Next Gen HCBS Leaders Program

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.

Applicants can be current staff members of state Aging and Disability agencies or state Medicaid agencies.

Professionals selected through a competitive application process engage in a 9-month program consisting of these components:

Introduction

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.

Spring Meeting & HCBS Conference

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.

Mentorship

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.

Educational Opportunities

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.

Evaluation

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.

• 2024
• 2023
• 2022

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:​

Testimonials Alt Text