"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."


-- Margaret Mead (1901-1978), Anthropologist

WISE & Healthy Aging Advisory Groups

Advisory Council

Members of the WISE & Healthy Aging Advisory Council have a special relationship with the organization by virtue of their community leadership, expertise in certain areas related to aging and their commitment to seniors. Many members of the Advisory Council have a close association with clients served by WISE & Healthy Aging. They serve as the “eyes and ears” of the organization out in the community, bringing feedback, community reactions, observations and identification of unmet needs to WISE & Healthy Aging.

Advisory Council Members

Ishara Bailis, LCSW
UCLA Healthcare 50 Plus

Robert Chatman
American Red Cross, Santa Monica Chapter

Harriet Cutler

Rose Kaufman
The League of Women Voters
Emeritus College

Tom Keary

Mary Michlovich
OPICA Adult Day Care

Stephanie Negriff
City of Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus

Betty Palmer

Roberta D. Saraceno

Barry Seid
Chair, Santa Monica Commission for the Senior Community
District Coordinator, AARP Tax Counciling for the Elderly

Richard L. Solomon
Attorney at Law

Al Weintraub

Phyllis Weintraub

Harold Weiss

Jerry Werlin

Elizabeth Wilson, LCSW, CMC
Private Geriatric Care Manager

Blue Ribbon Committee

The Blue Ribbon Committee acts in an advisory capacity to WISE & Healthy Aging's Board of Directors and staff regarding issues and problems concerning long-term care, as they apply to the Los Angeles Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. The Committee's function is advisory, not decision-making, although it can influence policy. The Blue Ribbon Committee advises on matters pertaining to advocacy for long-term care residents; community involvement, education and support; recruitment and recognition of volunteer ombudsmen; and providing personal and or professional insight into those areas that may have particular relevancy or need to the Ombudsman Program.

FAST – Fiduciary Abuse Specialist Team

The Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging Fiduciary Abuse Specialist Team (FAST) was established in January 1993 to combat the rising tide of elder financial abuse. Funding for the FAST is provided by the Los Angeles County Area Agency on Aging through Title VII-B of the Older American Act of 1965, as amended, with matching funds from WISE & Healthy Aging, which coordinates the FAST. FAST, a countrywide consultation and training team, serves as a model for communities across the nation. This partnership was expanded to include other members of the public and private network recruited to participate on the FAST, such as law enforcement investigators, prosecutors, private and public interest attorneys, conservators, bankers, securities and real estate brokers, and experts in insurance, case management, probate, gerontology, geriatrics and psychiatry.

The FAST team consults on complex cases of financial elder abuse and consists of experts such as physicians, lawyers, financial planners, psychologists, realtors, and individuals from the judicial system and law enforcement who donate their time to help prevent elder abuse and prosecute those who have committed this crime. Its primary purpose is to have the Consultants provide consultations on certain cases of financial abuse to case workers of APS Ombudsman, Public Guardian and care management programs.

Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the Daily Money Management (DMM) program at WISE & Healthy Aging is comprised of a group of professionals from the community who provide in-kind financial, legal and logistical support. The group meets quarterly to review procedures and protocols, providing oversight to the DMM program as well as updates on new regulations.

TAG Members

Tannie Chateau, LCSW, MSG
Kaiser Permanente

Susan Faber-Brook, LCSW
Saint John's Health Center

Sheryl Hayashida
Attorney at Law

Johnnetta Jordan
Los Angeles County Adult Protective Services

Janet Morris, Esq.
Family Caregiver Project Director, Bet Tzedek Legal Services

Ann Stahl
Federal Trade Commission

Elizabeth Wilson, LCSW, CMC
Private Geriatric Care manager

Kristen Zaleski, MSW
Clinical Social Worker, UCLA Santa Monica Healthcare