Summary of the 2023 engAGED and Commit to Connect Social Engagement Virtual Summit

The aging and disability networks provide a variety of programs and services to promote social engagement and connection, but it is essential to continuously elevate innovative social engagement approaches. This is why engAGED and Commit to Connect once again partnered to co-host a two-day Social Engagement Virtual Summit, which took place May 9-10, 2023.

The Summit brought together hundreds of leaders from the aging and disability networks for two days of learning, information sharing and connection. Speakers included national, state and local experts who shared the latest research, innovative programs, and effective tools and resources.

If you weren’t able to attend, no worries. Below you will find highlights from both days, including timestamps for the recordings for each section. View the recordings, full agenda and speaker bios for details on the Summit.

Day One:

  • USAging and the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL), which administer and fund both engAGED and Commit to Connect, respectively kicked off day one of the Summit. Timestamp | 0:00-9:00

  • Dr. Vivek Murthy, U.S. Surgeon General, provided a welcome message for Summit attendees. Timestamp | 9:00-11:40

  • Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, a nationally recognized expert on the long-term health effects of social connection, shared an overview of the recent Surgeon General’s Advisory, Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation, of which she served as Lead Science Editor. Timestamp | 16:31-1:03:40

  • engAGED spotlighted resources and tools to support the social engagement work of local organizations. Timestamp | 1:03:40-1:19:05

  • Prince Taylor with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs highlighted the VA’s work to address social isolation and loneliness through its Compassionate Contact Corp. Timestamp | 1:30:00-1:54:35

  • A panel moderated by Dr. Lenard Kaye, Director of the University of Maine Center on Aging, discussed the intersection of factors that contribute to social isolation and loneliness among older adults and people with disabilities within rural communities and innovative solutions to promote social connection. Timestamp | 1:54:35-2:55:35

Day Two:

  • USAging and ACL kicked off day two of the Summit, with a summary of day one and a preview of day two. Timestamp | 0:00-7:03

  • Alison Barkoff, ACL’s Acting Administrator and Assistant Secretary for Aging, highlighted ACL’s leadership in supporting family caregivers and promoting social connections among older adults and people with disabilities. Timestamp | 7:03-21:35

  • Commit to Connect shared resources and tools to support local, state and national organization’s social engagement work. Timestamp | 21:35-40:40

  • The Oasis Institute spotlighted the Community Care Corps (C3) initiative, and a C3 grantee showcased its family caregiver respite and support program. Timestamp | 40:40-1:14:10

  • A panel moderated by Dr. Fawn Cothran, Hunt Research Director at the National Alliance for Caregiving, discussed the barriers to engagement that family caregivers face and how organizations can develop programs, activities and outreach practices that benefits both family caregivers and the people they support. Timestamp | 1:29:35-2:29:55

  • John Beilenson, President of SCP, provided tips for organizations on how to communicate strategically to reach potential participants with social engagement opportunities and demonstrate program impact. Timestamp | 2:29:55-2:56:50

If you missed the live event or want to re-watch any sections, you can view the recordings and access the PowerPoint slides here.

Ali Fehlhaber