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2025 Year in Review
Our 2025 Year in Review is here — highlighting last year’s successes and setting the stage for our goals and priorities in 2026.
Always ADvancing: Reflections on 18 Years of Supporting State Leadership in Aging and Disability Services
ADvancing States' Executive Director, Martha Roherty, reflects on Aging and Disability services during her tenure.
Direct Care Careers Featured by KFF Health News
Direct Care Careers (DCC) was recently highlighted in a KFF Health News article on innovative home care workforce models. This service helps states connect workers to opportunities and strengthen the direct care workforce nationwide. We encourage you to read the article and learn more about DCC at https://www.advancingstates.org/initiatives/direct-care-careers.
ADvancing States is recruiting members for the Alumni Leadership Network!
ADvancing States is now recruiting members for the Alumni Leadership Network (ALN), a professional community designed for experienced leaders who want to stay connected to HCBS and LTSS policy, share expertise, and continue growing their professional networks. The ALN is open to former ADvancing States members, as well as former CMS, ACL, AoA, and ADvancing States staff.
Applications are Now Open for the Next Gen Program!
ADvancing States is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of Next Gen HCBS Leaders, a professional development program designed for rising leaders in state Aging, Disability, and Medicaid agencies. Applications are due January 23, 2026.
Join The Enabling Technology Engagement Network (ETEN)!
Join a growing national network of state leaders, health plans, and innovators advancing independence through enabling technology in LTSS. Gain direct access to policymakers, collaborate with peers, and help shape the future of Medicaid technology implementation. Apply today!
The 2026 HCBS Conference Sponsorship Application is Now Open!
ADvancing States is pleased to announce that sponsorship applications for the 2026 Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference is now open. Sponsors will have the first opportunity to secure prime exhibit space, elevate their brand through high-visibility sponsored activities, and engage directly with decision-makers shaping the future of HCBS and long-term services and supports (LTSS).
Latest ADvancing States News
Advancing Policies that Create Conditions for Good Health
Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) will hold a webinar highlighting their recently released report, “Advancing Policies that Create Conditions for Good Health: Opportunities, Barriers, and Strategies,” a report of TFAH’s Promoting Health and Cost…
Living Longer: The Increasing Need for Dementia Care and Support for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
The National Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Center will hold a webinar exploring the increasing need for dementia care and support for people with intellectual and development disabilities (IDD).
Advances in medicine, technology, and…
2025 Medicare Open Enrollment Deep Dive
The Center for Medicare Advocacy will hold a webinar looking back at the 2025-2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), during which people made choices about their Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. Presenters will review the challenges and…
What Older Adults Want Policymakers to Know: Bipartisan Solutions for Better Care
The Bipartisan Policy Center will hold a webinar examining the challenges older adults face navigating health and long-term care systems.
Drawing on interviews from The People Say Initiative…
Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference
Registration is now open for the 35th Annual Aging with Developmental Disabilities Conference. The conference will take place on May 11 and 12 in St. Charles, Missouri.
Featured speakers include:
- Dan Berland, Director of Federal…
How Federal Policy Shapes Economic Security for Older Adults
The American Society on Aging will hold a webinar exploring how legislative changes – especially the Older Americans Act, the Big Beautiful Bill, and Social Security adjustments – may impact older adults, even when they are not the intended policy…
Caregiver Insights Across the States: Translating Data into Local Action
The National Alliance for Caregiving will hold a webinar highlighting key insights from state-level caregiver profiles. The webinar will explore how an Area Agency on Aging in Wisconsin is using this information to guide program development and…
Turning Evidence into Action: How Medicaid Payments Impact Nursing Home Outcomes
On Tuesday, January 20, the Moving Forward Nursing Home Quality Coalition will hold a webinar exploring how Medicaid funding influences nursing home quality.
The Moving Forward Coalition seeks to increase the quality of life of individuals…
The Landscape of Assistive Technology and Older Adults
As part of the Aging Peer Action Learning (PAL) 2026 Cohort Program, the Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs will hold a webinar exploring the landscape of assistive technology regarding older adult health and well-being. The Aging PAL…
Ensuring People’s Rights, Choice, and Control in the Person-Centered Service Planning Process
CMS will hold a webinar on the person-centered service planning process, highlighting how states can ensure people’s rights, choice, and control.
The webinar will assist states by:
- Providing an overview of the Home and Community-Based…
Joint Meeting of RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council & Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
On January 20, a virtual joint meeting of the RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren will be held as required by the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE)…
Fundamentals of the Person-Center Service Planning Process
CMS will hold a webinar on the fundamentals of how to conduct the person-centered service planning process.
The webinar will assist states by:
- Providing an overview of the requirements for the person-centered service planning process…
2026 Age + Action Conference
Registration is now open for the National Council on Aging’s 2026 Age + Action Conference. The conference will take place from May 26 to May 29, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia.
State Strategies for Respite and Direct Care Workforce Registries
On January 28, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) will hold a webinar highlighting the role of respite and direct care workforce registries and exploring key considerations for designing and implementing an effective registry system…
Money Follows the Person and LTSS Rebalancing: Opportunities for States
The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy and the Community Living Policy Center will hold a webinar highlighting the Money Follows the Person (MFP) program.
MFP is one of the longest and most successful Medicaid demonstrations. The…
The ACCESS Model: Essentials for Applicants
On January 22, Health Management Associates (HMA) and Leavitt Partners will hold a webinar detailing the CMS Innovation Center’s ACCESS Model.
The ACCESS model creates a new payment pathway for digital health tools, continuous monitoring,…
Compassionate Care in America: Results from the National Study on the Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approach
On January 21, 2026, the Jewish Federations of North America’s Center on Aging, Trauma, and Holocaust Survivor Care will hold a webinar exploring findings from the National Study on the Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed Approach.
During this…
Virtual Summit: Doors to Housing for Older Adults
On February 20, 2026, from 1:30 to 4:00 p.m., USAging will hold a virtual summit to explore opportunities to address the housing crisis among older adults.
Homeless among older adults is on the rise, now accounting for almost one-fifth of…
Webinar: Engaging Caregivers in the Community
The Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network will hold a webinar discussing practical strategies for engaging kinship families in the community. By centering lived experience, creating welcoming environments, and listening to what caregivers say…
2026 Home and Community-Based Services Conference