FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2026
Contact: Bethany Coulter, bcoulter@usaging.org and 202.872.0888
San Diego, CA—Today, USAging awarded the Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut (AOASCC) with The John A. Hartford Foundation (JAHF) 2026 Business Innovation Award, which honors community-based organization–health care entity contracts and partnerships that improve health outcomes and quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. The award was presented at USAging’s 51st Annual Conference and Tradeshow in San Diego, CA.
AOASCC in North Haven, CT, received this year’s award for its innovative partnership with Yale School of Medicine, which integrates social care into an age-friendly health care setting by embedding a Service Navigator within the medical team and establishing a strong path to sustainability. Older adults are screened with validated tools that assess social isolation, depression risk and other health-related social needs, and are referred to in-home mental health services and more than 80 other services in the area. This program promotes social connection through relationship-based care, short-term case management, caregiver support, mental health referrals, and linkage to community programs and resources. The partnership has demonstrated measurable improvements in social connection and quality-of-life outcomes.
“The Agency on Aging of South Central Connecticut is thrilled to receive The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award,” said Melissa Lang, CEO of AOASCC. “We are excited to share this honor with our partners: Dr. Richard Marottoli and his team at the Yale School of Medicine, alongside Fair Haven Community Health Care. Our model integrates medical, social and health-related needs within an age-friendly primary care setting using the 4Ms Framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation and Mobility. By embedding our staff directly into the health care team, this partnership ensures a person-centered collaborative approach to improve quality of life, increase health care engagement and expand access to vital services for high-risk populations.”
“We are thrilled to congratulate AOASCC on winning The John A. Hartford Foundation 2026 Business Innovation Award,” said USAging CEO Sandy Markwood. “By cultivating meaningful partnerships focused on accessible resources and support along with a shared commitment to lasting impact, they are building healthier, stronger communities where older adults can thrive.”
The award also recognized two programs as runners-up: Nevada Senior Services (NSS) in Las Vegas, NV, and Fairfax Area Agency on Aging (FAAA) in Fairfax, VA. “These innovators have demonstrated incredible creativity and commitment to improving the lives of older adults, caregivers and people with disabilities, inspiring us all to continue expanding what is possible. We are proud to support and honor such outstanding contributions to the field,” Markwood noted.
NSS earned recognition for partnering with the University Medical Center of Clark County on the Hospital 2 Home program, which offers dementia-capable care transitions for older adults and those with complex conditions.
The FAAA, which has had a successful contract with Inova Health Systems for 36 years, was recognized for its ElderLink program. This initiative serves as a joint think tank that tests and expands programs to enhance older adults’ well-being, safety, independence and social connection.
“Strong health care–community partnerships are key to improving health outcomes and strengthening social connection for older adults and people with disabilities,” said JAHF President Rani E. Snyder. “This year’s awardees have created innovative approaches that address social isolation and advance age-friendly care, with real potential to be replicated in communities nationwide. We applaud their achievements and thank them for their leadership.”
To learn more about The John A. Hartford Business Innovation Award, visit The John A. Hartford Foundation Business Innovation Award – Aging and Disability Business Institute.
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About USAging
USAging is the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging and advocating for the Title VI Native American Aging Programs. Our members help older adults and people with disabilities throughout the United States live with optimal health, well-being, independence and dignity in their homes and communities. For more information, visit usaging.org and follow @theUSAging on Facebook, X and Instagram
About the Aging and Disability Business Institute
The mission of the Aging and Disability Business Institute (Business Institute) is to build and strengthen partnerships and contracting between Area Agencies on Aging, aging and disability community-based organizations (CBOs), community care hubs (CCHs) and their networks and health care entities. Led by USAging, the Business Institute helps these organizations adapt to a changing health care environment and strengthen their organizational capacity to capitalize on emerging opportunities for sustainable funding. The Business Institute is home to the Center of Excellence to Align Health and Social Care, which funds and supports CCHs and the networks they lead. Learn more at www.aginganddisabilitybusinessinstitute.org.
About Engaged: USAging’s Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults
Engaged: USAging’s Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults is a national initiative designed to enhance social engagement among older adults, individuals with disabilities and caregivers by expanding and strengthening the Aging Network’s capacity to offer social engagement opportunities. Managed by USAging and funded by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the Engaged Resource Center identifies and shares information about emerging trends and best practices, and develops resources and replication tools to support social engagement initiatives within the Aging Network. For more information, visit www.engagingolderadults.org.
About The John A. Hartford Foundation
The John A. Hartford Foundation, based in New York City, is a private, nonpartisan, national philanthropy dedicated to improving the care of older adults. The leader in the field of aging and health, the foundation has three priority areas: creating age-friendly health systems, supporting family caregivers, and improving serious illness and end-of-life care. For more information, visit johnahartford.org.