Explore the Updated Nationwide Network of Champions

Commit to Connect launched the updated Nationwide Network of Champions (NNOC)—a free online platform designed to bring together individuals and organizations working to strengthen social connection across the country.

The refreshed platform features a dynamic newsfeed for member Champions to share about their work, discover resources, and stay connected with a broader network. Members can also access the new Champions Toolkit, which provides resources to help strengthen their efforts to address social isolation and loneliness, including:

• Seminal reports 
• Key research articles 
• Data, maps, and clearinghouses 

Whether you are newly interested in social connection or a long-time Champion, the NNOC offers a community to network, learn, and contribute to a growing movement.

Ready to explore the network? 

• Join the NNOC
• Learn more about the NNOC

Register Now for a Webinar on Transportation Strategies to Strengthen Social Connection

Accessible transportation can support social participation, community living, and health. Join ACL's Commit to Connect initiative on Tuesday, September 22 from 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET, for a webinar exploring how transportation programs can improve mobility, social connection, and health outcomes of older adults and people with disabilities.

The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility Technical Assistance Center (CCAM-TAC) will share strategies and resources for aging and disability networks to strengthen their transportation programs and services impact on social connectedness. Attendees will hear examples from the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio on their Home 52 Transportation program, a person-centered coordination model providing specialized door-to-door transit services for older adults and people with disabilities. Aging & Independent Services in the County of San Diego Health and Human Services will present on how their public transit training “field trips” leverage peer support, community engagement, and skill building to increased mobility and social connection of older adults.

Resources from the 2026 National Summit to Increase Social Connections

Materials from Commit to Connect’s 2026 National Summit to Increase Social Connections are now available. Visit the virtual summit webpage to access session recordings, the agenda, and presentation slides. 

Held in June with more than 1,200 registrants, this year’s summit focused on “Champion Your Health: Social Connection as a Cornerstone of Prevention, Wellness, Healthy Aging, and Independence,” building on the Administration for Community Living’s 2026 celebration of Older Americans Month. 

The two-day summit explored how nutrition programs and community-based physical activities can strengthen social connections and support the health and well-being of older adults and people with disabilities.

Depression and Social Isolation Webinar Recording Now Available

The recording and slides from Commit to Connect’s July webinar on depression and social isolation among older adults are now available.

The webinar highlighted the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS), an evidence-based intervention designed to reduce depression and social isolation among older adults. Dr. Lesley Steinman of the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center discussed the relationship between depression and social isolation and the evidence supporting PEARLS. Representatives from two area agencies on aging also shared their experiences implementing PEARLS and PEARLS Connect.

Commit to Connect Team in Action at the USAging Conference

Commit to Connect presented two sessions at the 2026 USAging Annual Conference and Tradeshow, held July 18–21. The conference brought together aging network professionals to share strategies and emerging practices for supporting healthy aging and social connection. 

Explore sessions and presentations from the Promoting Healthy Aging and Social Connection track on the USAging Conference website.

• The recording and resource recap from Commit to Connect’s June Office Hours session, Supporting the Social Connection Needs for Individuals with Autism, are now available. Featuring speakers from the HANDS in Autism® Interdisciplinary Training and Resource Center, the session explored approaches to connecting individuals with autism to vocational training and social engagement opportunities. Access the recording and resource recap here. 

• USAging’s Strengthening Social Connection in Communities initiative has released three reports highlighting the 2025 recipients of the The John A. Hartford Foundation 2025 Business Innovation Award. The reports feature Senior Connection, Inc., Elder Services of Worcester Area, Inc., and United Disabilities Services Foundation and explore how their partnerships with health care organizations are improving health outcomes and strengthening social connection for older adults and people with disabilities. Explore the reports.

• Event: From Mobility to Connection: Transportation Strategies to Strengthen Social Connectedness of Older Adults and People with Disabilities (Commit to Connect, September 22, 2026, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. ET)
• Conference: Connected Cities 2026 Summit (US Chamber of Connection, October 15–16, 2026)