To encourage up-and-coming professionals to seek senior leadership opportunities in LTSS state agencies, ADvancing States is excited to provide a unique opportunity for emerging leaders, the Next Gen HCBS Leaders Program (Next Gen). The Next Gen program offers a unique combination of networking and learning opportunities with a curriculum tailored to those wishing to deepen their knowledge and refine their skills in management, leadership, and content development in the Medicaid and Aging arenas.
Professionals selected through a competitive application process engage in a 9-month program consisting of these components:
The Next Gen HCBS Leaders program kicks off with an overview of the Next Gen program, an introduction to ADvancing States, and a high-level overview of how aging and disability services are provided throughout the nation. ADvancing States also provides early networking opportunities for the group to meet and learn from one another.
Next Gen leaders receive full scholarships to the ADvancing States’ Spring Meeting and the HCBS Conference.
The Spring Meeting brings together state directors of aging, disabilities, and Medicaid LTSS agencies. This annual members-only symposium features sessions on promising practices, unique program ideas, and problem-solving discussions. The Spring Meeting is a great opportunity for Next Gen leaders to meet with their peers and network with state leaders from across the nation.
The Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference is ADvancing States’ national conference that annually brings together state, federal, and local policymakers as well as leaders who administer, manage, and deliver waiver and other HCBS programs. The HCBS Conference allows leaders to share practices and policies that improve state systems delivering long-term services and supports for all ages and abilities.
At each event, ADvancing States offers sessions exclusive to Next Gen leaders to help foster relationship building among the cohort. Next Gen participants are also invited to attend members-only events to maximize networking opportunities.
Thanks to the generous donations from the Next Gen HCBS Leaders sponsors, scholarships to each event include transportation, lodging, and registration fees.
Next Gen leaders are matched with a Mentor, who is an ADvancing States board member, Alumni Leadership Network member, or current LTSS director. Mentorship pairs are encouraged to meet monthly so Next Gen participants can receive personalized support in developing leadership skills. ADvancing States also offers formal mentorship meeting opportunities throughout the year to expand opportunities for connecting with a diverse group of experienced leaders and innovative thinkers.
Next Gen leaders participate in exclusive learning opportunities, offering education on a wide variety of LTSS and leadership development topics. These opportunities allow Next Gen leaders to expand the breadth and depth of their Medicaid, Aging, and Disability knowledge base in addition to deepening their leadership and management skillsets.
New in 2025, Next Gen Leaders will also have the opportunity to participate in a first-of-its-kind HCBS Certificate program, offered in partnership with the Gillings School of Global Public Health through the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Scholarships will be provided to Next Gen leaders and participants will be required to participate in approximately two hours of study per week in the fall of 2025. Additional details about this opportunity will be forthcoming.
Following the 9-month program, Next Gen alumni are asked to evaluate their experience in the program and offer feedback and suggestions to improve the program for the next cohort. ADvancing States uses feedback from previous cohorts to continually design and tailor the program to enhance the Next Gen HCBS Leaders experience.
Sponsors
The Next Gen HCBS Leaders program launched in 2022 with generous support from inaugural sponsor, United HealthCare. Later cohorts have also been sponsored by generous support from Molina Healthcare and Pulselight. To date, 50 Next Gen HCBS Leaders have completed the program.
Next Gen Alumni
View Next Gen Leaders by class year using the links below*.
*Please note, titles and bios were current at the launch of each year’s cohort but may have changed since.
Feedback from Next Gen participants confirms the program has been a valuable and meaningful experience and in multiple instances has contributed to advancement opportunities for Next Gen leaders. Here’s what Next Gen alumni have said about the program:
I wholeheartedly recommend...
the Next Gen program. It provided a solid foundation in Medicaid and Older Americans Act home and community-based services. The staff at Advancing States are very friendly and supportive.
I've built a strong network of friends and colleagues from 20 states who are in similar roles, and I can reach out to them whenever I have questions. My mentor, a respected leader in the field, has shared invaluable insights and experiences that I use in my day-to-day job. While working in aging programs may not seem glamorous, the Next Gen program truly highlights the positive impact we can have in shaping the next generation of leaders.
The NextGen program...
has been an incredible mentorship experience. It allowed me to connect with accomplished individuals I might have found intimidating to approach otherwise. The conversations were open and honest, and thanks to my mentor's support, I seized an opportunity to advance my career that I might have otherwise missed.
Participation in the Advancing States Next Gen Leadership program...
was a great investment in my future. The program presented multiple opportunities for networking with both state agencies and other leaders in the HCBS industry that I would not have otherwise had. The networking was provided in a way that was both individualized to my needs and in small and large groups, so it was effective for me to reach my goals. The program also provided essential ongoing training. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to have participated in the program and highly recommend anyone else given the same opportunity to take it.
I have loved participating...
in the webinars and gaining knowledge from seasoned HCBS experts. There is clearly a wonderful network of likeminded individuals out there who are happy and willing to help the young and upcoming tackle future obstacles in HCBS!
I enjoyed meeting my peers...
from other states. It was great to be able to spend time and network with folks who are in the same stage of their career as I am, and who are passionate and eager to learn and grow.
I appreciated the mentorship...
opportunity. My mentor was extremely engaged and available. I was able to apply for, receive, and adjust to a promotion with her support, which was excellent timing and so helpful.
Contact Us:
If you have questions about the program, please contact Annie Kimbrel at akimbrel@advancingstates.org.
If you are interested in sponsoring the Next Gen Leaders program, click here to learn more.