Jennifer has over 17 years of geriatric social work experience, working with older adults in a variety of settings including hospice and multiple aging –friendly communities. Most recently, Jennifer was the Director of Aging Service for Bennington County at the Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging (SVCOA). While there, she was part of a variety of working groups including the APS (Adult Protective Services) advisory committee to the commissioner of the Department of Disabilities Aging and Independent Living (DAIL). Prior to that, she was the Community Social Worker for Better Housing Coalition in Richmond, VA, helping older adults age in place in the least restrictive environment and in the setting of their choice.
Jennifer attended Virginia Commonwealth University, earning her Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees. While pursuing her graduate degree, she interned at JFS of Richmond where one of her capstone projects was researching the many different NNORC models across the country. She also worked for JFS’s program “Independence for Seniors”, helping lower income residents age in place while assessing for any emerging or unmet needs and assisting residents with accessing needed services and supports.
In her free time, Jennifer exercises her passion for animal rescue, organic gardening, taking care of her menagerie of four-legged fur kids (all rescues), and spending time with her mother, brothers, niece, and nephews.