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An Independent, Nonpartisan Office of the
Connecticut General Assembly
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CoA ~ Staff
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Julia Evans Starr, MSW,
Executive Director
Julia Evans Starr, MSW, has earned the distinction of being one of Connecticut's leading advocates for the state's burgeoning and diverse population of older
adults.
She provides expert testimony at critically important General Assembly public
hearings and serves, along with her staff and Commission members, as a
credible, objective source of information for state legislators and
decision-makers in all levels of government.
Joining the Commission staff just six months after it was created by the
General Assembly in 1993, Ms. Starr was appointed executive director of the
State Capitol-based agency in 2001. The independent Commission is comprised
of 17 volunteer voting members appointed by the governor or state legislators
and 16 ex officio members who are dedicated professionals within state
government.
One of Ms. Starr's most important achievements has been her ability to build,
lead and energize influential coalitions in support of older adults of today
and tomorrow.
She established and manages the Connecticut Elder Action Network, comprised
of key leaders in the field of aging, to encourage and enhance collaboration
with diverse organizations that share information, resources, and expertise.
As co-chair of the state's Long-Term Care Advisory Council, she and co-chair
State Rep. Peter F. Villano lead a diverse group of providers, advocates and
consumers who develop public policy that serves the long- term care needs of
older adults and persons with disabilities.
Ms. Starr's leadership played a critical role in the General Assembly's 2006
passage of legislation mandating a comprehensive statewide Long-Term Care
Needs Assessment, the first in more than two decades. The assessment,
completed in the second half of 2007, will serve as a roadmap leading to
systemic enhancements that will profoundly affect the future of care and
support for millions of Connecticut residents of all ages.
A frequent keynote speaker and panelist, Ms. Starr hosts a monthly radio
program dealing with older adult issues, appears regularly on radio and
television programs and contributes newspaper and magazine articles on
topical issues.
Recognized as a "Champion of the Elderly" by the Connecticut
Coalition on Aging, Ms. Starr earned her Master's Degree at the George Warren
Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis.
“The Connecticut Commission on Aging continues on its role of advocacy, working to address the
needs of a population that is on the verge of unprecedented growth, longevity
and diversity. Our nation is home to 36 million people over the
age of 65 and 78 million baby boomers born between 1946 and
1964."
"In Connecticut alone, we have over one million baby boomers whose sheer
numbers will profoundly impact our state over the next several decades. Never
before has the role of the Commission on Aging been so vital.”
Julia
Evans Starr
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Robert J. Norton,
Director of Communications
Rob joined
the Commission on Aging staff in November 2005 following a 25-year
career as a communications executive with Aetna Life & Casualty and The
Hartford Financial Services Group. His corporate career is complemented
by 10 years of experience as a reporter, editor and news bureau chief
for two of Connecticut's largest daily newspapers.
While at Aetna he directed
public relations, marketing communications, advertising and public
affairs programs dealing with Medicare, long-term care and managed care.
Before joining the Commission he spent six years as vice president of
Executive and Marketing Communications at The Hartford.
Rob, of Granby, is a Connecticut
native and Vietnam Era veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he served
for four years as a military journalist covering Air Force operations
worldwide. He is the vice-chairman of
the the Board of Directors of the Salvation Army
of Greater Hartford and
the former chairman of its Community Relations Committee.
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Debra Polun, Legislative Director
Deb joined the Commission on Aging staff in
December 2007, moving into advocacy work after nine years on
the Senate Majority Office
public policy staff.
She works with policymakers on both sides of the aisle
throughout the legislative process, serving as an
objective resource and helping to advance initiatives that
improve the lives of today’s and tomorrow’s older adults. Deb
also represents CoA on a number of statewide and regional work
groups and task forces.
While working for the Senate, she focused primarily on health
care and social services issues. She worked with legislators,
advocates, constituents, legislative and agency staff and others
to develop and facilitate the passage of legislation affecting
the lives of many of the neediest individuals in the state.
Deb is an alumna of Tulane University and
the University of Connecticut. She lives in West Hartford with
her husband and two children.
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Deborah Migneault,
Community Liaison and Webmaster
Deb joined the Commission on Aging
staff in July 2006. She was instrumental in developing the state's Long-Term Care
Website, first as a Commission intern and later as an independent consultant.
She continues to work on content development for the site and is also
webmaster of the CoA website.
Deb represents the Commission on several
work groups and community initiatives including the Money Follows the
Person Steering Committee, Aging and Disability Resource Centers
workgroups and the CT Disability Advocacy Collaborative.
Deb previously served as the project
coordinator of the Western Connecticut Area on Aging's "REACT" Program.
Deb lead a team of clinical social workers and a nurse practitioner that
provided in-home services, outreach and awareness education to persons
with Alzheimer's Disease and their caregivers.
Deb earned her Master’s Degree at the
University Of Connecticut School Of Social Work with a concentration in
Policy Practice and Aging. She lives in South Windsor with her husband
and three children.
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* An Independent Agency of the Connecticut General Assembly *
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