Author Archives: Sunnie Hodge and Lawren Bercaw

About Sunnie Hodge and Lawren Bercaw

Lawren E. Bercaw, a researcher at RTI International, has over 15 years of professional research experience in public and social policy issues, specifically aging in place, disparities and social determinants of health, housing, and services and supports for older adults. Dr. Bercaw has led numerous policy implementation and program evaluation tasks and teams, including projects targeting home-based primary care, CLAS Standards implementation, senior housing, and nutrition for low-income older adults. Dr. Bercaw has experience with quantitative research methods, including survey design and analysis, as well as numerous qualitative research and leadership experiences, conducting interviews, leading focus groups, and coordinating technical expert panels (TEPs) with older adults, families, caregivers, physicians, nursing facility staff, and others who support older adults. Dr. Bercaw holds a PhD in Social Policy, with a concentration in Assets & Inequalities, as well as a Master's in Public Policy.

Using CLAS Standards to Advance Equity

To address calls for improving health equity, organizations could consider using CLAS Standards to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). In recent years, health organization leaders have prioritized the need to address systemic inequities. A 2021 survey of health care organizations identified health equity as a top priority [pdf]. This focus has grown since the… Read More »

Pandemic Aging in Place Services: A Silver Lining for the Silver Economy

By | March 16, 2022

When COVID-19 forced sudden lockdowns in 2020, Americans realized quickly that the supply of services available at home did not match growing quarantine demands. Both the public and private sectors responded with shifts to delivering contact-free services. That pandemic shift may have long-term benefits for older adults seeking services to support aging in place. Pandemic… Read More »

How to Reduce Medicaid HCBS Disparities Using an Assets Framework

Long-term services and supports (LTSS) for older adults and persons with disabilities have become a policy priority. The American Rescue Plan and the proposed American Jobs Act aim to increase LTSS spending through the Medicaid program, particularly for Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS). These measures would address the need for wider service availability, while presenting… Read More »