Commit to Connect will host the virtual 2026 National Summit to Increase Social Connections on June 23 and 24, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET each day. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health: Social Connection as a Cornerstone of Prevention, Wellness, Healthy Aging, and Independence,” builds on the Administration for Community Living’s 2026 celebration of Older Americans Month. Day one of the Summit will focus on social connection and its role in nutrition programs and services (including Older Americans Act programs) to improve the health and wellbeing of older adults and people with disabilities. Day two will highlight how group community-based exercise and physical activities promote social connection, health, and wellbeing. The full two-day agenda can be found below. The target audience for this summit are aging and disability leaders and innovators at the local, state, and national levels who are dedicated to ending social isolation and loneliness and promoting social connection.
Registration is free but required. This event will include CART captioning and ASL interpretation. The session recordings, PowerPoint slides, and other materials will be posted on this page after the event. Contact info@committoconnect.org with any questions.
Day 1: Nutrition
Tuesday, June 23, 1:00-3:30 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. | Welcome, Housekeeping, and Opening Keynote
- Katie Clark Wheeler, Program Analyst, Administration for Community Living (ACL)
- Mary Lazare, Principal Deputy Administrator, ACL
- Alice Kelsey, Deputy Director, Administration on Aging, ACL
1:18 p.m. | Eating with Others: Congregate Dining and Socialization
For adults 60 and older, community-based congregate dining programs exist throughout the nation. They bring people together while improving nutrition and well-being of older adults. Since the nutrition programs were added to the Older Americans Act, these programs have recognized and addressed both hunger and social connection, with decades of evidence showing their positive impact. This panel highlights how congregate dining programs create stronger relationships, reduce loneliness, and provide opportunities to connect. Featuring innovative models from Ohio to Maine, speakers will explore how food builds community, reduces isolation, and creates a sense of belonging for older adults.
- Moderator: Kimberly Reynolds, Commissioner of Aging Services, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services
- Justin Moor, President/CEO, Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
- Karl Schatz, Executive Director/Co-founder, Community Plate
- Maggi Monroe, Executive Director, Hillsdale County Senior Services Center, Inc.
2:10 p.m. | Home-Delivered Meals as an Opportunity for Connection, Screening, and Referral
Home-Delivered meal programs, established through the Older Americans Act nutrition program, serve more than meals. This panel explores how home-delivered meals serve as critical touchpoints for more than nutrition—offering opportunities to identify social isolation, conduct informal wellness checks, and connect individuals to needed services. Speakers will share how their meal programs are frontline strategies for strengthening connection, safety, and overall well-being.
- Moderator: Laura Belazis, Senior Director of Strategy and Impact, Meals on Wheels America
- Ana Medina, President/CEO, Central Arizona Aging
- Tasha Romo, Director of Nutrition and Activities, Humboldt Senior Resource Center
2:45 p.m. | Empowering Older Adults through Cooking and Nutrition Education
Nutrition education and counseling are core components of the Older Americans Act nutrition program, which recognizes that healthy aging is supported through both knowledge and connection. This panel explores how nutrition and cooking education programs build skills, confidence, and community for meaningful social relationships and improved nutrition outcomes. Speakers will highlight how interactive cooking and nutrition programs create meaningful opportunities for engagement, social connection, and overall well-being for older adults and people with disabilities.
- Moderator: Keri Ann Lipperini, Director of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs, Administration on Aging, ACL
- Kathleen Miller, Volunteer Program Leader, Northwood Partners
- Rachel Kaplan, Interim Executive Director and Operations Director, Kelly’s Kitchen
3:25 p.m. | Closing
- Meredith Hanley, Program Director, USAging
Day 2: Physical Activity
Wednesday, June 24, 1:00-3:30 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. | Welcome and Housekeeping
- Meredith Hanley, Program Director, USAging
1:03 p.m. | Health Promotion and Physical Activity: Perspective from the Move Your Way Campaign and Physical Activity Guidelines
- Malorie Polster, Physical Activity Advisor, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
1:13 p.m. | Fireside Chat: Preventing Falls and Building Connections: Social connection as a strategy for delivering evidence-based falls prevention programs
This fireside chat explores how social connection strengthens the reach and impact of evidence-based falls prevention programs, helping older adults stay engaged, active, and safe. Through real-world strategies and data, speakers will highlight how combining group-based physical activity with intentional social supports improves both health outcomes and sustained participation.
- Moderator: Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Professor, Indiana University – Bloomington, School of Public Health
- Jill Renken, Executive Director, Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging
1:43 p.m. | Move to Connect: Adaptive Movement for Whole-Person Health
This panel highlights how adaptive movement programs—from cycling and fitness to rhythm-based activities—can foster social connection while supporting whole-person health for people of all ages and abilities. Speakers will share innovative, community-based approaches that break down barriers to participation and create inclusive opportunities to move, connect, and thrive.
- Moderator: Katie Clark Wheeler, Program Analyst, ACL
- Heang Tan, Director, Baltimore County Department of Aging
- Hunter Leemon, Chief Executive Officer, Sportable
- Matthew Stepaniak, Director/Co-founder, Limitless Cycling
2:20 p.m. | Spotlight: Assistive Technology Resources to Support Community-Based Exercise
This panel will highlight how assistive technology resources can expand access to community-based exercise opportunities for older adults and people with disabilities, supporting social connection, health, and inclusion. Panelists will share practical examples of adaptive equipment and community partnerships that help reduce barriers and increase participation in recreation and physical activity.
- Moderator: Robert Groenendaal, Assistive Technology Program, ACL
- Terri Wofford, Speech Language Pathologist and Manager, Wyoming Assistive Technology Resources
- Jileesa Irwin, Assistive Technology Specialist for Outdoor Recreation, Michigan Assistive Technology Program
3:00 p.m. | Call to Action, Commit to Connect Resources, and Closing
- Katie Clark Wheeler, Program Analyst, ACL
- Bernice Hutchinson, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration on Aging, ACL