Recognition and Heritage Months

What do you do at CDA

I am the Data and Program Monitoring Specialist with the Office of the Long-Term Care Patient Representative (OPR) and have been with the program since September 2022. I coordinate the collection of required data related to interdisciplinary team reviews and provide technical assistance to our public patient representatives and to skilled nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities.

What Black History Month means to you

Black History Month is a time for celebrating the legacy and contributions of Black Americans to this country, telling their stories truthfully, and honoring the path they paved. For me, Black history transcends a month — it is every day and it's always been about remembering the strength and resilience of my ancestors, taking advantage of the opportunities that they created for me, and ensuring their voices will not be lost through time. I am my ancestors’ wildest dream — and with that comes a responsibility to remember their struggle and to continue their forward progress.

How your identity or experiences shape your work in supporting older adults

A core value of Black culture is to treat older adults with empathy, respect, kindness, dignity, and care. These are values that were instilled in me at a very young age, and I infuse them into my work with older adults. As a Black woman, I have a personal understanding of and connection to other marginalized and underserved populations. I understand the unique disparities of this population and I strive to amplify their voices and ensure they receive quality and equitable services. It is a great honor for me to serve older Californians.

What do you do at CDA

I am the Health at Home Branch (HAHB) Chief, and I oversee our Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Programs, which includes the Multipurpose Senior Services Program (MSSP) and the Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) Program. MSSP & CBAS provide services to eligible older adults and people with disabilities based on a person-centered care plan to enable them to remain in their homes and communities and prevent or delay institutional care.

What Black History Month means to you

Black History Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the heroism of Black men and women, and their many contributions. It provides the proud opportunity to give credit, share, and learn about the many movements and things that Black men and women have pioneered in this world to make it a better place. Black history is American history; it is world history. It is rich and something for all people to know, and indeed, something that I am proud of.

How your identity or experiences shape your work in supporting older adults

I am proud and honored to be CDA's first HAHB Branch Chief and contribute to the mission of CDA. As a Black woman whose entire state career has been with departments under the California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS), I recognize the disparities in this realm for Black people to know about, receive, and/or access needed benefits. As a person and leader, I value integrity and equity and I've been blessed to oversee and/or develop policies for, engage with partners and stakeholders on so many CalHHS programs, and ensure they were operationalized equitably to benefit those in need. This extends to my work here at CDA. I am grateful for the investments with research/analyses that aid with addressing expansion and access of our HCBS services. It is imperative that older adults and people with disabilities, including their families and caregivers, know about our programs and can access them so they can age gracefully in a setting of their choice.

What do you do at CDA

I work in the Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) Bureau, under the Division of Home and Community Living (DHCL) branch. In my role as an analyst at the Initial Certifications desk, I review and approve initial certification applications submitted by licensees, clinicians, and health care administrators who wish to establish Adult Day Health Care (ADHC)/CBAS programs in their respective counties. Eligible individuals can access these ADHC/CBAS programs as a benefit through Medi-Cal. The CBAS program is distinguished by its integration of social and medical support, along with its community-centered approach.

What Black History Month means to you

Black History Month celebrates the invaluable contributions of Black individuals to the United States. It acknowledges the remarkable achievements of Black people, encompassing not only Black Americans but also the broader African diaspora that have made America their home. This month provides a chance to recognize and honor the significant cultural and societal impacts that Black individuals have had throughout American history — past, present, and future. It is also a moment to reflect on the challenges faced by Black communities and to use those experiences to advocate for a more accessible, inclusive, and diverse future for all. Black History Month is an opportunity to express gratitude to those who have worked and sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy today. Black history is, indeed, American history!

How your identity or experiences shape your work in supporting older adults

I grew up in a family dedicated to caregiving, which has guided me to become a caregiver myself. From a young age, showing respect and caring for older relatives was essential. I witnessed my grandfather caring for my grandmother during her final years as she battled diabetes and other health issues. My mother and her siblings took turns providing him with respite and shared the caregiving responsibilities for their mother. I also saw my mother care for my grandfather in his later years, and now I am supporting my own aging mother in various aspects of her life.

As a child, I enjoyed helping wherever I could, not just within my family but also with my older neighbors. I would run errands, pick up groceries, do chores and yardwork, and assist with small tasks. One neighbor, a wonderful lady, became like a grandmother to me after I lost my own. We spent many Saturday mornings chatting on her porch over her delicious lemonade, sharing laughter and stories. Since she didn't have family nearby, I was glad to be there for her.

These memories and experiences have profoundly shaped my understanding of respect and responsibility toward older adults. In my professional journey, from working in assisted living to my current role with CBAS, I have realized that I have been embodying these values all along.

These experiences continue to influence my approach today, keeping me focused on what truly matters: ensuring the well-being of our seniors and providing them with the care and respect they deserve.

What do you do at CDA

In my current role with the California Department of Aging, I serve as the Branch Chief of the Older Adults Program Branch. Within my branch, I oversee the Planning, Monitoring, and Data Bureau, the Supportive Services Bureau, and the Nutrition and Wellness Bureau, as well as a host of other state and federally funded programs. Prior to employment with the state, I worked with varying populations including at-risk youth and adults, older adults, and people with mental, physical, and developmental disabilities in several employment capacities.

What Black History Month means to you

As I reflect on what Black History Month means to me, I am inspired by the opportunity that it gives to showcase what it means to be full of Black Pride, Black Love, Black Family, courage, respect, confidence, strength, and Black Greatness! I am appreciative of the notable African American figures in history that are spotlighted for all their many great achievements, accomplishments, and attributes not only to the Black community but to the world.

Aside from the designated calendar days that make up Black History Month, Black history in general enables me to recognize and admire the greatness of my ancestors and the many sacrifices that they made to ensure that I live in a world today where I can be unapologetically Black and proud, achieving every goal that I set for myself!

Black History Month allots me another day, week, and month to share my lineage with others, including the diverse community of staff that makes up CDA. It provides a time for celebration and acknowledgment of the contributions of Black people. It’s a celebration of my culture and heritage and inspires me to do everything that I can to leave a legacy that can be part of Black history one day. Most importantly, Black History Month is a time when I can reflect and say "thank you" to all the Black individuals that have left an impact on our nation and in my life.

How your identity or experiences shape your work in supporting older adults

As a Black woman and leader who has faced many challenges and barriers to reach my personal, educational, and professional goals, I wholeheartedly recognize how important it is to foster an environment centered on equity and diversity. I am committed to promoting advocacy and inclusion to ensure that everyone — especially minorities — has a seat at the table and access to opportunities that are often not afforded to them because of the color of their skin.

In all endeavors of my life, I lead and approach situations with an empathetic heart because I understand and can relate to the many struggles and inequalities that minority and underserved populations face daily. I am committed to being an agent of change and recognize the importance of enriching the lives of those who most often feel hopeless and are seeking a beacon of hope and opportunity.

I have dedicated most of my professional, educational, and personal life and career advocating for the advancement of others and being a strong supporter of enhancing services and supports for at-risk populations, including older adults and people with disabilities. My leadership philosophies are centered around structure-based leadership as they pertain to leadership development and performance, along with an abundant passion for civic engagement, diversity and inclusion, strategic planning, and change management.