Piedmont Triad Regional Council, NC
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Triad Regional Connections Intro with Executive Director Matthew Dolge
Local Government Hiring Event sponsored by the PTRC Workforce and Economic Development Department
Discover the future of workforce and economic development in the Piedmont Triad! On this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast with host Audra Adams and Lamar Powell, Guests Anthony Rogers, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council and Alexis LaBonte, Workforce and Economic Development Supervisor, share exciting updates about the newly launched Piedmont Triad Biz Hub and the upcoming Local Government Hiring Event.
The PT Biz Hub is now live as the one-stop online resource connecting businesses, entrepreneurs, job seekers, and community partners to workforce and economic development support across the region.
The upcoming Local Government Hiring Event hosted by PTRC on August 26, which will connect local governments from across the Piedmont Triad with job seekers interested in public-sector careers.
Learn about:
- Career opportunities in local government (Paramedic, Automotive Parts Technician,
Maintenance Technician, Finance Officer, and many more)
-
The benefits of public-sector employment — including retirement plans, health benefits, career advancement, job stability, and community impact
- How the Biz Hub platform provides access to regional resources, labor market information, and strategic insights
Piedmont Triad Biz Hub: https://piedmonttriadbizhub.org/
Piedmont Triad Regional Council: https://www.ptrc.org/
Whether you’re exploring a career change, hiring for local government, or supporting economic growth in our region, this episode is packed with valuable information.
Advocacy - The NC Senior Tarheel Legislature
On this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast, we explore the power of advocacy in aging services with two special guests. First, Bob Cleveland, Aging Program Planner at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, breaks down the fundamentals of advocacy in clear, practical terms. Bob answers key questions including:
- What is advocacy?
- Why is advocacy important?
- When should someone advocate and where does it start?
- How do you measure the impact of your advocacy efforts?
- How do you work with decision makers who don’t seem to support your issue?
- The power of storytelling to advance advocacy goals
“Advocacy encompasses any activity that a person or group of people undertake to influence policies.”
Then, Dr. Althea Taylor Jones, PhD — Forsyth County Delegate, Advocacy Committee
Chairperson, and Former Speaker of the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature (NCSTHL) — joins us to discuss real-world advocacy in action at the state level. Dr. Jones shares:
- What the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature is and who it represents
- The primary officials and committees driving its work
- The current status of the 2025-26 Legislative Agenda, including Adult Protective Services, Home Care and Community Block Grant (HCCBG), Affordable Housing, Nursing Home Staffing, Senior Centers, and Community Based Services
- How the public can support these priorities and connect with General Assembly officials through Advocacy Day and Advocacy Month
Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to take your efforts to the next level, this episode offers both foundational guidance and inspiring examples of how advocates are shaping policy across North Carolina.
Resources:
NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature: https://ncsthl.org/
PTRC Advocacy page: https://www.ptrc.org/services/area-agency-on-aging/advocacy
A Conversation About Ageism
Join the Triad Regional Connections Podcast with hosts Audra Adams and Lamar Powell for an important conversation on Ageism with Christina Peoples, Advocate for Age Inclusion, Educator, Gerontologist, Speaker, and Long-Term Care Ombudsman with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council.
In this episode, Christina breaks down:
- What is ageism and how does it show up in everyday life?
- Why should people care about ageism?
- Why is ageism harmful to individuals and communities?
- Common examples of ageism
- Persistant myths about aging that need to be challenged
Christina shares powerful insights from her work coordinating events like the Falls-Free Expo and creating educational content through her platform “Gero-What?!” to inspire action around the aging experience.
Whether you’re an advocate, caregiver, professional in aging services, or simply want to build a more inclusive community, this conversation will change how you think about aging.
Fall Prevention – Expert Strategies for Safer Aging
In this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast, host Audra Adams is joinedby experts from the Piedmont Triad Regional Council and Winston-Salem State University to discuss one of the most important topics for older adults and their families: fall prevention.
Guests include:
Christina People, Long-Term Care Ombudsman at PTRC (6 years, 8 months with the organization), Sara Miligarese, Physical Therapist and Professor in the Health and Science Program at Winston-Salem State University, Megan Edwards-Collins, Occupational Therapist and Professor in the Health and Science Program at Winston-Salem State University, Advocate for Age Inclusion, Educator, Gerontologist, Speaker, and creator of "Gero-What?!"
Key Topics Covered:
● What is fall prevention, and why are we talking about it?
● Why Falls Prevention Matters
● Risk Factors for Falls
● Practical Fall Prevention Tips
● Addressing Fear of Falling
● Who Should be Paying Attention?
Whether you’re a senior, caregiver, family member, healthcare professional, or community leader, this conversation delivers actionable insights, evidence-based strategies, and local resources to help reduce fall risks and promote independence and confidence in daily living. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults—learn how to prevent them effectively.
Triad Regional Connections Podcast: Regional Planning Insights
In this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast, hosts Audra Adams and Lamar Powell welcome Carter Spradling, AICP, Assistant Planning Director at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC).
Carter shares his journey with PTRC, explains what the prestigious AICP (American Institute of Certified Planners) designation really means and why it matters, and breaks down the essential role planning plays at the regional level. He also discusses how planning shapes land use, transportation, economic development, and quality of life across the Piedmont Triad — and shares recent examples of the impactful work underway. The conversation wraps with Carter’s inspiring vision for what an ideal future for the region could look like.
Whether you’re a planner, local government leader, community advocate, or resident who cares about smart growth and regional collaboration, this episode offers valuable perspective on the people and processes building the Triad’s future.
Tune in now to hear how thoughtful planning is helping shape a stronger, more connected Piedmont Triad.
Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
In this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast, co-hosts Audra Adams and Lamar Powell sit down with Jeanie Myers Schepisi, Field Operations Manager and Central Regional Manager for the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) at the North Carolina Department of Insurance.
Jeanie shares valuable, unbiased information to help seniors and their families navigate Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, and long-term care insurance. Whether you're a Medicare beneficiary, caregiver, or simply planning ahead, this conversation delivers practical guidance on understanding your options, avoiding common pitfalls, and accessing free counseling services available across all 100 North Carolina counties.
Key Topics Discussed:
● What is SHIIP and how it provides free, objective Medicare counseling
● Medicare enrollment, plan comparisons, and common questions
● Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help for prescription drugs
● Protecting yourself from Medicare fraud and billing errors
● Local resources and how to connect with a SHIIP counselor near you
🎙 Episode Links & Resources:
● SHIIP Helpline: 1-855-408-1212 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm)
● Learn more about SHIIP: https://www.ncdoi.gov/consumers/medicare-and-seniors-health-insurance-information-program-shiip
If you're in the Piedmont Triad or across North Carolina and want clear answers on senior health insurance, this episode is a must-watch.
Workforce and Economic Development
In this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast, co-hosts Audra Adams and Lamar Powell welcome Wendy Walker-Fox, Director, and Jessica Raby, Assistant Director of Workforce & Economic Development at the Piedmont Triad Regional Council.
Wendy and Jessica walk through how their team supports job seekers, employers, justice-involved individuals, and regional economic growth across the 12-county Piedmont Triad. They highlight NCWorks Career Centers, the Mobile Career Fleet, grantwriting and technical assistance, reentry services in Alamance and Forsyth counties, and strategic initiatives that connect people to training and opportunity.
Whether you're a job seeker, business owner, community partner, or simply curious about the resources available through PTRC, this episode is full of practical information you can use.
📧 Contact the WED team: WEDINFO@PTRC.ORG
🌐 Learn more about their services: https://www.ptrc.org/services/workforce-development
Workforce Apprenticeship Programs
PTRC Apprenticeship & Workforce Programs help employers build a skilled local talent pipeline while giving employees (and job seekers) paid, hands-on training combined with classroom instruction for in-demand careers.
For Employers: PTRC’s Business Services team (including Jacob Thompson) connects
businesses with customized training solutions, Registered Apprenticeship opportunities,
on-the-job training (OJT) grants, and partnerships with community colleges and K-12 schools. This reduces recruitment costs, builds loyalty, and helps fill critical skills gaps in key industries across the 12-county Piedmont Triad region.
For Employees/Apprentices: Participants earn while they learn through structured programs leading to industry-recognized credentials, certifications, or degrees. It offers clear career pathways with mentorship and progressive wage increases.
In this episode of the Triad Regional Connections Podcast with co-hosts Audra Adams and Lamar Powell, Jacob Thompson dives into how these programs work in practice, real success stories, and practical steps for both employers and individuals to get involved. Whether you're a business leader looking to grow your workforce or someone seeking a rewarding career path without massive student debt, this conversation highlights actionable opportunities in the Piedmont Triad.
Watch now to learn how apprenticeships are strengthening our regional economy!
Elder Abuse Awareness Walk, Roll, and Stroll
Featuring Adrienne Calhoun, AAA Director and Heather Magill from the Guilford County Family Justice Center.
Episode: Shining a Light on Elder Abuse – Awareness, Prevention, and Action
Join hosts Audra Adams and Lamar Powell for a powerful and timely conversation on a topic that touches families and communities throughout the Triad and beyond: Elder Abuse.
In this episode, we welcome special guests Adrienne Calhoun and Heather Magill. Adrienne serves as the Director of the Area Agency on Aging with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council. Heather is an Elder Justice Specialist with the Family Justice Center in Guilford County. Together, we explore the often-hidden reality of elder abuse, why it’s so underreported, and what we can all do to protect our older adults.
Links:
Piedmont Triad Regional Council - Area Agency on Aging
Guilford County Family Justice Center
Regional Housing Spotlight and Summit
Featuring Thanena Wilson, Director of Community Development & Housing with the City of High Point and Carter Spradling, PTRC Assistant Planning Director
Transportation Safety Action Plan
Andrew Edmonds, Transportation Planning Administrator for the City of High Point and Director of the High Point Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Carter Spradling, Assistant Regional Planning Director with the Piedmont Triad Regional Council, join us to explore the Transportation Safety Action Plan.
Weatherization, Home Rehab, and the Energize Carolinas Training Center
featuring Drew Corbett, Program Operations Manager for the PTRC Community Development Department