Momentum’s Public Policy Push Is Getting A Boost, Meet Mark Hagen

At Momentum, we’re dedicated to influencing public policy to include the inclusion and rights of people with disabilities. That concept is a monumental task at times as people with disabilities are placed on the backburner of policy transformation. We are changing that and helping lead the charge to make policy prioritize people with disabilities — to include their needs and interests in how the future of their community and our country is shaped. 

Welcome Mark Hagen, Momentum’s new Public Policy Director. 

I am thrilled to join Momentum and to have this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Public Policy Director.   

One of my primary responsibilities at Momentum will be to gather information, create resources and identify opportunities for parents and family members to advocate for their loved ones and, most importantly, to empower people with disabilities to become effective self-advocates.  I look forward to meeting people supported by Momentum and their families to talk about ways I can best support you in advocacy and identify ways we can work together to create a more inclusive and welcoming community for all people with disabilities.

I have been privileged to serve in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) services field for more than twenty-five years and am grateful for the opportunity to continue disability advocacy work by joining the outstanding organization. I previously worked at a multi-state IDD services provider, that included California. And, I spent a great deal of time and energy working the halls of Congress and administrative agencies, including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), to work for increased disability funding and to increase rights and protections for people with IDD. I will continue to serve on the Government Relations Committee at ANCOR, Momentum’s national public policy partner in Washington, D.C.

Prior to my work in the non-profit disability field, I served on the Congressional staff of Rep. Jim Moody (WI-5) for five years focusing on disability issues, veteran’s affairs and immigration issues. It was while serving on the Congressional staff that I gained an insight and appreciation of the effective and critical role non-profit organizations play in delivery of health and human services to vulnerable Americans. 

I look forward to carrying on this work at Momentum. Please feel free to reach out to me at mhagen@momentum4all.org at any time.