LeadingAge Missouri's 2026 Advocacy Day - Free Member Event
2026-02-18 10:30 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Millbottom Event Center, 400 W Main Street, Jefferson City, MO, 65101, United States
Please join us for our Annual Advocacy Day with LeadingAge Missouri.
10am-11:30am – Advocacy 101 (Approved for 1 Admin CEU TA#015-48-26)
11:30am-12:30pm – Lunch with Legislator (provided)
12:30pm-5:00pm – Capitol Visits (Transportation Provided) (Approved for 2 Admin CEU (TA# 015-48-26)

Thank you to our sponsors!

NASA Free Activity Learning Event - StarBurst: Gamma-Ray Hunter
2026-02-19 18:00 - 19:00
Talk Title: NASA’s StarBurst Mission
Talk Description: StarBurst is one of NASA’s new Pioneer-class missions and is designed to act as an all-sky monitor for powerful cosmic explosions across the universe. About the size of a small refrigerator when stowed for launch, this 650 lb. satellite will orbit Earth at an altitude of over 300 miles and continuously monitor the sky at gamma-ray wavelengths to catch the telltale sign of supernovae and collisions of neutron stars. StarBurst will use NASA’s constellation of communication satellites to send rapid alerts to astronomers around the world so they can immediately follow up on these detections. In this talk, Dr. Dan Kocevski will describe the scientific motivation for the mission as well as the process of building and preparing the spacecraft for launch.
Speaker: Dr. Daniel Kocevski (NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Daniel Kocevski is an astrophysicist at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center where he studies the universe using NASA’s suit of space-based observatories.
Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 230 059 016 606 6
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 827 530 24#)

We also have a Google Form to sign up for the program, so feel free to share with other senior living communities that might be interested in joining.

Free Activity Learning Event - Planetary Defense at NASA
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:00
Date/Time: Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT
Talk Title: Planetary Defense at NASA
Talk Description: What would happen if an asteroid were on a collision course with Earth? Dr. Kelly Fast, NASA’s Acting Planetary Defense Officer, will provide an engaging overview of how NASA’s planetary defense program discovers, tracks, and studies near-Earth objects—asteroids and comets that could pose an impact hazard to our planet—and how scientists and engineers are studying methods to deflect them, if necessary. Attendees will also learn about the global network of astronomers and planetary defenders who work together to share observations, verify data, and safeguard our planet from cosmic impact threats.
Speaker: Dr. Kelly Fast (NASA Headquarters)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Kelly Fast is the Acting Planetary Defense Officer for NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office, having previously managed its Near-Earth Object Observations Program for a decade. Dr. Fast also led NASA’s Solar System Observations, Planetary Astronomy and Planetary Atmospheres research programs, and she served as Program Scientist for the MAVEN mission to Mars. She investigated ozone and atmospheric chemistry on Mars, winds on Titan, and the effects on Jupiter’s stratosphere of small body impacts as an astronomer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center before coming to NASA Headquarters in 2011. She earned her B.S. in Astrophysics from UCLA and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Maryland. Main-belt asteroid 115434 (2003 TU2) was renamed “Kellyfast” in honor of Dr. Fast’s contributions to planetary science.
Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 216 209 385 918 0
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 312 238 577#)

We also have a Google Form to sign up for the program, so feel free to share with other senior living communities that might be interested in joining.

Free Learning Activity Event - Discover the World Around You with STELLA
2026-04-16 18:00 - 19:00
“From Earth to the Cosmos: How NASA’s Backyard Instruments Are Preparing Us to Farm Beyond Our Planet”

Talk Description: NASA satellites like Landsat have spent over 50 years watching our planet, monitoring crops, tracking droughts, measuring the health of forests from orbit, and increasing our understanding of Earth’s dynamic processes. But how do we take what we’ve learned and apply it to our spacecraft, the Moon, Mars and beyond? In this talk, NASA’s Mike Taylor introduces STELLA, a family of open-source scientific instruments that anyone can build for under $200 and explores how the same principles NASA uses to monitor Earth are preparing us to grow food, monitor air, and sustain life across the cosmos. STELLA won’t be going to the Moon, but something like it will, and the people learning on STELLA today may be the ones who build it. Join us for a fascinating look at how backyard science is building the workforce for humanity’s next giant leap.
Speaker: Mike Taylor (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Speaker Bio: Mike Taylor is an Outreach Scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where he has worked for over 18 years. He leads the STELLA project, a growing family of low-cost, open-source remote sensing instruments for research and education. Mike holds both a master’s and a bachelor’s degree in GIS from the University of Maryland.
Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 288 251 845 521 9
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 701 376 404#)

Lastly, I wanted to share that NASA is targeting no earlier than Wednesday, April 1, for the Artemis II test flight to the Moon. Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission under the Artemis program and will launch from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Check out this news release to learn how you can view the launch and other events throughout the mission.

2026 LeadingAge Missouri Annual Conference + Expo
2026-05-18 08:00 - 2026-05-20 12:00 | Margaritaville Lake Ozark, 494 Tan Tar A Dr, Osage Beach, MO, 65065, United States

Free Activity Learning Event - Habitable Worlds Observatory
2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:00
Talk Title: “The Habitable Worlds Observatory: A Story of Life in the Universe”
Talk Description: The Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) is a flagship space telescope concept recommended by the astronomy community to be NASA’s next great observatory after the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Its primary, groundbreaking mission is to be the first telescope specifically designed to find and study Earth-like planets orbiting Sun-like stars. However, while it hunts for life in the universe, HWO will also act as a powerful general-purpose observatory. It will study the evolution of galaxies, the birth and death of stars, and the mysteries of our own solar system with unprecedented resolution.
Speaker: Dr. Sara Faggi (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center)
Speaker Bio: Dr. Sara Faggi received her Ph.D. in Physics and Astrophysics from Università degli Studi di Firenze. She is a planetary scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Her expertise includes remote sensing of solar system objects employing infrared spectroscopy. She is Co-I of the MIRMIS spectrometer onboard the Comet Interceptor mission, senior developer of the Planetary Spectrum Generator (PSG), and Deputy Solar System Lead for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO).
Webinar Connection Info:

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 249 760 042 802 9
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Free Activity Learning Event - Artemis II: Observing the Moon
2026-06-18 18:00 - 19:00
More Information to Come

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 241 036 877 727 5
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Join by phone: +1-256-715-9946 (phone conference ID: 629 318 157#)
Speaker: TBD

The Impact of Social Media and AI on Medicine and Clinical Practice
2026-08-11 10:30 - 11:30
Overview
This Webinar will define social media and review the various internet-based platforms that allow individuals and communities to share healthcare-related information. Participants will explore the advantages, disadvantages, and growing impact of artificial intelligence and social media in healthcare communication and connection. The session will also outline best-practice guidelines for using social media and electronic communication while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards.
Learning Objectives

Define social media including a list of internet-based platforms that allow individuals and communities to share healthcare-related information
Identify advantages, disadvantages and impact of utilizing AI and social media for healthcare information, communication and connection
Outline best practice guidelines for utilizing SM and electronic communication to ensure compliance with laws and statutes

Who Should Attend?
Providers across the senior care continuum—from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, and community-based services, adult day and hospice. This program is designed for administrators, nurses, activities, social services, human resources, marketing and all leadership.
CEUs pending.
Location
Online.
Virtual Link: Class Material and Zoom link will be sent two days prior
Faculty
Dr. Kathleen Weissberg, (MS in OT, 1993; Doctoral 2014) in her 30+ years of practice, has worked in rehabilitation and long-term care as an executive, researcher and educator. She has established numerous programs in nursing facilities; authored peer-reviewed publications on topics such as low vision, dementia quality care, and wellness; has spoken at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally. She provides continuing education support to over 30,000 therapists, nurses, and administrators nationwide as National Director of Education for Select Rehabilitation. She is a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Trainer, Certified Dementia Care Practitioner, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner, Certified Fall Prevention Specialist, a Certified Geriatric Care Practitioner, and Trauma Informed Educator. She serves as the Region 1 Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Action Committee and is an adjunct professor at Gannon University in Erie, PA.

Suicide Prevention and Screening for Substance Misuse in the Elderly
2026-09-24 10:30 - 11:30
Overview
Substance Use Disorders and Suicide are a significant problem in the elderly population.
As this segment of the population continues to grow, we can expect to see more elderly patients with issues in which they turn to substances or depression that leads to suicidal thoughts or attempts. Studies have shown that elderly patients with Substance Use Disorders have very good outcomes when diagnosed and treatment is initiated. It is important for clinicians to be knowledgeable about the clinical presentation, methods of screening, and assessment of Substance Use Disorders within our elderly clients. The goal is timely interventions and referral to appropriate care so quality of life can be preserved. Evidence based Screening Tools for suicide and substance use will be shared.
Brief Intervention in the form of education to the client will be reviewed and practice within the session using readily available tools from reputable government resources.
Learning Objectives

Identify the process of screening, brief interventions and referral to treatment for elders with substance use disorders
Describe evidence-based screening tools appropriate in Care of the Elderly
Recognize Common Substance Use Disorders in persons over age 65

Who Should Attend?
Providers across the senior care continuum—from independent and assisted living to skilled nursing, life plan communities, home health, adult day, hospice, and community-based services. This program is designed for administrators, nurses, activities, social services and all leadership.
CEUs pending.
Location
Online.
Virtual Link: Class Material and Zoom link will be sent two days prior
Faculty
Ingrid M. Provident Ed.D, OTR/L, FAOTA, is a National Education Specialist, for Select Rehabilitation. Dr. Provident has held positions of Program coordinator, Academic Fieldwork Coordinator and Associate Professor at major Universities in Pittsburgh PA.
Ingrid is a highly engaging speaker who holds clinical degrees in Occupational Therapy and Educational Leadership. She has worked in multiple practice settings with the adult and geriatric populations. Ingrid has been an educator in formal academic settings and presented in more than 90 state, national and international venues. Dr. Provident is trained and certified in Mindfulness, Dementia Care and has facilitated multiple presentations on wellness, communication, and interventions for quality health care. She is a published author and mentor with a passion for assisting in the development of professionals.

Dementia Leadership Course
2026-11-18 10:15 - 14:15, 2026-11-20 10:15 - 14:15, 2026-12-02 10:15 - 14:15, 2026-12-04 10:15 - 14:15
For over 20 years, LeadingAge Illinois and Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center have offered the Dementia Leadership Course, a comprehensive educational series intended to provide Dementia Leaders with information they need to develop their skills and grow in their roles.
Dementia experts have recently re-designed this interactive program and added an ongoing networking component. The course provides a framework to teach the specialized skills and competencies needed to provide exceptional dementia services.
Upon completion of the course, participants will join the Dementia Leadership Network. Through a private forum, the Network will offer resources and training material to use for staff education, and allow participants to continue to interact, connect, share ideas, and ask questions.
Topics Include:
Leadership and Dementia Care
Update on Dementia
Ability Centered Care
Recognizing the Whole Person
Being an Expert in the Larger Community
Living with Dementia
Date & Time
Attendees will meet 4 times virtually via Zoom:
November 18 & 20 and December 2 & 4, 2026
10:15 am – 2:15 pm each day
Who Should Attend?
Directors of Alzheimer’s Special Care Units and Memory Care Programs, Staff Educators, Nurse Managers, Therapists, Social Workers, Life Enrichments Directors, Chaplains, CNAs, Home Care, Adult Day Care, Memory Care staff, Dietary personnel, and Administrators. Appropriate for skilled nursing, assisted living, and home and community-based services.
Course Requirements
Each attendee must be logged into his/her own computer that has sound and video camera capabilities.
Fees
$259 per person for all 4 sessions
