Annual National Summit to Increase Social Connections
Commit to Connect will host the virtual 2025 National Summit to Increase Social Connections on September 9 and 10, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET each day. Sessions will focus on this year’s theme, “Scaling and Replicating Effective Social Connection Programs,” and highlight innovative initiatives that strengthen the aging and disability networks’ capacity to address social isolation and strategies to replicate and scale these programs nationwide. 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: Effective and Promising Programs, Practices, and Strategies From the Aging and Disability Networks
Tuesday, September 9, 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
- Art Kleinschmidt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
1:15 p.m. | Health and Wellness Programs: Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) and Falls Prevention
This session will demonstrate how community-based exercise, physical activities, and health education programs in the aging and disability networks promote social connection. Dr. Matthew Smith will present on the background of falls prevention and CDSME programs, key components of these programs, and research and data on their impact on social isolation. Dr. Smith will then moderate a discussion with Partners in Care (a CDSME Community of Practice member) and the Oregon Health Network on their respective programs.
- Moderator: Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Texas A&M University
- Christy Lau, Partners in Care Foundation
- Lavinia Goto, Oregon Wellness Network
2:10 p.m. | Nutrition
This session will demonstrate how nutrition services and programs for older adults and people with disabilities effectively address social isolation and loneliness. After a brief presentation on the benefits of eating together and nutrition programs, representatives from two programs will share about their work with time for questions.
- Moderator: Adam Mosey, ACL
- Lydia Butler, Living Well Program, Disability Network Wayne County
- Shannon Gabriel, My Meal—My Way Senior Dining, AAA of Dane County
2:45 p.m. | Technology Programs
Technologies and technology-based programs can connect older adults and people with disabilities to trained volunteers, virtual programs, and opportunities for social connection. Steve Ewell will discuss effective products, strategies, and programs using technology to advance social connection. After brief presentations, the New York State Office for the Aging will engage in a panel discussion on technology strategies and programs that are successfully advancing social connection.
- Moderator: Steve Ewell, Executive Director, Consumer Technology Association Foundation
- Suzanne Syzdek, Assistant Director for External Affairs, New York State Office for the Aging
- Willie Gunther, CEO, Illinois Assistive Technology Program
3:25 p.m. | Closing
- Meredith Hanley, Program Director, USAging
Day 2: Strategies to Grow, Replicate, and Scale Social Connection Programs
Wednesday, September 10, 1:00-3:30 p.m. ET
1:00 p.m. | Welcome and Housekeeping
- Meredith Hanley, Program Director, USAging
1:05 p.m. | Outreach and Partnerships
This session will explore how community spaces and the built environment, such as parks and housing communities, can be leveraged for outreach, growth, and replication of social connection programs.
- Moderator: Risa Wilkerson, Executive Director, Healthy Places by Design
- Natalia Ospina, National Recreation and Parks Association
- Melissa Harris, American Association of Service Coordinators
1:40 p.m. | Collaboration With Health Care Through Community Care Hubs
This session will explore how community care hubs are an exciting model for the aging and disability networks to collaborate with health care to expand their work, particularly social support programs.
- Moderator: Will Bleser, Whole Person Health Lead, ACL
- Nikki Kmicinski, Chief Executive Officer, Western New York Integrated Care Collaborative, Inc.
- Leigh Ann Eagle, Director of the Health and Wellness Programs, MAC, Inc.
2:20 p.m. | Lessons From Building Statewide Coalitions
This session will explore how coalitions were designed, built, and leveraged to expand the impact of a region’s social connection efforts. Speakers will share how attendees can build their own coalitions for greater reach and growth.
- Moderator: Jillian Racoosin, Foundation for Social Connection
- Jill Renken, Wisconsin Coalition for Social Connection
- Sandra Harris, Massachusetts Coalition to Build Community and End Loneliness
- Megan Byers, South Carolina Operation to Confront Social Isolation and Loneliness
3:00 p.m. | Call to Action, Commit to Connect Resources, and Closing
- Katie Clark Wheeler, Program Analyst, ACL