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Barry Barkan
Steve Shields
Rose Marie Fagan
Joe Angelelli
Rebeka Mason
Susan Ryan
Joe A Ranni
Carman Bowman
Nichole Lynch
Michelle Daniel
Joan Devine
Claudia Landau
Beth Irtz
Lori Porter
Carrie Leljedal
Jason Leljedal
Lori Smetanka
Denise Hyde
Sister Imelda Maurer
Meg LaPorte
Lee Moriarty
Tony Coccitto
Cheryl Smith
Michael Brave
Angie McAllister
Daniel Rutherford Wilson
Isacc Longobardi
Penny Cook
Charles de Vilmorin
Jonas Weizman
Anne Montgomery
Who We Are
Connected Communities is an initiative of national, state and local innovators to build and sustain community-driven continuums of health and social support that reflect local character, honor the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities, including those living with dementia, and augment collective well-being —together.
In 2026, the Connected Communities team is spending time building momentum at the local level. We are creating building blocks for a long-term services and supports (LTSS) continuum in communities — geographies where local leaders, advocates, housing and LTSS providers express interest in organizing to build a continuum of care that normalizes the provision of LTSS.
We will work to encourage community leaders, organizations and collaboratives — including new ones that barely existed a decade ago (e.g., the Age-Friendly Community network) – to convene and nurture forward looking conversations in creative ways.
Our Values
Relationship is the fundamental building block of a transformed culture
Relationship is the fundamental building block of a transformed culture A Connected Community redesigns home by:
- Curating joyful activities tailored to the needs and interests of older adults, individuals with disabilities and all living in the neighborhood
- Connecting the neighborhood with the wider community through sponsoring social events and arranging for outings and guest visits
- Furnishing safe and convenient transportation options that support engagement in the broader community.
Put person before task
Put person before task A Connected Community empowers the workforce by:
- Recognizing all staff as integral to resident care
- Establishing inclusive decision-making that is accountable to residents
- Providing easy-to-access online education and in-person training focused on person-directed practices for care partners and leadership.
Community is the antidote to institutionalization
Community is the antidote to institutionalization A Connected Community assembles a continuum of care by:
- Eliminating operational silos between aging and disability services providers and within housing initiatives so that individuals of varying ages who have varying needs for services can access person-directed supports across the continuum of care in a community.
All are entitled to self-determination wherever they live
All are entitled to self-determination wherever they live A Connected Community curates a person-directed approach to well-being by:
- Providing easy-to-access online education and in-person training focusing on person-directed practices for all care partners, including leadership
- Exploring ways to build trust and define what ‘True Home’ means to each individual who is receiving supportive services.
Know each person
Know each person A Connected Community embraces the dignity of each person receiving supports by:
- Elevating their voice, identity, and preferences, and adjusting their services and supports as their needs and abilities change over time.
Each person can and does make a difference
Each person can and does make a difference A Connected Community elevates equity so that:
- Each individual living and working there is recognized for having their own power and ability to contribute to the common good.
Respond to spirit, as well as mind and body
Respond to spirit, as well as mind and body A Connected Community:
- Ensures it is a place where people of all ages and abilities can live together, thrive, and access what they need and want to live well
- Is designed to include green spaces, gathering places, and amenities that promote social connection and joy.
Risk-taking is a normal part of life
Risk-taking is a normal part of life A Connected Community:
- Provides training and instills accountability among care partners so that they understand they are both empowered to help and to empower individuals receiving supportive services to make choices about how they wish to live their lives.
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Our Team
What We Do
Connected Communities foster multi-ability, multi-generational life by offering easy access to health care and a person-directed continuum of long-term services and supports – cultivated in a culture honoring individual preferences, needs and goals and integrated with the local neighborhood.
How We Operate
The Connected Communities map is an ongoing project which will help to showcase the organizations, agencies, programs and facilities that prioritize a person-centered approach and offer a continuum of care, thereby illuminating the “connected communities”.
Aldersbridge Crossing: A Model Connected Community
