12 – 1 PM
Medicare can be complex, and navigating the system for yourself or a loved one can feel overwhelming. Understanding enrollment periods, coverage options, and key differences between plans is essential to making informed healthcare decisions.
Join us for a conversation about Medicare, where experts will break down the basics, answer common questions, and provide guidance on how to support family members through the process. You’ll learn how to make confident. informed choices as well as what community resources are available to help.
Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is a leader in providing social services to our community and is proud to host this virtual conversation with:
Melanie Lambert
Senior Medicare Advocate
Center for Medicare Advocacy
Melanie Lambert recently joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy as Senior Medicare Advocate. She has a background in public service, advocacy, and program management, and a passion for promoting health equity and social justice. As Senior Medicare Advocate, Melanie contributes to the Center’s education, training, outreach and advocacy work and provides direct support to Medicare beneficiaries who contact the Center for assistance.
Prior to joining the Center, Melanie administered and coordinated a variety of grants and programs serving older adults and individuals with disabilities for the CT Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), including serving as the CHOICES/SHIP Director from 2019 to 2023. Melanie holds a policy-focused Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Connecticut.
Soraya Principe
Manager, Senior Services
Family & Children’s Agency
Soraya has been a CHOICES Counselor for more than 15years and has hands-on experience with Medicare, Medicaid, State and local benefits. She has been working with low-income elderly residents, one of Fairfield County’s most vulnerable populations. In addition to her role at FCA, Soraya is a member of SWCAA’s Advisory Council.
Soraya has an Associates degree in Human Services from CT State – Norwalk.
Passionate about her work, Soraya is committed to providing high-quality services and making a positive difference in the lives of those seeking assistance. She is committed to helping the elderly population connect to services and benefits to support and empower them to live independently.
Katie Wheeler
CHOICES Manager and Regional Coordinator
Southwestern CT Agency on Aging
Katie Wheeler serves as the CHOICES Manager and Regional Coordinator at the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging, where she leads efforts to provide unbiased Medicare information to beneficiaries.
With a strong dedication to supporting seniors, Katie helps individuals navigate the complexities of Medicare, ensuring they fully understand their options and make informed decisions about their healthcare. Her focus is on demystifying the Medicare process and empowering seniors to confidently manage their benefits.
Moderated by
Robert F. Cashel, LCSW
President & CEO
Family & Children’s Agency
For more than 17 years, Rob has been President & CEO of FCA, where he is responsible for the multi-service human service organization with more than 200 staff. Rob has developed key partnerships in the community while also establishing formal relationships with numerous private and corporate foundations.
Rob, a licensed clinical social worker, is currently on the Board and Executive Committee of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies (CCFSA) and is also on the Board of Norwalk ACTS.
Rob has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Fordham University. He is also a certified marriage and family therapist and a certified alcoholism counselor.
