Convening Brings Together Bay Area's Aging Veteran Advocates

Swords was proud to collaborate with the San Francisco Department of Disability & Aging Services yesterday on a convening bringing professionals from across the Bay together at the SF Bay Area Aging Veterans Mental Health Summit.

The event included a number of presentations alongside facilitated discussion among attendees. The convening gathered perspectives from research, legal assistance and advocacy, social services, and clinical care, with an emphasis on practical insights, real-world challenges, and opportunities to strengthen services for older veterans.

Presenters included:

• Dr. Kristen Azar, Vice President of Quality and Performance Excellence, Institute on Aging; and Adjunct Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UCSF
• Dr. Amy Byers, Research Career Scientist, Co-Director, The Center for Data to Discovery and Delivery Innovation, San Francisco VA Health Care System (SFVAHCS); Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, UCSF; Professor of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, UCSF
• Laura Chiera, Executive Director/Managing Attorney, Legal Assistance to the Elderly
• Sara Huffman, Managing Attorney, Medical-Legal Partnership for Seniors (MLPS), UC Law San Francisco
• Katey Webber, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Institute on Aging

It was a full house filled with advocates, providers, and lawmakers dedicated to ensuring aging veterans in our community are receiving adequate and responsive social services and housing. Thank you all who came out for an enriching day!

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