RCPA Member Merakey to Host 5th Annual Dual Diagnosis Virtual Conference on February 25, 2026
Virtual Conference
2025 Dual Diagnosis Virtual Conference to Be Held November 19
November 19, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Register Here
Understanding Neuroplasticity and Recent Advancements in Enhancing Supports
The Offices of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Developmental Programs (ODP) invite you to register for the 2025 Dual Diagnosis Conference, which is to be hosted virtually on November 19. Join them for this one-day virtual conference to gain a better understanding of neuroplasticity and recent advancements in enhancing supports for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
This year’s conference speaker will be Dr. Brandi Kelly. Watch the video to hear from her! Dr. Kelly provides an overview of her presentation on the intersection of wellness and mental health needs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Registration Now Open for the 2025 Dual Diagnosis Virtual Conference
November 19, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Register Here
Understanding Neuroplasticity and Recent Advancements in Enhancing Supports
The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) invite you to register for the 2025 Dual Diagnosis Conference to be hosted virtually on November 19. Join us for this one-day virtual conference to gain a better understanding of neuroplasticity and recent advancements in enhancing supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
Speakers for the day include:
Dr. Ken Martz
Ken Martz, PsyD, MBA, is a licensed psychologist, bestselling author, and expert in emotional development. He has worked in the treatment and management of addiction for the past 30 years across settings including outpatient, residential, and hospital settings. He was formerly the Special Assistant to the Secretary for the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Policy Director in Substance Use Disorders of the Governor’s Policy Office. Dr. Martz will start the day with an overview of neuroplasticity.
Dr. Brandi Kelly
Brandi Kelly, PhD, is the Clinical Director for Louisiana’s OCDD. She received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Louisiana State University in 1998 and a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical psychopharmacology from Alliant University in 2002. She has worked extensively in community- and residential-based programs providing support planning, staff training, and behavioral health services to individuals with developmental disabilities, and she has published research on assessment and treatment of behavioral and mental health concerns of individuals with developmental disabilities. Dr. Kelly’s presentation will provide a clinical focus on how to use neuroplasticity data.
Dr. Calliope Holingue
Calliope Holingue, MPH, PhD, is a research faculty member at the Center for Autism Services, Science, and Innovation at the Kennedy Krieger Institute. A psychiatric epidemiologist by training, she has a joint academic appointment as an assistant professor at the Department of Mental Health at Johns Hopkins. Dr. Holingue will share current research and developments related to neuroplasticity.
The day will conclude with a Q&A session with all three of our speakers.
Registration Now Open for the 2025 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference
Beyond Inclusion: Thriving in the Community
September 30 – October 1, 2025
Hosted Virtually
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) has announced that registration is now open for the 2025 Pennsylvania Autism Training Conference (PATC). The virtual conference will be hosted on September 30 and October 1. The theme for this year’s conference is Beyond Inclusion: Thriving in the Community. PATC will include presentations and panels from subject matter experts, providers, self-advocates, and families. This conference provides professionals working directly with individuals with autism across the lifespan with tools, strategies, and resources to help provide the most effective support.
Who Should Attend:
Professionals looking to increase their knowledge of and/or ability to support individuals with autism across the spectrum and the lifespan. PATC welcomes all professionals supporting individuals with autism in Pennsylvania, in all systems.
Register and Learn More:
*Please note: You may be prompted to create a MyODP account before you can register for the conference.
Call for Artists:
PATC is pleased to invite artists on the autism spectrum to exhibit their artwork virtually during the conference. They are looking for artists on the autism spectrum to showcase their art in a virtual “art gallery.” Artwork includes:
- Paintings;
- Drawings;
- Photography;
- Jewelry;
- Greeting cards;
- Pottery; and
- Fabric crafts.
The art show will consist of artwork supplied by artists and will be linked to ODP’s website.
If you are interested in exhibiting your work, please submit your work here.
ECTIC to Host February 19 Resilience Conference “Back to Basics: Moving Policy and Practice Forward”
The Erie Coalition for a Trauma-Informed Community (ECTIC) is hosting its Resilience Conference on Wednesday, February 19. The conference theme, “Back to Basics: Moving Policy and Practice Forward,” emphasizes returning to foundational principles to create meaningful change. By focusing on practical strategies and actionable insights, the conference aims to empower individuals and organizations to advance trauma-informed policies and practices that foster resilience across our communities.
The daylong virtual conference is free. Conference registration, session information, and other details are available online.
Registration Open for 32nd Annual Forensics Rights and Treatment Virtual Conference
Registration is now open for the 32nd Annual PA Forensic Rights and Treatment Conference, titled “What We Know: Myths or Facts.” Sponsored by Drexel University’s Division of Behavioral Healthcare Education, College of Medicine, the virtual conference will be held December 4 and 5 with both live and pre-recorded presentations addressing topics such as trauma-informed care; working with victims of trafficking and partner violence; neuro and gender diversity; and identifying methods to enhance belonging and inclusion.
The conference brochure includes the schedule, workshop descriptions, plenary bios, and registration information. CE credits will be available.
For more information, email Drexel or visit the BHE conferences website.
ODP and OMHSAS Announce 2024 Dual Diagnosis Virtual Conference
Full Diagnosis: Impact of Trauma, Physical Health, and Metabolic Health
Virtual Event
May 22 – 23, 2024
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) and the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) invite you to save the date for the statewide Dual Diagnosis Conference. This year’s two-day conference will be held virtually. Nationally recognized speakers will provide perspectives on the impact of trauma, physical health, and metabolic health. Schedule and registration information will be available soon!
Visit the Dual Diagnosis Conference website for more information.
2022 Everyday Lives Conference Program Now Available!
The 2022 Everyday Lives Virtual Conference begins today, May 17. The conference program, including a detailed schedule of events, presentation topics, and speaker biographies, is now available!
Virtual Platform
This year’s virtual conference will be using a platform called Whova. You can learn how to join the conference by watching the Everyday Lives Whova walkthrough video. Instructions for joining the conference will be sent to registrants via email in the coming days. Be sure to check your spam folder if you register and do not see the email.
Registration
Registration is still open! The conference is free for individuals and families and $50 for professionals. Registration allows access to all virtual conference sessions. To register online, visit the Everyday Lives website and select the Registration tab.
Conference Dates and Tracks
May 17, 2022
Communication and Connection
May 24 – May 25, 2022
Community of Practice for Supporting Families
Regional Collaborative Summit
June 1, 2022
Supportive Technology
June 8 – June 9, 2022
Dual Diagnosis
June 16, 2022
Employment
2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference — Registration is Now Open!
2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference
An Everyday Life in a Changing World: A Focus on Wellness and Resilience
The Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs invites you to register for the 2022 Virtual Everyday Lives Conference! The Everyday Lives Conference seeks to provide valuable information to individuals with an intellectual disability and/or autism, their families, and support professionals to help empower individuals to live their ideal everyday lives.
Registration
The conference is free for individuals and families and $50 for professionals. Registration allows access to all virtual conference sessions. To register online, go to the Everyday Lives website and visit the Registration tab.
Conference Lineup
The conference lineup, including presenters and presentation topics, is now available to view under the Schedule tab.
Conference Dates and Tracks
May 17, 2022
Communication and Connection
May 24–25, 2022
Community of Practice for Supporting Families
Regional Collaborative Summit
June 1, 2022
Supportive Technology
June 8–9, 2022
Dual Diagnosis
June 16, 2022
Employment
“Beyond the Comfort Zone” — DEI Virtual Conference on May 18, 2022
Beyond the Comfort Zone: Understanding and Eradicating Injustice, Racism, and Inequality in the Field of Developmental Disabilities
May 18, 2022
HRC Nassau, in conjunction with The Arc of the United States, is proud to present a conference focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) community.
The DEI Virtual Conference, “Beyond the Comfort Zone: Understanding and Eradicating Injustice, Racism, and Inequality in the Field of Developmental Disabilities,” will be held May 18, 2022. The DEI Virtual Conference seeks to increase fluency and understanding of the history, challenges, and opportunities impacting people with I/DD and the staff who work with them.
FREE NASW Continuing Education Credits Available
NASW-NYS is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers (Provider ID #0014), licensed mental health counselors (Provider ID #MHC-0053), licensed marriage and family therapists (Provider ID #MFT-0037), and licensed psychologists (Provider ID #PSY-0088).
Visit here for more information.