Management & Board

Executive Director

Marla Lahat, MSW, LICSW, is the Executive Director of Home Care Partners. Prior to becoming Executive Director in 1999, Marla developed and managed the Alzheimer’s home care programs at Home Care Partners since 1986. She has published articles and presented seminars on working with clients with Alzheimer’s disease, caregiving and other home care topics. She serves on several community based committees. Marla was honored with the EXCEL award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership in 2013. Marla is a dog lover and particularly enjoys having dog boarders “vacation” with her family while their owners are away. 


Program Management

Sharon Forrest, LSWA, is a Manager, Operations & Services, and has worked at Home Care Partners for more than 30 years. She supervises aides and program services in DC, Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties, and for the Veteran’s Administration. Sharon likes to travel and spend time with her family and friends.

Chris Lockett, LICSW, is a Manager, Operations & Services, at Home Care Partners. He supervises aides and program services primarily in Arlington County. He also chairs the agency’s Ethics Committee. Chris enjoys reading, music and sports.

Alayna Waldrum, Esq., is the Safe at Home Program Manager. Alayna has more than 20 years of experience in affordable, supportive housing. She manages directs the Safe at Home program funded by the DC Office on Aging and Community Living, an innovative falls prevention program for seniors and persons with disabilities that provides home modification for District residents. Alayna was previously the Associate Director of Policy at LeadingAge California representing nonprofit affordable housing providers. She helped establish the LeadingAge DC and served as its first Director. She also worked as Associate Director of Public Policy at the California Association of Homes and Services, now LeadingAge California. Alayna began her work in affordable housing in Baltimore, MD working with a first-time home buyer’s program for low-income, first-time buyers.

Angela Fields, LICSW, LCSW-C, joined Home Care Partners as the Director of the DC Caregivers’ Institute in 2023. In this role, she is responsible for leading a team of licensed social workers providing unpaid family caregivers with the supports they need to thrive while caring for a loved one. Angela holds the dual responsibility of directing the daily operations of DCCI and serving as one of the social workers for DCCI caregivers. Angela brings to the position a wealth of experience in competency, compassion and concern for others. She graduated from Howard University’s School of Social Work, and over the last 25 years has worked at various lead agencies throughout the DC senior network. She is excited to bring her experience and education to this role.


HR/Finance

Nancy Chipman, CPA, has been the Chief Financial Officer at Home Care Partners since 1999.  She is responsible for all the financial and accounting practices of the agency, in addition to supervising the work of the accounting staff.  She serves as Treasurer of the agency and meets regularly with the Finance Committee as well as the full Board of Directors.  She has been in the accounting management field for over twenty five years.

Eric Behna, LGSW, is the Deputy Director of Home Care Partners. Eric comes to HCP after working in policy, government relations, and communications for anti-poverty programs at the federal level. Eric heads up the agency’s quality improvement committee, oversees Human Resources, and leads HCP’s grant writing and fundraising activities. Outside the office, you will find Eric running, cycling, or hiking.

 


Board of Directors

Tim Nanof– Chair, Director of Health Care Policy & Advocacy, American Speech-Language Hearing Association 

Emilie Deady– Vice Chair, Registered Nurse, Consultant

Patricia Bevis – Consultant

Laurie Blackman– Gerontologist

Sandra Crewe– Dean, School of Social Work, Howard University

Debbie Elgot– Consultant

Denise Fraction– Volunteer Recruitment Specialist, AARP Foundation

Deborah Greer – Customer Service

Judy Levy– Registered Nurse, Health Administrator, D.C. Long Term Care Coalition Coordinator

Terri Lynch– Director, Division of Aging & Adult Services

Patricia Morris– Social Worker, LICSW

Jim Nathanson– Attorney, Former DC Council Member

Barbara Strother– Social Worker (Retired)