Webinar Series

 

The WA Cares team regularly hosts webinars on the program and topics related to long-term care. 

 

WA Cares Conversations webinars feature a panel discussion of an issue in long-term care or caregiving, along with a short overview of how WA Cares works and how it relates to the issue.

 

WA Cares Basics webinars focus solely on the program, providing details on contributions,
benefits, exemptions and more.

 

The Employment Security Department (ESD) also hosts employer-focused webinars.

 

All webinars will be recorded. Recordings and webinar materials will be available below after the completion of the webinar.

 

Want to keep up-to-date on upcoming webinars? Sign up for email updates. Can’t join live? Recordings are available on the WA Cares YouTube Channel.

 

Upcoming Webinars

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Wednesday, Jun 11, 2025 11:00am - 12:00pm
Register for webinar
Live captions and ASL interpretation will be available.
This webinar will be recorded.

Join us to learn more about what long term care includes, how caregiving responsibilities impact families and the workplace, who contributes to the fund, how exemptions work, how workers will meet contribution requirements (including a pathway for near retirees) and more. 

Panelists: Kristen Maki, Community Relations and Outreach Program Manager

WA Cares Basics: What Employers Need to Know

Wednesday, Jul 9, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Register for webinar
Live captions and ASL interpretation will be available.
This webinar will be recorded.

Join us for the latest updates on the state’s long-term care insurance program and learn more about employer responsibilities. We’ll cover who contributes to the fund, who can get an exemption, how workers will meet contribution requirements and what kinds of benefits will be available. Get your questions answered and find out where to go for more resources for businesses and workers. 

Panelists: Jeff Kendall, Service Delivery Manager, Employment Security Department (ESD) | Marley Holbrook, Employer Reporting Specialist, ESD | Ryan Williams, Benefits Specialist, ESD | Kristen Maki, Community Relations and Outreach Program Manager, WA Cares
2025 Webinar Schedule
Date Webinar Topic Recording Links & Materials
January 15, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Sebastian Cahe, WA Cares Fund Outreach and Language Access Lead
February 5, 2025
10:00am - 11:00am

WA Cares Conversations: Mental and Emotional Health While Aging

Panelists: Sebastian Cahe, WA Cares Fund Outreach and Language Access Lead, Cathy MacCaul, Advocacy Director, AARP Washington, Jamie Teuteberg, Director of Healthy Aging Initiatives, HCA, Suzet Tave, PEARLS Counselor, City of Seattle
February 19, 2025
11:30am - 12:30pm

WA Cares Basics: What Near Retirees Need to Know

Panelists: Sebastian Cahe, WA Cares Fund Outreach and Language Access Lead
March 12, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Aging and Nutrition

Panelists: Aja Bridge, Nutrition Services Division Director, Rural Resources Community Action | Emily Carlson, Clinical Nutrition Manager, Western State Hospital, Behavioral Health Administration | Dr. AnDré Blanks, DCN, WSH Director of Nutrition Services Department , Western State Hospital, Behavioral Health Administration | Matthew Santelli, Community Outreach & Education Specialist, Pierce County Aging and Disability Resources | Sebastian Cahe, Outreach and Language Access Lead, DSHS.
April 8, 2025
1:00pm - 2:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Emergency Preparedness for Seniors

Panelists: Hollie Stark, Disaster Preparedness Outreach Manager, Washington Emergency Management Division | Serena Segura, Emergency Management & Risk Officer, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services - ALTSA | Richard Freed, Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Washington State Department of Social and Health Services - RCS | Sebastian Cahe, Outreach and Language Access Lead, WA Cares
May 1, 2025
11:30am - 12:30pm

WA Cares Conversations: Seniors and The Housing Crisis

Panelists: Cathy MacCaul, Advocacy Director, AARP Washington | Matthew Santelli, Community Outreach & Education Specialist, Pierce County AAA | Jonnie Matson, Rental Assistance Unit Manager, Home and Community Services
June 11, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
Register for webinar

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki, Community Relations and Outreach Program Manager
July 9, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Register for webinar

WA Cares Basics: What Employers Need to Know

Panelists: Jeff Kendall, Service Delivery Manager, Employment Security Department (ESD) | Marley Holbrook, Employer Reporting Specialist, ESD | Ryan Williams, Benefits Specialist, ESD | Kristen Maki, Community Relations and Outreach Program Manager, WA Cares
August 5, 2025
11:00am - 12:00pm
Register for webinar

WA Cares Basics: What Providers Need to Know

Panelists: Katie Kelnhofer, Provider Policy Unit Manager | Ali Lafontaine, AAA Program Manager | Peter Keller, Provider Network Operations Administrator | Kristen Maki, Community Relations and Outreach Program Manager
2024 Webinar Schedule
Date Webinar Topic Recording Links & Materials
January 18, 2024
11:30am - 12:30pm

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS, Liz Boot, Leave and Care Customer Care Manager, ESD, Jeff Kendall, Service and Delivery Manager, ESD
February 1, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Premium Collection and Quarterly Reporting - 2024 update

Panelists: Employment Security Department (ESD)
February 27, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Caregiving in Rural Communities

Panelists: Kristen Maki Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, WA Cares Fund, Kelly Shaw, Rural Health Workforce Director, Office of Rural Health, Department of Health, Lynn Kimball, Executive Director, Aging and Long-Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW), Dani Rice, Independent Provider/Caregiver, Julie Gardner, Workforce Development Long-Term Navigator, Department of Social and Health Services
March 18, 2024
2:00pm - 3:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Supporting Workers with Disabilities

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, Rebekah Moras, Executive Director, Washington State Independent Living Council (WASILC), Cesilee Coulson, Executive Director, Washington Initiative for Supported Employment (WISE), Kyle Jones, Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor.
April 24, 2024
11:00am - 12:00pm

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS, Jeff Kendall, Service and Delivery Manager, ESD
May 7, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Caregiving for Stroke Survivors

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS, Kelsey Hagstrand, MSN, ARNP-BC, CNS, Comprehensive Stroke Center Nurse Practitioner, Harborview Medical Center | UW Medicine, Sarah Turnbaugh, RN, Nurse Navigator, Harborview Medical Center | UW Medicine, Gurpreet Sandhu, Mph, Heart Disease Stroke Diabetes Prevention Program Manager, Washington State Department of Health, Janice Tadeo, Stroke Survivor.
June 5, 2024
2:00pm - 3:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Caregiving and Brain Health

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS, Lynne Korte, Dementia Care Program-Policy Manager, HCS, Kristoffer Rhoads, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Maria Anakotta, Care Coordinator, Alzheimer’s Association of Washington, Monica Vinson, MS, CCC-SLP, CDP, Mason General Hospital.
July 17, 2024
11:00am - 12:00pm

WA Cares Basics: What Businesses Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, Marley Holbrook, Employer Reporting Specialist, Employment Security Department, Jeff Kendall, Service Delivery Manager, Employment Security Department
August 6, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Getting Help with Hearing Loss

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS, Berle Ross, Sign Language Interpreter, Contracts and Resources Program Manager, ODHH, Maggie Campbell, Hard of Hearing Consultation and Resources Program Manager, ODHH, Elizabeth Luttrell, Training and Presentation Program Manager, ODHH, Cheri Perazzoli, President, WA State Chapter Hearing Loss Association of America.
September 12, 2024
12:00pm - 1:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Home Safety and Fall Prevention

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, John Barnett, AARP Washington State Volunteer Leader for Advocacy and Speakers Bureau, Stephanie Kunold, MS, MA, Older Adult Falls Prevention Specialist, Department of Health, Mary Pat O’Leary, Seattle King County AAA, Marla Emde, Program Coordinator, Strides for Strong Bones
October 9, 2024
11:00am - 12:00pm

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager
November 4, 2024
1:00pm - 2:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Resources for New Family Caregivers

Panelists: Kristen Maki, WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, Lexie Bartunek, Community Living Connections Program Manager, DSHS, Kelsey Lovik, Dementia Program Specialist, NWRC, Margaret Westervelt, Community Services Supervisor, AAADSW, Dana Allard-Webb, Family Caregiver Support Program Manager, DSHS
2023 Webinar Schedule
Date Webinar Topic Recording Links & Materials
January 18, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki (WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS)
May 4, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm

Chamber Briefing: How to Prepare for WA Cares

Panelists: Rachel Smith (President & CEO, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce), Ben Veghte (WA Cares Fund Director, DSHS), Alison Eldridge (Transformation Manager, ESD)
May 18, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm

WA Cares Basics: What Businesses Need to Know

Panelists: Kristen Maki (Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS), Alison Eldridge (Transformation Manager, ESD)
May 25, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Premium Collection and Quarterly Reporting

Panelists: Employment Security Department staff
May 31, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Calculating Premiums, In-Depth

Panelists: Employment Security Department staff
June 16, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Greater Spokane Inc. Briefing: How to Prepare for WA Cares

Panelists: Ben Veghte, Director of the WA Cares Fund at DSHS, and Alison Eldridge, Transformation Manager at ESD
July 20, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Paid Leave and WA Cares: Employer webinars

Panelists:
July 27, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Paid Leave and WA Cares: Employer webinars

Panelists:
July 31, 2023
2:30pm - 3:30pm

WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Andrea Meewes Sanchez, MSW (WA Cares Fund Office Chief, Policy and Planning, DSHS)
September 21, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Employer Account Roles and Contact Types

Panelists: Employment Security Department staff
September 21, 2023
12:00pm - 1:00pm

[In Spanish] WA Cares Basics: What Workers Need to Know

Panelists: Mayra Flores (Customer Service Specialist, Employment Security Department), Maria Mungarro (Assessment & Eligibility Program Manager, Department of Social and Health Services), Ady Ramos (Team Supervisor, Employment Security Department)
September 28, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Updated Reporting Requirements

Panelists: Employment Security Department staff
October 31, 2023
1:00pm - 2:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Long-Term Care Planning

Panelists: Kristen Maki (WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS), Anne Moua (HCBS Waiver Program Manager, DSHS), Sharon Daniel (Senior Compliance Analyst, OIC), Mary Mitchell (Director, Aging and Disability Services), Cathy Maccaul (Advocacy Director, AARP Washington)
November 16, 2023
10:30am - 11:30am

WA Cares Conversations: Talking With Loved Ones About Long-Term Care

Panelists: Kristen Maki (WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS) Christina Marneris (Community Services Manager, Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington), Lynne Korte (Dementia Care Program-Policy Manager, HCS)
November 28, 2023
12:30pm - 1:30pm

WA Cares Basics: Self Employed Workers

Panelists: Kristen Maki (WA Cares Fund Community Relations & Outreach Program Manager, DSHS) Stephanie Mehan (Leave and Care Employer Reporting Supervisor, ESD) Brent Williams (Leave and Care Employer Reporting Specialist, ESD)
December 14, 2023
11:00am - 12:00pm

Managing WA Cares Exemptions

Panelists: Liz Boot, Leave and Care Customer Care Manager, Employment Security Department & Deb Mason, Leave and Care Customer Care Supervisor, Employment Security Department
2022 Webinar Schedule
Date Webinar Topic Recording Links & Materials
June 28, 2022
11:00am - 12:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Caregiving and the LGBTQ+ Community

Panelists: Hannah Dahlke (Member, LGBTQ+ Seniors of the Inland Northwest), Ruben Rivera-Jackman, (Trainer, National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging), Steven Knipp (Executive Director, GenPride), Janice Emery (Member, NW LGBTQ+ Senior Care Providers Network)
July 19, 2022
3:30pm - 4:30pm

WA Cares Conversations: The Gender Gap in Caregiving

Panelists: Jessica Gomez-Barrios (Political and Advocacy Coordinator, Service Employees International Union 775), Maggie Humphreys (Washington State MomsForce Director, Moms Rising), Lunell Haught (President, Washington State League of Women Voters)
August 31, 2022
2:00pm - 3:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Long-Term Care Planning for Near-Retirees

Panelists: Cathy MacCaul (Advocacy Director, AARP Washington)Laura Cepoi (Executive Director, Olympic Area Agency on Aging), Ben Veghte (Director, WA Cares Fund)
October 6, 2022
3:30pm - 4:30pm

WA Cares Conversations: The Next Generation of Caregivers

Panelists: Susan Engels (Office Chief, State Unit on Aging, DSHS), Christine Morris (Office Chief, Training, Communications and Workforce Development, DSHS), Dani Rice (Caregiver)
October 27, 2022
1:00pm - 2:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Long-Term Care Planning for Younger Workers

Panelists: Laura Cepoi (Executive Director, Olympic Area Agency on Aging), Ryan Davis (Interim Executive Director, Washington Asset Building Coalition)
November 17, 2022
1:00pm - 2:00pm

WA Cares Conversations: Caregiver Mental Health

Panelists: Daryn Nelsen-Soza (Board Member & Senior Education Manager, NAMI Washington), Dana Allard-Webb (Family Caregiver Support Program Manager, DSHS), Adrienne Cotton (MAC & TSOA Program Manager, DSHS), Lynne Korte (Dementia Care Program Policy Manager, Dementia Action Collaborative)