Valerie Flores, MGS, is a program officer at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports projects related to improving access, quality, and coordination of services for caregivers, older adults, and people with disabilities. This includes working with state staff and their partners to address the needs of a growing aging population through developing multisector plans on aging, supporting and growing the direct care workforce, and integrating care for people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

Prior to joining CHCS, Valerie worked at the Area Agency on Aging of Central Florida where she assisted individuals in accessing home- and community-based services funded through Medicaid and Older Americans Act programs. Valerie also worked as a graduate assistant at the Scripps Gerontology Center, where she supported funded research on caregiving, age-friendly communities, and aging services. Additionally, she taught two semesters of an introduction to gerontology course titled “Big Ideas in Aging.” During this time, she participated in the Howe Graduate Student Writing Fellows Program where she focused on writing and teaching about ageism.

Valerie holds a master’s degree in gerontological studies from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, with graduate certificates in applied statistics and college teaching. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Florida.

While not at work, Valerie enjoys spending time with her husband and family, doing DIY projects, and going to Disney World.