1) NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities – Policy, Programmatic, Fiscal and State Budget Updates

The NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) is responsible for coordinating supports for approximately 130,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities.  In collaboration with 500 voluntary not-for-profit organizations, OPWDD oversees the delivery of and also provides housing & residential supports, community habilitation, day and employment programs, family support services and respite.  Supports and services are delivered in alignment with the OPWDD Home and Community-Based Services Waiver. This presentation will highlight fiscal, policy and programmatic updates from OPWDD impacting supports and services, not-for-profit providers, the workforce, people and families.​​

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2) When Your Firehose Runs Dry: How New Feedback Systems Uncover Systemic Solutions

Proactive feedback can feel like a distant knock in the attic – something we avoid while focusing on more urgent issues. But ignoring it means missing insights that can strengthen your organization. In this session, we will share how AHRC NYC uses feedback loops to drive real change, turning complaints into actionable solutions before they escalate. Learn how to build a culture of responsiveness, use feedback as a tool for continuous improvement, and make your organization more connected and future focused.

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• Sarah Baier, AHRC NYC sarah.baier@ahrcnyc.org 

• Thomas Heller, AHRC NYC, thomas.heller@ahrcnyc.org

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3) Creating Accountability and Results through Coaching and Collaborative Feedback

This presentation will focus on practical skills supervisors can learn to foster positive engagement and growth with their team members. It starts with establishing presence, listening – really listening, asking open-ended questions paired with offering insightful reflections… all the key elements of good coaching practices. However, it cannot stop here. Attendees will learn how to use collaborative feedback strategies in their regularly scheduled ‘one on one’ meetings and supervision sessions to create goals that include an accountability loop which will get lasting results!!

• Nancy Shea, Care Design NY, nshea@caredesignny.org 

• Ernie McNutt, Care Design NY, emcnutt@caredesignny.org

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4) Expanding Accessibility through Easy Read and Plain Language: YAI's Approach to Inclusive Communication

YAI’s Easy Read and Plain Language content enables informed decision-making, including difficult healthcare choices. This session will share free public resources and discuss YAI's capacity for Easy Read development and review. Attendees will also learn about YAI’s Inclusive Plain Language Training, based on U.S. Plain Language Guidelines, for professionals seeking to improve content accessibility. Visit www.yai.org/readable for more information.

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• Johanna Berglein, YAI, Johanna.Berglein@yai.org

• Abby Baker-Lynch, YAI, abby.baker-lynch@yai.org

• TBD Self-Advocate from Easy Read Team

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5) Changing the Conversation on Retention: The Mountain Lake Services Buddy Program

The presentation will include background on our DSP Buddy Program for new hires, our collective experiences, our successes and learning experiences. We will also be touching on our extensive training program for DSP Buddies and how that contributes to the development of future leaders in our field and organization. A good portion will also be dedicated to sharing how to build and administer a program such as ours, and how to make it successful. We have drastically improved new DSP retention through the program and grown many leaders in our company through their experiences of being a Buddy.

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• Harold Sammis, Mountain Lake Services, hsammis@mountainlakeservices.org

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6) Providing Effective and Timely Training and Exercises for Implementing Your Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans – While Minimizing Staff Pain and Resources

Most emergency preparedness training and exercises are largely wasted time and resources! Why? Because they are unplanned and thrown together, often by a subject matter expert [SME] who has been tasked with this activity without the expertise or experience to do it in a systematic and effective manner. Simply being the "expert" does not mean they can train others effectively or efficiently. This presentation will provide a fun and very interactive manner. Attendees will learn and execute a step-by-step, hands-on process to effectively design, develop, conduct, and evaluate training, with a specific focus on emergency preparedness and response training and exercises.

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• Dale Currier, RPGPRO LLC, dale.a.currier@gmail.com

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7) DSP Community Resource Fair

After attending a learning institute several of our supervisory staff came together to discuss our values and culture as an organization. As a result, we created the Culture Club, and we met monthly to discuss ways to enhance EEDA’s culture. One of the main focuses of the Culture Club became trying to show the DSPs our appreciation for them and help give them the resources that they may need to better support themselves. Long Island organization celebrated their DSPs by hosting the first annual community resource fair. Learn about how we did it, why we did it, and what we learned from it.

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• Christopher Zerella, EEDA, ChrisZ@eed-a.org 

• Julie Barnett, EEDA, JulieB@eed-a.org

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8) Putting the Human in Human Services

This interactive workshop revitalizes the human-centric approach essential for effective human services. Focusing on workforce development, the session will emphasize self-awareness, empathy, & transforming good intentions into meaningful actions. Acknowledging that the workforce itself deserves support & empowerment, attendees will share their experiences & learn strategies for cultivating a growth mindset to adapt & innovate the supports they provide. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools to enhance their practice & contribute to a culture where people truly matter.

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• Heather Thorgersen, The People's ARC of Suffolk/AHRC Suffolk, HThorgersen@suffahrc.org

9) AI & Providers: New York Alliance’s Resources for Readiness & Innovation

AI is offering new opportunities to improve outcomes, streamline operations, and enhance person-centered supports. To help providers get prepared, the New York Alliance worked collaboratively to develop the AI Organizational Self-Assessment (OSA)—a tool that evaluates readiness across seven key domains: strategic vision, data security, technology infrastructure, human oversight, workforce development, service impact, and regulatory compliance. In this session, we’ll share key findings, introduce upcoming provider-driven resources—including how-to guides, policy templates, and implementation strategies—and discuss the formation of a Learning Community / Community of Practice to support ongoing collaboration. We’ll also explore ways to engage with vendors, ensuring AI tools align with ethical, secure, and person-centered practices. Whether you participated in the OSA or are just beginning to explore AI’s role in service delivery, this session will provide actionable insights and a roadmap for responsible AI adoption.

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• Doug Golub, Founder, Data Potato

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10) Building a Culture of Continuous Quality Improvement to Address Workforce Challenges

The workforce crisis remains a persistent challenge for organizations serving the most vulnerable individuals. Provider organizations are dealing with the ‘here and now’ challenges of the workforce shortage which has impacted organizations in several ways to include the loss of revenues, waitlists and delays in providing care, and employee burnout, all of which erodes quality of care.

Because of the enormity of the workforce challenges, it is easy to overlook the urgency of focusing on quality improvement processes that aim to ensure the organization brings in the right people who contribute to both effective service delivery and long-term sustainability.  This also includes an emphasis on reducing employee turnover as retaining key employees reduces costs, fosters a positive workplace culture, and makes the organization more attractive to future talent.

Addressing workforce challenges and building a resilient workforce that adapts well to changing business needs will require organizations to adopt proactive approaches and strategies. This workshop is designed to provide an overview of the Continuous Quality Improvement Process and demonstrate how organizations are addressing workforce recruitment and retention challenges by engaging in an ongoing process of analyzing and refining recruitment, hiring, and onboarding.  These strategies aim to attract high-quality candidates and minimize employee turnover by actively identifying areas for improvement and implementing data-driven changes to optimize the entire recruitment and retention cycle. 

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• Boris Vilgorin, MPA, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

• Yvette Kelly, LMHC, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

• Jeffery Fox, PhD, Abilities First

• Kelly Martinez, PHR, SHRM-CP, Abilities First

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11) Innovative Fundraising

This is an opportunity for organizations, like Vanderheyden, to showcase innovative approaches to engage community, employ students, and increase fundraising opportunities. It is an approach to highlight diverse types of   industries that many organizations do not, but this presentation provided a how-to start up, operation grants, and oversight. The Vandy has given the organization increased visibility in the small business community and the retail sector. Individuals practice backroom operations, set up and design, social media, cash register and receipts, and overall customer service. In one-year Vandy made $150,000 net proceeds, better than most area galas.

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• Karen Carpenter, Vanderheyden, kcarpenter@vanderheyden.org

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12) “From Buddy to Boss”

Many Managers are promoted from within the teams that they work, and while this has programmatic advantages – it can be challenging to then supervise peers and friends. Join The Regional Centers for Workforce Transformation (RCWT) to learn more about ways to mitigate this transition from peer to leader and the strategies that have shown to be most useful in navigating this change.

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• Melody Johnson, ARC of Monroe, mejohnson@arcmonroe.org

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13) An Alternative Approach to Support those with Complex Behavioral Needs

This presentation will provide an overview on a service model YAI has developed through a contract with New Jersey's Division of Developmental Disabilities in order to support people with behaviorally complex needs. This model uses temporary crisis stabilization homes with an enriched clinical team to conduct whole person assessments and increase opportunities for staff supervision and training. These supports have led to improved identification of strategies and interventions needed for each person to live their best life.

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• Amanda Gannon, YAI, amanda.duva@yai.org

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14) Employment Preparation through Project SEARCH

The Arc Westchester has developed Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement (PSAE) to address the growing need to prepare young adults for competitive, integrated employment. In this 10-month prevocational training program, individuals participate in comprehensive curriculum and internship experiences using a combination of targeted supports including schedules, visual supports, and technology which are implemented to strengthen independence in the workplace without direct coaching and supervision. Workplace immersion is enhanced with four curriculum goal components: Social and Communication, Career and Life Planning, Job Skills, and Problem Solving. In this presentation, we will discuss the structure of the Project SEARCH Autism Enhancement Program and highlight evidence-based techniques and strategies for employment skills.

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• Nancy Fraher, The Arc Westchester, nfraher@arcwestchester.org

• Shari Lewitt, The Arc Westchester, slewitt@arcwestchester.org​​

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15) “Couldn’t This Have Been an Email?”: Embracing Disability Justice to Transform Organizational Culture and the Way We Work

Ready to transform your organization? In this session, we will show how embracing disability justice principles can reshape leadership, drive meaningful change, and create a more inclusive and productive culture. By bringing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities into key leadership roles as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), AHRC NYC has sparked innovation, collaboration, and systemic change. Learn how disability justice can help you build stronger, more effective organizations that foster leadership, dismantle ableism, and cultivate a sense of belonging for all.

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• Thomas Heller, AHRC NYC Quality Improvement Officer, thomas.heller@ahrcnyc.org

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16) Navigating the World of Technology Supports: How to Bypass Roadblocks and Avoid Costly Mistakes

As with all journeys into unfamiliar territories, it is helpful to use a navigation system to stay on track and avoid roadblocks and detours. This presentation will provide a “roadmap” for successfully adopting technologies designed to promote best practices with HCBS Settings final rule, by increasing independence and supporting self-determination.

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• Patrick Lane, Tech First SHIFT, patrick.lane@techfirstshift.com

17) Cybersecurity Risks and Best Practices

Cybersecurity in I/DD and Behavioral Health has been a significant area of focus. Our session will focus on what threats we are seeing, and how organizations can help improve their resiliency to these dangers. Learning Objectives include: Explain the role cybersecurity plays within I/DD and Behavioral Health; Identify current cybersecurity threats; and Describe how I/DD and Behavioral Health organizations can help improve their resiliency to these threats.

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• Ray Baxter, Director, Forvis Mazars LLP, ray.baxter@us.forvismazars.com

• Allan Blum, Forvis Mazars LLP, allan.blum@us.forvismazars.com

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18) Transformative Leadership: Creating a Culture of Continuous Quality Improvement

The Intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) service sector is experiencing unprecedented systemic disruptions that influence virtually every aspect of organizational practices and performance. Organizations differ in their readiness to successfully meet ongoing challenges and ensure that improving quality is at the heart of organizational decisions. Leaders face numerous and daunting challenges related to guiding and engaging the organizations’ resources and energy to meet these challenges. While organizations might struggle to determine what critical changes would ensure a thriving and successful organization, it’s a good bet that one can’t go wrong by focusing on quality, quality, and more quality!

To support transformative leaders, those committed to proactively and creatively shaping an organizational culture towards excellence, we need to answer several key questions: What is quality? What’s is meant by an organizational culture? What’s a leader to do to promote a culture that is committed to continuous quality improvement? 

This workshop is designed to provide leaders with answers to these questions by presenting the most practical and actionable findings in the implementation and change management literature. The ultimate goals is that leaders will recognize their critical role in shaping organizational culture and to leave the workshop with a conceptual framework to guide their transformational efforts in creating a culture of Continuous Quality Improvement.

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• Tony Salerno, PhD, McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research

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19) Aging and Adults with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities: Creating physical, social, and sensory environments to promote dignity in aging for adults with IDD

The seven primary senses of sight, hearing, tactile, olfactory, taste, proprioceptor, and vestibular are what connect humans to the world outside of self. Kathleen M. Bishop, PH.D. will provide insights on how sensory impairments and processing disorders related to aging and the disease processes associated with aging such as several types of dementia can impair functioning and quality of life for older adults. She will discuss practical ways to modify the physical environment to maintain the essence of the users of the environment, including caregivers, helping users to maintain dignity and respect.

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• Kathleen M. Bishop, Ph.D.

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20) Coordinated Assessment System (CAS)

The New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (NYS OPWDD) will provide a facilitated panel discussion regarding our current and future use of the Coordinated Assessment System (CAS) assessment tool. Topics will include a CAS overview, as well as a detailed explanation of the use of CAS-based Collaborative Action Plans (CAPs) and Scales data. The CAPS and Scales data will be given in context of a case review and demonstrate how they can inform provider efforts and services needed to meet people’s needs, support providers review of risk, and support their quality assurance goals. OPWDD, and guest provider panelists, will facilitate this discussion focusing on innovative efforts to utilize CAS data and any relevant developed measures, to support provider decision making performance improvement efforts. The panel will discuss how CAS data should be leveraged to support people in the present and in the future while helping to meet both CMS and HCBS standards within NYS.

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• Alberto Pruett, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), albert.pruett@opwdd.ny.gov

• Jill Pettinger, Psy.D., Deputy Commissioner, Division of Statewide Services, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), Jill.Pettinger@opwdd.ny.gov

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21) Driving Past Compassion: One Organization’s Efforts to Fuel a Passionate Workforce

Compassion is often the driver that causes people to move towards a cause. We hear the story of someone in need and we react in compassion by providing for that need. We may witness someone that needs help, and compassion drives us to assist in whatever way we can. In the same manner, compassion is often the reason that people start to work in human services. However, compassion is not necessarily enough to retain and continue to motivate our staff. That is where fueling passion comes into place. Turning compassionate people into passionate advocates.

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• Sean Switzer, Access: Supports for Living, sswitzer@asfl.org

• Giselle Torres, Access: Supports for Living, gtorres@asfl.org

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22) Empowering Independence through Health Literacy: Navigating Diagnosis, Appointments, and Medication Management

This program focuses on promoting health literacy and independence for DD individuals. Participants will gain essential skills to understand medical diagnoses, schedule and attend doctor’s appointments, and manage medications safely. Through clear language, practical tips, and supportive strategies, the session aims to build confidence in navigating healthcare while fostering self-reliance. Caregivers and support networks are welcome to join in empowering individuals to take charge of their health and well-being.

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• Iraida Perez, Access: Supports for Living, iperez@asfl.org

• Christina Alleva, Access: Supports for Living, calleva@asfl.org

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23) Incidents & Investigations: Increase Compliance and Streamline Workflows

Incidents and investigations involving the Justice Center can be an administrative burden on providers. Achieving regulatory compliance can sometimes appear impossible. This workshop will explore strategies and workflows that have assisted providers in not only achieving compliance but also maintaining compliance. This workshop will interpret the regulations from different lenses to allow providers to improve their investigative process.

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• Bryon Guarisco, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises Inc. (FREE), Bguarisco@familyres.org

• Matthew Collins, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises Inc. (FREE), Mcollins@familyres.org

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24) A Biopsychosocial Spiritual Approach to Supporting People with Complex Needs

People with I/DD and other neurodevelopmental disorders [autism, ADHD...] have complex needs compounded by trauma and unidentified grief. When this is complicated by mental illness, the effects of a pandemic, a staffing crisis and other Co-occurring medical issues, the lens through which support is given can be shifted. This can lead to staff seeing the person with I/DD as the problem, instead of seeing them as HAVING a problem.

This workshop will provide practical tools and techniques to take us back to basics and allow us to create and provide services and supports through a bio psychosocial.

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• Consuelo Senior, YAI, connie.senior@yai.org

Michael Seereiter, Ann Hardiman and the NY Alliance Board of Directors are pleased to have this opportunity to share association updates at this annual forum with a focus on NY Alliance Policy Priorities and Strategic Plan. Board elections will also take place during this meeting. Join us in Dollar East/Dollar West in the hotel for this event.

NY Alliance Gatherings are a great opportunity for participants to catch up and connect.

Join us in the Bellevue room of the Conference Center to celebrate the unique and extraordinary contributions made by leaders, policy and change agencies in the field, public officials, self-advocates, and advocates in the community. Awards include:

• Leadership Award: The Leadership Award recognizes individuals who lead with integrity, effectiveness, deliberate focus, and collaboration, making valuable contributions within the disability and human service field.

• Public Policy and Social Justice Advocacy Award: The Public Policy and Social Justice Advocacy Award honors leaders in the disability and human service fields who have made exceptional contributions to the betterment of society through the advancement of policy and life enrichment opportunities for all individuals.

• Distinguished Public Service Award: The Distinguished Public Service Award recognizes the achievements of individuals in government service who have served as a change agent and made a tangible impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities.

• Community Advocacy Award: The Community Advocacy Award is presented to individuals who are making incredible contributions to the disability and human service community through their time, actions, talents, and dedication. It honors all Advocates – Individuals, Parents, Siblings, Self-Advocates, and Peers who relentlessly ensure that the voices of those receiving services are heard and recognized as key components.

About The Sagamore's Caldwell's: A lively Lake George bar that offers a tempting menu of light fare that is served throughout the day and evening. With its grand front porch and panoramic views of Lake George, Caldwell’s invites you to slow down and experience the timeless beauty of the enchanting Adirondack setting.