Events
Looking for inspiration, subject-matter experts, or model programs? Commit to Connect regularly offers two ways to learn and engage:
- Webinars: These 60-minute sessions feature expert speakers and program examples followed by Q&A between participants and speakers.
- Office Hours: These 30-minute interview-style sessions feature subject matter experts on best practices, strategies, and model programs increasing social connections.
Upcoming Events
PEARLS: an Evidence-Based Program to Address Depression and Social Isolation in Older Adults
Commit to Connect (CTC) is a cross-sector increasing the capacity of the aging and disability network to address social isolation and loneliness and advance social connection as a critical part of health and well-being.
Join ACL’s Commit to Connect initiative on Wednesday, July 29, from 1:00 to 2:00 to ET, for a webinar on how the aging network is addressing depression and social isolation among older adults.
This webinar will highlight the PEARLS, the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives, an evidence-based intervention proven to reduce depression and social isolation among older adults. PEARLS uses a seven-step problem solving approach to help participants create action plans that address social isolation and depression.
Dr. Lesley Steinman of the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center will present on the relationship between depression and social isolation and the evidence supporting PEARLS. Representatives from two Area Agencies on Aging will also share their experiences implementing PEARLS and PEARLS Connect with older adults: Suzet Tave, PEARLS Counselor with Aging and Disability Services in Seattle/King County and Jasmin Folan, Director at The Women’s Center of Tarrant County.
This event will include CART captioning and American Sign Language interpretation. The webinar will be recorded and shared publicly following the event. Questions or additional accessibility requests, may be directed to info@committoconnect.org.
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Supporting the Social Connection Needs for Individuals with Autism
Join ACL’s Commit to Connect initiative for an Office Hours session to learn from Tiffany Neal, director of the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center. The HANDS center, based out of Indiana University, offers training and resources to support the needs of individuals with autism. During this Office Hours session, Tiffany will discuss two programs that the center supports to help individuals with autism stay socially connected in their communities:
- The HANDSmade™ Vocational, Social Engagement, and Independent Living Program provides vocational training and social engagement opportunities for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
- The PEER Potential™ Program is a peer-to-peer social engagement and mentoring program that reduces isolation, strengthens belonging, and promotes community participation among individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Office Hours sessions are 30-minute virtual events that feature subject matter experts on best practices, strategies, and model programs for increasing social connections.
This event will include CART closed captioning and American Sign Language interpreting. The Office Hours will be recorded and shared publicly after the event. If you have any questions or additional accessibility requests, please email info@committoconnect.org.
Event Archive
Webinars:
The Impact of Falls Prevention Programs on Social Connectedness (May 12, 2026)
- Organizations: National Council on Aging, Trellis, MAC Inc.
- The slides are available here
Capturing Data to Measure the Impact of CDSME on Social Connection (February 11, 2026)
- Organizations: Indiana University School of Public Health, Illinois Pathways to Health, and The North Country Healthy Heart Network
- The slides are available here
Supporting Social Connection of Caregivers Webinar (September 26, 2025)
- Organizations: Caregiver Action Network, AgeWays Nonprofit Senior Services, and an individual serving as a “Carefluencer”
- The slides are available here
Supporting Social Connection Through Volunteerism (September 3, 2025)
- Organizations: National Community Care Corps, The Oasis Institute, and Lori’s Hands
- The slides are available here
Promoting Social Connection Among Veterans (June 4, 2025)
- Organizations: Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), VA Bedford Healthcare System, and Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio, Inc.
- The slides are available here
Social Connection as a Protective Factor for Fraud and Exploitation (December 19, 2024)
- Organizations: USAging, Administration for Community Living (ACL), National Center on Elder Abuse, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and Area Agency on Aging 3
- The slides are available here
Outcome Evaluation in Social Connection Programming (September 18, 2024)
- Organizations: California Department of Aging, Cincinnati Music and Wellness Coalition, Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky, and Texas A&M School of Public Health
- The slides are available here
Advancing Social Connection Through Art and Creative Expressions (June 27, 2024)
- Organizations: National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), Central Vermont Council on Aging, and Dances For A Variable Population
- The slides are available here
Strengthening Social Connection in Housing Communities: Innovative Approaches (April 30, 2024)
- Organizations: American Association of Service Coordinators (AASC), Front Porch, and Our Stomping Ground
- The slides are available here
Promoting Social Connection Among Older Adults Living with HIV/AIDS (February 27, 2024)
- Organizations: Los Angeles County Commission on HIV, Detroit Area Agency on Aging, and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation
- The slides are available here
Office Hours:
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Highlighting Innovative Social Connection Programs (February 25, 2026)
- Organizations: FriendshipWorks
- Resource Recap
- The recording is available here
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Highlighting Champions of Social Connection (January 7, 2026)
- Organizations: 50 Forward Mohawk Valley
- Resource Recap
- The recording is available here
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Social Connection and Engaging People with Disabilities in Rural Communities (September 4, 2025)
- Organizations: University of Montana’s Research and Training Center (RTC)
- Resources Recap
- The recording is available here
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Social Connection and Assistive Technology (August 20, 2025)
- Organizations: Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP)
- Resources Recap
- The recording is available here
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Social Connection and Nutrition (April 18, 2025)
- Organizations: Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs at the Administration for Community Living (ACL)
- Resources Recap
- The recording is available here
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Advancing Social Connection as a Public Health Priority (March 19, 2024)
- Organizations: National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD), Mississippi State Department of Health, and Washington University in St. Louis
- Resources Recap
- The slides are available here
Commit to Connect Office Hours: Intergenerational Engagement (January 30, 2024)
- Organizations: Generations United (GU)
- Resources Recap