Updates from Commit to Connect: January 2026

JANUARY 2026

Commit to Connect Updates

Deadline Today: Submit Your Social Connection Programs

Share your innovative social connection interventions, programs, and services with us before our Call for Innovations closes tonight at 11:59 p.m. ET!

All submissions will be considered for inclusion in the Social Engagement Innovations Hub—a searchable clearinghouse of model interventions, programs, and services promoting social connections across populations. Contributing to the Hub will encourage adoption, replication, and awareness of programs to address social isolation and loneliness.

Before submitting your social connection examples, please read through the eligibility criteria and submission questions. Questions? Contact Commit to Connect at info@committoconnect.org.

Submit your programs, services, and interventions now!

Apply to Join Commit to Connect's Latest Community of Practice Focused on Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs

Commit to Connect is seeking applicants for its newest Community of Practice (COP). Launching in spring 2026, this COP will focus on measuring the social connection impact of Chronic Disease Self-Management (CDSME) programs. COP members will implement the Upstream Social Interaction Risk Scale (U-SIRS) and the Retrospective Assessment of Connection Impact (RACI) to collect pre- and post- data on CDSME programs. The COP will virtually meet five times between March and September 2026. Members will receive no-cost access to the collection instruments and receive technical assistance from CTC and a leading researcher, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. Applications are due by Friday, February 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Find out more and apply by visiting the Commit to Connect COP webpage!

Interested applicants are encouraged to attend a 30-minute virtual information session on February 12 from 2:00-2:30 p.m. ET. This is an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about Commit to Connect and this opportunity.

Upcoming Commit to Connect Office Hours Highlights Innovative Social Connection Programs from FriendshipWorks: Register Now!

Commit to Connect is hosting Office Hours with Julie Burkley, Director of Programs with FriendshipWorks, a Boston nonprofit that reduces isolation by connecting volunteers with older adults for friendship and support. Julie will be discussing and answering questions on three FriendshipWorks programs featured on the Social Engagement Innovations Hub:

Friendly Helping Program
Friendly Visiting Program
Medical Escort Program

Office Hours are 30-minute virtual events that feature subject matter experts on best practices, strategies, and model programs for increasing social connections. The Office Hours will be held on February 25 from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m. ET and will include CART closed captioning and American Sign Language interpreting. Register here.

Did you miss it?

Earlier this month, Commit to Connect hosted an Office Hours with a member of Commit to Connect's Nationwide Network of Champions, Kari Johnson. Kari serves as the Operations Manager at 50 Forward Mohawk Valley. During the Office Hours, Kari shared strategies, models, and programs from 50 Forward Mohawk Valley, that help support social connection in her community.

Access the recording and resource recap from this event.

Jason DeaBueno: A Commit to Connect Champion Addressing Social Connection in Colorado Springs

Learn about the great work lead by member Champions from the Nationwide Network of Champions in Commit to Connect’s bi-monthly blog post series. This month’s featured Champion is Jason DeaBueno, the CEO and President at Silver Key Senior Services. Check out the full blog post.

Are you interested in having your organization featured in an upcoming blog post? Register to become part of the Commit to Connect Nationwide Network of Champions!

Recent Resources and Research

Find Resources to Help Older Adults Get Moving

Regular physical activity can help older adults lower their risk of falls and improve overall health and well-being. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a variety of resources to help professionals encourage older adults to get active. Explore the Move Your Way® materials for older adults and use them to encourage older adults in your community to get active. Find tips for talking to older adults about physical activity in the Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers Caring for Older Adults (PDF). You can also check out the Physical Activity Guidelines Midcourse Report with implementation strategies to help older adults add more activity to their daily routine—and share this link to the Move Your Way website with your older adult audiences.

Apply to Become a National Youth Sports Strategy Champion

Youth sports are a great way for young people to get active and learn important life skills. But barriers like cost, lack of time, and lack of options for kids of all abilities can make it difficult to participate. The National Youth Sports Strategy (NYSS) vision is that one day, all youth will have the opportunity, motivation, and access to play sports. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services invites public and private sector organizations that are committed to supporting youth sports and align with the NYSS vision to apply to be recognized as NYSS Champions. Learn more about becoming an NYSS Champion and apply today!

Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Webinar: Capturing Data to Measure the Impact of CDSME on Social Connection (Commit to Connect, February 11, 2026 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET)
Event: Tackling Connection, Strengthening Communities (Royal Society for the Arts U.S. and Social Connection in America, February 11, 2026 from 12:00–1:00 p.m. ET)
Event: Commit to Connect COP Information Session (Commit to Connect, February 12, 2026 from 2:00–2:30 p.m. ET)
Event: Commit to Connect February Office Hours (Commit to Connect, February 25, 2026 from 1:30–2:00 p.m. ET)
Grant Opportunity: AARP Community Challenge (AARP, Due March 4, 2026)
Webinar: Kinship Peer Liaisons: Harnessing Lived Experience to Support Families (Grandfamilies and Kinship Support Network, March 18, 2026 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET)
Conference: Healthier Together Conference (American Hospital Association, May 12–14, 2026)
Conference: Age + Action 2026 Conference (National Council on Aging, May 26–29, 2026)
Conference: Answers on Aging USAging Annual Conference and Tradeshow (USAging, July 18–21, 2026)

Funding for this initiative was made possible by contract no. 140D0424D0032 from ACL. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.