Each year SSC convenes people from the silos, systems, organizations and communities that touch older people in our county. Our Making the Difference conferences explore emerging issues, illuminate challenges that we need to tackle together, and spark collaborative solutions.

2024 conference

Making the Difference: Addressing Older Adult Homelessness in Alameda County

Older adult homelessness is growing in Alameda County, and older adults spend significantly longer in homelessness than any other age group. How can we reverse these trends? How might we revise systems and eliminate barriers to help displaced older adults access services and housing so they can live safely in the community? How can we move upstream to prevent displacement and address housing insecurity?

Conference Materials

Meet our Keynote Speaker: Margot kushel, MD

Dr. Kushel is a Professor of Medicine at University of California San Francisco, Division Chief and Director of the UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations, Director of the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative, and a practicing general internist at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of homelessness and housing instability, with the goal of preventing and ending homelessness and ameliorating the effects of homelessness and housing instability on health.

OPENING REMARKS

KEYNOTE: Aging AMONG THE HOMELESS: CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES AND SOLUTIONS

  • Margot Kushel, MD, Professor of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, Director of UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations; Director UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative 
  • Watch Dr. Kushel’s keynote presentation.

PANEL I: SOLVING SENIOR HOMELESSNESS

Panelists

  • Vernon Dailey, Senior Ambassador, St. Mary’s Center
  • Norma Johnson, Senior Outreach Ambassador, St. Mary’s Center
  • Torionna Nichols, Street Outreach Coordinator, St. Mary’s Center
  • Thania Tapia Sanchez, Lead Case Manager, DayBreak Adult Care

Moderator

  • Sharon Cornu, Executive Director, St. Mary’s Center

Watch Panel I’s conversation.

DISCUSSION CAFE

PANEL II: ADAPTING SYSTEMS TO SERVE OLDER ADULTS

Panelists

  • Donna White Carey, MD, MS, Interim Chief Medical Officer, Alameda Alliance for Health
  • Alexis Chettiar, PhD, ACNP-BC, CEO & Founder, Cardea Health
  • Lindsay Haddix, Executive Director, East Bay Housing Organizations
  • Logan McDonnell, Director of Keep People Housed, Bay Area Community Services   
  • Jeannette Rodriguez, Deputy Director for Housing and Homelessness Services, Alameda County Health
  • Michelle Starratt, Housing Director, Housing & Community Development Department, Alameda County Community Development Agency
  • Cheryl Winter, MPH, LICSW, Associate Director, Corporation for Supportive Housing

moderator

  • Karen Grimsich, Aging and Family Services Administrator, City of Fremont

Watch Panel II’s conversation.

Making the Difference will convene community-based organizations, health and social service providers, policy makers, and community members to examine emerging issues and explore solutions that will improve health and life outcomes for older people in Alameda County.

For a pdf flyer of the event, click here.

DATE/TIME

Friday, May 31, 2024

Doors Open: 8:30am

9am – 2pm

Venue

Nile Hall

1233 Preservation Park Way

Oakland, CA 94612

REGISTRATION

To register, click here.

To inquire about scholarships for community members who would like to attend, contact wendy@seniorservicescoalition.org.

SPONSORSHIP

Check out our Sponsorship Information and Sponsorship Form to find out more.

Made possible with the generous partnership and support of:

PAST CONFERENCES

2023 Making The Difference: Striving for Equity at the Intersection of Health, Housing and Long-Term Care
2020/21 Making The Difference: Taking Stock of the Aging Policy Landscape in 2021
2019 Making The Difference: Leveraging Social Determinants.
2018 Making The Difference: Opening Doors for Older Adults in Alameda County
2017 Making The Difference: Systems Change to Social Movement
2016 Making The Difference: Improving Outcomes for Older Adults
2015 Making The Difference: Creating Age-Friendly Institutions & Community in Alameda County
2014 Making The Difference: Community Supports and Health for Older Adults in Alameda County.

This event is part of Affordable Housing Month. Thank you EBHO!