Valerie Flores, MGS, is a program associate at the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS). In this role, she supports projects related to integrating care for individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and reforming state long-term services and supports systems.

Prior to joining CHCS, Valerie worked at the Area Agency on Aging of Central Florida where she assisted individuals in applying for 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 projects such as the TimeSlips Program Evaluation, Senior Center Satisfaction Survey, Age-Friendly Oxford Community Needs Assessment, and the Our Family, Our Way Caregiving Study. 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 of 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.