Washington County CARES began in October 2002 with a small group
of committed healthcare providers who came together to discuss
and strategize future needs of older residents and their care
providers in Washington County. The group’s primary goal
at that time was to bring many of the county’s service
organizations together to address gaps and duplication of services.
In March 2006, Washington County CARES incorporated under the
laws of the State of Maryland as a non-profit organization. The
newly formed broad coalition is comprised of key agencies and
community members who want to make a difference in the lives
of elderly persons and caregivers in Washington County.
The CARES mission statement has been updated to reflect the
new direction: “Through a shared and mutual commitment,
we strive to enhance awareness, provide education, and improve
the quality of life for the Washington County community.”
Expansion of the group resulted from recommendations generated
by Washington County’s 2005 local White House Conference
on Aging event.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
1. Hospice of Washington County, Inc.
2. Alzheimer’s Association
3. Washington County Hospital
4. Washington County Commission on Aging, Inc./Area Agency on
Aging
5. Washington County Community Action Council, Inc.
6. Washington County Department of Social Services
7. United Way of Washington County
8. MIHI (Many Individuals Helping Others)
9. Western Maryland Hospital Center
10. Ravenwood Lutheran Village/Villages at Robinwood
11. Reeders Memorial Home
12. Somerford Assisted Living/Alzheimer’s Care
13. Easter Seals Adult Day Services
14. HARC (Hagerstown Area Religious Council)
15. REACH, Inc.
16. Mental Health Authority
17. Williamsport Retirement Village
18. Washington County Health Department
19. Community Members (2-5)
OFFICERS FOR 2006:
President: Dawn Johns, Community Relations Director, Hospice
of Washington County, Inc.
Vice President: David Baker, Director of Pastoral Care for Western
Maryland Hospital Center.
Secretary: Mindy Propst, Director, Easter Seals Adult Day Services
Treasurer: Sheri Evans, Community Outreach Coordinator for Somerford
Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care.
SUB-COMMITTEES:
Integral to Washington County CARES, Inc. are the six standing
committees derived from the local 2005 WHCoA recommendations:
Aging Well: Chair, Susan MacDonald, Executive Director, Washington
County Commission on Aging, Inc. Area Agency on Aging.
Caregiving and End of Life Care: Chair, Dawn Johns, Community
Relations Director, Hospice of Washington County, Inc.
Events: Chairs: Terri Baker, Executive Director, REACH and Emily
McFarland, Communications Director, Williamsport Retirement Village.
Mental Health: Chair, Mindy Propst, Director, Easter Seals Adult
Day Services
Resource Planning: Chair, John Kenney, Director, Adult Services,
Washington County Department of Social Services
Transportation: Chair, Peggy Martin. Vice Chair, Bill Beard.
This committee is a sub-committee of the Washington County Disability
Advisory Commission.
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE ON AGING
The WHCoA convenes once a decade to make policy recommendations
to the President and Congress that highlight important aging
public policy needs. The Older Americans Act of 1965, which established
the federal Administration on Aging and many state commissions
on aging was a direct result of the 1961 WHCoA. The 1971 WHCoA
resulted in a national nutrition program for older adults. The
1995 WHCoA resulted in a reaffirmation of support for existing
programs, especially those providing a safety net for older Americans.
In Washington County, the 2005 WHCoA set in motion the community
wide network formed by CARES, Inc. The Board of Directors, representing
nineteen agencies joined by interested community members, meets
monthly. Senior Summits are presented three times per year to
provide the public with timely and informative information about
the work of the coalition.
To learn more contact us at info@WashingtonCountyCARES.org.
