7th Annual Statewide Conference
BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES: INSIDE OUR MOST IMPACTFUL VILLAGE CONFERENCE!
The 7th Annual Statewide Village Conference in Sacramento was truly our biggest and most impactful event yet, bringing together over 130 Village leaders, policymakers, healthcare partners, and advocates from across California. United by our shared mission of building stronger communities where older adults can age with health, dignity, and connection, participants represented not only California’s growing network of 50+ villages, but also villages from other states and representatives from the national village network.
The energy and passion in the room was palpable as attendees engaged in inspiring panels on policy advocacy and healthcare partnerships, participated in the collaborative Village Voices World Café, and led dynamic conversations during Dine and Dish sessions covering critical topics like disaster response and fund development.
The conference highlighted both the challenges and opportunities within our movement, particularly how we’re “promoting interdependence in an incredibly independent society” while ensuring that no one has to age alone. Attendees left with fresh ideas, valuable insights, and renewed commitment to supporting aging-in-place initiatives, preventing social isolation, and serving the “forgotten middle” population of moderate- to middle-income older adults. As we explored innovative approaches to social care and community resilience, participants demonstrated the creativity, love, and passion that defines our Village Movement.
The connections made and knowledge shared will undoubtedly strengthen our collective efforts to help more villages thrive and empower older adults to live healthier, happier, and more connected lives throughout California and beyond.
Share the inspiration – Like and share photos from our conference Facebook album. See Conference Photos
PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
CONFERENCE HANDOUTS: Conference Agenda | From Caregivers to Community | It Takes a Village to Ensure All Californians Can Age Better | Villages as a Solution to California’s Forgotten Moderate & Middle Class
OPENING REMARKS: Sarah Steenhausen, Deputy Director of Policy, Research, and Engagement, California Department of Aging – DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: The Social Care Imperative – From Isolation to Connection in Age-Friendly Communities
Dr. Carla Perissinotto, MD from UCSF School of Medicine, a leading geriatrician and researcher on social isolation, explored the critical role of social care in addressing the complex needs of California’s most vulnerable older adults. Drawing from her groundbreaking research on loneliness as a health risk and her clinical experience, Dr. Perissinotto examined how innovative social care models – including villages, neighborhood networks, and community-based interventions – can bridge the gap between medical care and social wellbeing. DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
HEALTHCARE SESSION: Where Healthcare Intersects with Community: Developing Relationships between Villages and Local Healthcare Organizations
This presentation explored mutually beneficial partnerships between Villages and healthcare organizations to support aging community members. Amy Stuck, PhD, RN, Senior Director of Value-based Acute Care, West Health Institiute and Claire Andrews, Program Manager, West Health Institiute shared insights from a pilot project demonstrating how aligned goals and bi-directional education create enhanced support networks, providing Village members with expanded resources from both their community and healthcare providers. DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
CLOSING REMARKS: State of Villages: Stronger Together – Connecting Care and Community
Village Movement California’s Co-Executive Director, Carolyn Ross provided an inspiring and informative update on the current state and future direction of our village movement. DOWNLOAD PRESENTATION
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