Back to Annual Conference Homepage
April 29, 2022 8:30am - 1:00pm
Schedule of Sessions
Click the JOIN SESSION button beneath each session description to join the session.
Overall Evaluation
After the conference ends, participants are encouraged to share feedback through our overall event evaluation linked below.
Thank you in advance for taking time to share. Your feedback is invaluable to the development of future events.
8:30 – 9:15 aM: Concurrent Sessions
Mindfulness Moment: Your Inner Oasis
Sabrina Vogler, Certified Professional Coach, Executive Coach, Grief Specialist, and widely recognized Expert in Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, Heart in the Moment Mindfulness Coaching, LLC
“Become an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that ripples out to all of those around us.” – Desmond Tutu
There’s no better time than now to reflect and regroup. And at the same time, we reawaken to all that’s ready to shine within us. We’ll share inner reflection, meditation, and refreshment. And the ripple effect will reach all those we meet!
Virtual Vendor Fair
Connect with our conference sponsors and vendors to learn about their products and services.
Sponsors Include: Annkissam, eVero, Millin Associates, NFP, NYSID, PrecisionCare, Therap
9:15 – 9:30 aM: Break
9:30 – 10:30 aM: Concurrent Sessions
Session 17: IGNITE: 6 Keys to Running a Successful Self-Direction Program
Diane Lagoumis, East End Disability Associates, [email protected]
Brittany Hoosier, AIM Services, Inc., [email protected]
Cindy Harvey, People, Inc., [email protected]
Casey Fallon Donovan, eVero, [email protected]
The panel will provide insight and examples of success within the framework of how to IGNITE your program to grow and maintain success. We will cover topics within the following 6 areas: Increase Customer Satisfaction; Guarantee Compliance; Normalize Cash Flow; Implement Caseload Efficiencies; Thrive on Collaboration; Execute COVID Response Plans. Panelists will discuss similarities and differences in the structure of their programs, use of software, data analytics, workflow efficiencies, navigating changing landscapes, and spark engaging dialogue in a round table discussion.
view recording SESSION 17 POWERPOINT
Session 18: Disparities in Crisis Intervention with the I/DD Population
Jeffery Sealy, Mercy Home, [email protected]
Among the many challenges that face people diagnosed with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), crisis intervention and prevention strategies have been a prevalent issue mismanaged by law enforcement and health care professionals. The psychological impact on the population dealing with delayed response times and lack of preparedness training from law enforcement can cause long-term traumatic stress from adverse experiences. Healthcare professionals and community officials must implement a detailed training strategy, including information about the I/DD population, statistical information about psychiatric diagnoses, establishing treatment clinics, and crisis prevention procedures across all emergency management systems. Behavior management training and strategic support for these families will serve as a proactive approach. Through research, professionals indicated a lack of educational and supportive resources in their respective communities.
Furthermore, the effect of managing crises while experiencing these disparities has led to a deteriorated relationship with law enforcement. There is an implication that there is too much pressure placed on law enforcement to make the right decision in every situation when dealing with a severe behavioral outburst. Still, the simple solution should be an emphasis on accountability and understanding.
Session 19: Project Next Step: Using Customized Employment Strategies to Help People Advance in their Careers
Fredda Rosen, Executive Director, Job Path, [email protected]
Aimee Althoff, Associate Executive Director, Job Path, [email protected]
Dara Patel, Coordinator of Career Advancement, Job Path, [email protected]
Like many of us, often people with developmental disabilities want the opportunity to move beyond entry-level jobs so that they can use the full range of their talents. To address this need, Job Path launched Project Next Step to use customized employment to enable people to advance in their careers. We will share stories to illustrate how we adapted customized employment for career advancement work, discuss challenges and outcomes and describe how we trained our staff to provide benefits counseling.
view recording SESSION 19 POWERPOINT
Session 20: Care Coordination/Clinical Team Approach: Pilot to Practice
Amy Peters, Director, Clinical and Strategic Operations, Person Centered Services Care Coordination Organization, [email protected]
Karen Battaglia, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist, People-inc., [email protected]
The change from Medicaid Service Coordination to Health Home Care Coordination in July 2018 continues to alter the service delivery landscape for people with developmental disabilities throughout the State of New York. A major factor in the shift is the addition of a clinical overlay to routine care coordination services. This presentation will describe the development and implementation of a team model utilized by one care coordination organization. Model design, lessons learned, and outcomes will be discussed throughout.
Session 21: The View from Here: Crocuses and Connections
Carol Blessing, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University, ILR Yang-Tan Institute
“The crocus, first flower of spring
A bed of colour emerging from
The grey, grey winter
A symbol of hope
After hard times”
While the past two years dealt heavy hearted blows to all of us, like the crocus in Audrey Birt’s poem, bright spots of color and light also bent our way. One such bright spot was the opening and widening of new ways to stand, not in isolation, but in solidarity of the shared experience of our humanity. The view from here shows a generous opportunity to connect and act with people from around the state, the nation and the world on ideas that matter. This is Citizen Network.
This session welcomes and invites you to imagine creating a world where everyone matters. Come learn about and explore Citizen Network, a global “network of networks” that recognizes and celebrates diversity- a space where everyone’s contribution has a place.
view recording SESSION 21 POWERPOINT
Make sure to click the yellow square in the top left corner of each slide to read through the presenters notes for this session!
10:30 – 10:45 aM: Break
10:45 – 11:45 aM: Concurrent Sessions
Session 22: Trauma Informed Care: One Provider’s Journey
Debra Fox, Director of Residential Services, OLV Human Services, [email protected]
Halli Lavner, Director of Trauma Informed Care, OLV Humans Services, [email protected]
Risking Connections is a Trauma Informed Care Model presented through the Traumatic Stress Institute of Klingberg Family Centers, New Britain, Connecticut. This model was developed and authored by The Sidan Institute and adapted for organizations supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
We will overview OLV Human Services’ journey in training and implementing this model, discussing timelines for implementation, and providing data on success in our organization.
Session 23: Technology is an Everyday Tool….for ALL!
Laurie Dale, Ability Beyond, [email protected]
Technology is a tool that we all use to navigate our schedules, homes and allows us access to information- this is not innovative – it is a way of life. The value of technology has been seen over and over during the pandemic as being a means to communicate and gain information. It is a vehicle to provide greater independence and increase choice. This session will demonstrate different types of mainstream technology and how any person can use the devices for greater access to their environment.
Session 24: Proud and Supported
John Raffaele, NADSP, [email protected]
The NYS Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC) has granted funding to create training with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) that identify as LGBTQ, their families, and staff. From focus groups (and conversations in additional focus groups that were not specific to this community) participants identified a great need for future DDPC work in supporting those with disabilities from the LGBTQ community. Some of the suggestions included: capacity building for current self-identified disability LGBTQ groups, strengthening the network between groups that have a LGBTQ disability focus, and also building stronger connections with LGBTQ groups without a disability focus. The National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and The Burton Blatt Institute have partnered together to create resources, training materials and continued development for direct support professionals and the people they support to learn more about the concerns, needs and barriers within the LGBTQ Community. Join us to learn more about this project.
Session 25: Battling Burnout: Learning from the Behavioral Sciences to Promote Employee Wellness
Brian Healy, LMHC, LBA, BCBA, NCC, The Arc Mid-Hudson, [email protected]
Within the human services field, quality employees are our greatest resource, as well as the largest investment for most companies. Due to the evolving nature of work, these employees have been pushed to do more with less, leaving them physically and emotionally depleted. Practical tips to address this can be drawn from the principles of Behavior Analysis and from other Behavioral Sciences. This presentation will briefly introduce these concepts, while focusing on strategies for implementing integrated employee wellness services within an organization.
view recording SESSION 25 POWERPOINT
Session 26: Audit & Compliance: Get Answers to Your Questions from Barclay Damon
Melissa Zambri, Partner, Barclay Damon
Margaret Surowka, Partner, Barclay Damon
Managing an agency’s audit and compliance functions are integral to the health, viability and success of any not-for-profit provider. Identifying, reducing and eliminating errors is key, especially before an audit is commenced. Staying on top of ever-changing rules, regulations and protocols is necessary.
We are excited Melissa and Maggie will offer their perspectives during this session to help Annual Conference attendees address critical issues asked by our members. Melissa and Maggie will host a virtual session for attendees addressing pressing topics raised by members on privacy and security, staff training, agency liability and investigations.
Please join Melissa and Maggie for this session.
11:45 – 12:00 pM: Break
12:00 – 1:00 pM: Closing Keynote: Kesha Carter, Chief Diversity Officer, Coordinated Care Services, Inc.
Implicit Bias
Bias consists of attitudes, behaviors, and actions that are prejudiced in favor of or against one person or group compared to another.
Implicit bias is a form of bias that occurs automatically and unintentionally, that nevertheless affects judgments, decisions, and behaviors. Implicit biases can manifest in the justice system, workplace, school setting, and in the healthcare system. Many different examples of implicit biases exist and range from categories of race, gender, and sexuality.
Implicit bias can pose barriers to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
Removing these biases is a challenge, especially because we often don’t even know they exist. Recent research reveals interventions are effective.
Kesha Carter will discuss implicit bias, share examples of implicit bias and how not-for-profit organizations can address implicit bias within their agencies with awareness and effective bias-reduction strategies.
About Kesha Carter:
Kesha is the Chief Diversity Officer for Coordinated Care Services, In. (CCSI). There she leads the organizational strategy on diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism with a multi phased approach. She has facilitated DEI workshops, conversations, and trainings locally and nationally for groups of various sizes.
Kesha Carter is a CDP (Certified Diversity Professional), she also holds a Six Sigma Green Belt from Villanova University and a PHR (Professional Human Resources) certification from the Human Resource Capital Institute. She earned her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Keuka College.
Kesha is a board member of Rochester RHIO and The Women’s Council. She was a Young Athena finalist 2019-2020 and Democrat & Chronicle “Woman to Watch” in October 2016. Kesha is also a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Words she lives by: There is no such thing as failure, only many different lessons in how NOT to do something.
Schedule
Click the View Schedule button beneath the dates below to view the schedule for that day.
These links are also included on the bottom of each day's schedule page.






