The DC Bridging Aging and Disability Networks and Racial Equity Community of Practice is continuing the learning and systems change efforts that have been in progress over the last 10 years to support families, coordinate services across agencies, and engage DC’s diverse cultural and linguistic communities to promote racial equity. The primary objectives are to:

Objectives:

• Better support individuals with I/DD as they age, while maintaining dignity and rights
• Better support and connect with aging caregivers (family and paid caregivers like Direct Support Professionals - DSPs, Home Health Aides - HHAs, etc.)
• Build capacity for racial equity across aging and disability networks
• Build sustainable relationships between aging and disability service networks

 

 

Previous Activities:

• Future Planning Lunch and Learn Series in August 2023 - This 3-part series addressed an overview of disability and aging services in DC, financial options to plan for the future, and legal decision-making options to plan for the future. You can view each session here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhZQU_WEgEtwv4o0wukDXgWGEOTRgDT-
• Aging and Disability Panel Discussion and Community Listening Session - Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 4 – 5:30 pm on Zoom
• Aging and Disability Professionals Networking Event - Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 4 - 6 pm, Location: Department on Disability Services, 250 E Street SW

 

Resources

• National Council on Aging - https://www.ncoa.org/ 
• How to create a will, for free! - https://www.freewill.com/

 

State Alliance Team:

• Developmental Disabilities Council (DDC) – Co-lead
• Department on Disability Services (DDS) – Co-lead
• Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL)
• Georgetown University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Center for Child and Human Development (GUCEDD)
• Disability Rights DC at University Legal Services (DRDC)
• Project ACTION! – DC’s self-advocacy coalition
• Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities – includes Family Ties of DC, DC’s Parent-to-Parent chapter
• RCM of Washington – disability service provider

 

Issues/context to keep in mind as we do this work together:

• cultural and linguistic competence and racial equity in service provision
• intake and eligibility-related issues
• workforce challenges
• supporting a person in the context of their family and community
• person centered thinking
• self-advocacy and leadership
• aging in place/in community
• navigating the service system
• evaluation
• caregiver support
• guardianship – aging and IDD

 

If you have questions or want to get involved in this work, please contact Alison Whyte, [email protected], 202-340-8563 (call/text) or Mark Agosto, [email protected], 202-257-6698 (call/text).