A Message from Secretary Roques

As we bid farewell to 2023, I am filled with gratitude for all we have accomplished this year and look forward to the many opportunities to come in 2024. Since joining Governor Moore's administration, I am grateful to be part of a team dedicated to serving older adults, people with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. In the past year we have worked together to reach several milestones, including rebuilding the agency to more effectively and efficiently fulfill the mission, launching a multisector plan for aging, or Longevity Ready Maryland, and partnering with other state agencies to promote long-term care and housing initiatives that support affordable aging in place. We have also begun to change the narrative around aging, recognizing the potential of the older population to the economic and social fabric of Maryland.  Yet, there is much work to be done. My pledge to you is to continue our efforts in 2024 so that one day, all Marylanders will lead healthy, financially secure, socially connected, and purposeful lives throughout their lifespans. Reflecting on the accomplishments of the past year and the possibilities for the future, I want to wish each and every one of you a happy new year filled with opportunities, growth, and positive moments.

A Look Back at 2023

When I took on the role of Secretary of the Maryland Department of Aging, I made a commitment to support Governor Moore's vision of a more just and equitable Maryland where no one gets left behind, including older adults, people living with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. Photo credit: Maryland GovPics

Throughout 2023, I presented at many conferences and events around the state to share our message with a variety of stakeholders and promote the department's efforts to center and prioritize the wellbeing of older adults, their families, and caregivers across all of Maryland. 

During Older Americans Month, I joined Gov. Moore and Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman to celebrate the opening of the Severn Center, a new $16 million dollar facility supported by MDOA that will house a regional Senior Activity Center as well as a state-of-the-art Boys & Girls Club, encouraging socialization between all ages.

It was an honor to participate in AARP's Protect Week press conference and present a Proclamation on behalf of Gov. Moore that June 15, 2023 be declared World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - a day to promote a better understanding of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons.

I enjoyed attending Pro Bono Counseling's Gratitude Gathering to honor volunteers and congratulate Lt. Governor Miller who was awarded the Radha Pathak Humanitarian Award for her work in prioritizing mental health care. Photo credit Maryland GovPics

I met with fellow cabinet members and county officials at my first Maryland Association of Counties conference in Ocean City, inspired by the advocacy, education, and collaboration efforts taking place across the state. Pictured from left: Sec. Roques, Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora, MDOA Deputy Secretary Jennifer Crawley; Photo credit: Susanne Forno

This Commission on Aging and Retirement Education Town Hall meeting at Oliver Senior Center in Baltimore City was one stop in my ongoing efforts to get out into urban communities across the state to listen and hear directly from older Marylanders, learning about their concerns surrounding safety, housing, and quality of life. 

Connecting with small women-owned business owners at the MD Women's Small Business Celebration 2023 hosted by the MD Gov's Office of Small, Minority, & Women Biz Affairs gave me the opportunity to show support for minority- and women-owned small assisted living facilities. 

The Maryland Department of Aging team kicked off Walktober on Walk Maryland Day in October, taking a brisk walk around State Circle before posing for a group photo. It was a beautiful day of fresh air and great camaraderie, reminding me how fortunate I am to work with this team.

It was exciting to cut the ribbon for the opening of Queen Anne's County YMCA, a beautiful, modern, multipurpose space that serves both older and younger people in Queen Anne’s County and creates connection, purpose, and opportunities for all.

Thank you to LifeSpan for choosing me as this year's Mayer Handelman Award winner for my previous work on behalf of older Marylanders, and for highlighting the importance of the current work going on at MDOA to make Maryland a longevity-ready and aging-friendly state.

Attending Cocoa with a Cop at Cecil County’s Elkton Senior Activity Center was one of the highlights of the year and part of my goal to visit every county in Maryland to learn about the challenges and opportunities faced by older adults across the state and ways that our department can support them. 

I was pleased to join hundreds of decision-makers, influencers, policymakers, and practitioners at the 2023 Equity Summit to discuss ground-breaking insights, innovative practices, and scalable solutions to advance economic opportunities for older workers and job seekers. Photo credit Maryland GovPics

There is a lot to celebrate in 2023 and I am proud to be a part of the Moore-Miller administration and the Maryland Department of Aging. Photo credit Maryland GovPics