Schedule

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Monday, October 5, 2026

7:30 – 8:30 am: Continental breakfast

7:30 am – 6:00 pm: Exhibits open

8:30 – 10:00 am: Plenary Session Keynote Address

"How States Can Go Boldly Into the Future, Given Where We Are with Medicaid." Presented by Kate McEvoy (National Association of Medicaid Directors).

10:00 – 10:30 am: Exclusive exhibit time/break

10:30 – 11:30 am: Breakout Sessions A

Strand: Person-Centered Supports, Self-Determination, & Innovation. "Reinventing Self-Direction: Following the Lead of Those with Lived Experience." Presented by Robert Zotynia (Values into Action), BJ Stasio (advocate), Marian Frattarola-Saulino (Values into Action), and Anita Cameron (We Were There Too).

Strand: Storytelling, Leadership, & Collective Power. "From Research to Action: Clear Communication for Inclusion and Impact." Presented by Jerry Smith (University of Minnesota) and Rebecca Monteleone (University of Toledo).

Strand: Quiet & Insidious Threats. "Bigger is Not Always Better." Presented by Rachel Boynton (Athenama M&A) and Josh Boynton (Athenama M&A).

Strand: Quality Improvement & Measuring Impact in Tough Times. "The Secret Sauce to Working with People with IDD to Leverage Data for Systems Change." Presented by Laura Smith Butler (University of Kentucky), Guy Caruso (Temple University), and Josh Sudarma (California Department of Developmental Disabilities).

Strand: Community Solutions to Access & Support Issues. "Supporting People with Significant Support Needs in the Community." Presented by Alison Barkoff (George Washington University), Carole Rosen (Human Services Research Institute), and Sarah Louer (Mountain Lake Services).

Strand: Medicaid Advocacy & Alternatives. "Self-Advocates in Medicaid Policy." Presented by Max Barrow (Green Mountains Self-Advocates).

11:30 am – 1:30 pm: Lunch on your own/exhibit time

1:30 – 2:30 pm: Breakout Sessions B

Strand: Person-Centered Supports, Self-Determination, & Innovation. "Building a Grassroots Movement, Again: National Self-Direction Groups." Presented by Molly Morris (The Self-Direction Center), Jennifer Drganc (Harry Meyering Center), and Jamie C. Ray-Leonetti (Temple University).

Strand: Sustaining & Strengthening the Direct Support Workforce. "Best Practices in Direct Support Workforce Initiatives: The 2026 Moving Mountains Award Panel." Panelists TBD.

Strand: Quiet & Insidious Threats. "Managed Care Contracting Models." Presented by Seth Kilber (Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services) and Michele Hayden (Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services).

Strand: Quality Improvement & Measuring Impact in Tough Times. "Person-Centered Quality Measurement: What We've Learned and Where to Go From Here." Presented by Kaitlyn Stober (Brandeis University), Joe Caldwell (Brandeis University), Mary Kay Rizzolo (The Council on Quality and Leadership), Courtney Kelly Chapman (The Council on Quality and Leadership), Zandam Hussaini (Human Services Research Institute), and Henan Li (Human Services Research Institute).

Strand: Community Solutions to Access & Support Issues. "Youth Leading the Way: Rights and Choices in Community Living." Presented by Morgan Whitlatch (Center for Public Representation), Giancarlo Vicari (Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice), and Corissa Pittman (Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice).

2:30 – 3:00 pm: Exclusive exhibit time/break

3:00 – 4:00 pm: Breakout Sessions C

Strand: Person-Centered Supports, Self-Determination, & Innovation. "Crisis or Opportunity: Innovating in HCBS via Self-Managing Teams." Presented by Julie Corredato (Values into Action), Kristian Smith-Diaz (Values into Action), and Rachel Milano-Davis (Values into Action).

Strand: Sustaining & Strengthening the Direct Support Workforce. "Self-Direction: YOU are the Employer." Presented by Marian Frattarola-Saulino (Values into Action).

Strand: Digital Access & Technology Supports. "Utilizing Smart Technology to Promote Quality Services and Supports." Presented by Jesse Brian McMorris (advocate), Kristen Salkas (Envision Unlimited), and Tina Marie Lowry (Envision Unlimited).

Strand: Quality Improvement & Measuring Impact in Tough Times. "Examining the Impact of Statewide Policies on Statewide DSP Workforce Outcomes." Presented by Diogo Fortes (Johns Hopkins University), Julie Bershadsky (University of Minnesota), and Sarah Angell (PHI National).

Strand: Community Solutions to Access & Support Issues. "Rethinking Community-Based Program Models and Advocating for Change: Extending What We Know to Advocate for Change." Presented by Sally English (Adlib Center for Independent Living), Kate Brady (Human Services Research Institute), and Rachel Milano-Davis (Values into Action).

Tuesday, October 6, 2026

7:30 – 8:30 am: Continental breakfast in the Maryland Foyer

7:30 am – 12:00 pm: Exhibits open

8:30 – 10:00 am: Plenary Session Keynote Address

"Promoting Access with Assistive Technology and Knowledge Translation." Presented by Jordyn Zimmerman (educator and advocate), Sherri Larson (University of Minnesota), and Jean Winsor (University of Massachusetts).

10:00 – 10:30 am: Exclusive exhibit time/break

10:30 – 11:30 am: Breakout Sessions D

Strand: Preparedness & Resilience. "Resilient Leadership: Leading Organizations Where People Want to Work." Presented by Caitlin Bailey (The National Leadership Consortium) and Kristen Loomis (The National Leadership Consortium).

Strand: Storytelling, Leadership, & Collective Power. "Voices that Endure: Stories of Resistance and Renewal in Disability Services." Presented by BJ Stasio (advocate) and Hari Kannan (advocate).

Strand: Digital Access & Technology Supports. "Enabling Technology Engagement Network: Systems Focus on Technology." Presented by Donald Clark (Office of Policy, Planning & Innovation, Washington, D.C. Department on Disability Services) and Jeanine Zlockie (National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services).

Strand: Medicaid Advocacy & Alternatives. "Medicaid Policy Updates and Issues." Presented by Kim Musheno (The Arc of the United States) and Lydia Dawson (American Network of Community Options and Resources).

Strand: Quiet & Insidious Threats. "Aiming (and Missing) for Stability in an Ever-Changing Market." Presented by Drew Smith (Alvarez & Marsal), Val Bradley (Human Services Research Institute), and Dorothy Hiersteiner (Human Services Research Institute).

11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch on your own

1:00 – 2:00 pm: Breakout Sessions E

Strand: Preparedness & Resilience. "Creating a Legacy of Resilience, Increasing Internal and External Resources in the Culture of Agriculture." Presented by Chad Reznicek (Colorado AgrAbility Project).

Strand: Storytelling, Leadership, & Collective Power. "Narrative as a Tool for Change." Presented by Greta Cunningham (University of Minnesota).

Strand: Digital Access & Technology Supports. "AI: Changing the Field for Better or Worse?" Presented by Andrea Palmer (Awake Labs) and Colin Killick (Autistic Self Advocacy Network).

Strand: Medicaid Advocacy & Alternatives. "Alternatives to Medicaid LTSS: Competitive Employment and Inclusive Postsecondary Education." Presented by Meg Grigal (University of Massachusetts Boston) and Clare Papay (University of Massachusetts Boston).

Strand: Sustaining & Strengthening the Direct Support Workforce. "New & Newsworthy: Strategies for Stabilizing the Direct Support Workforce." Presented by Carol Britton Laws (University of Georgia), Julie Kramme (University of Minnesota), Tony Thomas (Welcome House), Sandy Pettingell (University of Minnesota), and John Raffaele (National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals).

2:00 – 2:15 pm: Break

2:15 – 3:00 pm: Plenary Session Keynote Address

"Where Do We Go From Here?" Presented by Barbara Merrill (American Network of Community Options and Resources), Tia Nelis (TASH), and Joe Macbeth (National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals).