Federal Plenary Sessions

US Department of Veterans Affairs Panel

Federal Lifespan Respite Panel

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Through a panel presentation, this session provided an overview of VA services and supports for Veterans at home and their caregivers, which include VA partnership with ADRCs, Veteran Directed Services, innovative programs including volunteer respite programs, as well as information on the new VA Caregiver Support Program and the Veteran‐Community Partnership initiative.

Participants learned about the latest program initiatives being introduced by the VA to support family caregivers through respite services.

Daniel Schoeps, Director, Purchased Long‐Term Care, Office of Geriatrics & Extended Care, US Department of Veterans Affairs, PPT Presentation

Gwynn Sullivan, RN, MSN, Veterans Community Partnerships, US Department of Veterans Affairs, PPT Presentation

Margaret Kabat, Deputy Director, Caregiver Support Program, US Department of Veterans Affairs, PPT Presentation

The Federal Lifespan Respite Program: Building Innovation, Collaboration, and Diversity Across the Lifespan

Moderated by Greg Link, Aging Services Program Specialist, from AoA’s Office of Community-Based Services. Hear from three current state grantees about the programs being developed through the Lifespan Respite grants they were awarded.

Greg Link, Aging Services Program Specialist, Office of Community-Based Administration Administratin on Aging, US Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC, PPT Presentation

Kathy Mayfield-Smith, MBA, MA, President, SC Respite Coalition, and Research Associate Professor, Institute for Families Society, Socieity, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, PPT Presentation

Bonnie Kolar, Lifespan Respite Grant Project Manager, Aging Services Division, Oklahoma Department of Human Service, Oklahoma City, OK, PPT Presentation

Amy Nazaire, Director of Family Support and Children's Services, Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Northeast Region, Hathorne, MA, PPT Presentation