover how Hillsborough Area Regional Transit's (HART) partnership with local agencies facilitates seamless referrals, enabling access to the support and resources that people with disabilities and older adults need. Delve deeper into the practicalities of transit travel, from understanding inevitable system hiccups to fostering patience and resilience in the face of delays and disruptions.
Join HART as they empower older adults to embrace independence, navigate transit systems confidently and seize the opportunities for connection and exploration that local transit offers. Let's pave the way for a future where every older adult can travel with ease and confidence.
Presenters:
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Catherine Sanchez, Customer Service Supervisor and former HART Travel Trainer, Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), Tampa, FL [biography]
Catherine Sanches stands as an advocate for accessibility and inclusivity at HART, championing the rights of individuals with disabilities, seniors, and those in need. As the Customer Service Supervisor, Catherine's journey is defined by her commitment to making public transit accessible to all members of the community. She is a voice for the community, speaking up for those who rely on HART's services for mobility and independence.
Beginning her career at HART in 2014 as a Bilingual Travel Trainer, Catherine quickly worked towards breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access for all. Through her leadership, she has fostered a culture of empathy and understanding, where individuals with disabilities and seniors feel valued and supported. Catherine's dedication to inclusivity extends to every facet of her work, from setting clear expectations to providing personalized assistance and support to those in need.
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Ernest Fernandez, HART Bilingual Travel Trainer, Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), Tampa, FL [biography]
Ernest Fernandez brings a rich blend of cultural heritage and educational expertise to his role as a HART Travel Trainer. A proud Florida native hailing from Tampa with Cuban roots, Ernest's journey is one of diverse experiences and unwavering dedication.
Equipped with a Bachelor's degree in Religious Studies from the University of South Florida, Ernest's academic pursuits delved into the complexities of global perspectives and cross-cultural understanding. His fluency in both English and Spanish, coupled with teaching experiences in diverse settings, reflects his commitment to effective communication and inclusive learning environments.
Ernest's professional journey is a testament to his versatility and passion for empowering others. From teaching English in China to nurturing indoor landscapes back in Tampa, he has embraced every opportunity to connect with people and make a positive impact.
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| 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
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Networking Break in the Tradeshow
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| 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM
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| 3:00 PM - 4:15 PM Workshops
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W42) Speed Networking With Nutrition Innovation Grantees: Connect, Learn and Go!
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
Do you need inspiration to modernize your nutrition program? Connect with Senior Nutrition Program professionals who are leading innovative projects across the country in this fast-paced, exciting speed networking session! New ACL Innovations in Nutrition Grantee projects featured in this session may include developing and evaluating a new internet food delivery application that links underserved older adults to food and other services, leveraging community-clinical partnerships to address malnutrition risk in older adults, increasing participation and access to congregate nutrition services with pop-up locations and café models and more! Join us for candid conversations, gain insights via peer-to-peer learning and get your questions answered. Walk away with valuable replication tools and contacts to launch your own innovation project!
Presenters:
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Erin Hoisington, Nutrition and Aging Content Director, Nutrition and Aging Resource Center, Des Moines, IA [biography]
Erin Hoisington is the content director for the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center. In her role, she works to disseminate existing content and create new resources to support the aging nutrition network. Erin has been in this role since November 2021.
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Bambi Press, Healthy Aging Director, Nutrition and Aging Resource Center, Des Moines, IA [biography]
Bambi Press is a registered dietitian and Healthy Aging Director for Iowa HHS and the Nutrition and Aging Resource Center. She supports the aging network in modernizing and building resiliency of Older Americans Act congregate and home-delivered nutrition services, including new, innovative models that are changing the aging landscape.
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W43) Meet Your ACL Regional Administrator/Leadership
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
ACL's leadership team, including 10 Regional Administrators, provides support to the national Aging Network in a variety of ways. This session will feature updates on key support activities relevant to Older Americans Act (OAA) programs, including the status of OAA regulations, followed by time to meet your Regional Administrator and engage in regional discussion breakout groups.
Presenters:
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Lacey Boven, Regional Administrator, Region V, ACL, Chicago, IL
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Cynthia Brammeier, Regional Administrator, Region VII, ACL, Kansas City, MO
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Stephanie Cole, Regional Administrator, Region III, ACL, Philadelphia, PA
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Percy Devine, Regional Administrator, Region VIII, ACL, Denver, CO
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Fay Gordon, Regional Administrator, Region IX, ACL, San Francisco, CA
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Constantinos Miskis, Regional Administrator, Region IV, ACL, Atlanta, GA
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Rhonda Schwartz, Regional Administrator, Region II, ACL, New York City, NY
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Jennifer Throwe, Regional Administrator, Region I, ACL, Boston, MA
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Kathleen Votava, Team Lead, Center for Regional Operations, ACL, Washington, DC
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Amy Wiatr-Rodriguez, Director, Center for Regional Operations, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Coming soon
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Derek Lee, Regional Administrator, Administration for Community Living, Dallas, TX [biography]
Derek Lee is the regional administrator for the Administration for Community Living for Region VI, providing policy guidance and technical assistance related to Older Americans Act home- and community-based services. Derek serves as the point of contact for disaster assistance and provides guidance on developing and implementing state plans.
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Louise Ryan, Regional Administrator, Administration for Community Living, Seattle, WA
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| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
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| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Corporate Fast-Track Sessions
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CF01) Marco? Polo! Answer the Call to Create Funding and Transform Community Health
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Join this session to hear what’s been happening in your network to combat shrinking allocations and limited resources. Learn new strategies to leverage partnerships, engage new payers and increase referrals into social care services, all while bettering the health of your community and becoming a more resilient sustainable entity. It’s not too late to answer the call!
Sponsored by CCS Health
Presenters:
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Kate Hinken, Vice President of Customer Success, CCS Health, Boulder, CO [biography]
Kate serves as the Vice President of Customer Success CCS Health since 2017. Prior to joining CCS, Kate worked as an educator in the Chicago area as a teacher. Kate holds a Master’s Degree from North Park University and a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa. In her customer success role, she ensures that CCS clients achieve their business objectives by helping them to realize the full benefit of our solutions.
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Michelle Comeau, Vice President of Care Transitions Intervention, CCS Health, Portland, OR [biography]
Michelle leads the CTI Coach and CTI+ Software trainings, program development, and the on-going support of Transitions Coaches in the international network of CTI Program Providers. In her 15 years in evidence-based health promotion programs, Michelle has assisted countless numbers of organizations and professionals in program adoption at the local, county, and state levels. She’s proudly been in all stages of this work from advocate, community-workshop leader, instructor, and county coordinator.
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| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
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| 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM Fast-Track Sessions
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FT01) Success Stories From Working With Health Systems/Payers in Providing Care Transitions
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
There are real consequences when a person’s discharge from hospital to home isn’t properly organized. Learn the risks and perils of post-transitions—and how to mitigate them—from a community-based organization that successfully provides care transitions services. Partners in Care Foundation has built strong connections working with hospitals and plans in devising workflows that keep patients on track with recovery and off the readmission treadmill. This session will start with what goes wrong when the transition process isn’t carefully planned, what that planning should entail, how to work with hospitals, health systems, and payers in contracting for and implementing the service, and an overview of the evidence-based tools available to support the process.
Presenter:
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June Simmons, President and CEO, Partners in Care Foundation, San Fernando, CA [biography]
June Simmons is the founding President and CEO of Partners in Care Foundation based in San Fernando, California. Since its founding in 1997, Partners has grown exponentially and made major contributions to the growth of the Community Care Hub model aligning healthcare and social care services nationally.
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FT02) Revitalizing Community Connections: Strategies for Increased Congregate Meal Site Participation
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, two-thirds of older adults in the Older Americans Act nutrition program were served in congregate sites. Earlier pre-pandemic studies showed that more than 90 percent of congregate participants went to the meal sites for socialization. With the rise of social isolation and its harmful consequences, we can benefit both congregate meal sites and the individuals they serve through successful reopening models.
Presenters:
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Robert Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), Washington, DC [biography]
Robert “Bob” Blancato is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. He is also President of Matz, Blancato and Associates, the National Coordinator of the bipartisan 3000-member Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator of the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition.
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Laura Borth, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Elder Justice Coalition, Washington, DC [biography]
Laura Borth is a policy associate at Matz, Blancato, and Associates and provides policy analysis and advocacy support for Defeat Malnutrition Today, the Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Previously, Laura worked as a Public Service Fellow in Policy at Feeding Wisconsin and
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FT04) Protecting Pension and Retirement Rights Is Complex—We're Here to HELP!
Focus Area: Elder Justice
There are clear indicators that people of all ages are both concerned and apprehensive about their economic security in retirement. Such concern and apprehension results in a surge in questions from participants regarding their pension rights. These trends make it necessary that those participants be able to get answers to their pension questions from knowledgeable and experienced professionals and obtain access to the full value of their earned pension benefits.
Presenter:
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John Doan, Vice President for Operations and Equity, Trellis, St. Paul, MN [biography]
John is the Vice President for Operations and Equity at Trellis, a nonprofit that helps people optimize well-being as they age. He is also the primary caregiver for his mom and older brother. John is a member of the Shoreview City Council and active in a number of civic groups.
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FT06) Outdoor Recreation for Older Adults—A Model Worth Exploring
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Outdoor cycling is a low-impact way to improve endurance and build lower body strength while enjoying the pleasures of nature. The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence launched Cycle2Health in 2013. Cycle2Health is an outdoor peer-led bicycling club for adults of all ages and riding abilities, which offers three weekday rides of varying levels per week from spring through fall. This presentation will provide guidance on how to start an outdoor recreation program in your area and strategies for ongoing success.
Presenters:
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Courtney Harangozo, Health Promotion and Nutrition Division Manager, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, Laurel, MD [biography]
Courtney Harangozo is the Health Promotion and Nutrition Division Manager for the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. Courtney has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Master’s degree in Human Resources Development. She is a committed to improving access to programs and services that inspire healthy aging.
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Jennifer Lee, Health Promotion Program Manager, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, Laurel, MD [biography]
Jennifer Lee is the Health Promotion Program Manager for the Howard County Office on Aging and Independence. Jennifer has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and maintains her Health Coach and other Fitness Instructor certifications. Jennifer has a passion for addressing health disparities and serving a diverse older adult demographic.
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FT07) Volunteer Respite Programs: A Lifeline for Caregivers
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
Get an up-close look at how the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.’s Volunteer Caregiver Respite Program serves as a lifeline for family caregivers. This program allows caregivers a worry-free break on a regular basis. Each week, a trained volunteer age 55 or over comes to visit with the aging loved one. This is made possible by the partnership between the Caregiver Support Program and AmeriCorps Senior RSVP Program.
Presenters:
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Merideth Wagoner, Director, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]
Merideth Wagoner is Director of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program at the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio. Merideth restructured the RSVP Program and greatly expanded its volunteer participation in its ten-county area – more than doubling volunteer participation. She has a B.A. in History and Classics from Denison University.
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Arcelia Armstrong, Director, Caregiver Support and Kinship Navigator Programs, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]
Arcelia Armstrong is a licensed social worker with over 25 years clinical experience. At the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, she leads Caregiver Support and Kinship Navigator Programs. She has a B.S. in Social Work from Tuskegee University and Certificate in Executive Leadership from Center for Nonprofit Resources.
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FT08) Health Equity in Action: The Juniper Community Care Hub
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Explore the innovative journey of Minnesota's Juniper community care hub in a panel discussion featuring its leaders and a national health equity expert. Delve into the challenges, triumphs and broader implications of Juniper’s approach to healthy aging and its impact on social determinants of health.
Presenters:
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Mark Cullen, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development, Trellis, Arden Hills, MN [biography]
Mark Cullen cultivates healthcare sector partnerships and drives strategic organizational growth in his role with Trellis. Prior to coming to Trellis, Mark served as a program officer at the Corporation for National and Community Service where he administered the Federal Government’s investments in AmeriCorps VISTA and Senior Corps programs. He has also held positions with United Way and Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Mark holds a Bachelor Degree in Political Science and a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of South Dakota.
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Ali Mahdavi-Shirvani, Health Equity Analytics Consultant, Trellis, Arden Hills, MN [biography]
Ali Shirvani-Mahdavi, Ph.D. is a principal within the Payer Advisory practice at a leading consulting firm, with a focus on improving payers’ financial and clinical performance through the use of analytics, strategy and whole person approach to plan performance.
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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.
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FT09) Promoting Inclusiveness of Older People With Sensory Loss
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
More than 12 million Americans aged 40 years and older experience vision impairment, and with an aging American population this number is expected to double by 2050. Learn how an AAA in Texas embraced the need to be inclusive of older adults with sensory loss. Find out the steps they followed to train staff and educate older consumers. This session will also highlight the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition on Aging toolkit for service providers.
Presenters:
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Valerie Biediger, Health and Wellness Specialist, AACOG Area Agency on Aging, San Antonio, TX [biography]
Valerie Biediger is the Health and Wellness Specialist with the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) – Bexar Area Agencies on Aging (BAAA). She assists older adults ages 60 and older to maintain their independence, mobility, and quality of life through evidence-based programs on falls prevention, healthy eating, and exercise.
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Priscilla Rogers, Special Advisor, Aging and Vision Loss, American Foundation for the Blind, Mooresburg, TN [biography]
Pris Rogers, Ph.D. serves as a special advisor on aging and vision loss. She is a consultant to VisionAware, an online program that helps adults who are losing their sight continue to live full and independent lives and works with the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition.
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| 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
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| 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Hot Topics
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HT05) Contracting in a Network: Opportunity, Benefits & What to Expect
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
When you contract directly with a plan or health system, your agency has an active role in determining terms of the contract and partnership. Sometimes it is hard to contract directly with a payor, and sometimes opportunity comes in the form of a downstream contract to a network. But what happens when you contract as part of a network, whether it be a CCH or a third- party contracting entity? What do you need to know, and what questions should you be asking? Are these network partnerships the same? If not, what are the big differences? What are the big benefits of a downstream contract? And, what should matter to your agency as you consider a downstream contract? Join us and hear from our experts!
Sponsored by Independent Living Systems
Presenters:
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Abner Mason, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, GroundGame.Health, North Hollywood, CA [biography]
Abner Mason is the Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer for GroundGame.Health, a social impact company that manages the complex connections between health plans, members, and Community-Based Organizations to fulfill unmet social and care needs for people everywhere. Abner has spent decades working to reduce barriers to care faced by underserved people nationally and internationally, from the local to the federal level. Abner also founded HealthTech 4 Medicaid and SameSky Health.
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David Rogers, ILS President and Interim President, Florida Community Care, Independent Living Systems, Miami, FL [biography]
With over three decades in healthcare leadership, David Rogers has been at the helm of Independent Living Systems (ILS) as President since September 2020. He is also interim Plan President for Florida Community Care (FCC), a key subsidiary of ILS and the exclusive statewide provider of long-term care services under Florida's Medicaid umbrella. In his tenure at ILS, David oversaw many significant milestones for the organization, including growing revenue to over $1 billion for the first time in the company’s history and overseeing the creation of a new homecare services division for the organization. Prior to joining ILS, David was Managing Principal at Health Management Associates (HMA). David also served as Assistant Deputy Secretary for Medicaid Operations, functioning as Florida's Medicaid program's Chief Operations Officer and served as Idaho's State Medicaid Director.
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Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, Aging and Disability Business Institute, 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.
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Bob Harnach, Chief Executive Officer, CCS Health and Care Transitions Intervention, Fort Myers, FL [biography]
Bob Harnach, Chief Executive Officer of CCS Health, Care Coordination Systems, and Care Transitions Intervention®, assists states, healthcare systems, providers, insurance companies, CBOs and communities in health transformation through best business practices, value/alternative payment models, and as the architect of Care Coordination systems platforms for data gathering and sharing. His talents are available to states, providers, ACOs, AAAs, FQHCs, counties, and communities interested in sustainable community health, reduced health inequity, improved health outcomes, greater client/patient engagement, and lower care costs.
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| 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
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| 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM Corporate Fast-Track Sessions
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CF02) Role of Nutrition in Older Adult Nutritional Health During Anti-Obesity Medication Treatment
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Obesity is a chronic disease impacting two out of five older Americans. It is a cause for concern because obesity is linked to increased rates of chronic disease, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer. New anti-obesity medications expand obesity treatment options, but a stronger policy framework is needed to ensure older adults’ nutrition health. This session focuses on obesity as a chronic disease, describes anti-obesity medication use and potential nutrition impacts for older adults, outlines gaps in health policy specifically related to anti-obesity medications and nutrition and identifies opportunities for advocacy to address these gaps and advance quality health care and health equity.
Sponsored by Defeat Malnutrition Today
Presenter:
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Robert Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), Washington, DC [biography]
Robert “Bob” Blancato is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. He is also President of Matz, Blancato and Associates, the National Coordinator of the bipartisan 3000-member Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator of the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition.
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| 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM
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| 3:45 PM - 4:15 PM Fast-Track Sessions
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FT10) Filling in the Gaps: Creating a Kinship Caregiver Support Program
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
How does an older adult kinship caregiver tackle the need for respite, food insecurity and a lack of adequate financial resources to provide necessities? LOVE and support. This session will focus on filling in the gaps in services with ideas such as developing a summer camp for children providing older adult kinship caregivers respite and a support program offering tangible items such as beds, clothing, health maintenance supplies, food vouchers and opportunities for kinship families to come together for support. Learn about developing community partners, grant opportunities and ideas for using collected data to continually expand programming.
Presenters:
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Christy Boone, Director of Special Projects and Housing , Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, Youngstown, OH [biography]
Christy Boone is the Director of Special Projects and Housing for Direction Home of Eastern Ohio. She coordinates the Kinship Support Program. She uses her energy to collaborate with community partners to further develop these beneficial programs for older adults and those living with disabilities in our community.
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Cassandra Valentini, Director of Communication and Community Outreach, Direction Home of Eastern Ohio, Youngstown, OH [biography]
Cassandra Valentini is the Director of Communications and Community Outreach for Direction Home of Eastern Ohio (DHEO). She is a graduate of Youngstown State University with a degree in Gerontology as well as Social Work and is a licensed Social Worker.
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FT11) Developing a Hospital-to-Home Transitions Program
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
This session will showcase the nationally recognized hospital-to-home partnership between Cambridge Health Alliance and Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services in Somerville, MA. The program, instituted in 2013, reduced unnecessary readmissions by 30 percent. Panelists will share perspectives on the program’s impact and unveil inspiring success stories as we shape the future of aging and health care. The session will also provide valuable insights into broader value-based payment trends, shedding light on how the integration of services effectively addresses social determinants of health and what policymakers can do to support expanding such programs to help improve public health and patient satisfaction while reducing per capita care costs.
Presenters:
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Marta Corvelo, Chief Executive Officer, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography]
Corvelo joined SCES in May of 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in the health and nonprofit sectors. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of disparities across the care continuum and is passionate about the public health benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration.
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Annie Fowler, Chief Programs Officer, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography]
Fowler oversees all clinical departments at SCES as Chief Programs Officer. Fowler joined SCES as an Elder Care Advisor in 2005 and has served as Director of what is now known as the SCES Community Support Center and Assistant Director for the agency.
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FT12) Getting Back Out There: Leveraging Community Supports to Engage Rural Older Adults
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
Living in a rural community can be inherently isolating, but AAAs have creative programs and services that strengthen, connect and sustain these tight-knit communities. In a competitive business environment, this deep local knowledge and trust built up over decades is invaluable and should be treated as such. Join this session to learn how a variety of rural AAAs are connecting their local health plan with innovative programs for engaging older adults.
Presenters:
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Jessica Machler, Senior Program Manager, Rural Health and Social Engagement, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Jessica Machler joined USAging in January 2023. Prior to joining USAging, Jessica worked for the Area Agencies on Aging in Pennsylvania. Since 2015, she has served various roles to assist with building and scaling networks to increase the quality and geographic reach of care for older adults.
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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.
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FT13) Increasing Vaccination Uptake: Tools You Can Use
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Implementing science-based public education campaigns to build vaccine confidence is paramount for improving vaccination uptake rates and help reduce the spread of pan respiratory viruses. This session will highlight lessons learned from the successful pan respiratory vaccination campaigns led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Administration on Community Living and the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA). The session will also provide a sneak peek of ASPA’s soon-to-be-launched Pan Respiratory Virus Public Education Campaign, which includes communications and engagement tools that community partners will be able to use to amplify the campaign messages among those who are at higher risk of serious outcomes from respiratory viruses.
Sponsored by: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
Presenter:
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Nicole Becerra, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Nicole Becerra, MPH, CHES, Aging Services Program Specialist for the Administration for Community Living. Nicole has over 15 years of in-network aging experience with a focus on community programming and policy and holds a Masters in Public Health The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
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FT14) Empowering Autonomy: Revolutionizing Independent Living Through Customized Transportation Innovations
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
This session will showcase the innovative and impactful work of two AAAs, each of whom partnered with On The Go, a nonprofit transportation solution. Information will be shared about their successful pilot programs, speaking directly to the more than 25,000 safe, reliable and cost-effective rides that were offered for older adults, which also included outcomes achieved for older adults, operational efficiencies experienced by their agencies, funding and ease of replicability. Attendees will leave with specific ways to overcome transportation barriers quickly and cost effectively. The session will also explain how the pilot programs utilized high-tech solutions while bridging the digital divide through thoughtfully designed senior-friendly program elements.
Presenters:
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Kelly Earnheart, Senior Vice President, On The Go: powered by CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), San Diego, CA [biography]
Kelly Earnheart is the SVP at CARS overseeing the On The Go transportation team. With 20+ years of work in the non-profit sector, she served the past 15 at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital driving $200M+ in strategic development, building best in class global partnerships, and designing innovative initiatives.
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Hannah Scott, Care Coordinator, SeniorAge, Springfield, MO [biography]
Hannah has been with SeniorAge for 4 years. She began working in the kitchen at one of the Senior Centers. For the past two and a half years, she has worked as a Card Coordinator and took over managing the transportation program.
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FT15) Meeting of Minds: Funding Collaborative Approaches Addressing Abuse in Later Life
Focus Area: Elder Justice
While severely underreported, abuse in later life has a significant impact on an older adult’s health and well-being. This session will raise the visibility of abuse in later life and share information about a federal grant program to support local communities in addressing it. Abuse in later life refers to the intersection of domestic violence, sexual assault and elder abuse, neglect and exploitation of adults who are age 50 older. Attendees will learn about the value and benefits of applying for an Office on Violence Against Women Training and Services to End Abuse in Later Life grant, the various components of this grant program, and locate resources available for addressing abuse in later life in their community.
Presenter:
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Martie Washington, Abuse in Later Life Program Coordinator, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, Madison, WI [biography]
Martie Washington is the Abuse in Later Life Program Coordinator at the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life; providing training and technical assistance to OVW grantees and other professionals in the elder justice field. She has an extensive background in case management, training and collaborative engagement.
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FT16) One Voice Many Stories: Elevating the Home Care Workforce
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
Delve into the highlights of a groundbreaking qualitative study, One Voice Many Stories, as we delve into the profound experiences of home care workers from coast to coast. The presenter interviewed dozens of home care workers to uncover challenges, opportunities and drivers. This initiative aims to surface their voice to accelerate much-needed change in care. With a growing workforce shortage and many leaving the profession to make ends meet, each story has the power to spark new thinking, innovation and, most importantly, change.
Presenter:
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Brandi Kurtyka, Co-Founder and CEO, MissionCare Collective, St. Petersburg, FL [biography]
Brandi Kurtyka is a nationally recognized speaker on front-line healthcare recruitment and retention. CEO of MissionCare Collective, the parent company of myCNAjobs and CoachUp Care, Kurtyka’s team manages the largest caregiver community in the nation and has spent the past decade in the trenches serving the industry. A mom of 4 kids and based in St. Petersburg Florida, Brandi’s mission is to change the culture of care, to bring meaning and purpose to care careers, and imagines a world where care workers are inspired to do great work and patients get the care they need when they need it.
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FT17) Improving Access for Older Adults With Neighborhood and Culturally Specific Based Approaches
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
An AAA’s community listening sessions in 2016 identified that older adults and families need access to resources that are delivered in person-centered, trauma-informed, culturally relevant formats. The service delivery model for Older Americans Act (OAA)–funded services was working but needed improvements by adding agencies that serve cultural and ethnic groups. Learn about the history of collaboration with Multnomah County for delivering OAA services to older adults in Portland, OR. Hear from a culturally specific agency that joined as a contracted partner to deliver OAA and other services to older adults from their cultural community. Hear how these partnerships improved service delivery for our AAA and what we learned while establishing them.
Presenter:
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Lynn Schemmer-Valleau, Community Services Program Manager, Multnomah County Aging, Disability & Veterans Services, Portland, OR [biography]
Lynn's been working in the aging field since 1992. She joined Multnomah County Aging, Disability & Veterans Services in 2009. She oversees the AAA's Older Americans Act programs and contracts with community organizations. Lynn is the state-wide lead for Care Transitions. 2018 Leadership Institute grad.
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| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
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| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Corporate Fast-Track Sessions
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CF03) Proven AAA Technology to Increase Caregivers Served, Decrease Burnout, and Improve Outcomes
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
Join us as we delve into a USAging 2023 Aging Innovations Award-Winning Caregiver Program that produced a 74-percent reduction in reported isolation, 35-percent reduction in depressive symptoms and 6-percent reduction in stress. Discover other “age well at home” social, health and cost outcomes that increased caregiver confidence, impact and resilience.
Sponsored by GoMo Health
Learn how this solution increases lifestyle engagement that breaks down the barriers to serving the sandwich generation of caregivers by delivering “in-the-moment-of-need,” real-time personalized daily support messages, training, resources, respite care options, Medicare support and human-to-human guidance from trained case managers.
Don't miss this opportunity to learn why AAA case managers love this program and how it can be seamlessly integrated into your business model to scale equitable caregiver support services.
Presenter:
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Jessica Andersen, GoMo Health, Omaha, NE [biography]
Jessica Andersen has made a career out of her passion for innovation, quality, and process improvement in healthcare. Bridging the gap between patient care and the pivotal use of 21st-century technology to increase program participant satisfaction and outcomes. Jessica proudly supports clients with their clinical performance improvement and organizational best-practice needs.
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| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
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| 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM Fast-Track Sessions
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FT18) Housing Decisions and Older Adults' Financial Security, Health and Independence
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
As older adults’ largest source of wealth and largest expense, homeownership significantly impacts financial security, health and independence. Yet, many older homeowners have not planned for housing as they age. To address this issue, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau developed the four “just in time” guides to assist older adults as they navigate the known pain points of what to do with their home as they age. These milestones are how to navigate (1) the death of a spouse/partner, (2) a change in health, (3) leaving the home to heirs and (4) using home equity to meet financial needs. This Fast-Track will give you insights and tools to engage diverse parts of your community in planning for future housing decisions.
Presenter:
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Hector Ortiz, Senior Policy Analyst, Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Washington, DC [biography]
Hector L. Ortiz, PhD, is Senior Policy Analyst at the CFPB where works on initiatives related to financial literacy, retirement security, and elder financial exploitation. Hector has provided technical advice to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on these issues. Previously, he worked at the National Council on Aging.
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FT19) Everything Everywhere All At Once—Advocacy for the New Normal
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
Area Agencies on Aging carry advocacy as a call to action through the Older Americans Act. However, advocacy has changed dramatically, first due to time and place and now in a post-pandemic world. Join with advocates and policy professionals to talk about how we adjust our outreach, use technology effectively and revise delivery of our messages to make our voice heard in a crowded policy and budget world. Training, recruitment, developing messaging, technology tools and using data will all be a part of an interactive discussion.
Presenter:
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Nicole Palmateer Hazelbaker, Government Relations, Oregon Association of Area Agencies on Aging & Disabilities, Salem, OR [biography]
Nicole Palmateer Hazelbaker is a strategic communications expert with experience in government affairs, fundraising, campaign management and public relations. Nicole founded Bravio Communications in 2005 to serve a diverse client base and successfully represents Oregon's Area Agencies.
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FT20) Wits Workout—An Engaging and Interactive Brain Health Program
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Wits Workout is an engaging and interactive brain health program for older adults that can be done in a variety of settings. Wits Workout serves a need in increasing socialization, reducing isolation and promoting intellectual engagement in older adults, all of which complement current aging-brain health research. The University of Illinois Extension Educators designed this for professionals to facilitate these brain exercise classes. Through its interactive dialog and experiential activities, this program will assist in maintaining or adopting long-term health-promoting behaviors.
Presenter:
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Deborah Allen, Executive Director, PennCares, Hanover, PA [biography]
Deborah Allen received her BS in Rehab Services from East Stroudsburg University, her MSW from Temple University and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She currently works for PennCares in Hanover, PA, as their Executive Director. She has over 18 years’ experience conducting educational trainings.
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FT21) Ensuring Equity in Medicare Benefits Access Programs
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
ACL will provide an overview of the equity work being conducted within ACL's Medicare benefits access programs (SHIP, SMP and MIPPA). This will include information on the equity assessments being conducted and the initial results from those assessments, an overview of a new person-centered thinking toolkit developed to assist ACL grantees and program team members, changes to data collection to better inform the work being done, and an overview of the Senior Medicare Patrol Diversity, Equity and Inclusion grants awarded to a handful of states to target activities within their programs to expand access and inclusion.
Presenter:
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Melissa Simpson, Assistant Director, Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC
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FT22) Food Is Medicine: Improving Health Through Home-Delivered Medically Tailored Meals
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Medically tailored meals are fully prepared, nutritious meals delivered to people’s homes and underscore the food-is-medicine trend. They are especially beneficial for those struggling with diet-related conditions like diabetes, heart failure, kidney disease and cancer. Join this session to learn how medically tailored meals can be funded through the Older Americans Act and make an impact on residents’ quality of life while decreasing hospitalizations and health care expenditures.
Presenter:
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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.
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FT23) You Are Not Alone: Recognition and Respite Activities to Edify Family Caregivers
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
This session will focus on supporting family caregivers in underserved urban communities. Key practices and activities used by Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Aging, will be shared, including recognition events, respite care, health education and other specialized services to keep caregivers better connected to public programs, community agencies and family.
Presenters:
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Jose Jimenez, Senior Center Director of Operations, Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Jose Jimenez is the Operations Director for Baltimore City senior centers. In this role, Jose oversees 13 senior centers city-wide which offer programs and services for older adults. Prior to this position, Jose served as the manager for the Family Caregivers Program for eight years.
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Linda Stewart, Family Caregivers Program Manager, Family Caregivers Program, Division of Aging, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Linda M. Stewart is the program manager for Baltimore City Health Department’s Family Caregivers Program. In this role, Linda oversees and facilitates the delivery of supportive services to assist the growing number of Baltimore citizens who provide unpaid care for older adult relatives, those with disabilities, and grandchildren.
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FT24) Elder Justice and the OAA
Focus Area: Elder Justice
Is it time for the Older Americans Act to have a larger presence in elder justice beyond its current role? Leaders of the Elder Justice Coalition will delve into the possibilities for elder justice within the next reauthorization and other current elder justice topics.
Presenters:
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Robert Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), Washington, DC [biography]
Robert “Bob” Blancato is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. He is also President of Matz, Blancato and Associates, the National Coordinator of the bipartisan 3000-member Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator of the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition.
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Laura Borth, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Elder Justice Coalition, Washington, DC [biography]
Laura Borth is a policy associate at Matz, Blancato, and Associates and provides policy analysis and advocacy support for Defeat Malnutrition Today, the Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Previously, Laura worked as a Public Service Fellow in Policy at Feeding Wisconsin and
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FT26) Levels of Leadership: Grow Yourself and Your Team!
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
Learn how to master five levels of leadership for yourself and your team. When a leader understands these levels and the techniques to master them, they will increase productivity, engagement and culture. Emerging leaders and those who have been in leadership roles for years can benefit from this session. Attendees will learn skills that they can implement right away.
Presenter:
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Duana Patton, CEO, Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc., Ontario, OH [biography]
Duana Patton has been with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. since 1994 where she started as Director of HR. In 2006, Ms. Patton became the Chief Executive Officer. Duana is a Certified Trainer and Executive Coach. She proudly serves on local, state and national boards.
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| 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
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Registration and Information Desk Open
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Lactation Room
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| 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
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Continental Breakfast
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| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
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| 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM General Sessions
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GS03) Healthy Aging and the Brain-Body Connection
Focus Area: General Session
Brain health has rightly become a hot topic! As the “command center” for our thoughts, memory, emotions and motor function, our brains are critically important to our overall health and longevity. Brain health is also connected to physical health and impacted by nutrition, exercise and socialization. This session will explore the latest and most fascinating research on brain health and the brain-body connection as well as focus on the ways that your AAA or Title VI program can build on the work you do every day to promote brain health for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers.
Sponsored by Aetna
Presenters:
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Rani Snyder, Vice President, 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.
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Sarah Lenz Lock, Senior Vice President for Policy and Brain Health, AARP, Washington, DC [biography]
Sarah Lenz Lock is SVP of Policy and Brain Health where she leads AARP's policy initiatives on brain health and care for people living with dementia, including serving as the Executive Director of the Global Council on Brain Health, an independent collaborative of scientists, doctors, and policy experts.
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Lee Washington, Medical Director, Aetna [biography]
Lee Washington, MD, MPH is a Senior Medical Director in Aetna National Accounts. He provides consultative services to large employers with a focus on population health strategies, quality of care and cost effectiveness. As new population health challenges emerge, Dr. Washington has also participated in enterprise-wide efforts to address these challenges. This has included supporting employer strategies for safely returning to work and protecting the health and well-being of their employees during the era of COVID-19.
Prior to joining National Accounts, he served in medical director roles at ActiveHealth Management – a subsidiary of Aetna – for several years, where he provided clinical direction to care management functions and contributed to content development for the CareEngine, a proprietary, industry-leading decision support technology. Dr. Washington also engaged in private practice for several years.
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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.
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| 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
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Break on Your Own
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Roundtables
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RT03) A Deep Dive on OAA Reauthorization for Advocates
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
The 2024 reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) presents a critical opportunity to modernize the law to reflect the advancements the Aging Network has made since the pandemic began. Join USAging’s policy team to get details on what’s being proposed by Congress, what USAging is doing to advance our shared agenda and what advocates need to do now!
Presenters:
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Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role, Amy leads USAging's public policy, advocacy, communications, external relations and membership relations activities. Representing local aging agencies, Amy serves as the lead in outreach to Congress and the Administration to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers.
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Olivia Umoren, Director, Public Policy and Advocacy, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role, Olivia directs the association’s legislative affairs and advocacy efforts to advance federal policies that address the needs of an aging America, plays a vital role in the development of USAging’s policy positions and priorities, and represents USAging in meetings with congressional staff and administration officials.
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Seth Ickes, Public Policy Associate, USAging, Washington, DC
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Hot Topics
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HT06) Medicare Advantage/Health Equity: AAAs Meeting the Needs of Diverse and At-Risk Populations
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Given the diverse and vulnerable populations enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA), and their need for services and supports to achieve good health outcomes, what is the future landscape of MA and Supplemental Benefits? While health plans have predominantly contracted for nutrition services and transportation, what new services can help drive better outcomes for diverse populations? And how can AAAs, with their excellent track record of supporting diverse populations, bring their knowledge and expert care of these populations to the MA program?
Sponsored by Better Medicare Alliance
Presenters:
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Mary Beth Donahue, Better Medicare Alliance, Washington, DC [biography]
Mary Beth Donahue is President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance. Mary Beth began her career in Massachusetts state government before ascending to the role of Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Donna E. Shalala. She served as Executive Director of Kidney Care Partners and is the past Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Operations of AHIP. Mary Beth also serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and served on the Advisory Council Member to the Cancer Support Community.
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Justin Barclay, VP, Consumer Insights & Analytics, Tivity Health, San Antonio, TX [biography]
A veteran of analytics and program evaluation across for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations, Dr. Barclay is Tivity Health’s Vice President of Analytics, Consumer Research, and Data Strategy. He leads the company’s efforts in these areas and is responsible for overseeing a strategy which effectively captures the voice of the customer, and converts actionable insights from data into business outcomes which positively impact millions of seniors each year.
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Lee Washington, Medical Director, Aetna [biography]
Lee Washington, MD, MPH is a Senior Medical Director in Aetna National Accounts. He provides consultative services to large employers with a focus on population health strategies, quality of care and cost effectiveness. As new population health challenges emerge, Dr. Washington has also participated in enterprise-wide efforts to address these challenges. This has included supporting employer strategies for safely returning to work and protecting the health and well-being of their employees during the era of COVID-19.
Prior to joining National Accounts, he served in medical director roles at ActiveHealth Management – a subsidiary of Aetna – for several years, where he provided clinical direction to care management functions and contributed to content development for the CareEngine, a proprietary, industry-leading decision support technology. Dr. Washington also engaged in private practice for several years.
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Corporate Workshops
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CW05) Health and Social Care Systems Integration: Sharing Care
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
Integrating health and social care is really about “sharing care”. How does a health care clinician or hospital system provide a warm hand-off to a social care clinician, and what are the critical workflows and information exchanges that help make it a successful hand-off? Likewise, how can a social care clinician provide a warm handoff to a medical or mental health provider? Is the system currently set up to empower an appropriate hand-off and to empower shared outcomes? Or does your agency need to enhance your workflows and information exchange to ensure the best, person- centered outcomes possible for your clients? Join us to explore the gaps and opportunities related to social and health care integration.
Sponsored by CCS Health
Presenters:
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Michael Klinkman, MD, Michigan Health Information Network, and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI [biography]
Dr. Klinkman is a family physician whose academic work has focused on developing the human and technical infrastructure needed to support “whole-person” primary care. He has worked directly with community stakeholders to co-design solutions to support shared care across the US, and since 2020 he has worked with the Michigan Health Information Network (MIHIN), and national collaboratives including the Gravity Project and Direct Trust to develop scalable solutions for cross-sector data exchange to connect health and social care providers.
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Corey Smith, American Medical Association, Conifer, CO [biography]
Corey has devoted his entire 23+ year career helping healthcare providers, payers, national governments, software vendors, medical specialty societies, and standards development organizations from around the world to make healthcare data useful and valuable. At the AMA, Corey and his team focus on improving patient health outcomes, reducing physician burden, and advancing health equity by empowering physicians with clinically valid data and software solutions that meet physician needs. Corey holds a BA in Psychology from Northwestern University and an MS in Computer Science from University of Chicago.
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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
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Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of Florida Hospital Association, Tallahassee, FL [biography]
Mary Mayhew is President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, which represents more than 200 hospitals and health systems throughout Florida. Florida’s hospitals provide care for 11 million patients per year, provide jobs for more than 300,000 Floridians and contribute over $177 billion to the economy each year. Since joining FHA in October 2020, Mayhew has advanced policies that strengthen the pipeline of healthcare workers in Florida, coordinated response and recovery from natural disasters, and successfully advocated for critical funding resources to support access to vital healthcare services for Florida’s most vulnerable individuals and families.
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
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| 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Workshops
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W44) Reinventing the Wheel: A Hub-and-Spoke Model of Veteran Support
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
This session will delve into the innovative and person-centered approach of the Veteran Directed Care Hub-and-Spoke model. AAAs will learn how to use this model to revolutionize the delivery of care and support services to veterans while providing unrestricted funds to strengthen their existing services.
Presenters:
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Angela Bentsen, Director of Development and Strategic Partnership, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, Lombard, IL [biography]
Angela Bentsen is an accomplished clinician and leader with 24 years of expertise in Aging Services and is the Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships for AgeGuide Northeastern IL. Angela has a master's in clinical psychology and is an LCPC with expertise in Dementia Care
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Marla Fronczak, CEO, AgeGuide Northeastern Illinois, 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.
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W45) Rethinking Community Engagement: The Role of AAAs in Inclusive Transportation Planning
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
Area Agencies on Aging have unique opportunities to be leaders in community-led change through processes of “inclusive transportation planning.” This workshop will provide participants with a framework of inclusive planning principles and determinants of transportation equity for older adults and people with disabilities. Hear from National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC) staff and the Association on Aging in New York about their experiences in creating community events to amplify equity and inclusion within transportation planning. Workshop presenters will review steps to identify and prioritize community needs, how to facilitate dialogue among diverse stakeholders, how to manage feedback and use that to prepare for “what’s next.” Attendees will leave with tangible engagement strategies and feel confident in starting inclusive transportation discussions in their own communities.
Presenters:
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Kathryn (Katy) Carroll, Disability and Program Coordinator, Association on Aging in New York, Albany, NY [biography]
Katy Carroll (she/her/hers) is a disabled woman who is reliant on and an avid user of public transportation. At the Association on Aging in New York she is working to support and enhance New York's AAAs to work in collaboration with the aging services network to promote independence.
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Virginia Dize, Director, Transportation and Co-Director, NADTC, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Virginia Dize is the Program Director of Transportation at USAging and Co-Director of the FTA-funded National Aging and Disability Transportation Center (NADTC). Ms. Dize also directs USAging’s work on the National Transportation Accessibility Center and Inclusive Coordinated Transportation Partnership Project, funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living.
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W46) Arrowhead Regional Consortium for Health Care Staffing: Collaboration vs. Competition
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
Join leadership and partners from the Arrowhead Regional Consortium for Health Care Staffing for a discussion of how this group began and how members are working together to raise awareness of careers in health care and long-term care sectors, connecting students to learning opportunities, collaborating on training resources and educating job seekers about exiting prospects in these sectors. Learn how competitors became partners in increasing the workforce talent pool through innovative strategies.
Presenters:
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Brenda Shafer-Pellinen, Eldercare Development Partnership (EDP) Program Developer, Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, Duluth, MN [biography]
Brenda has been working with the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging (AAAA) since 2016. She is a planner focused on workforce issues and housing options in the region. Prior to working with the AAAA, Brenda had almost 20 years of experience working in the state legislative sector strategizing on policy.
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Shayla Drake, Northeast Workforce Strategy Consultant, MN Department of Employment and Economic Development, Duluth, MN [biography]
Shayla Drake is the Northeast Workforce Strategy Consultant with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Her work focuses on developing innovative workforce solutions by aligning resources, facilitating collaboration, and leveraging expertise in targeted industry sectors to drive economic equity and growth. Shayla is a former direct care professional who transitioned careers to help others navigate not only the Health and Human Services Industry but all industries.
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W47) Resources for Strengthening Elder Justice Through Diverse Community Partnerships
Focus Area: Elder Justice
Everyone deserves to age with dignity and safety, but elder mistreatment spreads fear and harm. As the U.S. older adult population becomes increasingly diverse, this amplifies the urgency for elder justice responses to account for an individual’s background, culture and identity. In this session, presenters and participants will discuss how to identify community needs and strategies to build equitable collaborations. Participants will be able to access and describe model initiatives and resources developed by national partners to support elder justice collaborations.
Presenters:
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Elaine Chen, Operations Manager, National Center on Elder Abuse at USC, Alhambra, CA [biography]
Elaine manages projects to develop and disseminate information and tools for professionals and community members dedicated to addressing elder mistreatment and advancing elder justice. Her experience includes creating and implementing interdisciplinary training programs in higher education.
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Martie Washington, Abuse in Later Life Program Coordinator, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, Madison, WI [biography]
Martie Washington is the Abuse in Later Life Program Coordinator at the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life; providing training and technical assistance to OVW grantees and other professionals in the elder justice field. She has an extensive background in case management, training and collaborative engagement.
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W48) Forming Community-Clinical Partnerships to Implement Community Health Integration Codes
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
The Oregon Wellness Network and the Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative Aging Network Community Care Hubs participated in the Partnership to Align Social Care learning collaborative to implement the community health integration billing codes, integrated with a health care provider. The CHI/PIN codes are the first billing codes approved as a Medicare benefit to directly reimburse for social care interventions to address health-related social needs. The session will provide an overview of the barriers and challenges to implementing the Community Health Integration codes from the perspective of Community Care Hubs supporting the Aging Network in Oregon and the Aging Network in Western New York.
Presenters:
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Timothy McNeill, Founder & 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.
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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.
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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.
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W49) Real Talk About LGBTQ+ Inclusive Outreach and Services: Successes and Challenges
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
AAAs across the country are developing LGBTQ+ inclusive area plans and strategies for outreach and services in accordance with the Older Americans Act. During this session, learn firsthand about the successes and challenges as AAAs in Florida and Missouri share their work in supporting the full inclusion of older LGBTQ+ people and their caregivers in the Aging Network. Join this session to learn how you can replicate work such as an LGBTQ+ Aging Webinar Series and convening a Statewide LGBTQ+ Aging Alliance Network.
Presenters:
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Anneliese Stoever, Director, St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, St Louis, MO [biography]
Anneliese Stoever, MSW is the Director of the St Louis Area Agency on Aging and supervises staff, develops programs, writes grants, monitors services, and leads several community project initiatives. Ms. Stoever has a Bachelor�s degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and a Masters in Social Work.
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Sherrill Wayland, Senior Director of Special Initiatives, SAGE, St Louis, MO [biography]
Sherrill Wayland is the Senior Director of Special Initiatives and Partnerships at SAGE, leading the National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging.
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Linda Levin, CEO, ElderSource [biography]
Linda Levin has her Masters Degree in Gerontology, has worked for Area Agencies on Aging for 33 years and most recently is the CEO of ElderSource since 2004. A graduate of USAging’s Leadership Institute and Business Academy, Linda is a member of the USAging Board.
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W50) Strengthening the Collaboration Between AAAs and Title VI Programs: A Look at the New Regulations
Focus Area: Title VI Native American Aging Programs: Unique Challenges and Solutions
The recently released Older Americans Act regulations require and support more expansive efforts around collaboration between AAAs that receive Title III OAA funding and tribal aging programs receiving Title VI funding. This session will highlight the new regulation requirements and showcase partnerships between successful AAAs and Title VI that work!
Presenters:
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Jasmine Aplin, Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs , Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Jasmine Aplin has been working with Title VI programs for almost 5 years now. Jasmine currently serves as the team lead within the Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs. During her time with Title VI, Jasmine has had the honor of hosting numerous chats, taking trips to Indian Country and getting to know so many Title VI directors! Before joining ACL and Title VI, Jasmine worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 4.5 years. Jasmine is originally from Tampa, Florida, but moved up to the Washington D.C. area to attend Law School. Jasmine has a Law Degree and a Master of Public Health.
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Cynthia LaCounte, Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Cynthia LaCounte, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, has worked as the director of the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs since January 2012. The Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), is responsible for programs of social and supportive services for older adults. Cynthia has oversight for Older Americans Act Programs that serve American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians elders. She began her work with tribal elders in 1976 as Area Agency on Aging’s director for Montana tribes, which launched her career as an advocate serving Native elders. Prior to joining AoA/ACL, Cynthia was a project manager for the Title VI Training and Technical Assistance Project through Kauffman and Associates, Inc. She has held the post of chairwoman for the Trenton Indian Service Area.
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Brenda House, Elder Services Director, Wyandotte Nation, Wyandotte, OK [biography]
Brenda House is the Elder Services Director for the Wyandotte Nation. She oversees the Title VI A (Nutrition) and C (Caregiver) Programs. Brenda has been employed at the Wyandotte Nation since July 1987. All 36 plus years have been with the Title VI Program. She is a graduate of the Native American Institute on Aging. She is the Treasurer of the Oklahoma Indian Council on Aging, Treasurer of the National Title VI Association, former President of the Grand Gateway AAA Advisory Council and she along with the former Director of Grand Gateway AAA, formed the Northeast Oklahoma Caregiver Coalition, which received State, Regional and National recognition for their Medicare Diabetes Health Screening Initiative. She is a recipient of the USAging Title VI National Leadership Award and currently serves on the USAging Board of Directors.
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Leslie Tanoue, ALU LIKE, Inc., Honolulu, HI [biography]
Leslie Tanoue is the Director of Elderly Services at ALU LIKE, Inc., overseeing the implementation of OAA Title VI services to Native Hawaiians on Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai, and Oahu. Having the fortune to grow up with her grandparents set the foundation for her work with and for older adults for the past 28 years.
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Lynn Kimball, Executive Director, Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, Spokane, WA [biography]
Lynn Kimball is the Executive Director of Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern Washington, which serves a mix of urban and rural counties in Washington State. Lynn came to the Aging Network in 2006 and found her home combining her passion for helping older adults and people with disabilities with her love of advocacy and community organizing. She has served on the USAging Board of Directors, representing Region X, since 2019, and currently serves in the position of 2nd Vice President.
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W51) Operation Aging Veterans: Pioneering Partnerships, Removing Barriers for Aging/Disabled Homeless Veterans
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
Veteran Affairs’ collaboration between Housing and Urban Development–VA Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) with Geriatric and Extended Care (GEC) focuses on housing aging and disabled veterans. HUD-VASH aims to provide high-quality care to homeless veterans who are aging and/or living with complex medical needs to exit homelessness and live independently for as long as possible. The program strives to find collaborative ways to utilize existing internal resources and enhance relationships with community partners. This collaborative initiative is comprised of four key strategies: increasing access to GEC services for veterans experiencing homelessness, developing housing options to assist with using HUD-VASH vouchers in specialized housing settings, expanding the use of HUD-VASH project-based vouchers (PBV) with intensive onsite services and proactively developing partnerships with community agencies.
Presenters:
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Sherry Braslavsky, HUD-VASH and GEC Program Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Fayetteville, AR [biography]
Sherry Braslavsky is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked at the VA since 2015, in multiple roles that include HUD-VASH Coordinator, Suicide Prevention Coordinator, and Medical Foster Homes Coordinator. Currently, Sherry serves as VISN 16 HUDVASH and Geriatric Program Specialist.
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Edgar Hernandez-Garcia, HUD-VASH and GEC Program Coordinator, Department of Veterans Affairs, Seattle, WA [biography]
Edgar Hernandez-Garcia holds a Masters in Social Work Administration from the University of Washington, 2004. Joining the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2010, where he has provided direct patient care, supervision and program oversight in a variety of programs. Edgar serves as VISN20 HUDVASH and Geriatric Program Specialist.
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Tonya Starkey, HUD-VASH and GEC Program Specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, San Angelo, TX [biography]
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Case Manager, Tonya provides clinical care in medical and mental health settings. Tonya has served as a Health Care for Homeless Program Manager and Chief, Social Work at West Texas VA. Currently, Tonya serve as VISN 17 HUDVASH and Geriatric Program Specialist.
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W52) Whole-State Disaster Preparation for a Culturally and Geographically Diverse Older Population
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
Join the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs and the Administration for Community Living regional office for this session on Louisiana’s innovative approaches to engaging AAAs and community partners in preparation and planning for emergencies and disasters. Drawing from past experiences with frequent hurricanes, floods, wildfires, hard freezes and droughts, session participants will learn of Louisiana’s methods for whole-state preparation on behalf of a culturally and geographically diverse older population. Lessons learned from historic storms, such as Hurricane Katrina, up to managing its state network during the recent public health emergency will be covered. This session will help conference participants to better evaluate the quality of readiness in their states.
Presenters:
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Cheri Crain, Program Manager 2, Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, Baton Rouge, LA [biography]
I'm the Compliance and Planning Manager for the Office of Elderly Affairs in Louisiana. I oversee the operations during disasters with the Area Agencies on Aging and Councils on Aging throughout the State. In addition, I sit on committees and boards developed for disaster response and recovery.
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Kayla Doyle, Program Manager 1A, Louisiana Governor's Office of Elderly Affairs, Baton Rouge, LA [biography]
Kayla Doyle is the Disaster Program Manager for the Office of Elderly Affairs in Louisiana. She is the primary point of contact during a disaster for the Area Agencies on Aging and Councils on Aging throughout the State. In addition, provides guidance and assistance on developing their Disaster Preparedness Plans.
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Derek Lee, Regional Administrator, Administration for Community Living, Dallas, TX [biography]
Derek Lee is the regional administrator for the Administration for Community Living for Region VI, providing policy guidance and technical assistance related to Older Americans Act home- and community-based services. Derek serves as the point of contact for disaster assistance and provides guidance on developing and implementing state plans.
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W53) The ($8.5) Million Dollar Question: Re-Envisioning Maryland’s Senior Care Program
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Maryland’s Senior Care Program was developed four decades ago as a gap-filling intervention to provide low-cost interventions to help older people delay and/or avoid institutional placement. Forty years forward, the program operated by the 19 AAAs is seeing increased demand, longer utilization and access challenges due to waitlists and workforce shortages. The program garnered the attention of the Maryland General Assembly, which authorized a one-time influx of $8.5 million in FY 2024. While more funds are needed to meet the demand, both challenges and opportunities exist with a single fiscal year of funds. The SUA and two AAAs will discuss the complications of this seemingly simple solution and outline the innovative methods to capitalize on this investment and plan for the uncertain funding future.
Presenters:
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Heang Tan, AAA Director, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Heang Tan is the Deputy Commissioner of Aging and Care Services at the Baltimore City Health Department. As a long-time public health and community advocate, she leads the City's efforts to improve the lives and well-being of older adults.
Heang started her career as a community health worker and has nearly twenty years of progressive public health experience focused on serving the most vulnerable communities, mitigating disparities, and promoting health equity. Before joining the Baltimore City Health Department, she was with the Society for New Communications Research and led statewide efforts to reduce health disparities in Connecticut.
In addition to serving on the USAging board, Heang serves on several boards and Commissions focused on improving the lives of older residents, including the Governor's Oversight Committee of Long Term Care and the of Area Agencies on Agencies.
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Kathy Schey, Division Director, Frederick County Aging and Independence, Frederick, MD [biography]
Kathy Schey serves as the Division Director of Frederick County, Maryland’s Division of Aging & Independence and has done so for the past 6 years. During this time, the Division has created numerous multi-sector initiatives, re-visioned service delivery systems to increase efficiencies, and enhanced community outreach to underserved areas. Additionally, the Division has launched an integrated operating system that streamlines data gathering, measuring both volume of services provided, and value added to constituents. Kathy holds a master’s degree in Management of Aging Services from the Erickson School at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
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Jennifer Crawley, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Jennifer Crawley was appointed as Maryland's Department of Aging Deputy Secretary in July 2023. Crawley has more than 25 years of experience in local and state government and the healthcare industry. Crawley earned her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies and Master of Social Work from the University of Maryland.
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W54) Using Art and Music to Promote Social Connection and Reduce Romance Scams
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
Join Area Agency on Aging 3’s Awakenings Victim Outreach and Stages Behavioral Health as they address the psychological impact of romance scams and how they utilize a multidisciplinary approach to promote social connection. Speakers will discuss the reasons individuals may be prone to falling for romance scams, the multifaceted effects of romance scams themselves and how they work to mitigate those effects by using case examples and data.
Presenters:
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Anna Hairston, Awakenings Care Coordinator, Area Agency on Aging 3, Lima, OH [biography]
Anna Hairston has a master's in clinical social work with a concentration in Gerontology. Anna has been an advocate for older adult victims of crime for 5 years within AAA3's Awakenings Victim Outreach program.
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Jacqueline Carver, Clinical Director of Mental and Behavioral Health Outreach Services, Area Agency on Aging 3, Lima, OH [biography]
Jacqueline Carver, MSW, LISW-S, CCTP is a mental health therapist who has been working in the non-profit sector for over fourteen years. Jacqueline graduated from The Ohio State University with her Master of Social Work Degree in 2010. Jacqueline currently provides mental and behavioral health services at AAA3.
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| 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
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Leadership Institute Alumni Luncheon (by invitation only)
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Lunch on Your Own
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| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
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Technology Lab
The Technology Lab is a new addition to the USAging Annual Conference and Tradeshow, where specific companies will come together in an intimate setting to show and tell their transformative solutions and technology innovations. In this space, companies will be able to demonstrate their technology-related products or services up close and how they enhance the AAAs’ ability to care for older adults and people with disabilities. This hands-on lab will allow attendees to try out the technology while companies display the future of consumer-facing innovation that addresses some of the Aging Network’s most pressing challenges, including health system integration, social isolation, caregiver support and other virtual/technology health care solutions.
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Roundtables
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RT04) Innovative Approaches to Data Management and Systems Integration
Focus Area: Data, Information Exchange and Interoperability
Join us for a lively discussion centered on data management, information technology and interoperability. Attendees will share strategies for getting the most out of your data and systems to support your agency’s programs and services, reporting and health care contracting. Share and learn about creative approaches to system selection, workflows, data and information exchange and more. This roundtable discussion will cover challenges and strategies that attendees can take back home to their AAAs.
Presenters:
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Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, Aging and Disability Business Institute, 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.
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Courtney Baldridge, Business Strategy & Health Systems Integration, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Courtney Baldridge, with over twenty-five years of work in the aging and public affairs arena, runs USAging’s business strategy and health systems integration work. Courtney has worked with the nation’s leading health care and corporate entities focusing on all aspects of aging and health care education, programming and contracting. Additionally, Courtney works with a wide range of data and interoperability standards and stakeholder groups, working to integrate socialcare in the broader integrated care landscape. Courtney currently serves in as the Chair of the Direct Trust Socialcare Work Group, Co-Chair of Direct Trust’s Information Exchange for Human Services, Co-Chair of HL7 Human and Social Services Work Group, as a member of The Gravity Project Operating & Steering Committees.
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Traci Wilson, Director, Research, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Traci Wilson is USAging's Director of Research. Her primary responsibility is leading the Information and Planning Grant Program, which is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and includes the administration of the National AAA and Title VI Program Surveys, topical polls, and analysis and dissemination of findings.
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Hot Topics
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HT07) The Health and Social Care Team: Sharing Care With Caregivers
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
Caregivers are the frontlines for their loved ones, usually at-risk and vulnerable people needing care. But with the integration of health-related social needs screening in health care settings, and the sharing of care between health and social care clinicians, where do caregivers fit in? Screening and information exchange can create a chaotic and confusing landscape for accessing information and knowing who is in charge at what point of the care journey. How can we help our caregivers navigate the landscape to gain the best outcomes for their loved ones? And how can we help minimize the burden caregivers face? Join us as we explore the needs of and support for this critical group of care providers as they work to navigate a complex system on behalf of their loved ones.
Sponsored by Trualta
Presenters:
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Crystal White, Caregiver Support Coordinator, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, Detroit, MI [biography]
Crystal White, MA, FLE joined the Detroit Area Agency on Aging in 2018 as the Community Resource Navigator. In 2019 she became the Caregiver Support Coordinator, having the honor of building out a new Caregiver Resource Center for the agency.
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Jonathan Davis, CEO and Founder, Trualta, Vancouver [biography]
Jonathan started Trualta six years ago. Now his team has government partners in 32 states, nationwide Medicaid and Medicare plans, and large health systems delivering self-paced training, live classes, and virtual support groups to thousands of family caregivers. Through clinical validation and a robust evidence base, Trualta’s team is proving that trained, confident family caregivers can improve outcomes and bend the cost curve for our aging population.
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Michael Klinkman, MD, Michigan Health Information Network, and University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI [biography]
Dr. Klinkman is a family physician whose academic work has focused on developing the human and technical infrastructure needed to support “whole-person” primary care. He has worked directly with community stakeholders to co-design solutions to support shared care across the US, and since 2020 he has worked with the Michigan Health Information Network (MIHIN), and national collaboratives including the Gravity Project and Direct Trust to develop scalable solutions for cross-sector data exchange to connect health and social care providers.
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
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| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Workshops
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W55) One Hundred Miles: Considerations for Providing No-Cost Transportation to Low-Income Older Adults
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
Transportation is a crucial component of maintaining independence, accessing needed services and staying socially engaged. Affordable and accessible transportation options can be challenging for older adults, especially those on a fixed income, living with disabilities or residing in an area without access to public transit. In October 2022, enrollment began for the San Diego County No-Cost Transportation Program for Older Adults, which provides up to 100 miles of transportation per month to eligible older adults to use as they wish. As the end of this pilot program approaches, the County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services, will share strategies employed, lessons learned and program adjustments made along the way. This session will highlight program outcomes such as transportation utilizations, program costs and evaluation results.
Presenters:
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Roberto Ramirez, Health Promotion Manager, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]
Roberto currently serves as the Health Promotion Manager at the County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services (AIS). At AIS, Roberto oversees the planning and implementation of various health and wellness programs and initiatives which aim to help older adults live healthy, safe, and thriving lives.
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W56) Leveraging University Partnerships to Transform AAA Programs Through Evaluation
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions (CICOA), the Area Agency on Aging for central Indiana, has partnered with the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community (CAC) to conduct an organizational evaluation with the goal of determining and illustrating the impact of CICOA as an organization on its clients and the community. During this session, you will be provided with the road map for leveraging university partnerships to transform your programs through evaluation. If you are looking for new strategies or methods to strengthen your business operations or are curious about the value a standard process for evaluation would bring to your organization, then this session is for you!
Presenters:
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Ellen Burton, Executive Director, University of Indianapolis Center for Aging and Community, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Ellen Burton, Executive Director at the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community (CAC), offers strategic leadership, driving business strategy. Burton collaborates with CAC faculty & staff and aging services organizations nationally to provide consulting, project management, and evaluation dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of older adults.
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Maggie Schrage, Director of Quality, CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Maggie Schrage is the Director of Quality at CICOA. She oversees the development, management and implementation of quality assurance and process improvement activities. She also oversees CICOA’s accreditation efforts in collaboration with departmental leadership.
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Kelsey Chance, Director, Data and Research, CICOA Aging and In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Kelsey Chance is the Director of Data and Research at CICOA. She leads CICOA’s data efforts to support and enhance reporting, program operations and evaluations, and research and innovation to better serve our clients and community. Kelsey also supports CICOA’s engagement with academic partners and institutions for research.
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W57) Powerful Advocacy in Action: A Partnership Approach
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
A key charge given to Area Agencies on Aging is to provide leadership as an advocate on behalf of older people. AgeOptions operationalizes this responsibility through a broad base of organizations and individuals, including legislators, government officials and fellow advocacy groups. AgeOptions leverages this base to examine local, state and national issues that impact older adults and caregivers in an effort to advance, reform and modernize programs, policies and services.
Presenters:
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Diane Slezak, President and CEO, AgeOptions, Oak Park, IL [biography]
Diane Slezak is President and CEO of AgeOptions and the Illinois Association of AAA’s VP. 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 and creation of a statewide Caregivers’ Coalition.
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Bill Benson, President, International Association for Indigenous Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
William F. Benson is co-founder and President of the International Association for Indigenous Aging (IA2), a national organization representing the interests of American Indian and Alaska Native elders, managing national projects funded by ACL, the CDC, the CDC Foundation and the DoJ. Benson is also President of Health Benefits ABCs, a policy consulting practice. He has spent 5 decades advocating for older adults, holding senior leadership positions in California, the U.S. Congress and U.S. Administration on Aging (ACL).
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W59) Gathering Partners, Resources and Services to Reduce Social Isolation in Older Adults
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
The Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence (LWCE), a Division of MAC, Inc., Area Agency on Aging (AAA), connects older adults and people with disabilities to a wide array of programs and activities to reduce social isolation and loneliness. LWCE works with diverse partners across Maryland including AAAs, senior housing, senior centers, pharmacists and other community locations to deliver in-person and virtual innovative programs. Participants are assessed to identify social isolation and loneliness and encouraged to participate in multiple activities, including blood pressure checks, vaccinations, evidence-based falls prevention and chronic disease self-management programs, as well as cooking classes and opportunities to receive organically grown vegetables. Programs and activities across these multiple activities provide many opportunities to increase opportunities for older adults to connect with others.
Presenters:
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Leigh Ann Eagle, Chief Operations Officer, Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence - MAC, Inc., Salisbury, MD [biography]
Leigh Ann Eagle is the Chief Operating Officer of the Living Well Center of Excellence (LWCE) at MAC, Inc., an area agency on aging that oversees Maryland’s implementation of Healthy Aging Evidence Based Programs. Ms. Eagle is responsible for all aspects of program management for LWCE.
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Wendy Farthing, Director of Evidence Based Integration CDSME/FALLS, Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence - MAC, Inc., Salisbury, MD [biography]
Wendy assists with marketing and recruitment; identifying training needs; ensuring data collection processes are followed; performing fidelity/quality assurance monitoring; assisting with provider referral processes; mentoring partners and regional coordinators; establishing county or regional workgroups focused on older adults and/or health/quality of life.
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Sue Lachenmayr, State Program Coordinator, Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence - MAC, Inc., Easton, MD [biography]
Sue Lachenmayr is the State Program Coordinator for the Maryland Living Well Center of Excellence - Division of MAC, Incorporated Area Agency on Aging. Her expertise includes training in diverse evidence-based programs and grant-writing.
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W60) Urban Native Elder Voices: Findings From the Native Urban Elder Needs Assessment
Focus Area: Title VI Native American Aging Programs: Unique Challenges and Solutions
More than 70 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives live in urban areas, including Native elders who are often left without culturally competent services and supports that are vital to having a good quality of life. The urban Native population is underrepresented in national data sets, impacting the level of resources and funding that are allocated to them. To better assess their unique needs and advance the health equity of urban Native elders, the National Resource Center on Native American Aging (NRCNAA), in partnership with the Coalition on Urban Indian Aging, developed the Native Urban Elder Needs Assessment Survey (NUENAS), which surveyed more than 1,000 urban Native elders nationwide. Results of this survey will be discussed, including key findings, comparisons and how attendees can put the data into action.
Presenters:
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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 [biography]
Collette Adamsen, PhD is a Research Assistant Professor and the Associate Director for Indigenous Health and Aging and Research and Evaluation at the Center for Rural Health. She also serves as the Director of the National Resource Center on Native American Aging and the Resource Center on Native Aging and Disabilities at the University of North Dakota in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Other projects she oversees include the Native Urban Elders Needs Assessment Survey (NUENAS) and the Native Aging in Place Project (NAPP).
Dr. Adamsen has over a decade of experience working in the areas of research, education, training, and technical assistance with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) communities and Native aging programs. In her position, she provides grant project direction and leadership, conducts both quantitative and qualitative research, manages data and specializes in working with the AI/AN/NH elder populations.
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Jasmine Aplin, Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs , Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Jasmine Aplin has been working with Title VI programs for almost 5 years now. Jasmine currently serves as the team lead within the Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs. During her time with Title VI, Jasmine has had the honor of hosting numerous chats, taking trips to Indian Country and getting to know so many Title VI directors! Before joining ACL and Title VI, Jasmine worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 4.5 years. Jasmine is originally from Tampa, Florida, but moved up to the Washington D.C. area to attend Law School. Jasmine has a Law Degree and a Master of Public Health.
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Cynthia LaCounte, Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Cynthia LaCounte, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, has worked as the director of the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs since January 2012. The Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), is responsible for programs of social and supportive services for older adults. Cynthia has oversight for Older Americans Act Programs that serve American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians elders. She began her work with tribal elders in 1976 as Area Agency on Aging’s director for Montana tribes, which launched her career as an advocate serving Native elders. Prior to joining AoA/ACL, Cynthia was a project manager for the Title VI Training and Technical Assistance Project through Kauffman and Associates, Inc. She has held the post of chairwoman for the Trenton Indian Service Area.
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W61) Explore the NCOA Center for Healthy Aging’s Three National Resource Centers
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Learn how the National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging Resource Centers support professionals as they improve the lives of older adults. Funded by the Administration for Community Living, the National Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) Resource Center, National Falls Prevention Resource Center and the Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center work collaboratively with national and local partners to provide innovative content, best practices, toolkits, webinars, campaigns, marketing materials and other resources that support their work. The Resource Centers also encourage and support networking among all stakeholders, providing online and in-person peer learning and collaboration opportunities.
Presenters:
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Kate Gibbons, Program Specialist, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography]
Kate Gibbons is a Program Specialist at the National Council on Aging. She provides training and technical assistance for community-based organizations implementing evidence-based programs. Additionally, at NCOA, she grows and coordinates community health education efforts and develops resources for professionals and older adults.
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Dianne Stone, Associate Director, Network Development and Engagement, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography]
Dianne Stone has more than 20 years of experience with senior centers and aging issues, primarily as the Director of the Nationally Accredited Newington Senior and Disabled Center in Newington, Connecticut. Stone has also worked, volunteered, and held leadership positions with a variety of organizations in Connecticut, including Connecticut AgeWell Collaborative, the ADA Coalition of Connecticut, Connecticut Medicaid Oversight Council, the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity and was a 20-year member of the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). She joined NCOA in January 2022, as a member of the Center for Healthy Aging, where she is primarily focused on supporting senior centers throughout the country through the ACL-funded Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center and NISC.
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Kathleen Zuke, Associate Director, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography]
Kathleen Zuke is an Associate Director at the National Council on Aging. As part of the Center for Healthy Aging, she provides training through the National Chronic Disease Self-Management Education and Falls Prevention Resource Centers.
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W62) Reframing Aging for Age-Inclusive Infrastructure
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
Effective age-inclusive polices uplift our communities and ensure we can all age with dignity and respect. Across the country, organizations and advocates at the local, state and national levels are using evidence-based tools from the National Center to Reframe Aging to change the way they communicate about aging and to strengthen programs and policies for us all as we age. The National Center is leading the way to advocate for age-inclusive systems by addressing ageism and implicit bias to change attitudes towards aging. Join the National Center during this session to hear from experts about evidence-based frames, what tools and tips can help you change the conversation about aging and how advocates across the country are applying these tools.
Presenters:
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Hannah Albers, Program Director, National Center to Reframe Aging, Washington, DC [biography]
Hannah Albers is the Program Director of the National Center to Reframe Aging (NCRA). Hannah brings her skills of group facilitation, strategic planning, grant and board management, and process improvement to the NCRA. Hannah has a degree in International Business and Global Service graduated from Valparaiso University.
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Patricia D'Antonio, Vice President, Policy and Professional Affairs, and Project Director, 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.
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W63) Dementia Friends Iowa: An Innovative Program Implementation and Evaluation Model
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
Explore the successful collaboration story between Iowa’s AAAs and Dementia Friends USA to establish an innovative model for advancing Dementia Friends Iowa into a fundable program. Since launching Dementia Friends Iowa in 2021, Iowa's AAAs have inspired community action and strategic, statewide coordination across Iowa's 99 counties through vital dementia education programs for the public, recruitment of local Champions and external funding support. Learn how Iowa has educated more than 7,000 Dementia Friends through 600 information sessions, which produced impactful stories and is influencing state policy changes. Explore the data evaluation plan and outcomes that provide a promising national Dementia Friends evaluation model. Join us for a discussion on Iowa's journey toward being a Dementia Friendly state built upon local community partnerships.
Presenters:
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Mary Ek, Director, Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Mary Ek is the Program Director for Dementia Friendly America, a national initiative administered by USAging. Through her work, Mary supports dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends administrators by providing technical assistance, facilitating webinars and collaboration among stakeholders and managing the development and sharing of dementia-resources.
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Joe Sample, Director of Policy & Outreach, Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging (i4a), Des Moines, IA [biography]
G. Joseph Sample, PhD, is a lecturer at Iowa State University and Director of Policy and Outreach for Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging (i4a). Joe has served in executive leadership with Iowa's Department on Aging, Heritage Agency on Aging, i4a, and on the USAging board of directors 2016-2017.
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Megan Zimmerman, Dementia Friendly State Coordinator, Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging, Waterloo, IA [biography]
Megan Zimmerman is the coordinator of Dementia Friendly Iowa, an initiative of the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging. Megan spearheaded local dementia friendly community efforts in Waterloo, IA, and has since played a key role in expanding dementia friendly initiatives statewide, including Iowa's Dementia Friends program.
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W64) Be in the Room Where It Happens: AAA Advocacy and Master Plans
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
Multi-sector or master plans (MSPs) on aging are swiftly gaining in popularity, with roughly half of states reportedly developing or considering such efforts, but not all plans or the processes behind it are the same—including recognizing AAA and tribal expertise. Hear from three seasoned AAA advocates on how they ensured that AAAs were at the table through the good, bad and ugly of their states’ processes. Learn how they used the MSPs to advance longstanding and new advocacy goals important to AAAs and to the health and wellness of older adults and caregivers. Hear great examples during this session of how your state’s AAAs can leverage MSPs most effectively, secure policy victories and increase the Aging Network’s visibility while driving better options for older adults!
Presenters:
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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.
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Rebecca Preve, Executive Director, Association on Aging in New York, Albany, NY [biography]
Becky Preve is the Executive Director for the Association on Aging in New York, a member organization representing the 59 area agencies on aging in NY. The mission of the Association is to support and enhance the capacity of New York’s local area agencies on aging and to work in
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Michael Costa, Executive Director, California Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Oakland, CA [biography]
Michael is Executive Director of the California AAA Association. With extensive health policy experience and an MPP from the University of Michigan, he was hired in 2021 to facilitate integration of social and healthcare services within the AAA network and to build the scope, reach, and effectiveness of the Association.
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W65) Organizational Restructuring—Aligning Skills With Function
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
This session will guide leaders on how to begin the process of realigning the organizational structure to best meet the emerging workforce and business needs of the aging services industry. You can do this on your own, without consultants!
Presenters:
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Colleen Morrissey, Chief External Affairs Officer, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography]
Morrissey was recently named Chief External Affairs Officer at SCES. She has been with the agency for nine years, rising from Elder Care Adviser, Special Projects Manager, and Director of Operations & Community Support.
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Marta Corvelo, Chief Executive Officer, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography]
Corvelo joined SCES in May of 2022, bringing over 20 years of experience in the health and nonprofit sectors. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep understanding of disparities across the care continuum and is passionate about the public health benefits of cross-sectoral collaboration.
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Annie Fowler, Chief Programs Officer, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, Somerville, MA [biography]
Fowler oversees all clinical departments at SCES as Chief Programs Officer. Fowler joined SCES as an Elder Care Advisor in 2005 and has served as Director of what is now known as the SCES Community Support Center and Assistant Director for the agency.
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W66) Adding a Consumer-Directed Care Option for HCBS and Respite Services
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
Facing a shortage of direct care workers, two AAAs in Arizona have added an option for participants in non-Medicaid HCBS and respite services to hire someone to provide their care and receive reimbursement from the AAAs for the hours and rate they paid, up to an approved cap. This option, called Friends & Neighbors, has proven successful for many clients, allowing them choice in who provides their care and generally allowing services to begin more quickly without the wait for an available contracted direct care worker. Participants in this workshop will learn how these programs are set up and unique challenges and successes experienced by these AAAs. If you are considering this option, or you want to share ideas, this workshop is for you!
Presenters:
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Elizabeth Reeves, Director of Community Services System, Pima Council on Aging, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Elizabeth Reeves has been a social worker in the field of aging for 25+ years, in both AAA programs and Medicaid long term care. She is currently the Director of the Community Services System at PCOA in Tucson where she collaborates with her team to provide HCBS and respite services.
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Melissa Elliott, Senior Vice-President of Programs & Services, Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Phoenix, AZ [biography]
Melissa Elliott is an MSW who has worked with older adults for over 20 years. She has been at the Area Agency on Aging, Region One in Phoenix for 17 years and is currently the Senior Vice-President of Programs & Services. Melissa was selected as a 2017 Virginia G. Piper fellow. She has been an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University since 2011.
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| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
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| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Roundtables
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RT05) The Multi-Sector Plans Trend: AAA and Title VI Peer Discussion
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
State officials and other aging advocates are increasingly initiating master or multi-sector plans on aging (MPAs/MSPAs) as they see other states adopt this approach. For many AAAs and Title VI Aging Programs, MPAs/MSPAs are unchartered territory. Via roundtable discussions, compare notes with your peers on the status of MPAs/MSPAs and the AAA/Title VI role in the planning process. Together, strategize how to advance your priorities for your community, elevate your overall leadership in the Aging Network without being saddled with unfunded mandates and discover solutions to common challenges!
Presenters:
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Amy Gotwals, Chief, Public Policy and External Affairs, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
In her role, Amy leads USAging's public policy, advocacy, communications, external relations and membership relations activities. Representing local aging agencies, Amy serves as the lead in outreach to Congress and the Administration to ensure that needed resources and support services are available to older Americans and their caregivers.
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Rebecca Levine, Senior Manager, Membership, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Rebecca Levine joined USAging in July 2014 and currently serves as Senior Manager, Membership, and Senior Program Manager, engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults. Rebecca holds a Master of Social Work from George Mason University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Pittsburgh.
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| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
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| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Corporate Workshops
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CW06) Health and Social Care Systems Integration: Revenue Opportunities to Pursue
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
As the integration of social care into the health care landscape continues to address health-related social needs (HRSNs), contracting opportunities continue to surface for AAAs. What opportunities should AAAs be paying attention to in Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and in the Medicare’s 2024 physician rules (codes)? Which service opportunities can meet numerous funders’ needs? What are AAAs already positioned to provide that make sense given the landscape? We will take a look at the major programs and types of funders, the services they are paying for, and the emerging business lines AAAs should be paying attention to in the integrated care landscape.
Sponsored by CCS Health
Presenters:
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Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, Aging and Disability Business Institute, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Marisa Scala-Foley serves as the Director of the Aging and Disability Business Institute at USAging, which provides community-based organizations (CBOs) with the tools and resources to successfully adapt to a changing health care environment, enhance their organizational capacity and capitalize on emerging opportunities to diversify funding.
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Tauhric Brown, President & CEO, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Tauhric Brown is the President and CEO of CICOA
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Lynn Schemmer-Valleau, Community Services Program Manager, Multnomah County Aging, Disability & Veterans Services, Portland, OR [biography]
Lynn's been working in the aging field since 1992. She joined Multnomah County Aging, Disability & Veterans Services in 2009. She oversees the AAA's Older Americans Act programs and contracts with community organizations. Lynn is the state-wide lead for Care Transitions. 2018 Leadership Institute grad.
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Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, Aging and Disability Business Institute, 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.
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| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM
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| 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM Workshops
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W67) Advocacy Works! How Ohio AAAs Influenced Direct Care Workforce Rate Increases
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
In Ohio, provider rates and direct care worker wages have remained stagnant, with small increases achieved only through intentional statewide advocacy efforts. It came to a head in 2022, when thousands went without care for months to a year. Ohio’s AAAs employed many new and unique advocacy techniques to engage policymakers during the state budget process, including effectively using social media for immediate and long-term impact. The result: an unprecedented 50-percent increase in personal care rates in the Medicaid HCBS waiver programs. Their efforts had positive impacts on other parts of the state budget as well. Learn how Ohio’s AAAs did it!
Presenters:
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Beth Kowalczyk, Chief Policy Officer, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a), Columbus, OH [biography]
Chief Policy Officer - Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) and member of City Council in Worthington, Ohio. Bachelor of Arts, Kent State University. Juris Doctorate, New York University School of Law. Admitted to Ohio Bar in 1993.
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Nan Cahall, Director of Government Relations, Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati, OH [biography]
Nan Kohnen Cahall is the Director of Government Relations for the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. She has more than 30 years of public policy and community relations experience, from the Ohio Statehouse to the U.S. Capitol, representing industry sectors such as education, nonprofit and home building.
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Ian Nickey, Senior Director of Communications & Government Relations, Hicks Partners, LLC, Columbus, OH [biography]
Ian Nickey has over 22 years of experience working on a wide variety of public policy initiatives, including tax reform, energy policy, education policy, economic development and elections reform. He has a deep background and expertise with the intersection of government, business, and media.
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W68) Tech to Connect: Supporting and Empowering Older Adults’ Technology Use
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
Social isolation can have devastating effects on older adults and people with disabilities. Access to the internet and technology provides a means for individuals to stay socially engaged and connect to information and supportive services. However, providing such resources may not be enough for those who lack the skills and confidence to use technology. This session will share two technology programs created by the County of San Diego’s Aging & Independence Services that provide older adults with devices, training and resources for internet connectivity. Attendees will hear about successes, challenges and best practices associated with two different program models, as well as learn strategies to ensure technology programs reach and engage diverse and under-resourced communities, including homebound older adults and those who don’t speak English.
Presenters:
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Roberto Ramirez, Health Promotion Manager, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]
Roberto currently serves as the Health Promotion Manager at the County of San Diego, Aging & Independence Services (AIS). At AIS, Roberto oversees the planning and implementation of various health and wellness programs and initiatives which aim to help older adults live healthy, safe, and thriving lives.
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W69) Dementia Self-Management: A Chronic Disease Self-Management Innovation for People Living with Dementia
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
This session introduces Dementia Friendly Nevada’s new, freely available Dementia Self-Management Guidebook—an innovative resource designed with and for people living with dementia according to principles of chronic disease self-management. Results will be shared from recent pilots of a multi-week Dementia Self-Management Program that uses the guidebook to engage people living with dementia in developing strategies for living well. Attendees will learn about the development of the guidebook and program, the importance of authentic partnerships and human-centered design and hear testimony from guidebook advisors living with dementia about their experience as partners on this project and the personalized strategies they have developed to live well.
Presenter:
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Casey Acklin, Engagement Coordinator, Dementia Engagement, Education, and Research (DEER) Program; School of Public Health; University of Nevada, Reno, NV [biography]
Casey Acklin has been working in the field of aging and dementia for 10 years, and has approached the topics from biomedical, ethnographic, and public health perspectives. Casey’s recent work has focused on partnering with people living with dementia to tell their stories and change society’s narrative surrounding dementia.
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W70) The Future of Senior Centers: How Your AAA Can Make a Difference
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
The most recent AAA Survey indicates that most AAAs have a vested interest in the ongoing success of senior centers. ACL is currently funding the National Council on Aging to help ensure the viability and relevance of senior centers through the Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center. This session will provide a picture of current AAA engagement in senior centers and ways your AAA can deepen current relationship with the senior centers in your PSA. The session will discuss the current landscape of senior centers across the nation and present strategies that promote meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships between AAAs and senior centers.
Presenters:
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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.
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Traci Wilson, Director, Research, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Traci Wilson is USAging's Director of Research. Her primary responsibility is leading the Information and Planning Grant Program, which is funded by the U.S. Administration for Community Living and includes the administration of the National AAA and Title VI Program Surveys, topical polls, and analysis and dissemination of findings.
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Dianne Stone, Associate Director, Network Development and Engagement, National Council on Aging, Arlington, VA [biography]
Dianne Stone has more than 20 years of experience with senior centers and aging issues, primarily as the Director of the Nationally Accredited Newington Senior and Disabled Center in Newington, Connecticut. Stone has also worked, volunteered, and held leadership positions with a variety of organizations in Connecticut, including Connecticut AgeWell Collaborative, the ADA Coalition of Connecticut, Connecticut Medicaid Oversight Council, the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity and was a 20-year member of the National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC). She joined NCOA in January 2022, as a member of the Center for Healthy Aging, where she is primarily focused on supporting senior centers throughout the country through the ACL-funded Modernizing Senior Centers Resource Center and NISC.
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W71) Creating Supportive Communities Through the Village Model
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
Villages are grassroots, volunteer-based organizations providing supportive services and engagement to help community members age in place. Presenters will discuss local, state and national efforts to expand Village services and reach underserved communities, highlighting Maryland’s experience. Village to Village Network, the national association that represents more than 300 Villages, will provide a national perspective of the Village Movement that has spanned over 20 years. The Montgomery County Village Consortium hub-and-spoke model will present its efforts to increase the capacity of each Village member to enhance and expand their outreach and service delivery. The Montgomery County AAA and Maryland Department of Aging will discuss actions AAAs and SUAs can take to support the growth and sustainability of Villages as part of the aging service network.
Presenters:
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Pazit Aviv, Village Coordinator, Montgomery County Department of Aging, Aging and Disability Services, Rockville, MD [biography]
Pazit Aviv works at Montgomery County Aging and Disability Services as a Village Coordinator. She consults grassroots community organizations on startup and_x000D_
development and facilitates the growth of villages and other aging in place initiatives. Since taking the position ten years ago, the county’s village movement has increased nearly 300%.
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Margie Eulner Ott, Board Secretary, Montgomery County Villages Consortium, Bethesda, MD [biography]
Margie is a founding member and board secretary of the Montgomery County Villages Consortium (MCVC), a hub and spoke organization. Margie is a nonprofit management consultant with more than 40 years experience, serving as board member and president for Little Falls Village in Bethesda, MD.
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Liz Woodward, Director, Special Initiatives, Maryland Department of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Liz Woodward has been working in aging services at the local, state, and national level since 2009, including at the Maryland Department of Aging for the last seven years. Liz aims to improve collaboration, elevate best practices, and increase access to healthy aging support services across Maryland.
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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.
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W72) Building Bridges to Advocate Fearlessly
Focus Area: Advancing Our Advocacy
This session will explore the vital role of advocacy in bridging gaps among community champions, agency staff and legislators to elevate aging in your service area. This dynamic session seeks to instill a courageous mindset toward advocacy, eliminating any reservations and fostering relationships that pave the way for lasting change. Through insightful discussions, real-life examples and practical strategies, we will explore ways in which individuals and communities can become agents of positive change. Gain inspiration from successful advocacy initiatives and discover how you can create a viable advocacy initiative that resonates with and amplifies the voices of older adults.
Presenters:
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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.
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Beatrice Sykes, Executive Assistant, Peninsula Agency on Aging, Newport News, VA [biography]
Beatrice Sykes has served as Executive Assistant of the Peninsula Agency on Aging, Inc. (PAA) for the past four years and is currently the Secretary for the Peninsula Task Force on Aging. She is a graduate of George Mason University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Minor in
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W73) My Freedom Transportation—Addressing the Gap in Cross-County Transportation
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
Have you or someone you know had trouble with transportation from one county to another for any reason? Are you curious about how CICOA’s My Freedom program is helping to bridge this gap in cross-county transportation in central Indiana? If so, an engaging conversation surrounding how CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions (CICOA), central Indiana’s Area Agency on Aging, was able to partner with the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority to utilize 5307 funding to bridge this gap in cross-county transportation.
Presenters:
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Karren Brooks, Director, Way2go Transportation, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Karren Brooks is the Director of the Way2go Transportation department and has been serving a leadership role at CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions for 10 plus years. Karren is a key player in working with the CIRTA, Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority, to further transportation services within Central Indiana.
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Sarah Cranford, Billing Specialist, Way2Go Transportation, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Sarah Cranford is the billing specialist for our Way2go Transportation department and has been with CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions for 11years. Sarah has been a key player in supporting the community by helping consumers understand the My Freedom program.
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W74) Success! Health Care Contracting and Strategic Partnerships
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
The winners of The John A. Hartford Foundation 2023 Business Innovation Award—Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging and Michigan’s Region IV Area Agency on Aging—will discuss their innovative models of health care and social services contracting that proved to positively impact diverse, underserved and underinsured older adults and people with disabilities. These award winners will share the strategic planning, partnership-building and evaluation processes they used to successfully improve the quality of life of the people they serve. Presenters will share examples, outcomes and case studies, allowing ample time for and encouraging audience questions and discussion.
Presenters:
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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.
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Kathie Garbe, Senior Program Manager, Aging and Disability Business Institute, 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.
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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.
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Melissa Gualtieri, Director of Clinical Innovations, Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, Columbus, OH [biography]
Director of Clinical Innovations, Central Ohio AAA, Melissa develops innovative programs to generate new contract opportunities with a focus on health equity. Melissa believes AAAs and CBO’s have the social care clinicians necessary to impact change and improve health outcomes. Melissa is an RN, receiving her BSN from Capital University.
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Christine Vanlandingham, Chief Executive Officer, Region IV Area Agency on Aging, St. Joseph, MI [biography]
Chief Executive Officer, Region IV AAA, Christine leads the integration of health and social care on a regional level and works with public health, academia, state and federal policymakers, community planners, and coalitions to shape public policy and service systems. Christine holds a BS degree and a Gerontology certificate.
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W75) AGING Training: Engage and Assess the Needs of Older Adults Experiencing Homelessness
Focus Area: Housing and Homelessness
After the success of an Aging 101 training, service providers for people experiencing homelessness (PEH), requested that the San Diego AAA provide in-depth training on practical skills needed to successfully engage older adults, navigate challenging conversations and assess older adults’ needs. Through Aging 201 training, the AAA helped providers improve services for older PEH. This session will describe the training and provide a condensed version of it. Attendees will learn and apply the “4Ms” framework to a real-world example and assess whether Aging 201 would be useful for providers in their communities. Participants will gain the tools (PowerPoint and handouts) to adapt the training to help create age-friendly services that assist older adults at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
Presenters:
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Dalija Dragisic, Community Programs Manager, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]
Dalija is the Community Programs Manager, and she oversees programs that support the health and wellbeing of older adults in San Diego. Dalija holds a Master’s degree in counseling psychology and is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked in older adult services for 18 years.
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Kristen Smith, Chief, Agency Operations, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]
Kristen has worked in the field of aging for over 20 years and has a Master of Public Health from the UNC-Chapel Hill. As Chief of Agency Operations, she oversees several Older Americans Act programs and age-friendly community efforts. She also led the development of the Aging 101 training.
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W76) Bridging Aging and Disability in Dementia Care—Partnerships and Communications
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
Through ACL’s Alzheimer’s Disease Program Initiative (ADPI), we continue to learn about the crossroads between aging and disability. Since 2014, ACL grantees have been increasing their understanding of the ways in which AAAs can partner with disability providers to expand their knowledge and ability to provide these lifelong caregivers with culturally appropriate services and supports. In this session, attendees will learn some best practices and hear from aging and disability services providers that are partnering to deliver education, services and supports.
Presenters:
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Amy Dewitt-Smith, Executive Director, Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4), Reno, NV
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Christopher Stockton, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC
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Erin Long, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Coming soon
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W77) Community Care Corps: Leveraging Volunteer Power to Support Healthy Community Living
Focus Area: Workforce and Volunteerism
The National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers details recommendations to build a comprehensive system of family caregiver support and calls on all of us to leverage the strength of our community-based organizations, family caregivers and volunteers to ensure community living is a reality for everyone. Community Care Corps (C3) is an ACL-funded national program that fosters the development and implementation of innovative local models in which volunteers assist family caregivers, older adults and adults with disabilities with nonmedical assistance in home and community-based settings to maintain their independence, health and well-being. In this session, C3 partners and AAA grantees will expound on the program’s alignment with national strategy priority areas, detail innovative volunteer models of support and present key evaluation findings.
Presenters:
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Stephen McCall, Long Term Care Senior Analyst, Altarum, St. Petersburg, FL [biography]
Stephen has extensive experience researching, writing, and consulting on issues in long-term care and workforce development. In his current role, his research and analyses aim to drive reforms in policy and practice that improve care for older adults and people with disabilities—and strengthen jobs for workers who support them.
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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.
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Stacia Timmer, Chief Operating Officer, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Spencer, IA [biography]
Stacia has over 20 years of human service experience. She has a great working knowledge of the aging population and is in tune with the ever-changing needs of older Iowans. She has experience in working within long term care and community based services, while advocating and empowering older adults.
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Melissa Elliott, Senior Vice-President of Programs & Services, Area Agency on Aging, Region One, Phoenix, AZ [biography]
Melissa Elliott is an MSW who has worked with older adults for over 20 years. She has been at the Area Agency on Aging, Region One in Phoenix for 17 years and is currently the Senior Vice-President of Programs & Services. Melissa was selected as a 2017 Virginia G. Piper fellow. She has been an adjunct faculty member in the School of Social Work at Arizona State University since 2011.
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W78) Encouraging Neighbors Helping Neighbors' Efforts to Meet Social and Transportation Needs
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
With a 20-year history of engaging diverse communities, PCOA’s Neighbors Care Alliance (NCA) is a network of community volunteer programs helping older adults live and thrive safely in their homes. These programs engage volunteers to help older adults and people with disabilities by providing friendly visits and phone calls; caregiver relief; needed transportation; or help with light housekeeping, meal preparation, simple house maintenance, or yard work. Presenters will describe the Alliance, partial funding through the local Regional Transportation Authority and benefits, including:
• preserving independence
• drawings people together and strengthening communities
• comforting family members, who are assured that someone is looking out for their loved one
• providing rewarding opportunities to help others and give back to the community and
• serving as a stepping stone to develop other community-building events.
Presenters:
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Lisa Reams, Vice President, Programs & Services, Pima Council on Aging, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Lisa Reams has served as the Vice President of Programs & Services for Pima Council on Aging, the Area Agency on Aging in Tucson, AZ, since 2017. She has successfully started and led community-based programming for over 30 years as a volunteer, mediator, program manager, and executive leader.
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Deb Seng, Director of Caregiving and Community Initiatives, Pima Council on Aging, Tucson, AZ [biography]
Deb Seng serves as the Director of Caregiving and Community Initiatives and has worked with PCOA since 2019. Deb innovates programming to meet client needs and ensure excellent service delivery with a diverse 25-year history of caring for people.
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| 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
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| 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
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TL01) Tech for Good: Amazon and USAging's Partnership for AAAs
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
In 2021, Amazon Devices & Services launched its first community initiative to help seniors stay connected and age in place safely. Through this initiative, Amazon provided free Ring Video Doorbells, training, and installations to over 1,000 seniors living in the St. Petsersburg area. Since then, Amazon and the AAA’s have scaled their work together and recently launched an initiative with USAging to support senior safety across the country. Join us as you hear Amazon and AAA leaders share best practices for engaging seniors through technology, lessons learned, and learn how you can use Amazon technology to support seniors in your communities.
Sponsored by Amazon
Presenters:
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Ann Marie Winter, Executive Director, Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, St. Petersburg, FL [biography]
Ann Marie Winter is the Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas. She oversees the $35,000,000 annual investment that helps 65,000 seniors age in place in Pasco and Pinellas Counties, Florida. She and her team help enhance the quality of life for older adults through effective advocacy, passionate community service, and diverse partnership nurturing.
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Charlotte Mather-Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, Area Agency on Aging of Broward County, Sunrise, FL [biography]
Ms. Charlotte Mather-Taylor is the CEO of the Area Agency on Aging of Broward County. She is the Chair of the Florida Area Agency on Aging State Association, and Chair of the Florida Association of Area Agencies on Aging Technology Committee. She is also an advisor on the USAging Amazon/Ring national pilot program.
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Raquel Medrano, Engagement Manager, Amazon Devices and Services, Amazon, Queen Creek, AZ [biography]
Raquel Medrano is a Community Engagement Manager for Amazon Devices and Services Community Engagement team, where she leads the team’s community donation programs across the US by partnering with nonprofits and community leaders. She previously worked on Amazon’s Ring team as an Executive Assistant for many C-Level Executives. Before joining Amazon in 2018, she worked with various tech companies and their executive teams. Raquel has recently moved to Arizona and is originally from Reno, Nevada.
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| 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
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| 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM Workshops
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W79) Reaching Diverse and Hard-to-Reach Communities With Vaccinations
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
The workshop highlights ways that federal leaders, national aging and disability organizations and CBOs can work together to uplift and enhance vaccination delivery in diverse and hard-to-reach populations to ensure continued health of communities. Come to hear how your AAA can enhance efforts to leverage funding, solidify partnerships, document successes in equity and gain ideas for effective outreach that results in reaching those consumers that may not respond to traditional engagement strategies. Learn replicable ways to overcome vaccination effort barriers that augment your outreach efforts and result in maximized outcomes, minimized staff efforts and increased consumer buy-in. Presenters will discuss lessons learned and provide valuable feedback for maximizing local efforts in increasing vaccination rates of your most vulnerable consumers.
Presenters:
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Sara Maloney, Director, Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Sara has more than a decade of experience working in the field of aging. Before joining USAging as Commit to Connect's Program Manager, she coordinated and delivered Older Americans Act programs and services at the regional and local levels in North Carolina’s greater Charlotte region.
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Nicole Becerra, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Nicole Becerra, MPH, CHES, Aging Services Program Specialist for the Administration for Community Living. Nicole has over 15 years of in-network aging experience with a focus on community programming and policy and holds a Masters in Public Health The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University.
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Kelly Butts-Elston, CEO, Connections Area Agency on Aging, Council Bluffs, IA [biography]
Director and C.E.O. of the AAA serving 20 counties in western, southwestern and south central Iowa. 25+ years experience in the aging network.
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Rosalia Fajardo, Director, Multicultural Families, Endependence Center of Northern Virginia, Springfield, VA [biography]
Rosalia Fajardo, is a Colombian Lawyer, Community leader for more than a decade has dedicated her efforts to achieve the growth of the multicultural community of the Metropolitan area of Washington DC. An advocated an achiever that believes that only access to a great education and health is the key..
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Heather Marriott, Program Specialist, NCOA, Arlington, VA [biography]
Heather Marriott was brought on to NCOA as a Program Specialist managing the Vaccine Uptake Initiative and supporting the NISC Affiliate Network expansion. She is a community engagement professional with a passion for income equality and health equity.
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W80) AAAs Leading the Way to Align Health and Social Care
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
There is well-established recognition of the impact of social needs on individual health outcomes. Policy drivers and quality measures are increasing screening for health-related social needs (HRSNs), increasing referrals to AAAs for services. CBO networks, led by a community care hub (CCH), are critical to ensuring that capacity exists within communities to effectively partner with health care to address HRSNs and respond to increasing referral volumes. AAAs have been at the forefront of this work, leveraging their decades of expertise in building and managing networks of service providers. This session will highlight investments within ACL and across HHS to amplify CCHs, technical assistance and funding efforts underway through a Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care and insights from a peer CCH.
Presenters:
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Kristie Kulinski, Team Lead, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC
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Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, Aging and Disability Business Institute, 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.
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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.
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W. Mark Clark , President and CEO, Pima Council on Aging, Tucson, AZ [biography]
W. Mark Clark, MSW is Board Chair of Southwest Community Care Partners, located in Tucson, Arizona. In addition, he is the President & CEO of Pima Council on Aging and the Chair of Az Aging. Mark has an extensive background in non-profit managed health care, provider sponsored networks, and self-insured benefit plans.
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W81) Older Americans Act Updates From ACL
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
The Older Americans Act (OAA) provides critical funding to the Aging Network that includes state agencies, Tribal organizations, AAAs and thousands of service providers across the United States. While the OAA stature was last reauthorized in 2020, the majority of the OAA’s regulations had not been updated since 1988. ACL began updating the rules two years ago. After a 2022 formal request for information (RFI) and a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in 2023, ACL released the final rule in 2024. This session aims to provide attendees with important information regarding the new OAA regulations, as well as any other pertinent updates impacting the Aging Network.
Presenters:
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Adam Mosey , Special Assistant, Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Adam Mosey is currently a Special Assistant in the Administration on Aging. Prior to joining ACL in 2023, he served in policy roles with two national associations, including ADvancing States and the National Governors Association. He holds a Masters in Policy, Planning, and Management (MPPM) from the Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine.
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Amy Wiatr-Rodriguez, Director, Center for Regional Operations, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Coming soon
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| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
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| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Corporate Fast-Track Sessions
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CF04) An Innovative Population Health Solution to Address the Social Care Needs of Older Adults and Family Caregivers
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
The aging network needs data-driven insights to identify and address disparities, understand more about consumer needs and preferences, improve targeting of resources and make a more effective case for funding. CBOs also need cost-effective and scalable ways to reach and serve older adults in their community and to forge new partnerships with health care organizations. Learn about an innovative digital service that addresses these needs. The session will provide an overview of the experiences and insights of more than 20 early adopter organizations, describe three statewide demonstration projects, and reveal how a major NIH grant supports product development and evaluation. Organizations will also learn about the Age Well Innovation Network, a nationwide ecosystem for continuous improvement, rapid-cycle learning, data sharing and public/private partnerships.
Sponsored by BetterAge
Presenters:
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James Firman, Founder, BetterAge, Arlington, VA [biography]
James Firman is a long-time leader and innovator in the field of aging. After 25 years as President & CEO of the National Council on Aging (NCOA), he "graduated" to start up BetterAge to help the aging network by providing technology solutions to help measure and improve the health and wellbeing of millions of older adult nationwide.
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Diana Yin , CEO and Co-Founder of BetterAge, BetterAge, San Francisco, CA [biography]
Diana has led transformational change across government, nonprofit and the Fortune 500 for 20 years. Before becoming the CEO and Co-Founder of BetterAge, she was the Chief Strategy & Analytics Officer at On Lok (the inventor of PACE, a Medicare choice for frail older adults), a founding partner at Sagence (a leading analytics consulting firm acquired by PwC) and a social entrepreneur. She earned an MBA from UPenn’s Wharton School, an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School, and BA from Wellesley College.
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| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
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| 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM Fast-Track Sessions
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FT27) Dementia Education, Supports and Programs for First Responders in Diverse Rural Communities
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
This session will offer a comprehensive overview of ALTCEW’s Building Dementia Capable Communities Grant in partnership with the USAging's Aging and Disability Vaccination Collaborative, to provide education, supportive services, immunizations and programs for people living with dementia and their care partners. In partnership with health care systems, Tribal partners, LGBTQ2+A, first responders and invested partners, ALTCEW developed an accredited, standardized, accessible Dementia Training for First Responders, all health care providers, care partners, businesses and Community Paramedicine Programs. The common goal is to reduce harm; expand home visits with free vaccines and well checks; and offer communication, de-escalation techniques, and resources before, during and after a dementia crisis. ALTCEW’s hope is to share, inspire, educate and create a more dementia-friendly space for everyone.
Presenter:
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Bethany Phenix-Osgood, Planning & Resource Director, Tribal Liaison and EMS Coordinator, Aging and Long Term Care of Eastern WA, Spokane, WA [biography]
Bethany Phenix Osgood - 20+ years working in Health Care Administration, grant writing, public speaking and education, Medicaid Expansion, Managed Care, Tribal Liaison, EMS, and Issues on healthy aging policy.
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FT28) The Collaborative Older Adult Solutions Team: Connecting and Improving Services Across Systems
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
As many of our systems of care are siloed and fragmented, it is common to feel as if we are working in isolation, doing our best to manage large caseloads and meet the evolving needs of complex clients. In Washington and Clackamas counties in Oregon, the Collaborative Older Adult Solutions Team (COAST) brings together a wide range of providers and community-based organizations to work towards integration of services and improved quality of care for older adults and adults with disabilities. In this session, learn how COAST participants address common problems facing older adults, such as housing instability, substance abuse, mental health struggles and isolation. Learn how COAST acts as a platform for connection, integration and innovation and how to apply the model to your community.
Presenters:
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Andy Wallace, Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist, Washington County Behavioral Health, Hillsboro, OR [biography]
Andy Wallace is an Older Adult Behavioral Health Specialist for Washington County Behavioral Health in Hillsboro, Oregon, and has enjoyed a broad range of experiences in his 23-year career in mental health. Andy is passionate about leveraging existing community strengths and resources in approaching work to improve treatment systems.
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Kim Whitely, Older Adult Behavioral Health Program Planner, Clackamas County Health, Behavioral Health Division, Oregon City, OR [biography]
Kim Whitely is the Older Adult Behavioral Health Program Planner for Clackamas County Behavioral Health. Kim has over 20 years of experience providing mental health services to vulnerable populations, including older adults. Kim embraces a recovery-oriented approach to treatment emphasizing hope, individual potential, and responsibility.
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FT29) Evaluating Social Engagement Program Outcomes: Lessons Learned From Commit to Connect
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
Given the negative impacts of social disconnection, it is crucial to know if a program is producing outcomes that address social isolation and loneliness. Programs that have been evaluated and found to be effective can also help agencies attract more participants, justify additional staff positions, generate sustainable revenue, and positively influence participants’ lives. This session will spotlight the Upstream Social Interaction Risk Scale (U-SIRS), which is a possible scale AAAs and other CBOs can use to collect data and better understand the impact of social engagement programs. Attendees will hear from Dr. Matthew Smith, who developed the U-SIRS, and agencies that have implemented the U-SIRS on how the scale can be used to evaluate social engagement programs and demonstrate outcomes.
Presenters:
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Katie Clark, Policy Analyst, 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.
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Meredith Hanley, Program Director, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Meredith Hanley serves as USAging’s Director, Community Capacity Building. In this role, she oversees USAging's work on engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults, Commit to Connect and the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network.
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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.
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FT30) Fighting Food Insecurity: Free Produce and Better Health for Older Hoosiers
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Want to improve your client’s health by regularly providing them with free fresh fruits and vegetables? Are you in a rural area? An urban area? Indiana AAAs have successfully designed and implemented the statewide Produce for Better Health Program for food insecure older adults at high risk for chronic health conditions. About 9.8% adults age 60 and older faced the threat of hunger in the last year. After just six months of produce deliveries, there was a statistically significant reduction in weight and blood pressure among program participants. Participants learned about nutrition, how to monitor their weight and blood pressure and changed their lifestyles. Attendees will learn about program design, key partners, challenges and early wins.
Presenters:
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Stacey Kahre, Director of Operations, Generations, Vincennes, IN [biography]
Stacey Kahre serves as the Director of Operations at Generations, Area 13 AAA in Indiana, where she has worked since 2002. She has over 21 years experience working in the aging network and has a passion for serving older adults and people with disabilities and their caregivers.
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Kristen LaEace, CEO, Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Indianapolis, IN [biography]
Kristen LaEace, MS, MBA, CAE, has been CEO of the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging for 14 years. Her passion is supporting mission-based organizations in solving complex problems through engaging leadership, fostering collaboration, brokering resources, public policy advocacy and strengthening partner capacity at all levels.
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Allie Overett, Registered Dietitian, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Carmel, IN [biography]
Allie Overett is a Registered Dietitian with expertise in geriatric nutrition. With a drive to make nutrition education more accessible, she uses her passion for helping the aging population and those with disabilities meet their goals to optimize their nutrition and age in place.
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FT31) Building Capacity to Support Kinship/Grandfamilies: Funding Beyond NFCSP and NACSP
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
Nationwide, grandparents, family, friends and other relatives are raising children whose biological parents are not available for various reasons. Kin/grandfamily caregivers are more likely to have low incomes and have one or more disabilities. Using Older Americans Act Title III E, National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP) and the Title VI Part C Native American Caregiver Support Program (NACSP), the Aging Network has developed innovative ways to support these families, yet many AAAs and Title VI programs say that limited funding hampers their ability to support more families, and almost half do not utilize funding beyond NFCSP and NACSP. Attendees will learn how funding from local, tribal and state governments and from foundations and corporations can support their work with these families.
Presenters:
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Kylee Craggett, Technical Assistance Specialist, Generations United, Washington, DC [biography]
Kylee Craggett, LMSW is a Technical Assistance Specialist for the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center. She has over nine years of experience in Child Welfare, including six years assisting with piloting a kinship care program in Texas.
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Leland Kiang, Program Manager, Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center, USAging, Washington, DC [biography]
Leland Kiang manages USAging’s role in the Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center, which is funded by the Administration for Community Living and led by Generations United, to increase the capacity of states, territories, tribes and community-based organizations (CBOs) to support kinship/grandfamilies.
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FT32) Innovations in Responding to Transportation Planning and Safe Mobility for Older Adults
Focus Area: Enhancing Independent Living Through Transportation Innovations
We all hear from older adults, family members and caregivers regarding concerns about older drivers' safety. Many older adults, and those who care for and about them, struggle with identifying when driving habits might need to change, having the conversation, and what to do to remain safe and independent. When providing information for older adults, how can we quickly and easily direct individuals to the resources that meet their needs? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Clearinghouse for Older Road User Safety offers a simple 13-question tool you can use to generate individualized to-do lists with resources to help those you serve. Join this session to learn more about this innovative new technology and how you can integrate it into the services you provide.
Presenters:
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Jane Rath, Vice President, New Editions Consulting, Inc., Milford, CT [biography]
Jane Rath serves as the Project Director for the Clearinghouse on Older Road User Safety (ChORUS). She works closely with NHTSA, the ChORUS subject matter experts and other partners to increase awareness and enhance services and programs aimed at improving older road user safety.
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Taylor Bee, Highway Safety Specialist, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, DC [biography]
Taylor Bee, Highway Safety Specialist at the USDOT National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, develops and evaluates behavioral safety countermeasures to address the safety of our vulnerable road user population. She utilizes her Master’s in Public Health background and 10 years of traffic safety experience to inform her work.
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FT33) Tailoring Approaches for Culture Change: Increasing Ageism Awareness in Howard County, Maryland
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
A culmination of research, community voices and public service, Howard County is leading efforts to expand ageism awareness and promote culture change. In this session, you will learn about the elements of the ageism awareness campaign, the outcomes and impact it has had, and ways to implement these efforts in your own community! This campaign is founded on audience engagement, so you will also have the opportunity to share and brainstorm best practices and guide next steps to maximize momentum of this critical effort and change how communities view aging.
Presenter:
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Terri Hansen, Howard County Office on Aging and Independence, Columbia, MD [biography]
MPA, CDP
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FT34) Clear Pathways Program: A Team Approach to Prevention Intervention of Elder Abuse
Focus Area: Elder Justice
This session addresses the issue of what now? What happens to the person who is or was involved with APS, and now needs to transition and be successful within the community, while remaining safe and free from elder abuse? This session will showcase the Clear Pathways Program (CPP), which is a person-centered model and creates a clear plan for the consumer and all providers involved. The goal is to address the consumer's needs and desires in a safe environment. This pilot project replicates the Youth Decision Making Transitions Teams for adults (IHHS YTDM).
Presenter:
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Stacia Timmer, Chief Operating Officer, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, Spencer, IA [biography]
Stacia has over 20 years of human service experience. She has a great working knowledge of the aging population and is in tune with the ever-changing needs of older Iowans. She has experience in working within long term care and community based services, while advocating and empowering older adults.
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| 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM
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| 4:15 PM - 4:45 PM Fast-Track Sessions
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FT35) Collaborating to Provide Services to Older Adults With HIV
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
State Aging Plans must address activities for how the state or territory will equitably provide services and supports to underserved communities by setting goals and providing assurances. ACL’s 2021 State Aging Plan Guidance included older adults with HIV as one of the underserved communities. Some State Aging Units and AAAs may not have experience with or understanding of existing services available to low-income older adults with HIV in their jurisdiction. This session will provide an overview of services available from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) and strategies to coordinate with RWHAP-funded organizations to mutually meet the needs of older adults with HIV. It is essential to understand all available resources to support the needs of people aging with HIV.
Presenter:
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Marlene Matosky, Chief–Clinical and Quality Branch, Health Resources and Services Administration, Rockville, MD [biography]
Marlene Matosky joined the Health Resources and Services Administration’s HIV/AIDS Bureau in 2011. Marlene is the chief of the Clinical and Quality Branch in the Division of Policy and Data. Prior to serving with the federal government, Marlene has spent over 20 years implementing HIV public health grants.
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FT36) Let's Go Out to Eat! Addressing Health Equity Through Restaurant Partnerships
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
Who doesn’t enjoy a meal out from time to time? It nourishes both our body and mind, helping many of us maintain connections with family and friends, or meet new people in our communities. This luxury is often not accessible to low-income older adults, including immigrant populations. The REUNIR (Spanish, meaning “to gather”) project innovates congregate meals by providing vouchers to local cultural restaurants for Latino and Southeast Asian older adults in Massachusetts. Participants who are food insecure and socially isolated can enjoy meals from their own cultural backgrounds twice each month for up to a full year. Staff at these restaurants also participate in ReFraming Aging training to understand how to better communicate with people they serve, and the restaurants benefit for additional business.
Presenters:
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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
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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
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FT37) Medicaid Billing: A How-To Session for Title VI Programs
Focus Area: Title VI Native American Aging Programs: Unique Challenges and Solutions
Medicaid billing offers Title VI programs the opportunity to tap into an additional source of funding to serve tribal elders in need of a range of long-term services and supports. Find out how your Title VI program can bill Medicaid for these critical services. Learn about Medicaid rules and what it takes to meet the Medicaid requirements.
Presenters:
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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 [biography]
Collette Adamsen, PhD is a Research Assistant Professor and the Associate Director for Indigenous Health and Aging and Research and Evaluation at the Center for Rural Health. She also serves as the Director of the National Resource Center on Native American Aging and the Resource Center on Native Aging and Disabilities at the University of North Dakota in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Other projects she oversees include the Native Urban Elders Needs Assessment Survey (NUENAS) and the Native Aging in Place Project (NAPP).
Dr. Adamsen has over a decade of experience working in the areas of research, education, training, and technical assistance with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) communities and Native aging programs. In her position, she provides grant project direction and leadership, conducts both quantitative and qualitative research, manages data and specializes in working with the AI/AN/NH elder populations.
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Elaina Seep, Policy Specialist, National Resource Center on Native American Aging, Grand Forks, ND
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Cynthia LaCounte, Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Cynthia LaCounte, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, has worked as the director of the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs since January 2012. The Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), is responsible for programs of social and supportive services for older adults. Cynthia has oversight for Older Americans Act Programs that serve American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians elders. She began her work with tribal elders in 1976 as Area Agency on Aging’s director for Montana tribes, which launched her career as an advocate serving Native elders. Prior to joining AoA/ACL, Cynthia was a project manager for the Title VI Training and Technical Assistance Project through Kauffman and Associates, Inc. She has held the post of chairwoman for the Trenton Indian Service Area.
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Jasmine Aplin, Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs , Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Jasmine Aplin has been working with Title VI programs for almost 5 years now. Jasmine currently serves as the team lead within the Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs. During her time with Title VI, Jasmine has had the honor of hosting numerous chats, taking trips to Indian Country and getting to know so many Title VI directors! Before joining ACL and Title VI, Jasmine worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 4.5 years. Jasmine is originally from Tampa, Florida, but moved up to the Washington D.C. area to attend Law School. Jasmine has a Law Degree and a Master of Public Health.
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FT38) Introducing a New Federal Resource: Real-Life Considerations for Older Adults
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
Older adults—particularly those with moderate to low incomes—need decision-making support that helps them connect the dots of retirement benefits, finances and health. ACL, in partnership with other federal partners, has developed a new resource guide that pulls together information on benefits and supports available across the federal landscape into one place to assist community-based partners and older adults in accessing unbiased information to make essential decisions. During this session, ACL will share details on the process used to create the guide along with information on how to access and use the guide with clients, as well as how to provide feedback to help ensure the guide is providing the information necessary to help individuals navigate federal benefits and program decisions.
Presenter:
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Rebecca Kinney, Director, Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
As ACL’s OHIC Director, Rebecca manages the administration of the Medicare focused programs and activities managed by ACL including the SHIP, SMP, and MIPPA programs. In this role, she provides oversight and direction to the OHIC team, state grantees, contractors and national centers established to support the OHIC grantees.
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FT39) Collaboration in Rural Communities to Improve Quality of Life of Older Adults
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
In 2019, the University of Southern Indiana was awarded a Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program grant to improve health outcomes for older adults in underserved communities of southwest Indiana. The focus was on developing a workforce to maximize patient and family engagement and integrate geriatrics into primary care. This required collaboration between academia, health systems, Area Agencies on Aging, health educators and the local communities. The 12-county area covered was mostly rural, medically underserved and experienced higher mortality from diabetes and Alzheimer's than the national average. Evidence-based programs were selected to address these health concerns, individuals were trained and community partners were established. AAA case managers were embedded in clinics to provide resources and support. The university expanded its gerontology curriculum.
Presenter:
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Catherine Jones, Director of Planning and Community Development, Generations, Area 13 Agency on Aging, Vincennes, IN [biography]
I have worked in the aging field for over 10 years and am a Master Trainer for A Matter of Balance, Chronic Disease Self-Management Program and Diabetes Self-Management Program. I received my MBA at the University of Evansville and have over 25 years management experience.
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FT40) Exploration Into Becoming Savvy Caregivers and Savvy Providers
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas (AAAPP) has been providing evidenced-based programs covering falls prevention and chronic disease management, funded under OAA Title III D for more than 20 years. AAAPP researched and determined that evidence-based services to caregivers were an unmet need in its PSA and that Savvy Caregiver would be the best way to address this growing need. AAAPP staff will present an overview of the Savvy Caregiver curriculum, the initial start-up activities, the evolution of this program from PSA to statewide, outreach to targeted populations and the lessons have learned regarding the evolution of this national program. The overall intent of this presentation is to provide information to other AAAs to understand the efficacy of the program and how it can be replicated in your PSA.
Presenter:
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Jason Martino, Director of Planning, Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., St. Petersburg, FL [biography]
Employed for over 21 years with the AAAPP, Jason Martino is the Director of Planning. Jason is responsible for implementation and oversight of our Caregiver Support and Serving Health Insurance Needs of the Elderly Program (SHINE) Programs. He is also responsible for the development of our 4 Year Area Plan,
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FT41) How Data Dashboards Can Advance Agency Programming
Focus Area: Data, Information Exchange and Interoperability
In this session, attendees will learn about the process used to create a food program dashboard focused on Baltimore City older adults and an overview of creating dashboards in ArcGIS online. Attendees will also receive a tour of the finished product and learn how Baltimore City uses the dashboard for program planning, reporting and evaluation. The dashboard houses meal data from three of Baltimore City’s food programs, as well as maps of food program sites, SNAP recipients and several demographic variables—including the older adult population and older adults in poverty. By the conclusion of the session, attendees should understand how they can create and use similar tools to inform their programmatic work or share information with the individuals they serve.
Presenters:
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Alice Huang, Acting Assistant Commissioner, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Alice Huang is an Assistant Commissioner for the Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Aging. She oversees programs serving older adults, including nutrition, health promotions, family caregivers, and senior centers. She was previously a city planner, focusing on improving food access in Baltimore’s food system.
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Amanda Smith, Epidemiologist, Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Amanda Smith, PhD, MPH has been an epidemiologist at the Baltimore City Health Department since 2019, where she led the data portion of the COVID-19 vaccination response. Currently she provides epidemiology support, and oversight in a variety of program areas, including aging.
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FT42) Community-Based Organization Partners: The Unsung Heroes of Community Care Hubs
Focus Area: Health Care Contracting and Integrated Care
With the number of community-based organizations and community care hubs pursuing contracting relationships with health care organizations increasing, challenges persist. Learn the benefits and accommodations necessary to build successful relationships to deliver health-related social needs statewide.
Presenters:
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William Massey, President and Chief Executive Officer, Peninsula Agency on Aging, Inc., Newport News, VA [biography]
William Massey, President and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Agency on Aging, Inc. in Newport News, Virginia has served in this position since 1984 and has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 35 years. Mr. Massey is responsible for day-to-day operation of a multi-jurisdictional, multi-funded, non-profit Area Agency on
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Kathy Vesley, President & CEO, Bay Aging dba VAAACares, Urbanna, VA [biography]
Kathy Vesley is the President and CEO of Bay Aging, a nonprofit Area Agency on Aging (AAA), and VAAACares®, Virginia’s Community Care Hub. VAAACares® is a nationally recognized successful hub that contracts with multiple health plans, health systems, the VA, and partners with a variety of CBOs to provide
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FT43) Social Engagement: Staying Socially Fit
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
A look at how the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.’s Volunteer Social Engagement Program promotes “staying socially fit” for older adults through peer-to-peer social inclusion. Learn how to create programs that allow the development of positive social connections through weekly interactions via telephone or in person visits. The session will address community partnerships, funding and social outcomes for both consumers and volunteers. Participants will learn how to establish community partnerships that benefit homebound, lonely or isolated older adults; how to develop protocols and procedures to create a safe and positive social connection program; how to develop both telecare and in-person social connection programs; and creative ways to recruit and maintain volunteers.
Presenters:
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Julie Forrester, Program Manager, Area Office on Aging of NWO, Toledo, OH [biography]
Julie, the Americorps Senior RSVP Program Manager, has been with the AOoA for eight years. In this time, she has managed to develop collaborations with area agencies, as well as enhance the scope and consumer base of the OSHIIP program in the AOoA ten county area.
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Merideth Wagoner, Director, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc., Toledo, OH [biography]
Merideth Wagoner is Director of AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Program at the Area Office on Aging of Northwest Ohio. Merideth restructured the RSVP Program and greatly expanded its volunteer participation in its ten-county area – more than doubling volunteer participation. She has a B.A. in History and Classics from Denison University.
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| 4:45 PM - 6:30 PM
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| 4:45 PM - 6:30 PM
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Title VI ACL Office Hours
Presenters:
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Cynthia LaCounte, Director, Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs, U.S. Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Cynthia LaCounte, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, has worked as the director of the Office for American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs since January 2012. The Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the Administration for Community Living (ACL), is responsible for programs of social and supportive services for older adults. Cynthia has oversight for Older Americans Act Programs that serve American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians elders. She began her work with tribal elders in 1976 as Area Agency on Aging’s director for Montana tribes, which launched her career as an advocate serving Native elders. Prior to joining AoA/ACL, Cynthia was a project manager for the Title VI Training and Technical Assistance Project through Kauffman and Associates, Inc. She has held the post of chairwoman for the Trenton Indian Service Area.
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Jasmine Aplin, Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs , Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Jasmine Aplin has been working with Title VI programs for almost 5 years now. Jasmine currently serves as the team lead within the Office of American Indian, Alaskan Native and Native Hawaiian Programs. During her time with Title VI, Jasmine has had the honor of hosting numerous chats, taking trips to Indian Country and getting to know so many Title VI directors! Before joining ACL and Title VI, Jasmine worked at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for 4.5 years. Jasmine is originally from Tampa, Florida, but moved up to the Washington D.C. area to attend Law School. Jasmine has a Law Degree and a Master of Public Health.
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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 [biography]
Collette Adamsen, PhD is a Research Assistant Professor and the Associate Director for Indigenous Health and Aging and Research and Evaluation at the Center for Rural Health. She also serves as the Director of the National Resource Center on Native American Aging and the Resource Center on Native Aging and Disabilities at the University of North Dakota in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Other projects she oversees include the Native Urban Elders Needs Assessment Survey (NUENAS) and the Native Aging in Place Project (NAPP).
Dr. Adamsen has over a decade of experience working in the areas of research, education, training, and technical assistance with American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian (AI/AN/NH) communities and Native aging programs. In her position, she provides grant project direction and leadership, conducts both quantitative and qualitative research, manages data and specializes in working with the AI/AN/NH elder populations.
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Elaina Seep, Policy Specialist, National Resource Center on Native American Aging, Grand Forks, ND
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| 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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| 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM
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FV01) All the Lonely People: See the Film Find Connection!
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
The epidemic of loneliness and social isolation have become priority issues in the United States. The Clowder Group’s documentary "All the Lonely People" serves as a powerful exploration of these issues. The documentary presents personal stories, expert insights, proven solutions and a comprehensive analysis of these issues. The "All the Lonely People" film screening will be followed by a filmmaker-led panel discussion with audience participation. The screening event serves to ignite conversations, drive awareness and inspire action within communities worldwide.
Presenters:
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Joseph Applebaum, Producer, The Clowder Group, San Francisco, CA [biography]
Joseph Applebaum is a television broadcast producer and documentary filmmaker with
over 30 years of experience in the national entertainment industry covering all formats
of non fiction media.
Clients have included NBC, CBS and FOX networks, Disney, Merv Griffin
Entertainment, Comedy Central, MTV, LOGO, BET Entertainment, FX Network, Lifetime
Entertainment, Pluto TV, Here TV, as well as many independent production companies.
Since 2010 he and his partner have focused on creating independent documentary films
to promote social awareness and change through their production company, The
Clowder Group. Their films have been screened worldwide and received numerous
awards and acclaim.
Applebaum is a graduate of the University of Southern California and currently resides
in the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Stu Maddux, Director, "All the Lonely People", San Francisco, CA [biography]
Stu Maddux is an award-winning producer and director of non-fiction media with
international credits including PBS, Showtime and BBC.
His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Atlantic, VICE, and NPR’s
Morning Edition. Maddux has exhibited his film at festivals around the world. His honors
include seven Emmy Awards as well as awards from film festivals worldwide..
In his role as a social impact content creator, Maddux has spoken with his
documentaries at conferences internationally including The American Psychological
Association, and The American Society on Aging.
He is a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and in his spare time
creates ruins photography and videography.
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| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
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| 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM Fast-Track Sessions
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FT44) Managing and Leveraging Relationships with Consultants
Focus Area: Running Your Agency: Strategies to Strengthen Systems and People
As greater opportunities present themselves for Area Agencies on Aging, CBOs and CBO-led networks to participate in cross-sector contracting opportunities, preparing for those partnerships may require the help of outside expertise. Engaging with a consultant can support your organization by offering objective insight, subject matter expertise and customized approaches that leverage your organization’s strengths and prioritize new opportunities to meet the needs of potential new partners. Join this session to learn about key success factors in managing working relationships and ways to get the most from your consultants.
Presenter:
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Paul Cantrell, Director, Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, Aging and Disability Business Institute, 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.
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FT45) Building on Momentum to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia
Focus Area: Building Livable and Dementia-Friendly Communities
The Maryland Department of Aging and Prince George’s County Area Agency on Aging will discuss the state’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias initiatives, providing insight into how stakeholder engagement and policy development leads to state-level action and how this work is guided by flagship initiatives at the local level. The AAA will discuss the launch and rollout of their volunteer-led Dementia Friendly Prince George’s County initiative and federal Alzheimer’s Disease Programs Initiative grant. The SUA will discuss the development of the Virginia I. Jones Council’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia 2022–2026 and how that plan was used in the creation and launch of the Long-Term Care and Dementia Care Navigation Programs in July 2025.
Presenters:
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Karen Sylvester, Associate Director, Prince George’s County Aging and Disabilities Services Division, Prince George’s County Department of Family Services, Camp Springs, MD [biography]
Karen Sylvester is a 30-year employee of Prince George’s County, and current AAA Director. Karen is responsible for the operation of services and programs for older adults, caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. Karen holds an MPA, Honor Society, from Strayer University, and a Howard University degree in Journalism.
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Mark Tseoro, Cognitive and Behavioral Health Specialist, Maryland Department of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Mark has spent his career managing programs emphasizing older adult health and safety. Mark has a Masters in Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology from Loyola University, worked for University of MD, and was Clinic Coordinator at Johns Hopkins Hospital Department of Neurology, working with patients with patients, teaching, and researching.
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FT46) Brain Health Education and Dementia Risk Reduction
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Brain health education programs are powerful tools to engage and empower community members. These curricula, delivered in culturally and age-appropriate formats, are not only tools to support multigenerational audiences in reducing risk of future cognitive decline but also a positive entry point for people who might have personal concerns about cognition and are not ready to seek clinical interventions. ACL grantees are seeing brain health education as the first step in a pathway to diagnosis and the delivery of supports and services to keep people in their homes and communities. In this session, attendees will learn about ACL and their grantee’s efforts to advance brain health education through real-time examples and a new resource highlighting state and community providers engaging in this work.
Presenters:
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Erin Long, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
Coming soon
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Christopher Stockton, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC
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FT47) Building Financial Confidence and Retirement Security for Caregivers of All Ages
Focus Area: Supporting Caregivers
As the population changes, even younger households find themselves navigating complex decisions associated with caregiving. Managing financial matters as a caregiver can be especially difficult. The goal of this session is to strengthen the financial capability, confidence and well-being of family caregivers, most of whom are women. Participants will learn about obstacles caregivers face planning for their own retirement, including challenges facing younger caregivers who are beginning to get their own finances in order when they find themselves needing to take care of parents and grandparents. Key information about Social Security will be shared along with resources from WISER’s Financial Caregiving Hub. Results from two national surveys on workable policy solutions like raising the minimum retirement benefit will be presented.
Presenters:
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Lara Hinz, Director of Programs, Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER), Washington, DC [biography]
Lara Hinz is Director of Programs at the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER). She oversees WISER’s national outreach and partnership activities focusing on providing lower-income women with the financial tools and information needed to develop long-term financial security.
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Linda Stone, Senior Pension Fellow, American Academy of Actuaries, Bryn Mawr, PA [biography]
Linda K. Stone is an expert in retirement security issues and has worked to improve retirement solutions within the structure of employer sponsored plans as well as through education and advocacy. She is the Senior Pension Fellow at the American Academy of Actuaries and a WISER Senior Fellow.
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FT48) Specialized Aging Support for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Differences
Focus Area: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Aging Populations
Individuals with intellectual and developmental differences (IDD) face lifelong battles of inclusion and access to services. Throughout the aging process, even more significant needs for support present as they experience Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias (ADRD) at a staggering rate. As individuals with Down syndrome and other IDD diagnoses face everyday challenges associated with ADRD, they also face struggles of providers and caregivers unsure of next steps. The Specialized Aging Support program launched the next phase of services, developing an interactive day center for those living with and at high risk of dementia, caregiver support and education and trainings focused on IDD and dementia. We aim to establish a more dementia-capable workforce that is equipped for this next phase of life in individuals with IDD.
Presenters:
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Abigale Such, Occupational Therapy Manager, The Arc Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL [biography]
Abbey Such, OTR/L is the manager of The Arc Jacksonville's Specialized Aging Support program. She received her bachelor's from University of Tennessee and her master's of occupational therapy from University of St. Augustine. Abbey manages the aging program, supporting aging adults with intellectual and developmental differences.
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Jean Wetstein, Vice President, The Arc Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL [biography]
Jean is the Vice President of the Arc Jacksonville’s Independent Living Support Services, which includes The Village, Specialized Aging Support and Xplore. She has been with The Arc Jacksonville for 5 years. Before moving into the nonprofit sector, Jean enjoyed a successful career in corporate Human Resources and Operations.
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FT49) Combatting Malnutrition Through OAA State Plans
Focus Area: Best Practices in Healthy Aging
Between 1999 and 2023, more than 90,000 older adults died from malnutrition. The new regulations for the Older Americans Act include malnutrition prevention programs in area plans for the first time. This session will focus on a malnutrition learning collaborative and how it will help Area Agencies on Aging.
Presenters:
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Robert Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), Washington, DC [biography]
Robert “Bob” Blancato is the Executive Director of the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. He is also President of Matz, Blancato and Associates, the National Coordinator of the bipartisan 3000-member Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Coordinator of the Defeat Malnutrition Today coalition.
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Laura Borth, Policy and Advocacy Associate, Elder Justice Coalition, Washington, DC [biography]
Laura Borth is a policy associate at Matz, Blancato, and Associates and provides policy analysis and advocacy support for Defeat Malnutrition Today, the Elder Justice Coalition, and the National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs. Previously, Laura worked as a Public Service Fellow in Policy at Feeding Wisconsin and
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FT50) Empowering Mandated Reporters: A Personalized e-Toolkit on Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse
Focus Area: Elder Justice
To make Adult Protective Services mandated reporter training more accessible, user friendly and cost effective, the County of San Diego’s Aging & Independence Services created a comprehensive e-toolkit on elder and dependent adult abuse. Tailored for senior centers in San Diego County, the toolkit enables senior center leaders to equip their teams to recognize signs of abuse and understand their role as mandated reporters. The toolkit, which includes a PowerPoint presentation, short videos, handouts and resources, encourages an interactive, personalized approach and can be administered by center leaders as the need arises. Join this session as we delve into the development, implementation and replicability potential of this e-toolkit. Come away with new approaches to make mandated reporter training and elder abuse awareness more accessible.
Presenters:
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Rachel Lehnert, Aging Program Specialist II, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Aging & Independence Services, San Diego, CA [biography]
Rachel Lehnert (she/her) has an extensive professional background in the field of aging including but not limited to, older adult transportation, care management, crisis management, elder and dependent adult investigations, and program development for senior centers and persons living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia.
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Jonathan Tague, Outreach & Education Specialist, Aging & Independence Services, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, San Diego, CA [biography]
Jonathan Tague (he/him) has over 15 years of experience working with older adults and people living with dementia, including a diverse background in care management, community education, and program and volunteer administration. He has a M.S. in Dementia and Aging Studies from Texas State University.
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FT51) Using Congregate Dining Clubs to Encourage Nutrition, Generate Socialization and Provide Education
Focus Area: Addressing Social Isolation and Loneliness Through Engagement
The COVID-19 pandemic required aging professionals to respond to increased isolation across older adult populations. The pandemic closed many congregate meal sites leaving a lasting impact. Further, food insecurity continued to serve as a growing concern for older adults. An innovative congregate meal program structure allowed AAA3 to leverage this approach to address post-pandemic priorities. Learn how AAA3 leaned on their restaurant-based congregate model along with community partners to host social clubs that enforced positive nutritional choices, generated engagement and socialization, and provided education of community resources and supports available to program participants.
Presenter:
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Dre White, Population Health Director, Area Agency on Aging 3, Lima, OH [biography]
Dre oversees programming focused on assisting those served live active, healthy lives to maintain independence and continue to contribute to society. Population Health programs include Nutrition, Health Education, Care Coordination, and vaccine efforts. Dre has been with AAA3 since January 2019.
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FT52) On the Front Lines: Health Care Fraud Trends by the SMP
Focus Area: Elder Justice
In this session, representatives from the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) will discuss the current spectrum of health care fraud schemes affecting older adults, including Medicare beneficiaries. The presentation will provide an overview of fraud schemes, including information on opportunistic fraud that encompasses the method of contact and social engineering techniques used by scammers to target older adults. The session will include related emerging schemes such as remotely monitored medical services and artificial intelligence. Data analysis of scheme and geographic fraud hot spots will be presented. The session will include resources and action steps from the SMP that can assist people that work with older adults, the public, law enforcement and service providers to prevent, detect and report health care fraud.
Presenters:
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Jennifer Trussell, Fraud Prevention Consultant, Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center, Knoxville, TN [biography]
Jennifer Trussell retired from a 35-year career with HHS-OIG as the Special Agent in Charge of the Investigations Branch and Senior Advisor. She began her law enforcement career in 1989 with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Jennifer has a master’s degree in policy from Georgetown University.
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Rebecca Kinney, Director, Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling, Administration for Community Living, Washington, DC [biography]
As ACL’s OHIC Director, Rebecca manages the administration of the Medicare focused programs and activities managed by ACL including the SHIP, SMP, and MIPPA programs. In this role, she provides oversight and direction to the OHIC team, state grantees, contractors and national centers established to support the OHIC grantees.
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FT53) Synergy in Support: ADRCs and Senior Centers Collaboration for Aging Well
Focus Area: Cutting-Edge OAA and Aging Programs
Presenters will share their unique journeys, challenges and strategies used to connect ADRC and senior centers in an effort to benefit older adults and individuals with disabilities in Baltimore City. This session will also show the plan and outcome measures that were adopted to measure the long-term impact of this collaboration. By sharing the process regarding connectivity and collaboration, it is the hope that other ADRCs will replicate these efforts and enhance collaboration with their local senior centers. Presenters will discuss processes for establishing effective communication channels, aligning goals, and navigating different organizational structures. Another discussion point involves continuous evaluation, feedback mechanisms and expanding collaborative efforts. Additionally, presenters will share ways to enhance community engagement and address evolving needs.
Presenters:
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Lori Fagan, Senior Center Director, Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Lori Fagan graduated from Morgan State University with a B.S. Degree in Telecommunications and Loyola University with a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction. Lori is currently the Director of the largest and oldest senior center in Baltimore City. She enjoys dancing, yoga, meditating and spending time with family & friends.
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Chrystle Samuels, Director of Constituent Services, Baltimore City Health Department, Division of Aging, Baltimore, MD [biography]
Chrystle Samuels graduated from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with her B.A in Health Administration and Policy and has worked in the Aging field for 13 years, having a passion for helping older adults and individuals with disabilities. Her professional passions include providing Person Centered Thinking Training and Self-Confidence
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| 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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Meet the USAging Consultants
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