3. Addressing Older Adult Mental Health Through CDSME at Congregate Meal Sites: An Academic–Community Partnership Model from Texas

4 (5 votes)

Only available as part of a package

This session highlights a community–academic partnership between Texas A&M University’s Public Policy Research Institute (PPRI) and the rural Brownwood community to address older adult mental health through the delivery of Chronic Disease Self-Management Education (CDSME) at congregate meal sites. By offering CDSME classes immediately following Title IIIC-funded congregate meals, the partnership reduces barriers to participation and leverages trusted community spaces and site empowerment to address social isolation, food insecurity, and mental health challenges. Presenters will share research insights, implementation lessons from the community-based organization, and lived experience from a program participant to illustrate how this integrated model supports mental well-being and can be adapted in other communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe how CDSME delivered at congregate meal sites can support older adult mental health by reducing isolation and increasing self-efficacy.

2. Identify key partnership and implementation strategies for integrating CDSME into Title IIIC-funded congregate meal settings.

3. Apply lessons from the Brownwood community partnership to inform replication or adaptation of similar models in other community-based settings.

Eligible for 1 CE with live participation

Robin Black

Volunteer

Brownwood Senior Center

Robin Black is a dedicated and community-oriented professional with a strong passion for lifelong learning and service. With experience supporting both individuals and groups, she brings a thoughtful, encouraging approach to mentorship and community engagement. Robin has contributed extensively through volunteer work across senior services, donation centers, educational programs, and local arts organizations, often stepping into leadership roles to strengthen community initiatives. Her background in administrative and professional support roles further reflects her reliability, organization, and commitment to helping others grow while continuing to expand her own knowledge and skills.

Nandita Chaudhuri, PhD

Senior Research Scientist

Public Policy Research Institute, Texas A&M University

Dr. Nandita Chaudhuri, a Senior Research Scientist at Texas A&M's Public Policy Research Institute, has more than 25 years of proven leadership record in designing, implementing and evaluating highly complex public health programs. As a principal investigator, she has led more than 30 public health research projects funded by NSF, NIH, SAMHSA, HRSA, CDC, ACL, Texas HHSC and DSHS targeting vulnerable populations. All her research involves mixed methods approaches within the contours of quasi-experimental designs to develop the scientific evidence base to inform real world changes. She is a frequent presenter at national and state level meetings and serves on numerous public health expert panels and task forces. Her work has informed program and policy development in Texas public health and cited in legislative testimonies. She has also served as the chair for the American Evaluation Association’s Qualitative Methods Topical Interest Group (TIG).

Angela Dees

Program Director

Brownwood Senior Citizens Center

Angie Dees is the Program Director of the Brownwood Senior Citizens Center, where she has dedicated over 17 years to serving older adults, including the past decade in leadership. With more than 20 years of experience working with seniors and low-income populations, she oversees daily nutrition services reaching approximately 375 clients through home-delivered and congregate meals. Angie is known for transforming the senior center into a welcoming, stigma-free environment with strong wellness programming and innovative initiatives recognized at state and national levels. She is an active partner in multiple ACL- and NCOA-funded projects, including PPRI’s DINE in Texas INNU and CDSME programs.

Gretchen Dueñas-Tanbonliong, MS, MPH, RDN (Moderator)

Associate Director, Health & Wellness

NCOA

Gretchen Dueñas-Tanbonliong, MS, MPH, RDN, is passionate about using her multifaceted background working in nonprofit, international organization, and industry settings and diverse skills as an experienced nutrition communicator, registered dietitian, and public health professional to improve the quality of life for older adults.