The DC Bridging Aging and Disability Networks and Racial Equity Community of Practice continues 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:

Goals:

• 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).