Senior Aging Event - May 19th | Housing For Communit

Oklahoma’s senior population is rapidly growing, and many older adults face challenges accessing housing that is affordable, accessible, and supportive. This event brings together leaders, practitioners, and policymakers to explore real solutions that support aging in place and expand housing options across the state.

CE Credits Available

5 Hours Social Work CEUs (Approved)
6 CEUs for LPC, LMFT, LCSW, LADC, CADC, and CM
5 Hours Real Estate CE (OREC Course #3005508 – Elective)

Who Should Attend

Housing Providers
Developers
Nonprofits

Full Agenda

9:30 – 10:00 AM | Registration & Networking

Check in, enjoy light breakfast and refreshments, and connect with fellow attendees. Explore interactive data maps and visuals highlighting Oklahoma’s housing landscape.

10:10 – 10:40 AM | Opening Remarks + Keynote Address

A national perspective on aging trends, housing challenges, and community-driven solutions.

Speaker: Josh Hodges, Chief Customer Officer, National Council on Aging

10:40 – 11:40 AM | Session 1: Data & Research – Framing the Aging Issue

Overview of key data and research on aging, including housing needs, demographic trends, affordability challenges, health and mobility factors, and service gaps.

Panelists: Jacob Stover, OK DHS; Eileen Bradshaw, LIFE Senior Services; and Kelly Cook, Regional Tribal Association

Local Governments
Healthcare Professionals
Community Leaders
Seniors

Jacob Stover, MBA

I am a native Oklahoman. I went to Oklahoma City University for both my Bachelor of Liberal Arts and my Master of Business Administration, graduating in 2019 and 2021 respectively. I worked for a large Oklahoma based company for several years as a team leader. In this role, I learned a lot about developing and coaching people. I left that job to do more “heart work” that made me feel fulfilled at the end of the day. In this role, I learned the importance of project management and developed my passion for helping older adults. I now work at Oklahoma Human Services where I help with Oklahoma Aging Advocacy Leadership Academy and am heavily involved in Aging Our Way- Oklahoma’s Multi-Sector Plan on Aging. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my niece and nephew, playing disc golf, and being with my fiancé, Jeremy, and our 4 pets (2 dogs- Titus and Ebenezer / 2 cats- Brigit and Sheldon).

Eileen Bradshaw

Eileen Bradshaw is a Tulsa native and became the CEO of LIFE Senior Services, Vintage Housing and LIFE PACE in August of 2019. She began her non-profit career as Volunteer Coordinator at Emergency Infant Services , and moved into the Executive Director role. She served as the CEO of the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma for 8 years before joining LIFE. She received her Bachelors of Arts from Knox College, where she majored in philosophy. Eileen has 3 adult children, and shares her now –empty nest with her husband Steve and two rescue dogs, Ella and Fitzgerald.

12:00 – 1:00 PM | Session 2: Shaping Senior Housing Policy – Luncheon Discussion

How policy decisions impact housing availability, including zoning, missing-middle housing, accessory dwelling units, and strategies to support aging populations.

Panelists: Tyler Parrette, Housing Forward; Josh Hodges, National Council on Aging; and Greg Clark, City of Norman

Tyler Parette

Tyler Parette is the Founding Executive Director of Housing Forward where he leads a team of housing policy and data experts with a focus on advancing housing preservation and expansion across Oklahoma. Prior to joining Housing Forward, Tyler was the Chief Policy and Partnerships Officer at Aeon, a Minneapolis-based non-profit developer, owner, and operator of affordable housing. While at Aeon, Tyler oversaw resident services, data-driven policy initiatives, and was instrumental in fostering partnerships that enhanced the resident experience and promoted long-term stability. Previously, Tyler served as the Director of Outreach and Engagement at Housing Solutions in Tulsa, where his work with individuals experiencing homelessness earned him the distinguished honor of being awarded the key to the city. Tyler’s extensive experience in housing-related efforts with the City of Tulsa and at the Oklahoma State Legislature provides him with a deep understanding of Oklahoma’s policy-making processes. This expertise enables him to effectively lead Housing Forward's statewide policy work, driving initiatives that support housing preservation and expansion across Oklahoma.

Josh Hodges

Josh Hodges is the National Council on Aging’s (NCOA) Chief Customer Officer and leads NCOA’s programs focused on older adults. His work enables the organization to reach millions of individuals and empower them to age well by focusing on their economic security and health. For nearly 20 years, he has been working to change aging for the better while overseeing a portfolio of more than two dozen national aging programs. While at NCOA, Josh has overseen more than $1B in grant funding focused on creating the conditions so that all Americans can age well. Prior to NCOA, Josh worked at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Community Living (ACL) for nearly 10 years where he oversaw a large portfolio of aging programs. Josh lives in northern Virginia and enjoys spending free time with his four children and is a long-time volunteer Flag Football coach.

Greg Clark

Greg Clark serves as the Building Official for the City of Norman, where he leads the municipal permitting and inspection team supporting hundreds of millions in annual construction. With over 20 years in construction spanning building inspections, project engineering, and departmental leadership, he focuses on clear communication, practical code application, and efficient buildings. The City of Norman recently adopted a Visitability Credit Program to encourage builders to construct Visitable (aging in place) style homes. Greg has contributed extensively to code adoption efforts as a member of several Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission technical committees. He holds a B.S. in Construction Science from the University of Oklahoma and multiple ICC certifications across building, fire, energy, and residential disciplines.

1:15 – 2:15 PM | Session 3: Home Modification & Accessibility for Aging in Place
Strategies to help older adults remain safely housed through home modifications, accessibility standards, and funding tools.
Panelists: Kendra Orcutt, Home Mods OK; Jack Werner, A to Z Inspections, Karla Selman, Community Living with OHS/DHS, David Ward, Oklahoma Health Care Authority; and Bobby Yandell, Choctaw Housing Authority

Kendra Orcutt

Kendra Orcutt is an occupational therapist and the owner of Home Mods. She specializes in modifying homes for accessibility. She is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist and holds a Specialty Certification in Environmental Modifications. She is an adjunct professor at OU Health Center, and volunteers with AARP, where she serves on the Executive Council and presents the HomeFit Guide statewide.

Jack Werner

A to Z Inspections is an award-winning inspection firm providing residential and commercial property inspections across Oklahoma and the Southwest. With over 18 years of experience, the company delivers reliable, detailed inspection services for projects of all sizes. Led by President and Owner Jack L. Werner, Ph.D., the firm offers expertise in property condition assessments, ADA/accessibility inspections, FHA consulting, roof inspections, and construction phase inspections. Backed by a team of licensed inspectors, A to Z Inspections has completed over 10,000 residential and 500 commercial inspections. As a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, A to Z Inspections is committed to quality, integrity, and industry leadership.

Karla Selman

Karla Selman has more than 25 years of experience in Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, developed through a long-standing career with Oklahoma Human Services. Throughout her tenure, she has served in a variety of roles, gaining broad expertise in waiver programs and service delivery systems. Since 2012, Karla has been a key leader within the ADvantage Waiver Administration, serving as the Programs Administrator. In this capacity, she oversees the Home/Environmental Modification service, as well as the onboarding of certified ADvantage providers. The ADvantage Waiver provides eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities an alternative to nursing facility placement. The waiver program promotes independence and helps individuals remain safely in their own homes and communities.

David Ward, MHA, CLSSGB

David Ward is the Sr. Director of Long Term Services and Supports for the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, the single State Medicaid Agency. In this role, he works alongside Oklahoma Human Services administering the 1915(c) Home and Community Based Waiver Programs, State Plan Personal Care, PACE, Level of Care, TEFRA, Dual Eligible Care Coordination, and the Money Follows the Person program (Oklahoma’s Living Choice). David was selected for and participated in the inaugural 2022/2023 ADvancing States Next Gen Leadership program and the Milbank Memorial Fund 2022/2023 Emerging Leaders Program. He is currently the chairman of the National EVV Association and an at-large board member for ADvancing States.

Bobby Yandell

Colonel (Retired) Bobby Lee Yandell Jr. graduated High School in Boswell, OK in 1984. Following high school Colonel (R) Yandell attended college at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK majoring in Criminal Justice. Colonel (R) Yandell started a career in law enforcement with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections in 1989 as a Probation and Parole Officer, culminating in his retirement in 2009. While in high school, Colonel (R) Yandell joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1983 as an Infantryman, beginning a 34 year career that ended with his retirement in 2017 at the rank of Colonel. Bobby held numerous positions of responsibility during his career, to include Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander and Brigade Executive Officer, which included three deployments to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2012. His awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Legion of Merit. From 2009 until 2016 Colonel (R) worked full time with the Oklahoma Army National Guard, retiring as the State Operations Officer, focusing on national level training issues, training preparation, training budgets and civil-military responses. In July 2016, Colonel (R) Yandell started his current employment with the Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (HACNO) as Executive Director. HACNO currently has 140 associates and an annual budget of approximately $50M. During his time at HACNO, approximately 1,000 new homes have been constructed in the Choctaw Nation Reservation. Yandell was elected Board Chair of the National American Indian Housing Council in June 2024 and is currently Co-Chair or the Tribal Intergovernmental Advisory Committee to HUD.

2:15 – 3:30 PM | Session 4: Financing Strategies for Senior Housing Development & Rehabilitation

Explore how projects are structured, how funding sources are layered, and how organizations navigate real-world development and preservation challenges.

Panelists: Jesse Grandstaff, AHP Owner Occupied Rehab; Eileen Bradshaw LIFE Senior Services, Inc.; Suzy Sharp, Cohousing Heartwood Commons; and Nancy Bainbridge, Director of Tribal Banking

Jesse Grandstaff

Jesse Grandstaff is Vice President and Loan Officer at Security State Bank of Oklahoma, where he specializes in community development and housing initiatives in rural Oklahoma. He also helps lead The Center for Community Transformation, a nonprofit organization formed by Security State Bank that is focused on housing rehabilitation, economic development and community outreach. Jesse has played a key role in securing and administering Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants, including projects that provide critical home repairs for low-income and elderly homeowners, helping them remain safely in their homes. His work centers on leveraging partnerships, creative financing strategies, and local engagement to strengthen communities and expand access to quality housing. In addition to his professional role, Jesse is deeply involved in civic leadership, serving in organizations such as Rotary, Little League, and the Boys & Girls Club. He is passionate about creating sustainable solutions that improve quality of life in rural communities.

Eileen Bradshaw

Suzy Sharp

Suzy is a founding member of Heartwood Commons – Tulsa’s first and Oklahoma’s second cohousing community. Her professional career spanned nearly five decades during which she worked primarily with organizations providing critical services to older adults and caregivers – developing and managing community-based programs, and raising funds to support those programs. Her passion about cohousing is rooted in her professional knowledge of what contributes to successful aging – staying active, engaged, and socially connected and making proactive decisions. Personally, she wakes up every day thrilled to be living in a community where she knows her neighbors and can simply walk out her front door for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and a good conversation. Suzy was a registered nurse and one of Oklahoma's early Certified Gerontological Nurses. She is a graduate of the University of Tulsa, College of Nursing and a member of Leadership Tulsa Class 26.