Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Inclusion Practices: From Onboarding to Boards
Katherine Dunbar | Vice President of Service Excellence | CQL The Council on Quality and Leadership
National self-advocate Tia Nelis sums it up perfectly - The best experiences are ones where you really feel included and where you are not just given smaller, unimportant things to be part of."
So how can provider organizations ensure that people with disabilities aren’t just on a committee or a work group, but act as a contributing member? Whether it’s hiring new staff, directing employee training, or influencing organizational decision-making, it's essential that people with disabilities have a 'seat at the table' in a meaningful role.
But where should an organization start? What approaches will promote inclusive practices? How can you ensure these encompass all facets of organizational life?
Through this session, you’ll discover how to enact change so that people with disabilities play a prominent part in various groups. We’ll talk through dozens of different strategies, explore best practices, and reveal the pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will also learn about practical application through real-life examples of organizations that are having success involving inclusive approaches.
How to Become a Tech Bro/Sis or How We learned to Stop Worrying and Love our Future AI Overlords
John Pingo, Ph.D., BCBA-D | President & CEO | Goldie Floberg Center
David Rebelak | Goldie Floberg Center
If you’re like us, you’re feeling the pressure of increasing documentation and data collection, while also helping the people you serve achieve the lives they desire and deserve. No human can keep up! But wait! What if that human were augmented with artificial intelligence (AI)? Now we’re computing!
Rather than fear AI Overlords, we can tap AI Liberators to offload necessary documentation thus allowing our QIDPs and other staff to focus on enriching, mission-driven work.
Unleash your inner futurist and dare to dream of a better tomorrow. Join us as we separate the AI hype from the AI help and work together to design a roadmap of tools that will free us to do the work that really drives us.
Is this description still not computing for you? Then how about recharging your batteries at our energy drink and snack recharge station, operated by our FloBot (Tesla has nothing on Goldie Floberg...unless you count their billions of dollars)! Still not enough processing power? Then how about winning prizes while you wait for the singularity!
Building Connections: Moving From Colleagues to Collaborators
Gina Brown | Associate Director | Trinity Services
Kelly Mumm | Trinity Services
Unhealthy workplace relationships can create a toxic work environment that may prevent us from reaching our full potential in the workplace. This presentation discusses the importance of healthy workplace relationships and provides strategies to create a supportive environment that encourages healthy relationships. This presentation will explore the difference between healthy and toxic workplace relationship traits, the impact of positive workplace relationships on staff wellbeing, overall job satisfaction, and engagement in the workplace, and ways to create positive interactions and improve communication amongst colleagues.
Creating a Trauma Clinic
Alice Amell, LPC | Adult Trauma Therapist | Thrive Counseling Center
Laura Arbetman | Thrive Counseling Center
This presentation will describe the experiences of working in the trauma clinic at Thrive Counseling Center over the last year, from the early start-up days to now providing services. The presentation will cover what is needed to set up and develop a trauma clinic (staff trainings, services offered), likely outcomes providers might expect to see, and some of the challenges faced.
Katherine Dunbar | Vice President of Service Excellence | CQL The Council on Quality and Leadership
National self-advocate Tia Nelis sums it up perfectly - The best experiences are ones where you really feel included and where you are not just given smaller, unimportant things to be part of."
So how can provider organizations ensure that people with disabilities aren’t just on a committee or a work group, but act as a contributing member? Whether it’s hiring new staff, directing employee training, or influencing organizational decision-making, it's essential that people with disabilities have a 'seat at the table' in a meaningful role.
But where should an organization start? What approaches will promote inclusive practices? How can you ensure these encompass all facets of organizational life?
Through this session, you’ll discover how to enact change so that people with disabilities play a prominent part in various groups. We’ll talk through dozens of different strategies, explore best practices, and reveal the pitfalls to avoid. Attendees will also learn about practical application through real-life examples of organizations that are having success involving inclusive approaches.
How to Become a Tech Bro/Sis or How We learned to Stop Worrying and Love our Future AI Overlords
John Pingo, Ph.D., BCBA-D | President & CEO | Goldie Floberg Center
David Rebelak | Goldie Floberg Center
If you’re like us, you’re feeling the pressure of increasing documentation and data collection, while also helping the people you serve achieve the lives they desire and deserve. No human can keep up! But wait! What if that human were augmented with artificial intelligence (AI)? Now we’re computing!
Rather than fear AI Overlords, we can tap AI Liberators to offload necessary documentation thus allowing our QIDPs and other staff to focus on enriching, mission-driven work.
Unleash your inner futurist and dare to dream of a better tomorrow. Join us as we separate the AI hype from the AI help and work together to design a roadmap of tools that will free us to do the work that really drives us.
Is this description still not computing for you? Then how about recharging your batteries at our energy drink and snack recharge station, operated by our FloBot (Tesla has nothing on Goldie Floberg...unless you count their billions of dollars)! Still not enough processing power? Then how about winning prizes while you wait for the singularity!
Building Connections: Moving From Colleagues to Collaborators
Gina Brown | Associate Director | Trinity Services
Kelly Mumm | Trinity Services
Unhealthy workplace relationships can create a toxic work environment that may prevent us from reaching our full potential in the workplace. This presentation discusses the importance of healthy workplace relationships and provides strategies to create a supportive environment that encourages healthy relationships. This presentation will explore the difference between healthy and toxic workplace relationship traits, the impact of positive workplace relationships on staff wellbeing, overall job satisfaction, and engagement in the workplace, and ways to create positive interactions and improve communication amongst colleagues.
Creating a Trauma Clinic
Alice Amell, LPC | Adult Trauma Therapist | Thrive Counseling Center
Laura Arbetman | Thrive Counseling Center
This presentation will describe the experiences of working in the trauma clinic at Thrive Counseling Center over the last year, from the early start-up days to now providing services. The presentation will cover what is needed to set up and develop a trauma clinic (staff trainings, services offered), likely outcomes providers might expect to see, and some of the challenges faced.
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Transforming Team Dynamics: Empowering Teams for Peak Performance
Crystal Officer, MPA | CEO | Beverly Farm Foundation
This workshop will dive into the complexities of team dynamics within service settings. It will combine theoretical insights with practical interactive activities to equip participants with the skills needed to identify, analyze, and improve team interactions and effectiveness. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the elements that contribute to effective team dynamics, develop skills to identify and address hidden issues within teams that impact performance and cohesion, and learn practical strategies for fostering a positive team environment that supports effective service delivery.
The One with Ice Breakers and Team Building
Christine Ziemba | Director of Talent Acquisition and Development | Little City
Casey Carraher | Senior Talent Development Specialist | Little City
As an experienced Staff Development team specializing in team-building strategies, we have witnessed firsthand how effective ice-breaking activities can transform team dynamics, fostering stronger communication, creativity, and morale. Our presentation will explore this concept and provide fun, meaningful, and actionable strategies that attendees can immediately implement in their own organizations.
Definition and Purpose: An exploration of the role icebreaker and teambuilding activities play in creating a positive team environment.
Techniques for Creating Your Own Activities: Identifying your desired outcomes, and then crafting the perfect experience to achieve those outcomes.
Activities Workshop: An experiential collection of innovative and practical icebreaker and teambuilding activities tailored for those in the social services community of providers. Yes, that means out of chairs and participating!
IATP Overview – Who We are and What We Do!
Mark McCabe | Director of AT Services | Illinois Assistive Technology
The Illinois Assistive Technology Program is one of the best kept secrets in Illinois! In this session we will identify and explore the many programs offered through IATP, including hands-on demonstrations. The session will include details about who qualifies, what services are offered, and the process involved in making a referral. Each attendee will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive information regarding IATP as a whole either electronically or via hard copy, depending on preference. Come prepared to engage, conversations preferred!
A Team Approach to Mental Wellness
Wendi Patterson, Ph.D. | CEO | Logic Unleashed – Logical Solutions for Complex Issues
The participants understanding of Mental Wellness of people with IDD will be enhanced by increasing awareness of, and access of, the team concept/approach to lessen burden of illness, optimize care, increased understanding of person-centeredness approaches/strategies, the use of Social Determinates of Health and HEDIS Measure to measure quality, thus, providing an overall better quality of life for people supported and job satisfaction of the support team.
Supporting the Dreams of the People We Support
Leanne Mull, MHA | Co-Director | Blue Tower Solutions
For all of the logistical questions that come into play when the topic of person-centered planning comes up, the bottom line is, it makes sense. The term person-centered planning has, in some cases, become just the social services buzz word of the month but the thought behind those words is powerful and, when done correctly, can be life changing for a person in services.
In this session participants will learn how to help people uncover their dreams and bring them into reality. They will identify and break down the barriers between people and their dreams and leave them with tools and strategies for building meaningful lives based on dreams.
Rebranding the Future: The Journey from the Sheltered Workship to a Social Enterprise
Matt Fredericks | Division Director of Community Programs and Work Services | The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
In this session participants will learn how The Arc of the Quad Cities Area and Arc Industries developed from a sheltered workshop into a social enterprise. Attendees will learn how The Arc made the decision to switch to minimum wage, defined its outcomes and applied the social enterprise approach. In addition, we will discuss how The Arc is addressing the perception of just being a day program site, when in reality The Arc provides meaningful employment classifying employees to ensure they receive meaningful wages. We identify the need to revise the organizational structure of work services to better serve The Arc’s business and employee needs.
The Rhythm of Life
Lisa Olson | Community Living Supervisor III | Kreider
This presentation will focus on enhancing the lives of people with severe physical and intellectual challenges through the exploration of the everyday life around us with an emphasis on sound and tactile interaction. The premise of this presentation is based on a theory by a famous French Philosopher Rene’ Descartes which states “I think therefore I am.” This presentation will use a hands on/interactive approach to help the audience members understand how to evoke and express emotion working with the people they support while adding meaningful and engaging activities to their everyday lives.
Plan, Facilitate, Engage – How We Can Do It All *
Emily Fencl | Vice President of Program Services | Clearbrook
Kelly Neurauter | The Current
Many of us do not have experience in the education field and planning and facilitating do not always come naturally. Providers serve individuals with varying abilities, and it is important we can meet each individual at their level. Join us to learn some tips and tricks for engaging individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Our focus will be on how to engage individuals in planned, purposeful activities using a few facilitation best practices. Participants will also break down how to adapt for all abilities and interests so everyone can participate. The end goal is to understand and recognize levels of participation to be okay with imperfect engagement.
Power and Influence for Positive Impact
Alexis India Alm | CEO and Executive Coach | Alexis Alm Advisors, LLC
Feel like you are talking to a brick wall? Feel you are not being heard? You have the right stuff to succeed, you just need to harness it and use it! Regardless of your official title, every human being has a power within them that is unique to them. Learn how to harness that power to help you be your best at work, in your community and in your personal life. Using the best and proven techniques of Harvard Business School, you can harness the power to get that promotion, get that raise, get that board support, get that community support, and have an overall more satisfying and meaningful life.
If You Have GREAT Staff, You Have a GREAT Life!
Leanne Mull | Co-Director | Blue Tower Solutions
In the lives of people with disabilities, the QIDPs are in the position to make the biggest positive difference in a person's life. Many times, the role of the QIDP includes managing and hiring staff, creating programs, serving as activity director, advocate and counselor. In this interactive class we will learn what people receiving support say is important to them and discover the priorities in our daily work. This motivational session will empower staff to continue to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
The Multiverse of Mindfulness a DSP Edition! *
John Pingo | President & CEO | Goldie Floberg Center
David Rebelak | Goldie Floberg Center
Direct Support Professionals are the superheroes of our field. Like all great superheroes, they are faced with multiple supervillains trying to thwart their efforts in helping people with IDD. One of the most diabolical of these villains is The Evil Brain! Yes, our own brain is our arch nemesis!
Stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue are just a few of The Evil Brain’s henchmen. How can our daring DSP heroes hope to escape these dastardly traps?! Bam! Biff! Pow! The good news is that our brain is also the source of our greatest superpowers: Mindfulness Techniques! These simple of powerful techniques can’t vanquish every villain, but they can help us throw on some Mark V style mental Iron Man armor and better fly through the turbulent skies of emotional stress.
In this 2-hour session you can join low-rent versions of Deadpool and Wolverine as they take you on an interactive, high-speed romp through the Multiverse of Mindfulness
Authentic Happiness: An Effective Management Strategy
Tony Zipple, ScD, MBA | Senior Consultant, Talent Optimization | INCITE Consulting Solutions
This workshop will be divided into three sections:
1. The workshop will describe the importance of happiness in personal and professional effectiveness as well as its relationship to organizational health and success. The focus of this section will be on the value that happier staff bring to meeting the mission of the organization.
2. Drawing on extensive research from positive psychology, the workshop will present specific strategies for improving staff happiness and well-being. These are low cost /high return interventions that can be implemented within teams and for whole behavioral health organizations.
3. The workshop will discuss strategies for scaling these interventions. As every clinician knows, no intervention works unless it is actually used. These include changes to policies, procedures, supervision/coaching, modeling by leadership, and improving organizational culture. Barriers to implementing these strategies will be described and participants will be challenged to leave the workshop with a commitment to make at least one change that will increase staff well-being, engagement, and happiness.
It should be noted that these strategies also have clinical application. The workshop will explicitly discuss the parallel process that occurs. When organizations focus on improving staff happiness and well-being, staff and better tools and commitment to improving the happiness and well-being of clients.
That’s Not OK! Giving Difficult Feedback Empathically
Casey Carraher | Senior Talent Development Specialist | Little City Foundation
Here you are, in that uncomfortable but necessary position of needing to give some difficult feedback to a colleague. You value the relationship, but there is this thing they do/did that needs to be addressed in order for you to remain available to them. This presentation will focus on empathically and professionally approaching the topic in a way that conveys your dedication to that person, while at the same time holding them accountable.
Peer Support and Consumer-Led Services in Behavioral Health: The Keys to Supervision
Sadie Cobio, M.S., LCPC | Assistant Administrator of Behavioral Health Services | Rosecrance
Melissa Pappas
Join Sadie Cobio and Melissa Pappas as you delve into the critical role of effective supervision in the success of peer support and consumer-led services in behavioral health. You will learn practical strategies to guide, empower, and maintain high standards for individuals with lived experience who provide peer support. In this session, we'll explore recruiting and hiring strategies, developing effective onboarding plans, and navigating continued supervision of peer support specialists to foster a collaborative, inclusive culture.
*These sessions are part of the DSP track and intended for DSPs only.
Crystal Officer, MPA | CEO | Beverly Farm Foundation
This workshop will dive into the complexities of team dynamics within service settings. It will combine theoretical insights with practical interactive activities to equip participants with the skills needed to identify, analyze, and improve team interactions and effectiveness. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the elements that contribute to effective team dynamics, develop skills to identify and address hidden issues within teams that impact performance and cohesion, and learn practical strategies for fostering a positive team environment that supports effective service delivery.
The One with Ice Breakers and Team Building
Christine Ziemba | Director of Talent Acquisition and Development | Little City
Casey Carraher | Senior Talent Development Specialist | Little City
As an experienced Staff Development team specializing in team-building strategies, we have witnessed firsthand how effective ice-breaking activities can transform team dynamics, fostering stronger communication, creativity, and morale. Our presentation will explore this concept and provide fun, meaningful, and actionable strategies that attendees can immediately implement in their own organizations.
Definition and Purpose: An exploration of the role icebreaker and teambuilding activities play in creating a positive team environment.
Techniques for Creating Your Own Activities: Identifying your desired outcomes, and then crafting the perfect experience to achieve those outcomes.
Activities Workshop: An experiential collection of innovative and practical icebreaker and teambuilding activities tailored for those in the social services community of providers. Yes, that means out of chairs and participating!
IATP Overview – Who We are and What We Do!
Mark McCabe | Director of AT Services | Illinois Assistive Technology
The Illinois Assistive Technology Program is one of the best kept secrets in Illinois! In this session we will identify and explore the many programs offered through IATP, including hands-on demonstrations. The session will include details about who qualifies, what services are offered, and the process involved in making a referral. Each attendee will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive information regarding IATP as a whole either electronically or via hard copy, depending on preference. Come prepared to engage, conversations preferred!
A Team Approach to Mental Wellness
Wendi Patterson, Ph.D. | CEO | Logic Unleashed – Logical Solutions for Complex Issues
The participants understanding of Mental Wellness of people with IDD will be enhanced by increasing awareness of, and access of, the team concept/approach to lessen burden of illness, optimize care, increased understanding of person-centeredness approaches/strategies, the use of Social Determinates of Health and HEDIS Measure to measure quality, thus, providing an overall better quality of life for people supported and job satisfaction of the support team.
Supporting the Dreams of the People We Support
Leanne Mull, MHA | Co-Director | Blue Tower Solutions
For all of the logistical questions that come into play when the topic of person-centered planning comes up, the bottom line is, it makes sense. The term person-centered planning has, in some cases, become just the social services buzz word of the month but the thought behind those words is powerful and, when done correctly, can be life changing for a person in services.
In this session participants will learn how to help people uncover their dreams and bring them into reality. They will identify and break down the barriers between people and their dreams and leave them with tools and strategies for building meaningful lives based on dreams.
Rebranding the Future: The Journey from the Sheltered Workship to a Social Enterprise
Matt Fredericks | Division Director of Community Programs and Work Services | The Arc of the Quad Cities Area
In this session participants will learn how The Arc of the Quad Cities Area and Arc Industries developed from a sheltered workshop into a social enterprise. Attendees will learn how The Arc made the decision to switch to minimum wage, defined its outcomes and applied the social enterprise approach. In addition, we will discuss how The Arc is addressing the perception of just being a day program site, when in reality The Arc provides meaningful employment classifying employees to ensure they receive meaningful wages. We identify the need to revise the organizational structure of work services to better serve The Arc’s business and employee needs.
The Rhythm of Life
Lisa Olson | Community Living Supervisor III | Kreider
This presentation will focus on enhancing the lives of people with severe physical and intellectual challenges through the exploration of the everyday life around us with an emphasis on sound and tactile interaction. The premise of this presentation is based on a theory by a famous French Philosopher Rene’ Descartes which states “I think therefore I am.” This presentation will use a hands on/interactive approach to help the audience members understand how to evoke and express emotion working with the people they support while adding meaningful and engaging activities to their everyday lives.
Plan, Facilitate, Engage – How We Can Do It All *
Emily Fencl | Vice President of Program Services | Clearbrook
Kelly Neurauter | The Current
Many of us do not have experience in the education field and planning and facilitating do not always come naturally. Providers serve individuals with varying abilities, and it is important we can meet each individual at their level. Join us to learn some tips and tricks for engaging individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
Our focus will be on how to engage individuals in planned, purposeful activities using a few facilitation best practices. Participants will also break down how to adapt for all abilities and interests so everyone can participate. The end goal is to understand and recognize levels of participation to be okay with imperfect engagement.
Power and Influence for Positive Impact
Alexis India Alm | CEO and Executive Coach | Alexis Alm Advisors, LLC
Feel like you are talking to a brick wall? Feel you are not being heard? You have the right stuff to succeed, you just need to harness it and use it! Regardless of your official title, every human being has a power within them that is unique to them. Learn how to harness that power to help you be your best at work, in your community and in your personal life. Using the best and proven techniques of Harvard Business School, you can harness the power to get that promotion, get that raise, get that board support, get that community support, and have an overall more satisfying and meaningful life.
If You Have GREAT Staff, You Have a GREAT Life!
Leanne Mull | Co-Director | Blue Tower Solutions
In the lives of people with disabilities, the QIDPs are in the position to make the biggest positive difference in a person's life. Many times, the role of the QIDP includes managing and hiring staff, creating programs, serving as activity director, advocate and counselor. In this interactive class we will learn what people receiving support say is important to them and discover the priorities in our daily work. This motivational session will empower staff to continue to make a difference in the lives of the people they serve.
The Multiverse of Mindfulness a DSP Edition! *
John Pingo | President & CEO | Goldie Floberg Center
David Rebelak | Goldie Floberg Center
Direct Support Professionals are the superheroes of our field. Like all great superheroes, they are faced with multiple supervillains trying to thwart their efforts in helping people with IDD. One of the most diabolical of these villains is The Evil Brain! Yes, our own brain is our arch nemesis!
Stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue are just a few of The Evil Brain’s henchmen. How can our daring DSP heroes hope to escape these dastardly traps?! Bam! Biff! Pow! The good news is that our brain is also the source of our greatest superpowers: Mindfulness Techniques! These simple of powerful techniques can’t vanquish every villain, but they can help us throw on some Mark V style mental Iron Man armor and better fly through the turbulent skies of emotional stress.
In this 2-hour session you can join low-rent versions of Deadpool and Wolverine as they take you on an interactive, high-speed romp through the Multiverse of Mindfulness
Authentic Happiness: An Effective Management Strategy
Tony Zipple, ScD, MBA | Senior Consultant, Talent Optimization | INCITE Consulting Solutions
This workshop will be divided into three sections:
1. The workshop will describe the importance of happiness in personal and professional effectiveness as well as its relationship to organizational health and success. The focus of this section will be on the value that happier staff bring to meeting the mission of the organization.
2. Drawing on extensive research from positive psychology, the workshop will present specific strategies for improving staff happiness and well-being. These are low cost /high return interventions that can be implemented within teams and for whole behavioral health organizations.
3. The workshop will discuss strategies for scaling these interventions. As every clinician knows, no intervention works unless it is actually used. These include changes to policies, procedures, supervision/coaching, modeling by leadership, and improving organizational culture. Barriers to implementing these strategies will be described and participants will be challenged to leave the workshop with a commitment to make at least one change that will increase staff well-being, engagement, and happiness.
It should be noted that these strategies also have clinical application. The workshop will explicitly discuss the parallel process that occurs. When organizations focus on improving staff happiness and well-being, staff and better tools and commitment to improving the happiness and well-being of clients.
That’s Not OK! Giving Difficult Feedback Empathically
Casey Carraher | Senior Talent Development Specialist | Little City Foundation
Here you are, in that uncomfortable but necessary position of needing to give some difficult feedback to a colleague. You value the relationship, but there is this thing they do/did that needs to be addressed in order for you to remain available to them. This presentation will focus on empathically and professionally approaching the topic in a way that conveys your dedication to that person, while at the same time holding them accountable.
Peer Support and Consumer-Led Services in Behavioral Health: The Keys to Supervision
Sadie Cobio, M.S., LCPC | Assistant Administrator of Behavioral Health Services | Rosecrance
Melissa Pappas
Join Sadie Cobio and Melissa Pappas as you delve into the critical role of effective supervision in the success of peer support and consumer-led services in behavioral health. You will learn practical strategies to guide, empower, and maintain high standards for individuals with lived experience who provide peer support. In this session, we'll explore recruiting and hiring strategies, developing effective onboarding plans, and navigating continued supervision of peer support specialists to foster a collaborative, inclusive culture.
*These sessions are part of the DSP track and intended for DSPs only.
Friday, August 30, 2024
The Power of Collaborative Leadership in Nonprofits
Judie Caribeaux, MA, LCSW | Chief Collaborations Officer | Mission + Strategy
Greg Petersen | CEO | Keystone Alliance
Leading can sometimes feel like pushing a 5-ton boulder uphill alone. It's isolating, exhausting, and often leads to burnout. As a field, we tend to believe that leaders must be all things to all people and have all the answers while we’re at it. Often, we don’t consciously think about our leadership style or how we developed it - this can keep us stuck.
In our experience, collaborative leadership holds the potential to address these issues and many more. Collaborative leadership emphasizes working cooperatively with others to achieve common goals, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to more effective outcomes.
In this dynamic and interactive workshop, participants will explore the principles and practices of collaborative leadership to enhance their ability to lead teams effectively. Through engaging discussions, interactive exercises, and self-reflection, participants will learn how to foster a culture of collaboration, leverage the strengths of team members, and drive organizational success. Key topics include understanding the role of a collaborative leader, building trust and communication within teams, and overcoming common challenges in collaborative environments. Participants will leave with actionable strategies and tools to apply in their own leadership roles.
Unlocking Data’s Potential in Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Aaron Levitt, Ph.D. | Director of Quality Improvement and Data Analytics | Anixter Center
Meghan Branca | Solutions Architect | Foothold Technology
This session explores the critical role data plays in supporting our most vulnerable populations. In today's service landscape, leveraging data is no longer optional, it's the lifeblood of any sustainable organization.
We'll showcase the ongoing data journey of Anixter Center, who have situated data into the core of their decision-making process. Discover how they’ve leveraged their experience serving diverse populations to adopt best practices across the human services field, driving impactful changes within their organization. Anixter Center will share practical insights and valuable lessons learned, offering takeaways for your own data-driven success.
Collaboration in Development and Implementation of an Effective Behavior Plan
Helen Maritim-Adipo, MS, BCBA, LCPC | Behavioral Health Division Director | Glenkirk
The presentation will focus on discussion to learn about the process of creating a behavior plan and engage attendees in identifying areas that inhibit collaboration. Additionally, the presentation will focus on finding opportunities to collaborate in this process to create a more transparent and effective behavior plan. The goal of this presentation is to identify barriers that impede collaboration between DSPs and other staff and to identify ways to collaborate as a team to create a more effective behavior plan.
Building Relationships via Community Engagement
Danielle Joy Davis, Ph.D. | Professor | St. Louis University/ Next Step Parenting
Ina Perkins | CEO | Next Step Parenting
What are barriers to promoting genuine sustainable engagement with communities? What are successful strategies that facilitate positive program-partner relationships and collaboration? Community advocates, Davis and Perkins, will share best practices in working with parents, grandparents, and youth through engagement with Circle of Excellence and Next Step Parenting families. This includes promoting deep understanding of individuals in need and forming healthy partnerships with community members. Illustrations of these successful engagement practices include both local and national examples.
Echoes of Experience: Harnessing the Power of ‘Your Story, Your Voice”
Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The ARC of Illinois
In this workshop, each participant will receive a notebook and pen to begin telling their own story. The focus will be on not just advocating for ID (identity) but also on harnessing the power of personal stories and effective communication styles. By mastering these skills, we can drive impactful legislation and maintain a consistent presence in both state and federal government.
The Four Agreements in the Workplace
Samantha Handley, LCPC, CSADC | President & CEO | Anixter Center
‘The Four Agreements’ offers a powerful code of conduct for individuals to enhance their lives, both personally and professionally. Participants will learn what the ‘Four Agreements’ are and will build awareness of when they are following these agreements or breaking them. A special focus will be placed on applying these principles to communications in the workplace.
HRST Screenings are Complete, Now What? How to Unlock the Power of the Health Risk Screening Tool
Tammy Armstrong, M.S.Ed. | Client Engagement Manager | IntellectAbility
Crystal Stimpson, RN | Replacing Risk
This presentation focuses on supporting HRST users through utilizing features of the tool to individualize services, help mitigate risk and maintain compliance with Illinois HRST protocol. We will challenge HRST users to move beyond screening compliance to integrating the HRST data into quality assurance plans and supporter education. By using a case study, we will look at ways the HRST can help to develop person-centered plans.
Judie Caribeaux, MA, LCSW | Chief Collaborations Officer | Mission + Strategy
Greg Petersen | CEO | Keystone Alliance
Leading can sometimes feel like pushing a 5-ton boulder uphill alone. It's isolating, exhausting, and often leads to burnout. As a field, we tend to believe that leaders must be all things to all people and have all the answers while we’re at it. Often, we don’t consciously think about our leadership style or how we developed it - this can keep us stuck.
In our experience, collaborative leadership holds the potential to address these issues and many more. Collaborative leadership emphasizes working cooperatively with others to achieve common goals, recognizing that diverse perspectives lead to more effective outcomes.
In this dynamic and interactive workshop, participants will explore the principles and practices of collaborative leadership to enhance their ability to lead teams effectively. Through engaging discussions, interactive exercises, and self-reflection, participants will learn how to foster a culture of collaboration, leverage the strengths of team members, and drive organizational success. Key topics include understanding the role of a collaborative leader, building trust and communication within teams, and overcoming common challenges in collaborative environments. Participants will leave with actionable strategies and tools to apply in their own leadership roles.
Unlocking Data’s Potential in Supporting Vulnerable Populations
Aaron Levitt, Ph.D. | Director of Quality Improvement and Data Analytics | Anixter Center
Meghan Branca | Solutions Architect | Foothold Technology
This session explores the critical role data plays in supporting our most vulnerable populations. In today's service landscape, leveraging data is no longer optional, it's the lifeblood of any sustainable organization.
We'll showcase the ongoing data journey of Anixter Center, who have situated data into the core of their decision-making process. Discover how they’ve leveraged their experience serving diverse populations to adopt best practices across the human services field, driving impactful changes within their organization. Anixter Center will share practical insights and valuable lessons learned, offering takeaways for your own data-driven success.
Collaboration in Development and Implementation of an Effective Behavior Plan
Helen Maritim-Adipo, MS, BCBA, LCPC | Behavioral Health Division Director | Glenkirk
The presentation will focus on discussion to learn about the process of creating a behavior plan and engage attendees in identifying areas that inhibit collaboration. Additionally, the presentation will focus on finding opportunities to collaborate in this process to create a more transparent and effective behavior plan. The goal of this presentation is to identify barriers that impede collaboration between DSPs and other staff and to identify ways to collaborate as a team to create a more effective behavior plan.
Building Relationships via Community Engagement
Danielle Joy Davis, Ph.D. | Professor | St. Louis University/ Next Step Parenting
Ina Perkins | CEO | Next Step Parenting
What are barriers to promoting genuine sustainable engagement with communities? What are successful strategies that facilitate positive program-partner relationships and collaboration? Community advocates, Davis and Perkins, will share best practices in working with parents, grandparents, and youth through engagement with Circle of Excellence and Next Step Parenting families. This includes promoting deep understanding of individuals in need and forming healthy partnerships with community members. Illustrations of these successful engagement practices include both local and national examples.
Echoes of Experience: Harnessing the Power of ‘Your Story, Your Voice”
Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The ARC of Illinois
In this workshop, each participant will receive a notebook and pen to begin telling their own story. The focus will be on not just advocating for ID (identity) but also on harnessing the power of personal stories and effective communication styles. By mastering these skills, we can drive impactful legislation and maintain a consistent presence in both state and federal government.
The Four Agreements in the Workplace
Samantha Handley, LCPC, CSADC | President & CEO | Anixter Center
‘The Four Agreements’ offers a powerful code of conduct for individuals to enhance their lives, both personally and professionally. Participants will learn what the ‘Four Agreements’ are and will build awareness of when they are following these agreements or breaking them. A special focus will be placed on applying these principles to communications in the workplace.
HRST Screenings are Complete, Now What? How to Unlock the Power of the Health Risk Screening Tool
Tammy Armstrong, M.S.Ed. | Client Engagement Manager | IntellectAbility
Crystal Stimpson, RN | Replacing Risk
This presentation focuses on supporting HRST users through utilizing features of the tool to individualize services, help mitigate risk and maintain compliance with Illinois HRST protocol. We will challenge HRST users to move beyond screening compliance to integrating the HRST data into quality assurance plans and supporter education. By using a case study, we will look at ways the HRST can help to develop person-centered plans.
**Final schedule subject to change. More sessions to be announced!