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Understanding the unique challenges of older New Americans is incredibly important as we work to build welcoming age-friendly communities. On June 01, 2016, we heard from programs around our region that have developed and promoted culturally competent services for older newcomers. Kelly Laflamme from the Endowment for Health shared general information on some of the challenges of serving New Americans. We explored how to begin conversations in agencies and communities about the needs of older newcomers and heard about some culturally specific programming in Vermont and New Hampshire that is helping support older newcomers aging in place.

Rachel Cummings

Rachel Lee Cummings, NCG, CMC, is the Deputy Director of CVAA, an area Agency on Aging, providing services and supports to seniors in Chittenden, Franklin, Addison, and Grand Isle counties of Vermont. She has worked in the field of geriatrics for over 17 years, first as founder and owner of Armistead Senior Care, a non-medical home care agency serving Vermont and the Upper Valley of New Hampshire and most recently as a nationally certified, Professional Guardian.

In 2004, Rachel was honored with the U.S. Small business Association’s Vermont Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for her contributions to her clients, her employees, and the community.  She is also the recipient of the Eileen Fisher Company Woman Owned Business Grant Program, recognized as a Vermont Business Magazine, Rising Star, for the class of 2010 Rising Stars, and recipient of the Vermont Healthy Aging award by Governor Douglas. Rachel also serves on the boards of PT 360, Vermont’s only cooperatively owned physical therapy practice and Armistead Senior Care.

A graduate of the University of Vermont, Rachel lives in Charlotte with her husband Scott, and two children, Alexander and Lucy.

Connie Jones

Connie Jones is the Director of the Area Agency on Aging programs at SeniorsPlus in Lewiston, Maine.  She has a long history of working with older adults, from her first job at RI Meals on Wheels to current day.  Connie received her Masters in Human Services with specialty in gerontology from Springfield College.

Kelly Laflamme

Kelly Laflamme is a Program Director at the Endowment for Health where she manages a portfolio of grants, projects and policy initiatives to advance health equity and ensure the health and dignity of elders.
Kelly came to the Endowment for Health from the Children’s Alliance of New Hampshire, where she served as the Coordinator for the New Hampshire Child Advocacy Network (NH CAN).  As NH CAN Coordinator, Kelly facilitated the development of an annual set of policy and action priorities for the nearly 200 organizations participating in NH CAN. Prior to that, she worked with the Annie E. Casey Foundation as a Program Assistant on the Civic Investments Team, focused on the Foundation’s investments in Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.  While at Casey, Kelly launched a neighborhood grants program for a set of low-income, minority neighborhoods in East Baltimore and worked to strengthen collaboration among neighborhood leaders.  Before her tenure at Casey, Kelly served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA Volunteer at Highbridge Community Life Center in the South Bronx and as a full-time volunteer teacher in Greenville, MS.
Kelly holds a Master of Public Administration at the Wagner School of Public Service at New York University. She received her Bachelors of Arts in Communication from La Salle University in Philadelphia.

Kyle Worth