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~ Advocating for Older Adults of Today and Tomorrow
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CoA ~ Staff
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Julia Evans Starr receives recognition
from the CT Coalition on Aging for being the "Champion of the Elderly" in
June 2005.
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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 public policy staff of the Senate
Majority Office.
While working for the Senate, Deb
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.
During her tenure, Connecticut enacted
comprehensive managed care reform; expanded access to the HUSKY
health care program; led the nation in its efforts to coordinate
Medicare Part D with existing programs; and set aside $100
million to fund research that may treat and cure diseases.
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,
Staff Assistant
Deb joined the Commission on Aging
staff in July 2006. She was instrumental in developing the Long-Term Care
Website, first as a Commission intern and later as an independent consultant.
Deb previously served as the project coordinator with the Western Connecticut
Area on Aging's "REACT" Program. She supported a team of clinical
social workers and a nurse practitioner providing in-home services, outreach
and awareness education to persons with Alzheimer's Disease and their
caregivers. At the UConn School of Social Work she served on a research team
evaluating substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention and intervention grants.
Deb earned her Master’s Degree at the University of Connecticut School of
Social Work with a concentration in Policy Practice and Aging. She resides in
South Windsor with her husband, Steve and their three children, Braden,
Kailey and Devin.
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* An Independent Agency of the Connecticut General Assembly *
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