OMHSAS to Host Live Crisis Symposium on September 14
symposium
2023 NADSP Advocacy Symposium — Amplifying the Voices of DSPs
It is not too late to register for NADSP’s Advocacy Symposium. On May 3 and May 4, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) will embark on its second national advocacy event to bring the direct support professional (DSP) perspective to the forefront of Congress and the Administration during a time of unprecedented workforce challenges. Hardships from the pandemic and recent legislation have provided new insights and opportunities for the direct support workforce that supports people with disabilities.
NADSP recognizes the previous absence and critical importance of lifting the voices of DSPs to federal policy-makers so that public policy can be informed by the people who are on the front-lines of supporting people with disabilities to live, work, and thrive in the community. On April 13, 2023, NADSP will provide DSPs from all across the country comprehensive advocacy virtual training. (No worries if you are registering late, as this training was recorded.) This will lead up to the 1.5-day virtual event in May that will culminate with virtual meetings with Congressional leaders and staff to educate and advocate on NADSP’s public policy priorities for 2023.
Advocacy Symposium and Legislative Meetings Training
Wednesday, May 3, 2023, 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm ET
State Team Meetings will extend beyond 4:30 pm ET
Legislative Meetings
Thursday, May 4, 2023, Time will vary by state and district
After registering, all individuals will receive a confirmation that they have registered. Final meeting times will be shared on March 4 from Soapbox Consulting. Please note that your meeting time will depend on your Zip Code and Congressional District.
RCPA members participated last year, and the event was a great success. If you have any questions regarding the event, please contact Carol Ferenz.
Reminder: Join ODP for the Employment Regional Symposium
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is inviting leadership professionals from Administrative Entities (AEs), Support Coordination Organizations (SCOs), Providers of Supported Employment Services and Day Habilitation, and Providers of Community Participation Support (CPS) to attend a 1-day Employment Symposium. The Symposium will be held regionally across the Commonwealth on April 25, May 4, and May 12 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm with a boxed lunch provided.
The goals of the Regional Employment Symposium are to:
- Provide a platform for networking, information/resource sharing, and best practices for employer engagement;
- Identify strategies for engaging employers on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities using a dual-customer approach; and
- Initiate an improvement process by creating goals and best practices to reach and increase employment rates for people with disabilities.
Agenda:
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Opening Remarks by Kristin Ahrens, ODP Deputy Secretary, and Ryan Hyde, Executive Director for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Panel discussion featuring an individual from that region with lived employment experience, along with their support team that got them to competitive integrated employment.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Small group discussions to network, share experiences of engaging in community integrated employment, resources, and tools.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Keynote address: Cultivating Relationships With Employers, by Stephen Martynuska. Stephen is a consultant from Sheetz, Inc.
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Small group discussion with the opportunity to report out to the larger group on takeaways from the day, as well as sharing resources and tools for engaging employers.
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Closing remarks/wrap-up by Kristin Ahrens and Ryan Hyde.
Please register for the location nearest you. Only register for one session. You must complete a Demographics Form before selecting the session you wish to attend, and please identify any dietary restrictions or allergies on your Demographics Form. You must also indicate if you need accommodation(s) as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the need.
| Date | Venue | Registration Closes |
| April 25, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN Central 6340 Flank Road Harrisburg, PA 17112 |
April 18, 2023 |
| May 4, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN West 3190 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA 15238 |
April 28, 2023 |
| May 12, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Bucks County Community College 275 Swamp Road Newtown, PA 18940 |
May 6, 2023 |
There is a limited number of seats at each location, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In addition to your initial registration confirmation, you will receive an email with specific instructions about the location of the symposium one week prior to your scheduled event.
As a reminder, please be respectful of others. If you are not feeling well the day of the event, do not attend. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain respectful distance from others so that everyone can participate and feel comfortable.
Join ODP for the Employment Regional Symposium
The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is inviting leadership professionals from Administrative Entities (AEs), Support Coordination Organizations (SCOs), Providers of Supported Employment Services and Day Habilitation, and Providers of Community Participation Support (CPS) to attend a 1-day Employment Symposium. The Symposium will be held regionally across the Commonwealth on April 25, May 4, and May 12 from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm with a boxed lunch provided.
The goals of the Regional Employment Symposium are to:
- Provide a platform for networking, information/resource sharing, and best practices for employer engagement;
- Identify strategies for engaging employers on the benefits of hiring people with disabilities using a dual-customer approach; and
- Initiate an improvement process by creating goals and best practices to reach and increase employment rates for people with disabilities.
Agenda:
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Opening Remarks by Kristin Ahrens, ODP Deputy Secretary, and Ryan Hyde, Executive Director for the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Panel discussion featuring an individual from that region with lived employment experience, along with their support team that got them to competitive integrated employment.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm
Small group discussions to network, share experiences of engaging in community integrated employment, resources, and tools.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Keynote address: Cultivating Relationships With Employers, by Stephen Martynuska. Stephen is a consultant from Sheetz, Inc.
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm
Small group discussion with the opportunity to report out to the larger group on takeaways from the day, as well as sharing resources and tools for engaging employers.
2:45 pm – 3:00 pm
Closing remarks/wrap-up by Kristin Ahrens and Ryan Hyde.
Please register for the location nearest you. Only register for one session. You must complete a Demographics Form before selecting the session you wish to attend, and please identify any dietary restrictions or allergies on your Demographics Form. You must also indicate if you need accommodation(s) as addressed by the Americans With Disabilities Act. Reasonable efforts will be made to meet the need.
| Date | Venue | Registration Closes |
| April 25, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN Central 6340 Flank Road Harrisburg, PA 17112 |
April 18, 2023 |
| May 4, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
PaTTAN West 3190 William Pitt Way Pittsburgh, PA 15238 |
April 28, 2023 |
| May 12, 2023 10:00 am – 3:00 pm |
Bucks County Community College 275 Swamp Road Newtown, PA 18940 |
May 6, 2023 |
There is a limited number of seats at each location, and they will be filled on a first come, first served basis. In addition to your initial registration confirmation, you will receive an email with specific instructions about the location of the symposium one week prior to your scheduled event.
As a reminder, please be respectful of others. If you are not feeling well the day of the event, do not attend. Attendees are encouraged to wear a mask and maintain respectful distance from others so that everyone can participate and feel comfortable.
RCPA Member Woods Services to Host Integrated and Complex Care Symposium on March 15
Join Stacy DiStefano, Dr. Sailaja Musunuri, Melissa Fox, and Chris Wolf as they present the Integrated and Complex Care for Special Populations Symposium, moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Register Here
Description:
Nothing is more urgent than solving the problem of how to address the fragmented systems and gaps in care for the most complex populations. Join Woods Services to hear from expert panelists in the field of health and human services who will speak from experience about meeting the medical and behavioral healthcare needs of populations that require complex care, such as people with intellectual disability and/or behavioral health complexities — a challenge for both the individuals in need and their healthcare providers. Panelists will discuss how they have built programs and services, and how an integrated and coordinated service delivery system of programs and services around a population, taking into account their changing needs over time, not only better serves that group — and is what these individuals prefer — but is an approach that will also result in large, cohesive, and concentrated market shares, making it a sustainable model. We hope you’ll join us for an informative, dynamic discussion. Moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods Services.
Thriving Through Transformation Symposia Series:
This symposium is the third in a series of four symposia that stem from key themes in the newly-released book Thriving Through Transformation: A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector by Woods Services. For more about the book and the series, see below.
Visit here to purchase a paperback copy of the book.
Visit here to download the free digital version.
Learn more about the speakers, agenda, and registration details here.
SAMHSA Announces the 6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium
Mark your calendars to join SAMHSA on May 11 for the 6th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium!
This free, all-day, virtual event will feature an engaging plenary, informative sessions, and a diverse array of topics addressing the most pressing behavioral health needs in older adults.
Who should attend?
Public health practitioners, professionals in the aging network, mental health providers, substance use treatment providers, health care professionals, and anyone interested in ensuring the mental health of older adults. In partnership with the E4 Center of Excellence for Behavioral Health Disparities in Aging, NCOA will be offering continuing education for several disciplines.
The symposium is brought to you by the National Council on Aging, the Administration for Community Living, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Watch for updates by mid-March from RCPA for registration info.
RCPA Member Woods Services to Host Employee Engagement Symposium on February 16
Join Lydia Dawson, Erin Drummond, Marco Giordano, and Toni Pergolin as they present the Employee Engagement Symposium, moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton.
Thursday, February 16, 2023
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm EST
Virtual Event
Register Here
Description:
How do you promote workplace practices and cultures that lead to satisfied employees and improved business outcomes in the health and human services sectors? How do you draw on employees’ knowledge and ideas to improve and grow services? Our panelists will address these questions and share their best strategies for successful employee engagement. This symposium is moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of RCPA member Woods Services.
Thriving Through Transformation Symposia Series:
This symposium is the second in a series of four symposia that stem from key themes in the newly released book Thriving Through Transformation: A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector by Woods Services. For more about the book and the series, see below.
Visit here to purchase a paperback copy of the book.
Visit here to download the free digital version.
Learn more about the speakers, agenda, and registration details here.
RCPA Member Woods Services to Host Social Innovations Journal Symposium on January 12 — Register for Free!
Vision, Strategy and Culture of Innovation: A Symposium for the Health and Human Services Sector
Thursday, January 12, 2023
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm EST
Virtual Event
REGISTER NOW
Please join RCPA member Woods Services for a 90-minute virtual panel on the topic of Vision, Strategy, and Cultivating a Culture of Innovation in the health and human services arena. Moderated by Tine Hansen-Turton, President and CEO of Woods Services, a dynamic panel comprised of national and regional experts will be covering trends and data relevant to the field and this topic. How do these experts carry out their vision for their organization? What is their best thinking on developing and executing vision and strategy for their organization? And what does it mean to an organization to establish a culture of innovation? Join us to learn what it takes to succeed from the best in the field.
Thriving Through Transformation Symposia Series
This symposium is part of a bigger symposia series offered through the Social Innovations Partners online platform that will highlight key themes in Woods’ book, Thriving Through Transformation, A Practical Guide to Creating Organizational Change in the Social Sector. These themes are relevant to all in the health and human services and social sectors. Developing and driving a clear and consistent vision for change and creating and executing meaningful strategic and tactical plans were the foundation for the transformation Woods experienced as described in the book, while establishing a culture of innovation has ensured that we remain a dynamic leader in the field.
Learn more about the speakers, agenda, and registration details here.
Values Into Action: Virtual “Finally Home” Housing Symposium September 7
Join us for a day of presentations and discussions about what Finally Home could mean for you, your loved ones, or those you support.
We will:
- Be energized by opening speaker Erica McFadden, Director of Independent Living at the Administration for Community Living;
- Hear the experiences of people on their Finally Home journey;
- Learn how you can get involved from David Gates;
- Discuss the role of technology in our Everyday Lives; and
- Be inspired by Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Developmental Programs, as we close our day.
Registration is required. You can register for the event here. For questions or accessibility accommodation requests, please contact Maryann via email or (610) 565-5177.
Temple University to Host 9th Annual Disability & Change Symposium on March 30
Prev