12:00p - 2:00p Opening Keynote
Welcome Comments from Governor Youngkin
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We are thrilled to announce that Governor Youngkin will be opening our convention this year! His participation underscores the significance of this event, as we come together to celebrate a historic milestone: the long-awaited funding for Priority One. This achievement is a testament to decades of relentless advocacy and dedication from our community. Join us as we honor this monumental success and pave the way for a brighter future.
Making The Promise of Inclusion A Reality- Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
Presenter: Jade Presnell, MS, LSW
2:30p - 3:30p
Breakout Sessions I
A Great Partnership: How Genetics Can Support You and Your Family
Presenter: Tahnee Causey, MS, CGC
Genetics is an ever-changing field that can seem overwhelming for families. During this talk, we hope to describe why families may seek a genetics appointment or pursue genetic testing. We will discuss what to expect during a genetics appointment, why testing may be suggested, and what kind of testing is commonly performed. We will also discuss how to access genetic services in Virginia.
Arts-Based Community Engagement
Presenter: Amy Keenan Amago
The visual arts provide rich avenues for meaningful community engagement for individuals with developmental disabilities. This vibrant, multi-sensory presentation will demonstrate how visual arts programming can increase opportunities for community engagement in ways that support social inclusion, identity formation, career development, and disability advocacy work. An art educator, artist, and the Director of The Arc Studio at The Arc of the Piedmont will describe how arts programming has transformed community engagement in her chapter and will share innovative approaches for using the arts to deepen community participation, inclusion, and engagement for individuals at Arc chapters across the state.
Medicaid Denials and Appeals – Member Rights when Medicaid Waiver Services are Denied, Revoked, or Reduced
Presenter: John Cimino
This session will cover Medicaid Members’ rights when they are affected by an adverse Medicaid decision to deny, reduce, or revoke their Medicaid services. We will focus on Medicaid Waiver service denials and appeals, but the information will be relevant to traditional Medicaid service denials as well. Participants will learn when they have a right to receive a written explanation of an adverse decision, as well as their appeal rights when they disagree with a decision that affects their Waiver services.
Information Access Champions!
Presenter: Teri Morgan, Executive Director, Virginia Board for People with Disabilities​
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Information should be easy to get, easy to understand, correct and respectful. Sadly, a lot of info about disability services is confusing or wrong. Let’s fix it, together! We are leading an initiative called Information Access Champions. We are building a community of organizations that want to improve information access for people with disabilities and their families. But what exactly is an Information Access Champion? Think of them as organizations dedicated to making information easy to get, easy to understand, correct and respectful. They pledge not just to acknowledge the barriers but to actively dismantle them, hand in hand with the disability community.
3:45p - 4:45p
Breakout Sessions II
Waiver and the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS)
Presenters : Kenneth Haines and Maureen Kennedy
This will be an overview of the new Developmental Disability (DD) Waiver Slots and the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS). Ken will first provide an overview of the process of assigning slots for the DD waivers. Then Maureen will provide an overview of the SIS including scheduling, what to expect, how to prepare, the role of the respondent, and what the SIS does and does not impact.
Self-Determination for Inclusive Education
Presenters: Beth and Taylin Sellers
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Taylin and her mom Beth have learned through experience what it takes to be successful in the general education classroom as a student with a disability. Taylin is a 17-year-old high school student who is blind with an orthopedic impairment. In this session, Taylin will share her own experiences as a self-advocate, with support from her mom, to help others learn how to advocate for and create a fully inclusive learning environment for people with disabilities in a school and community setting.
Advocacy 101: Prepare. Engage. Repeat.
Presenter: Ashley Wright, Senior Director Government Relations, Davis Consultants
5:30p - 7:30p DINNER/AWARDS/ANNUAL
..................................Tuesday, Aug 20...............................
9:00-10:30 KEYNOTE and BREAKFAST
10:30a - 11:30a
Breakout Sessions III
Beneath the Surface: Exploring the Depths of Behavior in Young Children
Presenter: Lisa Terry, MS, M.Ed., Telisha Woodfin, LMSW, CD, CEIM
The Growing Brain," a ZERO TO THREE curriculum, illuminates the profound link between brain development and children's behavior. Discover how development, environmental factors, and individual temperament contribute to children's behavior and gain valuable tools for fostering positive growth and resilience. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this interactive session empowers you to navigate the complexities of early childhood with empathy, understanding, and effective guidance.
Empowering Independence: A Journey with Arc2Independence
Presenters: Ashley Africa-Osborne and Ashley Schalick
Arc2Indpendence brings virtual lessons directly to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to guide them through life's daily routines and challenges. Created by the Tech for Independent Living team at The Arc of Northern Virginia, the app supports people with IDD in creating full inclusion and participation in the community. Arc2Independence has a full library of general lessons across Transportation, Daily Living Skills, Employment, and Safety that can be accessed through a phone, tablet, or computer. The app can be used across an individual’s full circle of care, including caregivers, family members, schools, job coaches, etc. to consistently teach skills to be independent in their communities. Are you a disability organization, group home, service provider, or day program looking to enhance your support? Our app's general lesson library membership is available for purchase on an organizational level.
More to Come
Presenter:
Practical Self Defense
Presenter: Sensei Carla Dannouf
Accommodating each person's needs, this class will focus on safety in everyday life with tools and tips to help anyone to be more aware of their surroundings and to move through their day with safety in mind.
Navigating New Paths: Birth and Postpartum Doulas Supporting Families of Children with Special Needs
Presenters: Telisha Woodfin, LMSW, CD, CEIM and Brittany Watson, MSW, PMH-C, CHES
This presentation will highlight the unique challenges families of children with special needs face and showcase how doulas provide invaluable support. From offering emotional guidance to practical assistance, doulas empower families to thrive amidst the complexities of raising a child with special needs.
Attendees will better understand the compassionate allyship doulas offer and discover practical strategies for navigating this journey. Whether you're a parent seeking support, a professional enhancing your services, or an advocate for inclusivity, this session offers valuable insights. Explore the transformative power of empathy, advocacy, and community in supporting families on their unique journey.
Housing Discrimination & the Virginia Fair Housing Law
Presenter: Mahalia (Mally) Dryden-Mason
Customized Rates: Provider Guide for Upcoming Changes
Presenters: Gina Koke, Customized Rate Technical Consultant, DBHDS
.................................Monday, August 19 ........................
Dating in a Digital World-Safely
Presenter: Jennifer Palmer
During this session, we will talk about how people with disabilities connect online and IRL and how to develop a strong friendship or relationship. Is a dating app right for me? Am I getting scammed? How do I know this person is sincere? How can I make sure
and be safe? These questions and more will be discussed in this interactive session.
Are you new to the world of grassroots advocacy? Or perhaps a seasoned veteran, looking to brush up on the fundamentals? Wherever you currently fall on the continuum of engagement, this session is for you! Come discuss the essentials of effective communication and meaningful interaction with elected officials, as well as tips and tricks for maintaining relationships with decision-makers at all levels of the policy process. From Session advocacy days to year-round opportunities, we will cover it all!
Discover the Possibilities and Get Connected!
Presenters: Beth Kessler, Emilie Wilde-Turner
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Join The Arc Community Connectors for an engaging and interactive session where you can explore topics that matter to you. Choose from Employment, Support for Independent Living, Making Friends, or Accessing and Using the Waiver. We will watch a series of brief, one-minute videos on your selected topic and then come together to talk about how you can use what you learn in your own life. This session is designed to spark thoughtful conversations and help us envision the amazing support opportunities available. Don't miss this chance to connect, learn, and be inspired!​
Independent Housing
Presenter: Marie Fraticelli,Western Housing Coordinator at DBHDS
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Our communities are strongest when everyone has the support they need to live healthy, independent lives.
This starts at home. Everyone needs access to affordable, safe housing that fits their needs. Learn about different Housing options and how to prepare and access them.
Breakout Sessions IV
12:00 - 2:00 POLICY LUNCHEON
2:15p - 3:15p
This session will introduce the participants to the Virginia Fair Housing Law. Obtaining information about the law will empower many families to be more aware of the mostly subtle discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, elderliness, source of funds, sexual orientation, gender identity, and military status in the Housing Industry. In many of the cases, the discrimination is geared towards people with disabilities. Get a quick overview of the law, along with learning about "reasonable accommodations" and "reasonable modifications".
The waiver's reimbursement structure meets the support needs of most people receiving services, but not everyone. The customized rate is specifically designed for those with more complex needs. Every individual deserves to live a fulfilling life, and recognizing these higher needs allows for personalized services and resources that can enhance their quality of life, promote inclusion, and support their families and caregivers. This session will review upcoming changes to the Customized Rate model that Providers need to know.
3:30p - 4:30p
Breakout Sessions V
Embrace, Engage, Empower: Inclusive Education in Childcare Settings
Presenter: Nikida Cromartie-James, MSW
During this session, participants will engage in a thorough review and discussion of research findings highlighting the benefits and positive impacts of inclusive education in childcare settings. Additionally, we will explore how Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological System Theory can serve as a valuable framework for informing inclusive practices within these environments. Through the examination of real-life case studies, attendees will gain insights into the power of collaboration between educators, parents, and support staff in achieving successful outcomes for children in inclusive early childhood programs. In addition, we will also address the challenges that may arise and potentially hinder the implementation of inclusive education in childcare settings. The goal of this session is to enhance the knowledge and skills of parents, educators, early intervention specialists, and other stakeholders in effectively supporting children with developmental delays and disabilities in childcare settings.
The Inclusion Project: A Youth-Led Initiative to Create Belonging for Students with Disabilities
Presenter: Sarah Lineberry
The Inclusion Project is a youth-led initiative that works to increase disability awareness and education in K-12 schools in Virginia. Recently, the Inclusion Project has created tools to help high school students plan for the increased responsibility that comes with turning 18, videos about the importance of belonging, and a guide for finding places of belonging in the community. Members of the Inclusion Project will share what inclusion and belonging mean to them, why they are important, and how they are working to promote them for students with disabilities.
The LEAP Project: Fostering Healthy Relationships and Preventing Abuse
Presenter: Molly Dellinger-Wray, MS Ed., and Taylor Thomas-Harris, BSW
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What is a friend? Sometimes it's hard to determine who can be trusted and people with disabilities experience abuse at exponentially higher rates than their non disabled peers. This session will discuss LEAP: Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention, a training program that teaches people with IDD about healthy relationships and what to do if they are in an unhealthy relationship. It is taught by a person with a disability and a co-trainer in four interactive and fun sessions. Research with the LEAP Project proved that people were better able to explain why a relationship was unhealthy and what to do to get out of an unhealthy relationship if they needed to.
Think Transition
Presenter: Joy Ocetnik and Rashawn Webster, The Arc of Greater Prince William
Transition to life after school is one of the greatest needs for high school students in the Commonwealth. Students and families who do not plan for life after high school can cause individuals to lose social and life skills they learned in school. Through community partnerships with school systems and community agencies, The Arc of Greater Prince William is forming creative ways to address this vital issue. Join us for an interactive workshop where they share their three pilot programs which includes The Core 4 Club, The Bridge Program, and Project Engagement funded through a Sentara Cares Grant.
..................................Wednesday, Aug 21.........................
9:00a - 10:00a
Breakout Sessions VI
Guardians of Innocence: Nurturing Mental Health to Preserve Childhood Wonder
Presenter: Tracy Walters, M.Ed. ECSE, IMH-E EOLD,
This session will highlight the importance of preserving childhood in a stressed culture created through technology, over-scheduling, and the loss of family identity.
Flipping the Script -Using Positive Behavior Supports and Person - Centered Planning Tools to Increase Quality of Life
Presenters: Charlene H. Wentland, B.A., M.Ed., EBD, and Teresa Cogar, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA
This presentation will discuss Positive Behavior Supports as it relates to persons with differing abilities and those who support them. Goals and assumptions of positive behavior support will be discussed. Also, tools and activities will be provided to engage participants in learning how "Flipping the Script" for individuals in how they may be supported through prevention strategies in positive behavior supports, as well as, using person-centered planning tools to promote positive behaviors and a quality of life that
is important and meaningful to the individual will be explored. Important factors such as looking at a person's environment, relationships that support the individual’s short-term and long-term goals as well as the importance of the influence of choice and control in a person's life will be discussed as well.
Using Person-Centered Approach Towards Better Health Outcomes for Adults with IDD
Presenters: Molly Dellinger-Wray, MS Ed., Taylor Thomas-Harris, BSW, and Kayla Diggs Brody, PhD, MPH
It is estimated that people with IDD experience premature death and live an average of 20 fewer years than those without disabilities. This startling statistic is compounded by the estimation that nearly 40% of the deaths are caused by preventable illnesses, such as dehydration, constipation, or aspiration. The healthcare system can be daunting for the general population, and for people with IDD, communication issues are seen as an important aspect of this problem. This presentation will provide participants with person-centered materials and strategies to conduct interviews and present information on a One Page Health Profile which may be shared with medical staff in order to promote greater health literacy and better health outcomes for people with IDD.
Elemental Documentary Film and Discussion
Presenters: Jesse Monroe, Kate Olson, and Shay Ruff​
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Produced through a collaboration between I’m Determined and the Health Education Design Group, Elemental focuses on the lives of young adults who are experiencing disability in different ways. As they strive to understand their own identities, navigate relational barriers and communicate misunderstandings, they learn to advocate for their needs both in and out of the classroom and throughout their lives.
10:15a - 12:00p CLOSING KEYNOTE and BRUNCH
PRIZE GIVEAWAYS !!!!
