Special Session for Benefits Professionals

Moving the Needle Forward: Coordinating Public Benefits at the Federal, State, & Local Levels

March 17, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Chicago

This event is included when you register for the full Aging in America conference. Register for Aging in America now.

Program Schedule

Federal Strategies
10-11:30 a.m.

Hear panelists from federal agencies discuss their efforts to collaborate and coordinate public benefits to create a more seamless system for consumers, families, and benefits professionals.

Speakers:

• Greg Case, Aging Services Program Specialist, Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, DC
• Jeff Greenfield, Branch Chief, Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships, Office of Strategic Initiatives, Partnerships & Outreach, Food & Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alexandria, VA
• Leon Litow, Lead Program Analyst, Administration for Children & Families, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Washington, DC
• Aviva Sufian, Acting Associate Commissioner, Office of External Affairs, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, MD
• David Sayen, Regional Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, San Francisco, CA
• Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment, NCOA, Washington, DC (moderator)

State Strategies
1:30-2:30 p.m.  

Listen as two states describe how they’re developing innovative strategies for coordinating benefits for people with disabilities and older adults in need.

Speakers:

• Martha Roherty, Executive Director, National Association of State Units on Aging, Washington, DC
• Marisa Scala-Foley, Director, National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment, NCOA, Washington, DC (moderator)
• Anne Smith, Maine Legal Services for the Elderly, Portland, ME
• Kate Birnbryer White, Executive Director, Elder Law of Michigan, Lansing, MI

Local Strategies
3-4 p.m.
 
Discover how Benefits Enrollment Centers in 10 cities have leveraged Web-based tools and person-centered approaches to enroll seniors and people with disabilities into all of the benefits for which they are eligible.

Speakers:

• Kristen Kiefer, Director of Special Projects, NCOA, Washington, DC
• Anne Smith, Medicare Rights Advocate, Legal Services for the Elderly, Augusta, ME 
• Maribeth Stein, Outreach Specialist, Age Options, Chicago, IL

High-Impact Technology for Benefits Outreach, Coordination, & Enrollment
4:30-5:30 p.m.
 
Learn how high-impact organizations use technology successfully to target benefits outreach campaigns and increase enrollment.

Speakers:

• Héctor Ortiz, Program Associate, National Center for Benefits Outreach & Enrollment, NCOA, Washington, DC
• Marlene Schneider, Vice President, Decision Support, NCOA, New York, NY
• Ginger Zielinskie, Vice President, Benefits Data Trust, Philadelphia, PA

Taking Client Advocacy to the Next Level
4:30-5:30 p.m.

Find out how to hone your advocacy skills to improve your clients’ chances of getting—and using—benefits.

Speaker:

• Hilary Dalin,  Associate Director, My Medicare Matters, NCOA, Washington, DC

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