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PODCAST

Pretend I Know Nothing About

Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging

Pretend I Know Nothing About is a podcast about the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging staff and programs. Each episode features staff from COAAA sharing about their role at the agency, how they got here, the committees they serve on, challenges in their work, and ideas for the future. To learn more about the inception and goal, check out the trailer episode “Welcome to Pretend I Know Nothing About.”

government non-profit

All Episodes

51:50

S4 E6 - Service Coordination

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2025/11/17

If you’ve ever wondered how older adults can age in place safely and with dignity, or what keeps things running in affordable housing buildings, this episode shines a light on the heartbeat of those communities—and on the people working quietly behind the scenes to make it happen.I’m sitting down with Michelle Missler, President and CEO of the American Association of Service Coordinators, and Ellen Carey, supervisor at COAAA, for an honest conversation about service coordination—what it is, why it

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44:58

S4 E5 - Shallow Rental Subsidy Pilot Program

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2025/10/21

Curious about innovative approaches to address housing insecurity for older adults? You won't want to miss this discussion!I sit down with Dr. Katie Calhoun (Assistant Professor, OSU College of Social Work) and Marisa Sheldon (Director, Age Friendly Columbus & Franklin County and the Age Friendly Innovation Center) to talk about the regional Shallow Subsidy Pilot Program and what we've learned about housing instability among older adults in Central Ohio.We kick things off by exploring Dr

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55:20

S4 E4 - Jewish Family Services Helping Refugees and...

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2025/09/29

Whether you’re a case manager, community member, or just eager to understand the forces shaping Central Ohio, this conversation is full of insights, untold stories, and a reminder of the relentless human spirit. Welcome to Pretend I Know Nothing, where curiosity leads the way. In this episode, I sit down with Tariq Mohammed, Senior Director for Refugee Programming at Jewish Family Services (JFS), to demystify the realities of refugee resettlement and the journey of new Americans in Central

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49:58

S4 E3 - The Ohio State College of Social Work...

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2025/09/15

This episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how evidence-based, community-engaged research is shaping the future of aging in Central Ohio.I’m your host, Katie White, and today we’re taking the show on the road for a very special conversation at the Age-Friendly Innovation Center at The Ohio State University. Joining me is Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, professor and director of research at the Age-Friendly Innovation Center, to explore how Columbus and Central Ohio are paving the way for inclusive,

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26:43

S4 E2 - Inside Black Men's Wellness Day and Uplift Her

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2025/07/22

I had the privilege of sitting down with two incredible guests, Antoine Hayes and Stephanie Andrews, to shine a light on Black Men's Wellness Day and Uplift Her—a community event that’s not only close to our hearts, but also making a real impact in Central Ohio and beyond.What is Black Men’s Wellness Day?If you’re unfamiliar, Black Men’s Wellness Day was founded by John Gregory in 2004 as a 5K walk/run on the east side of Columbus. What started locally has now blossomed into a nationwide movement in

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36:29

S4 E1 - National Committee for Quality Assurance |...

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2025/07/22

Welcome to Season 4 of “Pretend I Know Nothing”! I’m Katie White, your host and the administrator at COAAA, and in this kickoff episode, we're talking about a topic that’s shaping how we deliver and measure quality care: NCQA—the National Committee for Quality Assurance.I’m joined by two of my colleagues, Kayla Humphrey and Carrie Oswald, and together, we break down what NCQA is, why it matters to our agency, and how this national accreditation process is making us better at what we do. We talk

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49:54

S3 E8 - Media at COAAA

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/11/04

I'm thrilled to be joined by two exceptional guests, Steve Centofanti, Manager of Communications, and Malika Bryant, Public Relations Specialist.In this episode, we explore the varied and innovative strategies COAAA employs for media outreach, including our use of traditional news releases, targeted email marketing, and the growing significance of social media platforms. Steve shares his insights on the evolving landscape of earned media, the importance of concise communication, and the agency's

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29:19

S3 E9 - COAAA Advisory Council

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/11/04

Thanks to Looking Forward Our Way's Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson for conducting this interview.The episode brings together Anna Tobin and Melissa Owens, two prominent figures in the aging services sector, to share their insights and experiences. Grant Ames, Government and Community Relations Manager at the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging (COAAA), also provides valuable context about the agency's goals and operations.Anna Tobin: Role as Council MemberAnna Tobin, President of the COAAA Advisory

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49:40

S3 E7 - Championing LGBTQ+ Elders: Intergenerational...

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/11/04

How can organizations like the COAAA ensure that their inclusivity efforts address the needs of both their LGBTQ+ staff and community members?Let's talk about the intergenerational dynamics within the LGBTQ+ community in Columbus. We cover everything from the critical needs of older LGBTQ+ adults, facing 13 anti-trans bills in Ohio, to the power of trauma-informed care. We discuss innovative community efforts, essential inclusivity, and the necessity for more tailored resources. Guests Al Cho, a

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45:26

S3 E6 - BoldAge PACE

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/10/07

What distinguishes the PACE model from other Medicaid managed care programs, particularly in terms of cost-effectiveness and service delivery?Joining us are two incredible guests, Heidi Webster, National Director of Business Development for BoldAge PACE, and Jeremy Diaz, Executive Director for the Columbus BoldAge PACE.The PACE model has been around since the early 1970s, originating in San Francisco with the On Lok community. It became a federal program integrated into Medicare and Medicaid by the

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52:14

S3 E5 - Medicaid, Pt. 2

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/10/07

We're diving back into the intricate world of Medicaid with the much-anticipated Part 2 of our series. Joining us again is Medicaid specialist extraordinaire, Michelle Rice, to guide us through the labyrinthine processes of Medicaid eligibility, applications, and renewals.In this episode, we'll cover everything from the initial application steps to setting up a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) and maintaining Medicaid eligibility, which some say is like a full-time job in itself. We'll share key

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36:13

S3 E3 - Housing Assistance Program

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/09/09

We explore the critical world of housing assistance with our special guests, Jennifer Tiedt and Brittany Kunkler, who are coordinators of the COAAA Housing Assistance Program. Jennifer and Brittany will discuss the challenges, successes, and operational insights of the program, including the daily intake and processing of emergency rental assistance requests, the significant impact of community referrals, and the regulatory landscape affecting both landlords and tenants. Top Takeaways1

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44:57

S3 E4 - Central Ohio Stable Housing Network, COSHN

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/09/09

What were the pivotal steps in forming the Central Ohio Stable Housing Network (COSHN), and how has its mission evolved in response to the housing crisis in Columbus?In this episode, we'll explore the collaborative efforts that started The Central Ohio Stable Housing Network, or COSHN. It's vital role of emergency rental assistance in averting evictions and the importance of agencies like COAAA in stabilizing housing for vulnerable populations.You'll hear from Grant Ames, Government and Community

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40:40

S3 E2 - Veteran-Directed Care

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/08/05

What are the core objectives of the Veteran-Directed Care (VDC) program and how does it empower veterans and their caregivers?Allen Roberts, who supervises four of COAAA’s six impactful programs, joins us to unpack how this initiative empowers veterans to take control of their own care by employing caregivers, managing their budgets, and tailoring services to their individual needs.We uncover the key aspects of Veteran-Directed Care, from addressing equity gaps and providing autonomy to veterans, to

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20:46

S3 E1 - 2024 Take Your Kids To Work Day

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/08/05

Let me know what you think of this podcast, as well as any ideas you have for an episode. Email me at kwhite@coaaa.org!https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/Copyright 2024 Central Ohio Area Agency On Aging

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54:21

S3 E9 - Medicaid, Pt 1

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/05/13

We welcome Medicaid specialists Michelle Rice and Shelby Fox from COAAA. In this episode, we'll unpack the complexities of Medicaid, exploring its eligibility criteria, the nuances of waiver programs, and the critical role of income and resources in determining coverage. Michelle and Shelby share their extensive experience and highlight common challenges and misconceptions about Medicaid, providing clarity on how the system works and offering expert insights. Top TakeawaysMedicaid is a federally

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42:34

S2 E8 - The A,B,C, and D's of Medicare

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/05/13

In this episode, we talk with Andy Haggard, a seasoned veteran in the realm of Medicare. With 23 years at COAAA, starting as a PASSPORT case manager before moving into community education, and outreach, and now spearheading Medicare outreach, Andy's vast experience is nothing short of impressive. His role also encompasses managing internal agency disaster preparedness and staff safety, highlighting his versatility and commitment to community service.Andy helps us untangle the knots of Medicare Parts

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45:24

S2 E6 - COAAA University

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/04/08

S2 E6 - COAAA University The mission of COAAA University is to create a confident, competent, compassionate, and connected workforce. Learn from Erica Drewry, Director of Client Services, and Carrie Oswald, Clinical Operations Analyst, about the vision and planning efforts that have gone into the creation of COAAA University.The university, a training program developed from clinical best practices, is designed to equip staff with fundamental skills for working with the public. Katie, Erica, and

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38:41

S2 E7 - What It’s Like To Be A Supervisor

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/04/08

The “New Supe’ Group” is an educational, supportive, and mentorship program that was recently created for COAAA employees that recently were promoted into supervisory roles. Transitioning into this type of role can be challenging, with learning new programs, skills, and requirements. The goal of the New Supe Group is to create shared learning experiences and connection to peers to ensure a supportive and successful work environment across the agency. Bruce Rhodeback from Care Transitions and Leslie

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44:38

S2 E5 - Screening

Pretend I Know Nothing About ·

2024/03/11

Thousands of calls, emails, website inquiries, and faxes come into COAAA each month. For individuals seeking information and assistance, there is a team at the agency ready to offer support. Learn how the screening team provides and educational and supportive environment from Marikate Leavens, Screening and Pre-Admission Review Manager, and Chelsee Russell, Screener.Key Takeaways1. The screening department of COAAA faces challenges in handling a large volume of waiver referrals and programs, both

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37 results

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