Three in four Virginia residents (73%) say that it is important for communities to plan for serving residents as they age. Source: 2008 Older Dominion Project Residents' Study
About the ODP
Linda Nablo
In August 2007, Governor Tim Kaine appointed Linda Nablo as Commissioner of the Virginia Department for the Aging. In making the appointment; the Governor said, “Linda’s energy and demonstrated ability to advocate for others will serve the Commonwealth’s older citizens and their families well.”
Since coming to VDA, she has focused her efforts on protecting essential services to Virginia’s most vulnerable seniors from significant budget reductions; enhancing the No Wrong Door initiative to improve access to long term services – including the launch of the Easy Access Web portal; encouraging localities to engage in comprehensive planning for the coming “age wave” of seniors; and positioning VDA to better meet the needs of Virginia’s seniors both today and tomorrow.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Nablo was the Director of the Division of Maternal and Child Health for the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS). In this capacity, she administered Virginia’s SCHIP program, known as FAMIS. In fiscal year 2007, over 140,000 lower-income children and pregnant women were enrolled in FAMIS and received over $160 million in medical care.
Linda was also charged with increasing enrollment of eligible children in Virginia’s public coverage programs. During her five years with DMAS, marketing and outreach increased substantially, policies and procedures were simplified, a statewide call center and application processing site was established to assist applicants, and a Web site with internet application was developed. As a result, enrollment of children in both FAMIS and Medicaid increased dramatically during her tenure. She also expanded the FAMIS program to pregnant women and administered several other health care programs for pregnant women and children covered by Medicaid or FAMIS, including the children’s preventive health care program, EPSDT, the family planning program, and others.
Previously Linda was the Director of SignUpNow, a statewide non-profit group that assists communities in enrolling children in health insurance programs and she served as Director of Public Policy and lobbyist for Voices for Virginia’s Children.
Prior state service includes Manager of Planning and Policy for the Department of Juvenile Justice. In total, she has over 27 years of experience in state government and extensive experience in program administration, working with community programs, state agencies, the legislature, and advocating for individuals who need a voice.