We Did It! Now What?
Our annual convention is designed to provide valuable information and fresh ideas, offering an opportunity to reflect on how these insights can be applied to our lives and work. The convention also unites us around a common message or understanding to strengthen our advocacy efforts. After decades of your tireless efforts, funding for Priority One has finally become a reality. While we acknowledge the needs of thousands still in priorities two and three, securing services for 3,440 people is a crucial first step toward building a functional system that can serve our entire community.
This achievement was only made possible because all of you stood up, showed up, and made your voices heard. As we look ahead, we recognize that our work is not finished. For now, let us celebrate this significant victory and take pride in a job well done. This win marks a major milestone for the disability justice movement in Virginia, but we know there is more to be accomplished. So, let's celebrate, then get to work together on What's Next!
MONDAY AUGUST 19
12:00p - 2:15p ~ Keynote Luncheon
Welcome by the Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia
We are thrilled to announce that Governor Youngkin will open our convention! 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
Jade Presnell, MS, LSW
For decades, disability policies and services have aimed to advance inclusion, yet people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) still face significant social isolation, exclusion, and loneliness. Social inclusion is now widely recognized as a key quality-of-life indicator and a crucial social determinant of health. Ensuring that the IDD community benefits from social inclusion is, therefore, a vital health equity and social justice issue. Everyone, including people with IDD, their families, service providers, and community members, has a role in promoting inclusion. However, progress has been hindered by confusion about what social inclusion means and a lack of practical guidance. To turn the promise of inclusion into reality, this engaging conversation will focus on identifying strategies that participants can implement to advance the inclusion of people with IDD.
Inclusion in My Life Panel
Peer Mentors: Allyson Hart, Matthew Hudgins, and Shay Ruff
A panel of advocates will discuss their personal experiences with inclusion and sometimes, exclusion. They will share stories of when they felt welcomed and supported, as well as times they faced barriers to belonging. This discussion will provide insights into the importance of inclusion and the impact on our entire community.
2:45p - 3:45p ~ Breakout Sessions I
4:00p - 5:00p ~ Breakout Sessions II
6:00p - 8:00p
~ Catalyst for Change Awards Dinner
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Dinner
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Annual Business Meeting
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Awards Ceremony
These awards are given annually to community members or organizations whose actions have sparked significant advancements in the developmental disability civil rights movement.
TUESDAY AUGUST 20
9:00a - 10:15a ~ Be Part of What's Next: Advocacy Roundtables
Join us for interactive conversations where attendees from across Virginia will come together to discuss the issues that matter most to them. As we work to build our 2025 legislative agenda and beyond, we need to hear from you—our members and network—about the barriers and challenges you face in your communities.
All perspectives are valuable—whether you're a person with developmental disabilities, a family member, a provider, or a Direct Support Professional (DSP). We'll be splitting into groups based on regions and our Chapter network as well as one Statewide Roundtable for Self-Advocates to ensure that everyone's voice is heard. Your input is essential in shaping our collective advocacy efforts as we strive to build a more inclusive future.
Self-Advocate Roundtable
Whether there's a Chapter in your area or not, join the discussion in the region that best represents where you live!
This session will be facilitated by the ALLY Alliance and will share Hot Topics in advocacy and give advocates an opportunity to share their experiences and what issues they want to see addressed. Self-Advocates can attend either a Regional Session or the Statewide Self-Advocate Session.
10:30a - 11:30a ~ Breakout Sessions III
11:45a - 2:00p ~ Public Policy Luncheon
In December 2022, Governor Youngkin launched the 'Right Help, Right Now' Plan, described as a 'Transformational Behavioral Health Plan.' In this context, 'Behavioral Health' encompasses all aspects of Developmental Disabilities, Substance Use, and Behavioral or Mental Health. During this event, you will hear from state leaders about the historic investment in waiver slots, as well as their vision for what is needed to make this investment a success.
Hallie Pence, Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now
Heather Norton, Assistsant Commissioner of Developmental Serevices, DBHDS
Kyle Smiddie, DOJ Attorney
After considerable joint efforts by DOJ and Virginia, they jointly filed a motion to the court to terminate the consent decree and replace it with a permanent injunction. This injunction developed a set of commitments that meet the aims of the Consent Decree—providing services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in a manner consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act—while minimizing the need for ongoing court oversight.
During this session you will hear an overview and update from the DOJ as well and a summary of what's in store for the upcoming Hearing where the Judge will consider the jointly filed motion.
2:15p - 3:15p ~ Breakout Sessions IV
3:30p - 4:30p ~ Breakout Sessions V
Celebrate with
our Friends at SSVA !!
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 21
9:00a - 10:00a ~ Breakout Sessions VI
10:15a - 12:00p ~ Closing Keynote
Practical Applications for Hiring, Developing, Keeping and Empowering Direct Support Professionals
Joseph Macbeth, NADSP President and Chief Executive Officer
“We Have a DSP Problem”: We hear it all of the time and even more so as we’ve emerged from the pandemic. Home and Community Based Service providers are experiencing a crushingly high percentage of staff turnover, low morale, an inability to recruit and retain a quality direct support professionals to provide the essential supports that people with disabilities and their families deserve. How do we fix these long-standing issues that have been magnified in a highly competitive post-pandemic economy? The answers are complex and require a sound understanding of our field’s history and the impact that workplace culture has on our direct support workforce. Approximately 80 % of those who work in the I/DD service industry are direct support professionals who deliver the day-to-day, moment-to-moment services that lead to people having rich and fulfilling lives in the community. In addition to a brief description of our history and workplace culture, this lecture shares detailed information on highly effective recruitment, onboarding, professional development and career-ladder strategies to fortify and bolster the development of a stable and highly skilled direct support workforce that is prepared to meet the demands of the future expectations.
