FOCUS Forums are a series of engaging public discussions featuring expert panelists who discuss a range of topics that impact Central New York residents, including education, environment, local government, business, health, public service, and more. Each forum consists of insightful presentations followed by a moderated Q&A session that encourages community participation. We aim to create an inclusive space for residents to learn and contribute to the issues that matter most in our community.
View the Slides Used During this FOCUS Forum
When: Friday, December 19, 12:05 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Registration & Location: Online, Via Zoom. Registration was free and open to everyone.
Topic: Our December FOCUS Forum presented the findings and recommendations of the NYS Master Plan for Aging for achieving the goal of “ensuring that older New Yorkers and New Yorkers with disabilities can live fulfilling lives in good health, with freedom, dignity and independence to age in place for as long as possible.” The plan is based on an extensive engagement process involving government and community stakeholders statewide and a system-wide assessment of current services, which led to the development of solutions and priorities for improvement. Proposals for change span nine core pillars: caregiver and workforce support, health and long term care service modernization and sustainability, prevention and wellness, housing access, affordability and basic needs, social engagement, elder abuse, ageism, ableism, and stigma, and technology access and development. Co-lead by the New York State Department of Health, Office for the Aging, and Department of State, the plan is available at planforaging.ny.gov
Panelists & Sponsor:
Greg Olsen, MA, Acting Director, New York State Office for the Aging
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Greg Olsen has served as the Acting Director of the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) since 2007, where he oversees the agency’s day-to-day operations and the administration of federal and state-funded programs designed to assist the more than 4.6 million older adult residents in the state and assist family and other caregivers involved with helping older adults needing greater levels of assistance. Prior to joining NYSOFA, Greg served as Chief of Staff and Legislative and Policy Director for Assemblyman Steve Englebright (former chair of the Assembly Standing Committee on Aging), Executive Director of the New York State Alliance for Retired Americans, and Executive Director of the New York State Coalition for the Aging. Greg received a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a specialty in gerontology from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School.
Nora Suric, PhD, President, Health Foundation of Western and Central New York
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Nora Suric has served as President of the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York since 2017 and provides leadership in achieving the foundation’s goal of addressing barriers to racial and socioeconomic health equity to achieve better health outcomes for all people, with a focus on older adults, young children, and community health capacity. Nora also engages in statewide health initiatives including as a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee for the NYS Master Plan for Aging. Previously, she was Senior Program Officer for The John A. Harford Foundation, Assistant Vice President and Director of Aging Programs and New Initiatives for The Brookdale Foundation Group, and Director of Partnerships and Special Projects for The International Longevity Center (USA). Nora holds a PhD in Social Welfare from Hunter College School of Social Work, a Master’s Degree in gerontology from the California State University at Dominquez Hills, and a certificate in geriatric mental health counseling from the University of Southern California Davis.
FOCUS extends our heartfelt gratitude to EDR for their generous sponsorship of the December 2025 FOCUS Forum. EDR’s support enables us to continue providing free access to this valuable educational resource.
| Founded in 1979, EDR is a certified Woman Owned Business (WBE) dedicated to sustainable, multidisciplinary solutions arrived at through collaboration with our clients and allies. EDR’s mission is dedicated to creating and sustaining a better environment – for our clients, for our employees, and for our communities. Our diverse Practice Areas include Landscape Architecture, Engineering, Environmental, Cultural Resources, Community Planning, Visualization, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) supported by our Operations team that includes Finance, Human Resources, and Marketing/Communications. |
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