Concurrent Sessions

During this year's National Convention there will be over 30 concurrent sessions for participants to choose from.  These sessions include 100 talented and dynamic speakers discussing topics ranging from:

(Schedule subject to change)

Sunday 9:00-10:30am
Sunday 11:00am-12:15pm
Sunday 2:30-3:45pm
Monday 9:00-10:45am
Monday 11:00am-12:00pm
Monday 2:00-3:00pm

Sunday, August 4

9:00-10:30am

• Safety, Sexuality and Relationships that Work: Real Talk about Current Issues Facing People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
  Speaker(s): Theresa Fears, Teri Hawthorn, Mary Jo Podgurski
• The National Effort to Address Dementia and its Effects on People with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Families
  Speaker(s): Matt Janecki
• Successful Transition Creates Rewarding Employment Opportunities
  Speaker(s): Eric Matthes, Lynn Redding, Teddy Fitzmaurice, Susan Fitzmaurice, David Taylor, Richard Wilson, Richard Haines
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Moving Beyond Prevention to Practical Supports - Part 1
  Speaker(s): Tom Donaldson, Jim Stream, Leigh Ann Davis, Monica Leinberger, Steve Greenspan
• Project ACT—A Community Approach to Strengthening Our Cultural Competency
  Speaker(s): Wendy Harris, Alicia Martinez
• New Options for Affordable Housing in Your Community
  Speaker(s): TJ Sutcliffe, Andrew Sperling and Cathie Griffin

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Sunday, August 4

11:00am-12:15pm

• Update from Washington
  Speaker(s): Marty Ford, Julie Ward, Maureen Fitzgerald, Annie Acosta, TJ Sutcliffe
• Circle of Friends Mentoring Program
  Speaker(s): Kevin Fish, Vonda Bankston
• Creating Opportunities Starting Profitable Businesses and Retail Products for Your Chapter
  Speaker(s): Mary Lynn Bisland
• Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): Moving Beyond Prevention to Practical Supports - Part 2
  Speaker(s): Susan Rich, Natalie Novick Brown, William Edwards, Representative from Self-Advocates with FASD in Action (SAFA)
• Cloud Computing 101
  Speaker(s): Steve McDonell
• We're Not Going To Take It: Stopping Bullying in all its Forms
  Speaker(s): Amy Goodman

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Sunday, August 4

2:30-3:45pm

• The Arc's Listening Session on Policy, Positions, and Programs
  Speaker(s): Elise McMillan, Michael Mack, Nancy Webster, Marty Ford, Peter Berns
• The Arc of Innovation: National Initiatives Leading to Local Success
  Speaker(s): Amy Goodman, Karen Wolf Braningan, Ann Cameron Williams, and Jonathan Lucus
• Addressing Institutional Racism: One Organization's Model for Equity
  Speaker(s): Ilsa Govan, Sylvia Fuerstenberg, Linda Porter, Teresa Barnes
• Guardianships and Alternatives to Guardianships for Individuals with I/DD
  Speaker(s): Brian Rubin
• Achieving Momentum through College Inclusion, Person Centered Program of Visual Story Telling
  Speaker(s): James Lawler, David Summers
• Transitioning to Paperless: How Technology Can Improve Care, Maintain Compliance and Reduce Costs
  Speaker(s): Brian White

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Monday, August 5

9:00-10:45am

• MOVE: A Program That Empowers People with Solutions for Mobility
  Speaker(s): Sheila Shegos, Melinda Harrison
• Special Needs Trusts Latest Trends - Use of Third Party and First Party Special Needs Trusts to Enhance the Life of Individuals with Disabilities
  Speaker(s): Stephen Dale
• Self-Advocacy at Its Best: Replicable Model Programs & Training
  Speaker(s): Adam Shand, Steve Scarton, Pasquale ("Patsy") Ginese,and Jordan Jankus
• Social Media Fun-01
  Speaker(s): Kevin Wenzel, Amberley Romo, Shelly DeButts

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Monday, August 5

11:00am-12:00pm

• Religious Community Inclusion: Making a Place for Everyone at your Congregation and Religious School
  Speaker(s): Rachel Neimhauser
• How The Arc’s Communication Team Can Help You
  Speaker(s): Kristen McKiernan, Sarah Bal
• Inclusion Treasures Diversity and Builds Community: The Inclusion Network
  Speaker(s): Stephanie Boyle, Darci Ladwig, Dave Reynolds, JJ Moody
• Brothers and Sisters of People with Special Needs: Unique Concerns, Unique Opportunities
  Speaker(s): Don Meyer, Jamie Coonts
• Coming Soon: Implementation of the Affordable Care Act
  Speaker(s): Julie Ward
• How to Attract, Involve and Keep Young Members in The Arc
  Speaker(s): Ric Swierat, Sheryl Frishman

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Monday, August 5

2:00-3:00pm

• What Has Medicaid Managed Care Meant to Family Caregivers?
  Speaker(s): Annie Acosta, Maureen Fitzgerald and Heather Williamson
• Supporting Parents in Supporting their Child to Succeed: Model Programs & Powerful Tools That Work!
  Speaker(s): Magan Cromar, Susan Atkins, Rachel Nemhauser, Jamie Coonts
• Know, Grow, and Eat Your Vegetables: Increasing Access to Healthier Foods Among Individuals I/DD
  Speaker(s): Mark Sheenan and Glynnis S. Hunt
• Tablets and Apps and Smartphones - Oh my!
  Speaker(s): Hillary Rossi, Jo Ristow, Jordan Jankus
• Medical Education and Health Care: The Role of The Arc in a Unique Partnership
  Speaker(s): Karen Grady, Sweety Jain MD
• 12 Steps to Recruiting a More Powerful Board
  Speaker(s): Peter Berns

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