December 14, 2021, from 2pm Eastern

For many people with disabilities and their families, future financial planning is overwhelming and unnecessarily challenging. They sometimes struggle to navigate complex and siloed systems to find professionals who have the knowledge and experience needed to help them secure their finances, benefits, and futures. During this session, we will share the results of a national study of more than 4,000 people with disabilities, their families, and professionals in related fields. We will present what we learned about people’s experiences and some challenges related to future financial planning, as well as solutions that help their planning efforts. Attendees will gain expert recommendations and strategies to help ensure that people with disabilities and their families have access to the services and resources they need to plan for their financial futures.

Speaker Bio:

Caitlin Bailey, PhD.
Caitlin Bailey is the Co-Director at the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware; she has worked with the Consortium since 2010. Caitlin co-leads strategic growth and development of the National Leadership Consortium. In her role she also oversees all Leadership Consortium programs and activities, including training initiatives, technical assistance, and research. Caitlin received her Master’s in Human Services and Doctorate in Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware.

Cory Gilden, PhD.
Cory Gilden is the Research and Evaluation Manager of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities. Her recent research projects investigated the state of self-directed service delivery for people with disabilities, parent participation in special education, childcare choices of families of children with disabilities, and program evaluation research focused on leadership training for professionals in the disabilities field. Cory holds a Ph.D. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, an M.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences, and an M.Ed. in Education and works closely with national and state disability organizations promoting awareness and advocacy efforts for people with disabilities.

October 5, 2021, from 2pm Eastern

Britney Spears’ public battle over her conservatorship is shining a light on some of the broader challenges that people with disabilities face under guardianship, which is a term some states use for that kind of court involvement. This webinar will describe some of the issues being highlighted in the media from Ms. Spears’ case, how they might apply to people with IDD, and alternative approaches that individuals with IDD and their families might consider.

Speaker Bio:

Morgan Whitlatch
Morgan Whitlatch is the Legal Director of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, a non-profit advocacy organization that has advanced the interests of people with developmental disabilities since 2002. She is also the Lead Project Director of the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making. Morgan has devoted her legal career to working with and on behalf of people with disabilities in matters involving capacity, guardianship and alternatives, and the right to self-determination; community integration; living free from abuse and neglect; and accessing public benefits and services. Prior to joining Quality Trust in 2009, Morgan was an attorney at Disability Rights Rhode Island, the state’s protection and advocacy program for people with disabilities. Morgan graduated with honors from Georgetown University Law Center, and with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from Wesleyan University.

Shawn Ullman
As Senior Director of National Initiatives, Shawn Ullman leads The Arc's individual and family support initiatives, which seek to provide reliable information and assistance on topics such as navigating special education and disability services, healthy aging, housing, decision-making, financial planning, and healthy relationships. Prior to joining The Arc, Shawn was a staff attorney with Disability Rights DC, the protection and advocacy agency for the District of Columbia, for 11 years where she advocated for children and adults with developmental disabilities to obtain the services and supports they need to live, learn, and work in the community. Shawn received her bachelor’s degree in political science from DePauw University in 1997 and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2001.

June 3, 2021, from 2pm Eastern

The Arc of the United States was founded over 70 years ago by families who wanted their family members with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) included in every aspect of life. Yet, most people with IDD had to leave their families and go live in institutions to receive the daily supports they needed because of their disability. Our system of services and supports for people with IDD has come a long way since those days, but many people with IDD and their families still struggle to plan for the services that their loved ones will need to live a quality life in the community in the future. Many people with IDD wait years to get off the waiting list for services only to find few direct support professionals available to provide the services they need in the community and even more limited affordable and accessible housing. Even when they do find a home in the community and a trusted professional to meet their needs, they often have to start their search all over again in six months or a year because the turnover in the field is so high. Or worse, they move to another state to be near family after their parent dies and end up on the waiting list for services all over again. Congress has finally proposed a bill, the Home and Community-Based Services Access Act (HAA) to make changes to the system of support for people with disabilities to ensure community-based services are there for all people with disabilities who want to live their lives in the community, with their friends and family. Come learn about barriers in the current system, the proposed changes, and what you can do to make sure these changes become a reality!

Speaker Bio:

Nicole Jorwic is Senior Director of Public Policy at The Arc of the US. Prior to joining The Arc, Nicole served as Senior Policy Advisor and Manager of the Employment First Initiative in Illinois. Prior to that appointment, Nicole served as the CEO/President of the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities. Nicole is also an accomplished special education attorney and an advocate for students with disabilities and their families. Nicole received her JD and Child and Family Law Certificate from Loyola University and her BS from the University of Illinois. Nicole is also a sibling; her brother, Chris, is 31 and has autism.

March 3, 2020, from 7pm Eastern

March 4, 2020, from 2pm Eastern

Planning for the future is important for all families. Thinking about the future can be challenging and emotional. However, experience shows that people with disabilities make a better transition from the family home when a future plan is in place. A future plan can also provide peace of mind for caregivers of people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD).

Learn from staff at The Arc of the United States on how to get these discussions started and the steps your family should take to create a future plan. This presentation will also provide an overview of The Arc’s Center for Future Planning website and resources that can help facilitate discussions to create a future plan.

*Webinar recording is available only in Spanish*

Speaker Bio:

Liz Maharis The Arc’s Director for Family and Sibling Initiatives. Previously, Liz spent five years as a consultant and Managing Supervisor for FleishmanHillard, managing stakeholder relations for government-funded public health campaigns. She also brings social policy expertise from five years of working on Capitol Hill. Liz earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Liz is the sibling of a younger sister with Down syndrome.

December 15, 2020, from 2pm Eastern

The ability to save is crucial in securing a life plan for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who often rely on public benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, and housing and food assistance to pay for things that they need to live in the community. However, many public benefits have very strict limits on how much money you can have to qualify and keep the benefits. How do people know what public benefits they are eligible for? How can people save to buy the things they want and need when they have so little money to start with? What are special needs trusts and ABLE accounts, and when should people have one? While our panel of experts will not be able to provide advice on anyone’s individual situation, they will provide an overview of these important issues, provide helpful resources, and be available to answer your questions. Come learn how people with IDD can plan for their financial future.

Speaker Bio:

Theresa Varnet , M.S.W. J.D., has been an advocate for people with disabilities and their families for over 50 years. She is a former teacher and social worker and is now an attorney with Spain, Spain & Varnet, P.C. in Chicago, Illinois and Fletcher Tilton, P.C. in Worcester, Massachusetts. Theresa joined the Arc in 1968 and has been an active volunteer with chapters of The Arc in Illinois, Massachusetts, and Kentucky. She is also the parent of an adult daughter with IDD.

Miranda Kennedy is the Director of the ABLE National Resource Center (ABLE NRC), the leading source of information on Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. ABLE NRC’s mission is to educate, promote and support the positive impact ABLE can make on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities and their families. Miranda served as Director of Training for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration’s national Disability Employment Initiative (DEI) and Disability Program Navigator Initiative (DPN) from 2006-2018. She holds a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Denver Institute for Public Policy Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from University of Colorado at Boulder.

Delores Sallis is the founder of Parent University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Parent University serves as a resource for black families of people with disabilities and helps them navigate the systems of support for people with disabilities, including school systems, in the Milwaukee area. Delores has a great passion for the families she serves, because she knows there is a great divide of resources. Delores is the mother of five children, the youngest of which has multiple disabilities. She also has a granddaughter with cerebral palsy.

September 8, 2020, from 2pm Eastern

Being able to make your own decisions about your own life is one of the most important rights that people have. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have the same right to make decisions about their lives as people without disabilities. However, their ability to make their own decisions is often questioned by teachers, doctors, family members, and others. Research has shown that individuals with reduced self-determination have diminished quality of life outcomes and are less likely to live and be integrated into their community. Guardianship can be an obstacle to the development of self-determination skills. However, people with I/DD are at an increased risk of being placed under guardianship, and guardianship is frequently still the only option presented and utilized by families and supporters of people with I/DD. This webinar will describe guardianship and less restrictive decision-making alternatives, as well as help debunk some of the myths about guardianship and supported decision-making that persist.

Speaker Bio:

Morgan Whitlatch is the Legal Director of Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities, a non-profit advocacy organization that has advanced the interests of people with developmental disabilities since 2002. She is also the Lead Project Director of the National Resource Center for Supported Decision-Making. Morgan has devoted her legal career to working with and on behalf of people with disabilities in matters involving capacity, guardianship and alternatives, and the right to self-determination; community integration; living free from abuse and neglect; and accessing public benefits and services. Prior to joining Quality Trust in 2009, Morgan was an attorney at Disability Rights Rhode Island, the state’s protection and advocacy program for people with disabilities. Morgan graduated with honors from Georgetown University Law Center, and with honors, Phi Beta Kappa, from Wesleyan University.

As Senior Director of National Initiatives, Shawn Ullman leads The Arc's individual and family support initiatives, which seek to provide reliable information and assistance to people with I/DD, their family members, and the professionals who support them on topics such as navigating special education and disability services, healthy aging, housing, decision-making, financial planning, and healthy relationships. Prior to joining The Arc, Shawn was a staff attorney with Disability Rights DC, the protection and advocacy agency for the District of Columbia, for 11 years where she advocated for children and adults with developmental disabilities to obtain the services and supports they need to live, learn, and work in the community. Shawn received her bachelor’s degree in political science from DePauw University in 1997 and her law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2001.

June 18, 2020, from 2pm Eastern

As we begin to come out of the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a time for reflection. How can we plan for crises and emergencies? Emergency planning is tough but important. Planning ahead can help ensure that you, your family, and people with disabilities know what to do when crises happen. Now more than ever, we are learning to adapt when we are isolated, the importance of pre-establishing key relationships in the community, and pre-planning for any emergency. Our webinar speaker will provide tips and strategies that people with disabilities, families, and disability professionals can use to help plan for when disasters strike. Many of our tips will be applicable to the current COVID-19 pandemic, but we also will provide strategies that you can use to prepare for different types of emergencies.

Speaker Bio:

Jill Pidcock is the Executive Director of the Arc of the Central Mountains in Colorado. Jill serves on several Boards of Directors and Committees to further her efforts to increase awareness and put plans and services into action, including Colorado Collaboration for Autism and other Neurological Disability Options (CO-CANDO) and Family Supports and Services Program for the local Community Centered Board. She is also on the Early Dispute Resolution Advisory Board and is a facilitator for Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP), two programs managed by the Colorado Department of Education.

February 20, 2020, from 2pm Eastern

Adults with cerebral palsy experience high rates of secondary conditions and negative health outcomes. This webinar reviews recent research about the types of conditions they are at increased risk for and provides practical steps that patients, advocates, and health care providers can take to manage health and optimize the aging process.

This webinar was co-hosted by The Arc's Center for Future Planning and the Investigating Disability factors and promoting Environmental Access for Healthy Living Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (IDEAL RRTC) at the University of Michigan.

Speaker Bio:

Dr. Mark Peterson is an Associate Professor in University of Michigan (UM)’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and an active member in the UM Neuroscience Graduate Program, the UM Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, the Michigan Center of the Demography of Aging, and the Michigan Institutes for Data Science.

Dr. Heidi Haapala is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at Michigan Medical at the University of Michigan. She is also on staff as an Attending Physician with the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

December 17, 2019, from 2pm Eastern

They say education is the key to success. Post-secondary education is a critical pathway to gain the skills, training and knowledge necessary to enter desired professions. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), have long been denied this pathway, but this has changed over the past two decades. Today there are 280 college programs for students with I/DD, and more developing all the time. These programs offer a pathway to meaningful work and independent living, not only providing a post-secondary credential, but also the confidence to become self-sufficient adults. In this webinar, you will learn about the college programs currently available across the country, how they are developed and funded and how you can learn more about the options

Speaker Bio:

Cate Weir, M.Ed. is the project director for Think College National Coordinating Center (NCC) at the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston. In that position she works with the Think College team to coordinate all activities of the NCC, including training, technical assistance, research and dissemination. She has over 30 years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full lives in the community, including over a decade focused on inclusive post-secondary education.

October 15, 2019, from 2pm Eastern

In the US, employment rates and educational achievement rates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) continue to fall behind compared to individual without disabilities. There have been some state and local agencies trying to address these issues through policy, advocacy, and programs. However, employment rates still fall behind. Employment is a critical part of community inclusion for people with I/DD. For youth, a smooth transition from education to employment is equally essential and a monumental milestone. Securing and maintaining employment helps many people to achieve independence in their communities, but there are often barriers to accessing meaningful and integrated employment for people with I/DD. This webinar will address employment challenges, deliver skill building activities, and provide tools and resources for searching and getting competitive employment for people with I/DD.

Speaker Bio:

Jonathan Lucus is a Senior Director at The Arc of the United States where he is part of the senior management team which provides oversight on the strategic direction of the organization. Jonathan also leads The Arc’s national social business enterprise, The Arc@Work which provides customized workforce solutions, talent acquisition, and change management consulting for the federal government, Fortune 500 companies, and nonprofit organizations that increases the diversity, productivity, and quality of their overall labor force.

January 30, 2019, from 2pm Eastern

People with I/DD and mental health needs and their families often struggle to get the help they need. Our webinar will review two recent projects that wanted to learn more about what people need and how to better support people and families.

Our first project wanted to learn what could be done to help young adults with I/DD and mental health needs to get better mental health care. This project brought together young adults with I/DD and their families, service providers, and researchers to develop priorities for practice and research. This project was funded by the Patient Centered Outcome Research Institute (PCORI).

The second project hosted focus groups to learn more about the challenges that people with I/DD and mental health needs and their families have and what we can be doing to better help families. This project was funded by the Family Support Research and Training Center (FSRTC).

Presenters from The Arc, Boston University, and The Intellectual Developmental Disability Mental Health (IDD-MH) Research Partnership will discuss their projects, results, and next steps.

December 18, 2018, from 2pm to 3pm Eastern

Death is something that we all have to face at some point in our lives. We have systems in place to help us understand and get over a loss. However, some adults feel they must protect others from grief and loss including children, elderly people, and people with disabilities. Some have gone as far to protect people with I/DD from experiencing grieving. Knowing more about the feelings and thoughts that come after the death of someone close to us can help us and the people we support. This presentation will focus on the grief that comes after someone dies and how families can support people with I/DD during the grief process. The presenters will remove any misunderstandings by sharing best practices and methods to support people with I/DD deal with grief and loss.

Speaker Bio:

Mary Anne Tolliver, with a Master’s in Public Administration, has a lifetime of experience providing service to people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. She began her employment with the St. Louis Arc in 1984 as a direct support provider, was promoted into management, and was the Director of Residential Services for nearly 20 years until recently accepting a new position as the Director of Aging Services and Navigator of Residential Supports. Mary Anne has worked to support many individuals who have aged in place, retired, made end of life decisions, lost parents and friends, experienced end stage dementia and others with serious illnesses. She has supported the friends, family and direct support staff of the people who have passed away, and collaborated with medical, hospice, and government entities. Her vast experience has been a beacon of wisdom to lead and guide the direct support staff and managers at the St. Louis Arc in providing quality supports.

Barbara Williams Stewart is a practicing Clinical Social Worker and has been a Professor at Webster University in St. Louis, MO, since 1993. While at Webster University, Barbara implemented services for students with disabilities worldwide. Barbara is the founder of the Belle Center, an early childhood center for children with and without disabilities. The Belle Center is now part of the St. Louis Arc. She has also served as a Deputy Director in the Department of Mental Health. There she helped to develop a family-directed program whereby families were allocated funding that they could utilize as they deemed necessary. At the St. Louis Arc, Barbara conducts support groups for all ages and individual grief counseling sessions.

Tuesday, October 23, 2018, from 2pm to 3pm Eastern

For millions of people with disabilities in the United States, exercising the basic right to vote remains a challenge. Over the last few decades, the U.S. government has passed several policies to make voting easier for individuals with disabilities. However, people may still struggle to vote because of barriers they face from the government, caregivers, and family members. This webinar will review barriers people may face when voting and will explore solutions to break down these barriers for people with I/DD so that everyone can exercise their right to vote.

Speaker Bio:

Michelle Bishop is the Voting Rights Specialist at the National Disability Rights Network, where she provides training and technical assistance to the Protection & Advocacy network on voting rights and access to the vote for people with disabilities. Michelle also works in coalition with the civil rights community in Washington, DC to ensure strong federal policy regarding voting rights and election administration. She received a Master of Social Work in Social and Economic Development from The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and English literature from the State University of New York at Geneseo. Follow her adventures on Twitter using @MichelleVotes.

Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Sexuality is a natural part life for all people. However, people with developmental disabilities, family members, and professionals often feel unprepared to discuss this subject with each other. This webinar explains why it is important for people, parents, and families to talk about sexuality and healthy intimate relationships. Our presenters will discuss common misperceptions and myths people have about people with I/DD and sexuality; what a healthy, relationship looks like and how you can help support people to have healthy relationships; and how to prevent abusive relationships or leave bad relationships. Our presenters will also discuss ways you can start discussing this subject with people with disabilities in your life.

Speaker Bio:

Theresa Fears, MSW is a Sexual Abuse Preventionist at The Arc of Spokane. She has been providing Healthy Relationship classes to youth with intellectual disabilities for 11 years. Theresa has been a presenter at local, state and national conferences on the topic of developing good relationships and abuse identification and prevention. Her work received the 2015 Visionary Voice Award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the Sheryl Hendren Victim Justice Award in 2017.  In her spare time, Theresa spins yarn and crochets.

Breanna Neely, BSW received her Bachelor’s in Social Work from the University of South Carolina and joined The Arc of South Carolina in May 2017 as a case manager. She is currently the Project Director at The Arc of South Carolina. She brings experience working with individuals with I/DD in a variety of settings, from home to classroom to community. With a focus on equity for all, Ms. Neely skillfully implements self-determination and person-centered-planning principles in her instructional approach.

Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Using and accessing technology is important throughout our lives. We use technology to pay our bills, to keep in touch with friends and families, to receive healthcare and medical support, and even to help us get to and from work, school, and other activities in the community.

One important part of future planning is making sure that people with disabilities have the skills and ability to access technology and the support they need to find new technologies to use throughout their lives.

This webinar will review the steps that people and their families should take to evaluate any needs that a person has that can be assisted by technology and will provide tips and resources that families can use to find technology that fit this need. We will also describe ways that people with I/DD and their families can work to make sure that people are building their technology skills throughout their lifetime.

Speaker Bio:

Katy Lernihan Schmid graduated with honors from Longwood University earning her Master’s in Special Education. Katy begin her career as a special education teacher and eventually transitioned into the role of Assistive Technology Resource Professional. Katy’s work has been featured by ABC-DC news, TEACH.gov as well as NPR. She is currently a Manager on The Arc National’s Tech Programs team where she helps manage grants from Comcast NBCUniversal and Google as well as engage the user community for Tech Toolbox. Katy believes in The Arc’s mission, shares their values and has dedicated her career to better the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Daphni Steffin is the Director of Assistive Technology and Information Systems at The Arc Baltimore. She launched an AT program in 2012 with the vision of enhancing opportunities for individuals with I/DD to improve their lives through the use of technology with increased awareness, access, and support. She has a Master’s in Business Administration and an Assistive Technology Applications Certificate from California State University Northridge (CSUN). Daphni is a Disney World enthusiast. In her spare time, she enjoys dancing around the house with her 2-year-old son. Her latest hobby is refinishing old wood furniture pieces.

Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2017 and Wednesday, December 13, 2017

As we grow older, we should continue to grow and develop our skills and interests, and we can continue to live well, happily, and healthfully. But, getting older also creates challenges that we should plan for. These challenges may include staying active and engaged, paying our expenses when we stop working, and addressing changes in body and mind. In addition, people should plan for how decisions will be made in this part of life and make sure that they have the skills and support they need to age successfully.

In this webinar, Dr. Kathie Bishop will review the aging process and discuss what successful aging looks like for people with I/DD. Kathie will address planning and skill-building to support people with complex medical needs and adults with I/DD who experience cognitive or functioning loss, possibly related to dementia. Dr. Bishop will also describe how people with I/DD and their families can work together to advocate to and with health care professionals to make sure that they receive needed medical care and that their wishes are carried out.

Speaker Bio:

Kathleen M. Bishop, Ph.D. has over 40 years of experience in the developmental disabilities field and over 20 as a Gerontologist with a specialty in aging with developmental disabilities. She has a Bachelors and Master’s Degree in Special Education and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University in aging with disabilities.

Dr. Bishop works as a consultant for many organizations in the aging and IDD networks to assist with program and support planning as well as teaches at Utica College’s Gerontology program’s on-line courses including a course on aging with disabilities. She is retired from the University Of Rochester School Of Medicine and Dentistry as well as the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. She continues to present nationally and internationally on topics related to aging and developmental disabilities. Areas of expertise include environmental modifications and developmental disabilities, caregiving for adults with dementia and IDD, and women with disabilities.

Dr. Bishop is co-chair of the NTG Group T curriculum development committee. She has been an active member of the NTG since the inception and is a member of the NTG Steering Committee. Currently Dr. Bishop is presenting the 2-day NTG Dementia Capable Care for Adults with ID and Dementia around the US along with the Third Day Train-the-Trainer component.

Date: Wednesday, May 17, 2017

Because medical decisions often need to be made in stressful situations, involve complex information, and require weighing of significant risk, planning is important. There are many ways that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) can receive support to make decisions about the health care they want to receive.

In this webinar, Clarissa Kripke, MD, will discuss how doctors and other medical professionals can create an environment that empowers people with I/DD to make health care decisions using supported decision-making tools. Samantha Crane and Kelly Israel, attorneys at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, will discuss the legal framework for supported decision-making in health care settings, how people with I/DD can use supported decision-making to have their preferences honored, how to build a network of supporters, and what agreements should be put in place before decisions need to be made.

About the Speakers:

• Dr. Clarissa Kripke, MD, FAAFP is Director of the Office of Developmental Primary Care in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Kripke runs CART Services, an interdisciplinary mobile consult team. The CART Services team provides clinical consultation and technical assistance to build the capacity of the health care system to serve transition age youth and adults with developmental disabilities. The team applies neurodiversity and social model concepts to the practice of medicine.
• Samantha Crane is Director of Public Policy at ASAN’s national office. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Samantha previously served as staff attorney at the Bazelon Center of Mental Health Law, focusing on enforcing the right to community integration as established by the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C., and as an associate at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart, & Sullivan, L.L.P. From 2009 to 2010, Samantha served as law clerk to the Hon. Judge William H. Yohn at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
• Kelly Israel is a Policy Analyst at ASAN’s national office. She, under Samantha Crane, works to advance the legal, legislative and administrative policy objectives of ASAN. She is a graduate of American University, Washington College of Law and served as student attorney in its Disability Rights Law Clinic. In that capacity, she was legal counsel for clients with disabilities in a wide variety of cases, including special education and ADA reasonable accommodations issues. She has also worked for other public interest organizations on the death penalty and on guardianship in the United States. Her chief interests are the education of children with disabilities, supported decision-making as a viable alternative to guardianship, and the over-criminalization of people with developmental disabilities.

Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Speakers Leigh Ann Davis and Jessica Oppenheim will explore skills needed to engage effectively with law enforcement officers, the criminal justice system, and other authority figures as a witness, victim, or offender. This webinar will provide practical tips for people with I/DD, families, and professionals on how to support people with I/DD to advocate for themselves and engage with authority figures effectively.

About the Speakers:

• Leigh Ann Davis, M.S.S.W., M.P.A., is Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives and in that role oversees The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability®. She has worked in the area of disability and justice issues since 1994 when hired by The Arc of the United States to direct a Department of Justice project of national significance educating criminal justice professionals about ADA accommodations. Since that time, she has authored numerous publications (curricula, guidebooks, fact sheets, scholarly articles) during her almost 20 years with The Arc covering topics related to criminal justice/victimization issues, FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), and the ethics of genetic research. She has presented both nationally and internationally regarding criminal justice and disability issues and provided congressional testimony on the delivery of law enforcement services to people with developmental disabilities under Title II of the ADA. Ms. Davis served on SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) FASD Center for Excellence Expert Panel and currently serves as consultant for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC), Vera Institute of Justice, and The Disability and Abuse Project. As a sexual abuse survivor who was shocked to discover the high rate of violence people with I/DD experience, she is passionate about ensuring victims with disabilities obtain justice and healing, and that criminal justice professionals are provided effective, on-going training to adequately serve people with disabilities - whether victim, suspect or offender.
• Jessica S. Oppenheim, Esq. is the Director of the Criminal Justice Advocacy Program of The Arc of NJ, a statewide program which provides advocacy for people with developmental disabilities who become involved in the criminal justice system. Prior to joining The Arc of NJ in 2010, she was an Assistant Prosecutor in the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and a Deputy Attorney General in the Division of Criminal Justice, Dept. of Law and Public Safety, from 1985 until 2010. In that capacity, she was Bureau Chief of the Prosecutor’s Supervision and Coordination Bureau, the unit which oversaw the 21 County Prosecutor’s Offices and 600 law enforcement agencies on behalf of the Attorney General. She also drafted and implemented the Attorney General’s Megan’s Law Guidelines, prosecuted Megan’s Law and domestic violence cases and provided training and policies and protocols for law enforcement agencies and prosecutors throughout the State on domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, internal affairs policies, Megan’s Law and dealing with diverse populations. She has taught as an adjunct professor for the Paralegal Studies Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University. In addition to her Board membership for Women Aware, she is a board member for the NJ Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers.

Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Speakers Theresa Fears and Leigh Ann Davis will provide strategies that help people with I/DD develop the skills to understand and fully participate in healthy relationships. The speakers will also describe how to build skills to recognize when a relationship is unhealthy, exploitative, or abusive and provide concrete steps to take in those situations.

About the Speakers:

• Theresa Fears MSW is a Sexual Abuse Preventionist at The Arc of Spokane. She has been providing Healthy Relationship classes to youth with intellectual disabilities for nine years. Theresa has been a presenter at local, state and national conferences on the topic of developing good relationships and abuse identification and prevention. Her work received the 2014 Visionary Voice Award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. In her spare time, Theresa spins yarn and crochets lots and lots of hats.
• Leigh Ann Davis, M.S.S.W., M.P.A., is Director of Criminal Justice Initiatives and in that role oversees The Arc’s National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability®. She has worked in the area of disability and justice issues since 1994 when hired by The Arc of the United States to direct a Department of Justice project of national significance educating criminal justice professionals about ADA accommodations. Since that time, she has authored numerous publications (curricula, guidebooks, fact sheets, scholarly articles) during her almost 20 years with The Arc covering topics related to criminal justice/victimization issues, FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), and the ethics of genetic research. She has presented both nationally and internationally regarding criminal justice and disability issues and provided congressional testimony on the delivery of law enforcement services to people with developmental disabilities under Title II of the ADA. Ms. Davis served on SAMHSA’s (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) FASD Center for Excellence Expert Panel and currently serves as consultant for the Office for Victims of Crime Training and Technical Assistance Center (OVC TTAC), Vera Institute of Justice, and The Disability and Abuse Project. As a sexual abuse survivor who was shocked to discover the high rate of violence people with I/DD experience, she is passionate about ensuring victims with disabilities obtain justice and healing, and that criminal justice professionals are provided effective, on-going training to adequately serve people with disabilities - whether victim, suspect or offender.

Date: Thursday October 16, 2016

There are many options for where adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) could live. Some people with I/DD may live independently, with other family members after they leave their parents’ home, or in a community-based setting with support. It is important to balance the wishes of the person with I/DD and the level of support needed when identifying housing options available in your community.

We will focus on how to explore housing options with an adult with I/DD. We will provide tips on important questions to ask the person with I/DD about where he or she wants to live when determining housing options. We will also provide guidance on how the family can work with the person with I/DD to determine supports needed to and housing preferences.

Panelists will include:

• Diane Dressler, Senior Associate, Community Life Resources
• Cathy Yadamec, Director of Training and Certification, The Council on Quality and Leadership

About the Speakers:

• Diane L. Dressler has worked throughout her 35-year career to create and implement strategies supporting community inclusion for persons with disabilities. Her areas of expertise include supportive housing, transition, workforce development and person-centered practices. Ms. Dressler’s previous work experience includes statewide program management, including the coordination of housing and services, for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. She also served as Program Director for the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute. Ms. Dressler is currently a Senior Associate with Community Life Resources (CLR), a consulting practice that provides technical assistance and training to government, service providers, people with disabilities and families on the creation and implementation of permanent supportive housing strategies. Current work includes assistance to the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Jubilee Association of Maryland. Ms. Dressler serves on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (MAHRA), a chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), and chairs the Disability Advisory Committee. Ms. Dressler also represents the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) on the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force.
• Cathy Yadamec is the Director of Training and Certification for CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership. In this role, Cathy coordinates the training opportunities offered by CQL. She oversees the certification of Personal Outcome Measures® Interviewers and Trainers, and is responsible for developing new training opportunities often customizing it to meet the unique strengths and preferences of individual organizations. Cathy has experience within CQL and in private and state agencies supporting people with developmental disabilities to have better lives. Cathy has worked diligently to promote personal and organizational change to create a culture of responsiveness and focus on quality as defined by the person. In the 2000’s Cathy worked with CQL as a Project Manager and in the CMS Look-Behind Contract. For 3 years, Cathy served as the Manager of Quality Improvement/ Quality Enhancement for the Developmental Disability Administration in the District of Columbia, and then returned to CQL as the Project Manager for the Illinois Ligas Outreach Project. Cathy brings 35 years of well-rounded experience to CQL with strong project management, data, quality assurance and training skills. These skills are match by her ability to meld local experiences with a national perspective. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from the University of Missouri and a Masters of Arts degree in Education from the Lindenwood University. Her growing family is very important to her and she relishes the time she spends with her sisters, brothers and especially her great nieces and nephews. She enjoys hiking and spending time wandering around the world.

Date: Tuesday June 21, 2016

Creating a future plan - a guide for a person to lead a good life as independently as possible – is important for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Please join us for a panel discussion on strategies that people with dual diagnoses of I/DD and mental health needs and their family members can use to create future plans that build on the individual’s strengths, likes, and dislikes.

We will identify challenges in planning for people with dual diagnoses and explore how to identify and implement strategies to provide the greatest opportunity for independence and growth for each individual, as well as ways to support people through the grief and loss that comes with transitions.

Panelists will include:

• Joan Beasley, PhD, Director of the Center for START Services, Research Associate Professor, University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability UCED
• Marisa Brown, MSN, RN, Research Instructor, Center for Child and Human Development, Georgetown University
• Robert J. Fletcher, DSW, ACSW, CEO and Founder, National Association for the Dually Diagnosed
• Karyn Harvey, PhD, Assistant Executive Director of Quality Support, The Arc Baltimore

About the Speakers:

• Joan B. Beasley, Ph.D., is a licensed mental health counselor and holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy from the Heller School at Brandeis University. Dr. Beasley has worked to promote the development of effective services for people with disabilities and their families for more than 30 years, and is the recipient of the 2010 Frank J. Menolascino Award for Excellence from the NADD. She is the author and co-founder of the START program, first developed in 1989.
• Marisa C. Brown, MSN, RN, is a research instructor in the Georgetown University Center for Child and Human Development, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCDD) in Washington, D.C. She has been associated with Georgetown University for the past 33 years serving in many capacities. She is an advanced nurse practitioner specializing in the health care of individuals with developmental disabilities, and has over 30 years of experience in this specialty. For the past 10 years she has directed the DC Developmental Disabilities Health Initiative, an effort aimed at improving health care quality and access for adults with intellectual disabilities. She recently completed a training course on dementia and intellectual disabilities from the National Task Group on Dementia and is authorized to use their curriculum. As the parent of a young adult with autism spectrum disorder, she is particularly interested in advocacy for services to support community integration and independence.
• Robert J. Fletcher, DSW, ACSW, is the founder and CEO of the National Association for the Dually Diagnosed and has more than 35 years of clinical experience in providing individual, group, and family psychotherapy for persons with a dual diagnosis. He is the author or editor of several books in the field, including Therapy Approaches for Persons with Mental Retardation, and is the chief editor of the Diagnostic Manual–Intellectual Disability. He lives in Kingston, New York.
• Karyn Harvey, Ph.D., has worked as a psychologist for over 25 years. She is currently the Assistant Executive Director of Quality Support at The Arc Baltimore, where she oversees psychology, nursing, training and quality assurance. Karyn has written two books on working with individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, one focused on clinical intervention and the other on trauma and programmatic issues. Karyn also teaches a graduate class in the psychology of trauma at The University of Baltimore.

Date: March 15, 2016 and March 17, 2016

Since the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, states have been enacting enabling legislation, Congress has amended the law, and federal agencies have been promulgating regulations and issuing guidance.

With these latest developments in mind, The Center for Future Planning is hosting two webinars during March to review the basics of the ABLE Act, discuss these developments, and explore what will come next.

• Tuesday, March 15, 2016: Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer for Public Policy at The Arc, will review the basics of the ABLE Act; the recent IRS and SSA decisions and their implications for chapter staff of The Arc and other disability professionals; state program launch information; and major differences between ABLE accounts and specials needs trusts (SNTs).
  The target audience is staff members at chapters of The Arc and other disability professionals.
• Thursday, March 17, 2016 Marty Ford will be joined by Samantha Crane, Legal Director and Director of Public Policy, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN). These two experts on the ABLE Act will explore the basics of the ABLE Act; IRS/SSA’s recent decisions and their implications for people with I/DD and their families; state program launch information; as well as the major differences between ABLE accounts and special needs trusts (SNTs).
  The target audience is family members and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

About the Speakers:

• Marty Ford, Senior Executive Officer, Public Policy Office, has over 30 years of experience in federal public policy issues affecting people with disabilities. She has represented The Arc on Capitol Hill and in the federal agencies on issues including long term services and supports (including Medicaid), the Supplemental Security Income program, and Social Security disability issues. Ms. Ford served three years as Chairperson of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), a coalition of over 100 national organizations, and currently serves as Co-Chair of the CCD Task Force on Financial Security. Ms. Ford has testified numerous times before Congress, including before the House Ways and Means Committee and its Subcommittees, Subcommittees of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and House Budget Committee, and the Senate Finance Committee. Ms. Ford is currently the Vice-Chair of the Advance CLASS Board of Directors and serves on the Board of the National Academy of Social Insurance. She has served on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging and continues to serve as its disability liaison. She received her J.D. from the George Washington University National Law Center; M.S. in Communications Design from Pratt Institute; and B.A. from the University of Virginia.
• Samantha Crane, Legal Director and Director of Public Policy at ASAN’s national office, focuses on promoting full inclusion of people with disabilities in the community, including access to competitive integrated employment and community-based supports and services. She has written numerous resources on self-determination for people with developmental disabilities and access to decision-making supports in financial, healthcare, and other contexts. A graduate of Harvard Law School, Samantha previously served as staff attorney at the Bazelon Center of Mental Health Law, focusing on enforcing the right to community integration as established by the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. L.C., and as an associate at the litigation firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart, & Sullivan, L.L.P., where she focused on patent and securities litigation.

March 15, 2016: For chapter staff and other disability professionals

March 17, 2016: For people with I/DD and family members

Date: January 13, 2016

Family disruption is an inherent part of divorce. When a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) is involved, the complexities can increase. Divorce often impacts public benefits, creates additional expenses, and complicates family dynamics.

Join us for to hear insights from Attorney Craig Reaves and Psychologist Dr. Rebecca Resnik about the factors families should consider and the steps they should take when parents of a son or daughter with I/DD are considering divorce, going through a divorce, and continuing their lives after divorce.

About the Speakers:

• Rebecca Resnik has earned a Doctor of Psychology from The George Washington University. She also holds a Master of Education in Special Education from the The University of Maryland at College Park, as well as a Bachelor of Science, Special Education (Cum Laude and with Honors). Dr. Resnik completed her psychology internship training in Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology at Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital. Her Post Doctoral Residency in Psychological Assessment was completed at Mindwell Psychology in Virginia. Dr. Resnik is a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Maryland. Dr. Resnik has served as a voting member of the Maryland Psychological Association’s (MPA) Board of Directors, Maryland Psychological Association since 2011. She has been recognized for leadership for her service to MPA. Dr. Resnik is also a member of the GTLD Network, Exceptional Minds (X-Minds), Learning Disabilities Association of Montgomery County, and Women Business Owners of Montgomery County. Her research interests include applications of computational linguistics in psychology. She was co-organizer of the first Computational Linguistics and Clinical Psychology workshop held at the Association for Computational Linguistic’s annual international conference, 2014. She continues to be a reviewer for the Workshop (now in its 3rd year).
• Craig Reaves received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis in Political Science from the University of Kansas in 1975. He received a Juris Doctor (law degree) from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1978. He received the CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) designation in 1977 and the ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) designation in 1984 from the American College in Bryn Mawr Pennsylvania. He received the CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney) designation from the National Elder Law Foundation in 1995. Mr. Reaves is a past President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA). He is a Fellow of NAELA and a Fellow of the American College of Trust & Estate Counsel (ACTEC). He was a founding director and the second president of the Missouri Chapter of NAELA, and has been a member of the Kansas Chapter since it was formed. Mr. Reaves is an Adjunct Professor of Law at both the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law and also at the University of Kansas School of Law. He teaches an Elder Law course at both of these law schools.

Date: December 15, 2015

Building relationships and participating in community activities are important parts of all of our lives.

Join The Arc's Center for Future Planning to learn how you can support people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families to create a future plan that includes opportunities for growing and supporting the development of social connections and recreational activities throughout a lifetime.

About the Speakers:

• Al Condeluci is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh PA, USA. He received his masters and doctorate degrees at the University of Pittsburgh and for the past 42 years has served as CEO of CLASS, a full service nonprofit organization supporting people with disabilities; holding faculty appointments with the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and School of Social Work. His books, Interdependence (1991, 1995), Beyond Difference (1996), Cultural Shifting (2002), Advocacy for Change (2004), Together is Better (2008), Social Capital (2014) and the Macro Change Handbook (2015) have been used around the world.
• Dee Duncan is the Founder and Executive Director of New Directions Travel, which provides travel and holiday vacations for people with developmental disabilities. She founded the New Directions organization in 1985 and continues to inspire others and dedicate her efforts to accomplishing their mission. New Directions travel was named Nonprofit of the Year for 2015 by the Mayor’s office in Santa Barbara. Dee has worked with people with developmental disabilities since 1977. She earned a BS in Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
• Regina Watts is the Activities Program Director at The Point/The Arc of Northern Kentucky where she provides socialization experiences for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She started in the disabilities filed over 40 years ago as a volunteer at a summer program. While Regina has seen many twists and turns in her career, she has always found herself returning to the field. She enjoys helping individuals turn their dreams into reality by accomplishing their different goals.

Date: November 17, 2015

Access to reliable, affordable and safe transportation promotes independent, community living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). People with I/DD can receive training on how to use public transportation to get to and from work, to visit friends and family, and participate in community activities. A future plan should consider how a person with I/DD will access public transportation and what training will be needed to learn to use it. Join The Arc’s Center for Future Planning® to learn more about accessible transportation and travel training.

Our presenters will include Donna Smith, Director of Training for Easter Seals Project ACTION, and Robyn Bernardy, Director of Travel Training for Medical Transportation Management.

About the Speakers:

• Julie Dupree is a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist for Easter Seals Transportation Group in Washington, D.C. She promotes accessible community transportation strategies through a variety of initiatives including the National Center for Mobility Management, where she facilitates coordination and provides customized training to communities and individuals throughout the United States. She also facilitates Easter Seals Project Action Consulting’s three-day Introduction to Travel Training workshop in communities across the country. Prior to joining Easter Seals, Julie was the Travel Training Program Manager for Central Maryland Regional Transit, where she built community partnerships that promoted safe and independent travel, coordination and bus stop accessibility. Julie got her start in the disability field by working as a Vocational Counselor for The Arc of Howard County in Ellicott City, Maryland.
• Robyn Bernardy is the Director of Travel Training for Medical Transportation Management (MTM); she oversees the company’s nationwide travel training operations. In particular, Robyn provides direct oversight for MTM’s Our On the Move assessment and travel training activities in the District of Columbia, Minnesota, Houston, Wisconsin, WMATA, KCATA, and PRTC contracts. Her Masters of Social Work degree has helped tailor her expertise in working with older adults and individuals with disabilities. For the past twelve years, Robyn has worked in a variety of settings, all focused on increasing the independence of individuals with disabilities.

Date: October 21, 2015

Join the Center for Future Planning® for a panel discussion on employment, job skills, and planning for the future of a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The panel will discuss topics including job coaching and support, developing skills and fostering job growth, requesting job accommodations, as well as how to deal with new supervisors and co-workers and changes in the job itself.

Our panelists will include John Kramer of the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston, Anne Roehl of the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration, and Melanie Whetzel of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). Amie Lulinski, The Arc’s Director of Research and Evaluation will moderate the panel.

About the Speakers:

• John Kramer earned his PhD in disability studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and joined the Institute for Community Inclusion in 2008. He has focused extensively on employment work and has worked on a range of projects that include co-founding the Massachusetts Sibling Support Network (MSSN) and Supporting Illinois Brothers and Sisters. John was awarded a Switzer research fellowship from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research to investigate the role that siblings play in supporting employment for people with Intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Anne Roehl joined the University of Minnesota’s Institute on Community Integration (ICI) in 2012, to work with Person Centered Thinking and Planning initiatives. Before joining the University, she worked in a variety of settings supporting individuals and families impacted by disabilities. Her education focused on disability studies, however, she’ll tell you she’s learned the most from the people she’s served and in her role as “Mom” to a young son with Autism.
• Melanie Whetzel is a lead consultant at JAN who joined the Cognitive / Neurological Team in February 2008. She has a fourteen year history of teaching and advocating for students with disabilities in the public school system. Melanie holds a Master of Arts degree in Special Education, a Bachelor of Arts degree in English, most recently completed a graduate certification in Career Planning and Placement for Youth in Transition, and became a certified brain injury specialist in 2015.

Date: Aug 11, 2015

As siblings play a larger role in the lives of their brothers or sisters with I/DD, they often times are confused by the new set of terms and acronyms they need to learn to navigate the service system. Join The Arc’s Center for Future Planning® and the Sibling Leadership Network for a webinar sharing practical tips that siblings need to support their brother or sister with I/DD as they plan for the future.

Speakers Cynthia R. Haddad and Alex Nadworny will discuss aspects of the caregiver relationship you should understand such as the history of services your sibling has received, your sibling’s support needs, and all family members’ wishes for the future. The speakers will also provide tips on how to prepare to support your brother or sister with I/DD to navigate the service system.

Date: April 13, 2015

This webinar focuses on supports and services for older caregivers and aging adults with I/DD. Speakers from the National Council on Aging and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging discuss the National Family Caregiver Support Program and provide a brief overview of the Older Americans Act. These experts also discuss the importance of building relationships with the Area Agencies on Aging, core services offered, and how to access these services.

Date: March 11, 2015

Clergy and other faith leaders often play an important role in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Faith communities can support people with I/DD to build community connections and to provide spiritual support.

In this webinar, Bill Gaventa and Michelle Reynolds share tools and resources that faith leaders can use to support families as they plan for the future. Speakers also discuss how staff at chapters of The Arc and other members of the disability community can work with faith communities to reach out to families that are not connected to the disability service system.

Date: January 13, 2015

Siblings of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) often take on a larger role once their parents are no longer able to provide support to their brother or sister. In this webinar, you will hear from two siblings of people with I/DD as they share their perspectives on sibling support:

• Katie Arnold discusses the sibling role in future planning and provides tips on how to get the conversation started when parents or other caregivers are reluctant to discuss the future.
• Kitty Porterfield shares insight on “The Club Sandwich Generation.” This is a term that refers to adult siblings juggling the responsibilities of providing care to their aging parents and raising their own children, while also supporting their brother or sister with I/DD. She also addresses the importance of self-care and how to navigate long-distance sibling relationships.

Date: December 10, 2014

Where do we start? That’s often a question adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families ask after they have recognized the importance of future planning. Expressing future wishes and financial planning are first steps in creating a plan for the future that will allow for a person with I/DD to live as independently as possible.

In this webinar, you will hear from Hye Kyong Jeong of The Arc of King County, a chapter that is doing excellent work in helping families plan for the future. Learn about the important elements that families may want to include as they document future wishes. Andy Hook, an attorney experienced in special needs planning, provides an overview of financial planning and discuss the importance of establishing a special needs trusts.