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Aging Network Providers Learn Together

On May 10, 2016, Aging and Disability Services (ADS) hosted its first Professional Development Day for subcontracted providers. The event was an opportunity for agency staff to meet others who provide services to King County residents and to attend workshops on topics of interest.

ADS director Maureen Linehan opened the day by greeting participants and discussing ADS’ key initiatives, including Community Living Connections. Community Living Connections connects people facing aging or disability issues to community resources.

Ms. Linehan also spoke about age-friendly communities and Washington State’s CMS Section 1115 Medicaid Transformation waiver, which “waives” certain federal Medicaid requirements and allows the state to negotiate the use of Medicaid funds for innovative projects, activities, and services that otherwise would not be eligible for Medicaid funding, such as benefits to unpaid caregivers and individuals at risk of being on Medicaid.

Participants attended workshops on an array of topics, including:

Sound Generations caregiver advocate Sally Friedman enjoyed the Cultural Relevancy and LGBTQ Elders presentations. “The workshops were very interactive and we could talk through real life situations,” said Ms. Friedman.

Neighborhood House Staff

Professional Development Day had good representation from Neighborhood House.

Pacific Asian Empowerment Program director Christina Vasconcelos attended Teresa Moore’s talk on Writing for Dollar$, and said, “I got good practical tips about fundraising.”

Participants participated in lunch discussions and afternoon networking activities, meeting new colleagues and reconnecting with some they have not seen in years.

“It’s important to have these types of events so we can do ongoing networking through the regional meetings,” explained Ms. Friedman.

Community Living Connections hosts networking meetings throughout King County. The next networking meeting takes place in South King County on Thursday, June 9, 2016 (1:00–3:00 p.m.) at Kent Memorial Park Building (850 Central Avenue N, Kent). For more information, e-mail Marissa Graff (marissag@nhwa.org).

Disability Systems

The session on Disability Systems and Resources was well attended.

Another networking event is scheduled in Seattle on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 (2:00–4:00 p.m.) at the Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave S, Seattle). For more information, e-mail Tanya McGee (tanyam@soundgenerations.org).

Michael Woo, who directs the Kin On Community Care Network, summed it up this way: “It’s good to see providers all in one place and attend workshops on topics relevant to our work … knowing we are not doing it ourselves, peers supporting each other, that’s the benefit.”

For more information, visit the Community Living Connections page for professionals at www.communitylivingconnections.org/professionals.


Contributor Angela Miyamoto, a planner at Aging and Disability Services—the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle-King County—convened the May 2016 Professional Network Day at Tukwila Community Center. She was instrumental in designing Community Living Connections, referenced in the article.

Photos by Lorraine Sanford. For additional event photos, click here.

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