AgeWise Advocacy & Consulting is a Kansas City area firm owned by social workers.
- We will help you and your family navigate complex choices that come with aging or a difficult medical diagnosis.
- Our approach is holistic, comprehensive and compassionate.
- Our experience in various clinical settings over the years is invaluable as we coordinate an array of diverse professionals, organizations and communities in providing the best care for you or your loved one.
Andrea Leavitt, LMSW, C-ASWCM
Andrea dedicated her career to supporting the aging population in 2003. Her passions
developed from personal life experiences which led to her belief that the elder years of
one’s life are sacred – rich with meaningful moments as well as unimaginable challenges. Navigating multiple and often complicated systems on behalf of a client has been Andrea’s primary interest. Every person and family situation is unique, requiring a personal and creative approach to meeting their needs and interests. Andrea recognizes the privilege of joining them on their journey.
Other aspects of Andrea’s earlier career include human resource management, adult mental health and special needs populations.
She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kansas State University and earned a Master of Social Work degree from The University of Kansas. Andrea also holds the specialty designation of Certified Advanced Social Work Case Manager.
Andrea is a member of Aging Life Care Association. She is a member of the Johnson County Counsel on Aging and board member of Kansas Advocates for Better Care. She also enjoys being an active member of P.E.O., a women’s philanthropic organization.
Together with her family, Andrea takes pleasure in many outdoor activities. Farming, bee keeping, hiking and baseball are among their favorites.
Dana Lambert, LSCSW, LCSW
With more than twenty years’ experience helping families and individuals in conflict or struggling with physical decline, dementia or mental illness, Dana Lambert is an expert in advocating for the rights, needs and wishes of seniors. She is an expert in navigating systems, from complex medical and care provider organizations to intricate family systems. The belief that the wishes of each individual should be respected as they age drives her to assist seniors with creating a plan for the important decisions of where to live, how to balance safety with independence, when and who to ask for help and how to thrive even in difficult circumstances. She believes that having an aging member can and should be a time for families to find ways to work together and is practiced in conflict resolution to help create consensus and peace. Helping seniors and their families find creative ways to solve problems that improve quality of life energizes her.
Dana has a Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas, is a licensed clinical social worker in Kansas and Missouri and is a Kansas Supreme Court approved Mediator. She has worked in mental health settings, including private psychotherapy, for many years. She provides supervision to licensed social workers seeking clinical licensure in Kansas.
Caroline Dawson, LMSW
Caroline Dawson supports individuals and families in the work of living and aging wisely. As a member of AgeWise Advocacy & Consulting, she demystifies questions regarding aging, healthcare, death and dying. Caroline provides education and tools to individuals, families and facilities to enhance positive, effective communication and client quality of life.
With a focus on social work values, her collaborative approach upholds the worth and dignity of every person, and by valuing the importance of human relationships, she seeks to cultivate the success of shared goals.
Caroline has a passion for teaching. She has provided community education on many topics regarding aging as well as providing professional continuing education programming. Previously, Caroline served on faculty as an instructor and course director at the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine where she facilitated instruction of patient-centered interviewing techniques to medical students.
Caroline’s social work career has focused on mental health and patient/client advocacy. She has worked in inpatient psychiatric settings for geriatric, adult, adolescents, and children as well as advocated for victims of domestic violence abuse. This combination of experience has led Caroline to participate with Johnson County’s Community Violence Action Council (COMVAC) – Elder Abuse Committee.
Nicole Black, LMSW
Nicole is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working with individuals with dementia or special needs and their caregivers. She believes in advocating for her clients collaboratively while navigating their unique challenges. Honoring her clients’ dignity and strengths are of utmost importance to her. Nicole has worked with a number of individuals, from Alzheimer’s patients participating in clinical trials, to adults and children with special needs in a community setting.
Nicole is a trained social worker, having completed her clinical practicum at the Alzheimer’s Association. She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Kansas and lives in Columbia, Missouri where she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and rescue dog. When she has free time, she enjoys hiking, bicycling, attempting to garden, and reading.
Nicole also believes in giving back to her community. Currently, she serves as the volunteer social worker with Miracle of Innocence, helping those who have been wrongfully convicted re-enter society.
Barbara Chamblin, Care Manager
Diversified is how Barbara describes her career. Her experience spans all age groups from babies to the aging. Her work and life experiences have culminated in her desire to remain productive and satisfied in life through her support of seniors.
Barbara graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. She also earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Penn Valley Community College and pursued a rewarding career in nursing, working in labor and delivery, pharmaceutical trials and home health.
Barbara has served as a caregiver to family members with Alzheimer’s as well as supported friends who are caregivers for their family members. Barbara provides a “hands on” approach that, along with her diversified professional and personal experience, aligns well with the mission and goals of AgeWise.
Barbara is also active in the community by serving at a local food kitchen, sponsoring the Tea ‘N Talk group at a senior community center, volunteering with hospice and providing respite care through her church. Barbara is a member of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.
Tanya Ortman, LMSW
Tanya believes the human experience is utterly unique yet commonalities bond us together. Holding each person’s and each family’s story in the forefront as aging and transitions take place helps us to appreciate that uniqueness and still find the commonalities that create meaning. Tanya enjoys relationship building and also the challenge of navigating systems and creating positive change.
Tanya holds a Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Washington and has undergraduate degrees in both social work and health management/human ecology. She has work experience in care management for high risk children and families as well as hospital discharge planning. Tanya spent three years as a volunteer with a medical NGO in the Philippines and considers that time to have been very formative in the development of her worldview and work with people.
Tanya resides with her spouse and four children. She enjoys gardening, seasonal cooking and food preparation, running for physical and emotional well-being, and watching soccer.
Erica Conner, LMSW
Erica is a licensed social worker with over ten years of experience working with older adults and families in a home and community-based setting. Erica values establishing a therapeutic relationship, while using a solutions focused approach to collaborate with and empower clients. She promotes clients’ right to dignity and self-determination, with the goal of maintaining their quality of life and reducing family stress. Her passion is fueled by years of experience as a family caregiver, which provided her with insight related to caregiver stress and the need for support when navigating the maze of resources and services.
Erica earned a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Missouri. She completed her clinical practicum with the Alzheimer’s Association, where she received extensive training to support individuals and families at all stages of the disease. She also holds a Bachelor of Social Work and a minor in Sociology, having completed her foundation practicum at a continuing care retirement community.
Erica has a special interest in rural communities and a true passion for working with families who have been impacted by dementia. She has experience facilitating a Caregiver Support Group and is trained as a Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Circle of Friends facilitator.
Erica and her husband live on a beautiful farm in Fulton, MO with their dog, cats, goats, chickens, and ducks. She enjoys gardening, hiking, road trips to Colorado and anything chocolate.
Stephanie Missey, Daily Money Manager
Stephanie has extensive financial experience in consulting, bookkeeping, running small business operations, auditing, accounting, financial reporting and training. Stephanie has served as an executor, conservator and durable power of attorney in her work at AgeWise.
Stephanie is inspired to use her years of accounting experience to help those needing assistance with their financial affairs. Stephanie believes in sharing her financial acumen, organizational and communication skills with others so they can focus on their areas of interest and enjoyment.
Stephanie seamlessly juggles many tasks and details to bring high level organization and information management to her work as a Daily Money Manager. She is bonded and a trusted financial assistant that understands how important financial order is to a senior’s sense of well-being.
Stephanie graduated from Kansas State University. She lives in Overland Park, Kansas with her husband and two sons.
Philosophy of Business
WE BELIEVE
- In preserving dignity, quality of life and family relationships
- Seniors need an engaged advocate when things get tough
- In finding creative, cost-effective solutions to challenges of aging
WE OFFER
- Excellence in professionalism, knowledge, expertise and objectivity
WE ARE DRIVEN BY
- Passion for sharing the journey of aging with our clients and families, with all its bumps and turns, making a difference along the way.
