RE:CON 2025
PRESENTATIONS
Sessions for this year’s re:con
2025 Safety Included
PRESENTED BY: Katie Kinde and Todd Culver
1 Hour
The 2025 SAFETY INCLUDED project provides live, neurodiverse-friendly training on proactive occupational safety and health practices to employees and small employers across Michigan—primarily within CROs and organizations that support individuals with disabilities.
Trainings will be structured around the MIOSHA recommended core elements of effective safety programs:
• Management Leadership • Worker Participation
• Hazard Identification & Assessment • Hazard Prevention & Control
• Education & Training • Program Evaluation & Improvement
• Communication & Coordination
The educational framework will emphasize prevention—encouraging organizations to assess potential risks before an incident occurs, rather than responding after the fact. This shift from reactive to proactive safety culture will help CROs, and all Michigan employers seeking to include workers with disabilities, reduce workplace injuries, improve compliance, and strengthen employee engagement.
SAFETY INCLUDED will apply neurodiverse-conscious design principles to all training materials and delivery methods. These include:
Clear, structured visuals and graphics to support comprehension
Minimized sensory distractions in both virtual and in-person settings
Options for verbal and non-verbal participation
Interactive components that promote engagement without overwhelming
Time-buffered schedules to allow for processing and reflection
This approach will ensure that both employees with disabilities and the staff who support them can fully participate in learning experiences tailored to their communication styles and cognitive strengths.
A World Where All People Are Empowered To, Navigate Relationships At Work
PRESENTED BY: Mary Shehan MS, QSE, and Frank Vaca
2 Hours
We understand what the lack of sexuality and relationship education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) can lead to: High rates of abuse, being charged with a sex crime, unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, and isolation and loneliness, and yes, even loosing jobs. We also know that self-advocates want to learn about this topic and often say they are still healing from the trauma of learning the hard way. These statistics can improve by providing medically accurate, age-appropriate sexuality and healthy relationship education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Education on all types of relationships is never more important when people with IDD are entering the work world. There are ways to provide this education by having self-advocates learn about relationships with colleagues, supervisors and customers. People with IDD can also become leaders in providing this information to their peers.
Advancing Sentence Writing Proficiency and Pre-Vocational Training of Junior and High Schoolers with Significant Support Needs
PRESENTED BY: Kate Connor and Richard A. Price
1 Hour
IDEA (2004), mandates that students with individualized education programs (IEPs) have goals and objectives to prepare students for transitioning from high school to employment. A critical skill that can impact vocational outcomes is the ability to compose coherent writing. This pilot study explores the impact of a sentence construction intervention using two research-based writing practices, self-regulated strategy development (SRSD) (Baker et al., 2009; Harris & Graham, 1996) and picture prompts with 2-3 key words (Datchuk & Kubina, 2017) and infusing technology supports with junior high and high school students with significant support needs. The intervention includes 12 lessons designed to improve the sentence writing skills of secondary students using content focused on pre-vocational training, specifically careers students may explore after high school graduation. Lessons incorporate the SRSD instructional stages: developing background knowledge, discussing the strategy, modeling the strategy, memorizing the strategy, supporting the strategy, and independent performance. Writing probes were administered to evaluate participants’ sentence composition skills. Additionally, participants completed social validity surveys and interviews to provide qualitative data on their experiences. We will have preliminary results by the time of this presentation. This pilot study evaluates improvements in sentence writing skills and student career interests aiming to enhance vocational outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
Advancing Technology First: Transforming Support for People with IDD in Michigan
PRESENTED BY: Lindsay Calcaterra, and Emily Betz
1 Hour
Michigan is undergoing a service transformation called Technology First, aimed at increasing self-efficacy and independence for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), while addressing the state’s ongoing direct care workforce crisis. Easterseals MORC, one of Michigan’s largest behavioral health providers, received funding from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to lead a statewide task force. This group is developing a blueprint to streamline funding and expand access to enabling technology and remote support for Medicaid beneficiaries with IDD. MOKA, a nonprofit serving over 600 individuals with IDD in West Michigan, received an IMPART Alliance grant to pilot smart homes that integrate enabling technology into daily care and support. Together, these organizations, alongside families, advocates, and other stakeholders, are learning from 22 states that have already embraced Technology First, working to bring meaningful systems change to Michigan.
This presentation will:
• Introduce the Technology First framework and outline the work of the statewide task force.
• Share insights from MOKA’s smart home pilot, highlighting how technology can increase independence, improve quality of life, and reduce reliance on traditional staffed residential settings.
• Highlight practical strategies for providers and professionals to engage in the Technology First movement and support technology-enabled, person-centered care.
The session will demonstrate how enabling technology empowers individuals with IDD to live more independently and meaningfully in their communities while also helping to alleviate workforce challenges across the support system.
Advocating for MI DCWs
PRESENTED BY: Stephanie Van Koevering, Angela Martin, Jan Lampman
1 Hour
This session will explore the formation, evolution, and impact of the Michigan Direct Care Worker Wage Coalition—a grassroots alliance of advocacy organizations, labor groups, providers, and individuals united in the fight for fair wages and recognition for Michigan’s direct care workforce. Participants will learn how the Coalition mobilized diverse voices, influenced state budget decisions, and built bipartisan support for one of Michigan’s most undervalued workforces. Through real-world examples, data, and storytelling, attendees will gain insights into coalition-building strategies, policy advocacy tactics, and lessons learned in working toward systemic wage reform. This session is ideal for anyone interested in wage justice, coalition work, or effective legislative advocacy.
Artificial Intelligence in Behavioral Health: Opportunities, Risks, and Practical Steps
PRESENTED BY: Joe Torres
1 Hour
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare, with behavioral health emerging as an area of both promise and concern. This session provides an overview of the areas where healthcare organizations are investing in AI, highlighting where it is showing results and where future opportunities lie. We will also examine the challenges of adoption, including ethical, legal, and organizational considerations. Drawing on current trends and practical experience, the presentation will explore how leaders can balance innovation with responsibility, learn from real-world successes to cut through the hype, focus on where AI delivers genuine value, and prepare their organizations and workforce for a future shaped by intelligent technologies.
Amplifying Voices: Teaching Young Adults with Autism the Art of Podcasting and Self-Marketing
PRESENTED BY: Kari Thomas
1 Hour
In today’s media-rich world, podcasting offers a unique avenue for young adults with autism to share their perspectives, showcase their creativity, and develop communication skills in a flexible, supportive format. This session will explore practical, inclusive strategies for teaching podcast production and marketing to neurodiverse learners. Participants will learn how to scaffold technical skills (recording, editing, publishing) alongside essential self-promotion strategies, such as social media marketing, audience engagement, and content branding. The session will highlight adaptations for sensory sensitivities, executive functioning challenges, and varied communication styles. Attendees will leave with a replicable teaching framework, ready-to-use resources, and case study examples that demonstrate the transformative potential of combining creative media with entrepreneurial skill-building. This workshop aims to empower educators to help their students not only create compelling audio content but also to confidently share their content with the world.
Be Our Guest: Discovering the Intersection of Hospitality and Human Services
PRESENTED BY: Travis Atkinson, MS, LPC, ad Michael Christy MBA
1 Hour
“If hospitality is about making people feel seen, the best way to treat them is not like a commodity, but as a unique individual. Unreasonable hospitality means that one size fits one.”- Will Guidara
In this workshop, unlock the secrets of hospitality in service industries while discovering their relevance in human service settings. Learn how to put the elements of hospitality into practice while avoiding the pitfalls of an environment devoid of whole-hearted hospitality, growing from a culture of compliance to a culture of quality and care.
Break the Pain Cycle: Body-Based Tools for Stress Relief and Independence
PRESENTED BY: Patricia Marchal-Dumont
1 Hour
Chronic pain and physical tension are common barriers to independence, focus, and emotional well-being—especially for individuals with disabilities and those who care for them. In this hands-on session, participants will learn simple, effective, body-based tools to relieve pain and manage stress. Drawing from proven holistic methods including myotherapy, foot zoning, and fascial release, Patricia Marchal-Dumont guides attendees through practical techniques that support physical comfort, mental clarity, and renewed energy. Whether you’re a direct service provider, advocate, or someone living with chronic pain, this session offers empowering, accessible solutions to help break the pain cycle and promote greater independence and resilience.
Beyond Survival: Ethical Advocacy and Best Practices for Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth Amid Civil Rights Crises
PRESENTED BY: LaVendee Fulton, LMSW, MA
1 Hour Ethics
In today’s increasingly polarized climate, LGBTQ+ youth—especially those with disabilities—face mounting threats to their rights, well-being, and safety. This session equips educators and advocates with ethical frameworks and evidence-based practices to support these young people amid ongoing political, social, and civil rights upheaval. Drawing on the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Standards of Care Version 8, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) data, and the Michigan Department of Education’s LGBTQ+ Student Support Recommendations, this presentation explores how schools and community partners can foster protective environments that affirm identity, promote mental health, and mitigate trauma.
Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Transition Services Through Collaboration
PRESENTED BY: John Foster, Rachel Mularz, Julie Colliflower, Valerie A. Maloney MSW BSW, Brittany Hamilton-Reed, MA, CRC, LLPC, Chandler C. Yuen, BSW, CESPTM
1 Hour
This session will explore common gaps in transition planning and service delivery across education, vocational rehabilitation (VR), and provider systems. Presenters will offer practical strategies to improve early engagement, clarify roles, and align services from multiple stakeholder perspectives. Through discussion and real-world examples, attendees will gain tools to better coordinate efforts that support student success and employment outcomes. The session will also connect strong transition planning to long-term vocational results such as job development, WBLEs, and placement. This interactive, one-hour session brings together a Job Developer and two employers from different industries to share practical, business-focused insights on inclusive hiring and retention. The panel will explore what drives employers to invest in inclusive talent, the supports that make a difference, and how workforce partners can improve collaboration to meet real business needs.
Attendees will gain actionable tips for approaching employers, building long-term relationships, and aligning services with the realities of different industries.
Building Workforce Partnerships: Employer Insights on Inclusive Hiring
PRESENTED BY: Jerry Block, Shayla Packer, Mike Israel and Sarah Ring
1 Hour
This interactive, one-hour session brings together a Job Developer and two employers from different industries to share practical, business-focused insights on inclusive hiring and retention. The panel will explore what drives employers to invest in inclusive talent, the supports that make a difference, and how workforce partners can improve collaboration to meet real business needs.
Attendees will gain actionable tips for approaching employers, building long-term relationships, and aligning services with the realities of different industries.
Career Pathways in Action
PRESENTED BY: Sarah Velez, Jack Schaberg
1 Hour
Come learn about how Peckham is innovating career pathways. An update from where we were with this project last year with an added twist! Not only are we making strong progress toward our goal of empowering our team members to embrace their own professional journeys, but we are finding new and creative ways to help them understand their options and “try on” prospective career options. In this session you will learn:
Strategic alignment
Job descriptions that work
Cross-functional communication
Developing community partnerships
Video media skills
Marketing strategies that really help people
Community-Based Pathways to Employment – Practical Tools for Linking Community-Based Skill Building to Employment Success
PRESENTED BY: Shannon Webb and Lisa Mills, PhD
1 Hour
Community-based skill building for employment goes beyond exploration and volunteerism activities – it’s about empowering individuals to shape their futures, ensuring staff have the competencies to guide the process, and using practical assessment and tracking strategies to show results. This session equips disability service providers with tools to map their communities for new opportunities, integrate empowerment and self-advocacy into skill-building plans, and implement straightforward methods to set goals and track progress. Participants will explore how individualized approaches can transform everyday community participation into meaningful employment pathways.
CMH Rate Restructuring to Support Employment Services and Outcomes: Results of Evaluation
PRESENTED BY: Lisa Mills, PhD
1 Hour
Join this session to hear about CMH Rate Restructuring to Advance Competitive Integrated Supported Employment including Customized Employment. This work with CMHs has been going on since 2015, involving 15 CMHs. Over the years, this work has been supported by the Michigan DD Council, InCompass, DHHS (ARPA funding) and the CMHA. Learn why rate restructuring is critical for supported employment providers, here about the history as well as the results of a recent evaluation.
Creative Approaches to Youth Transition Services! Pathway to Success!
PRESENTED BY: Rene Dell
1 Hour
This presentation is designed to take a deeper look at Youth Transition Services. We are going to explore the definition and scope of services. We will look into best practices as well as the tools and methods used to place students on a path to success! We dig into the challenges that may arise and plan to counteract those challenges so that goals and outcomes can be achieved!
Customized Employment: How to Partner for Success
PRESENTED BY: Cassaundra Wolf, MSW
1 Hour
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) in partnership with our sister agency, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) has, since 2019, been piloting the use of customized employment services when identified as needed to achieve competitive integrated employment (CIE). This includes services such as Discovery, Job Development & Placement, and Workplace & Related Support services. MRS expanded the current customized employment pilot to all districts on September 8, 2025, ensuring that all can engage in this “no-fail”, strengths-based approach to employment. Customized employment will be an available service option for individuals with significant and most significant disabilities when traditional job placement methods are unlikely to be successful. This presentation will be explored during the information session.
Developing a Successful Pre-ets Program
PRESENTED BY: Jim Holz
1 Hour
This is a comprehensive tutorial on Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ets) and how to develop a successful program. Pre-ets are available to students from 14-26 years of age, who are enrolled in school and who have a documented disability. Services are often provided by contracted service agencies in collaboration with MRS and BSBP.
The presentation will cover the following topics:
* What is a Pre-employment Transition Program?
* Student qualifications and application process.
* Benefits of including a Pre-ets program in your service portfolio.
* The roll of service agencies, schools, MRS and BSBP and other stakeholders.
* Steps to starting and continuing a successful Pre-ets program.
* Curriculum development to meet students’ needs.
* Staffing requirements and budgeting.
* Managing growth over the years.
* Problem solving and avoiding potential pitfalls.
* Carryover programs that tag along with Pre-ets to help agency growth.
Disability Policy and Legislative Advocacy
PRESENTED BY: Todd Culver, Malcolm Kletke
1 Hour
POLITICS: General legislative priorities, including the state budget
2025 session recap, 2026 outloook
Legislative priorities on disability-specific issues
POLICY: Summary of current key issues
Advocacy and engagement strategies
Disconnected or Misunderstood? How Trauma Shapes Youth Behavior and Belonging
PRESENTED BY: Detective Sergeant Sarah Combs, Sarah Britton, Quiano Davis
2 Hours
In recent years, the presence of hybrid gangs—fluid, loosely affiliated groups that defy traditional structures—has become more visible in schools and communities. Yet beyond the headlines and enforcement challenges lies a deeper issue: the pervasive impact of trauma on youth identity, behavior, and belonging.
This session will explore how unaddressed trauma—rooted in systemic inequities, community violence, family disruption, and poverty—shapes the way young people navigate their environments, including their involvement in gang-affiliated peer groups. Participants will examine how trauma undermines a youth’s connection to school, community, and self, often pushing them toward alternative forms of safety, identity, and validation.
We will also explore the role of social media and drill music as digital spaces where trauma, identity, and conflict intersect—amplifying feelings of isolation, retaliation, and survival. These online expressions are often misunderstood, yet they offer critical insight into the emotional world of young people.
The session will highlight trauma-informed, community-rooted approaches to prevention and intervention, drawing on real-life examples and Peckham’s strength-based model. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how trauma manifests in youth behavior.
Employing with a Heart and a Helping Hand
PRESENTED BY: Tracy Tanner and Tammey Wine
1 Hour
In our presentation we will introduce Peckham and their mission. From there we will include an introduction of the WIOA Youth Program and the eligibility requirements and suitability for the program. We will explain the Job’s for Michigan’s Graduates Program and the way that we use their curriculum to empower our youth. We will discuss the barriers to employment that our youth have as they are related to social, emotional and mental health that our youth struggle with on a day to day basis. We will then move into the amzing employers that we work with,including Kiss Solutions and their founder Tammey Wine that will co-present on the ways that employers help our youth with hands on the job training to help these youth overcome these barriers and become successful in the employment world.We will give multiple examples of barriers and the employers that we have used in our community to overcome them a little heart and an extra hand everyone will see the amazing successes that we see very frequently.
Empowering Transitions: Collaborative Strategies for Supporting Students with Disabilities in Michigan
PRESENTED BY: Rebecca Flatt
1 Hour
Are you ready to transform transition outcomes for students with disabilities? Join us to learn about Michigan’s shared vision of coordination, collaboration, and innovation for students with disabilities! In this session, leaders from the Michigan Interagency Transition Team (MITT) will walk you through Michigan’s Interagency Agreement (IA) that outlines collaborative roles and responsibilities of several state agencies to promote the successful transition from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, employment-related activities, and Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE) supported by labor market information.
You will learn how the IA fosters streamlined referrals to VR services, ensuring students with disabilities have a pathway to individualized support and work-based learning experiences—crucial to improving long-term employment outcomes (Horton et al., 2022; Wehman et al., 2019). Beyond explaining how to initiate and sustain collaboration with VR counselors, we will introduce the MITT and the comprehensive Guide to Transition from Special Education into Adulthood they developed. These resources are designed to unify schools, agencies, and families around a shared goal of enhancing students’ self-determination, independence, and life trajectory.
Attendees will gain access to evidence-based strategies, including referral information, collaboration checklists, and road maps for integrating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) with Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs). Join us for a session designed to empower special educators, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and school administrators to turn the shared vision outlined in the IA into actionable steps. Together, we will create a continuum of support and innovative practices that help students with disabilities (SWD) transition into meaningful post-school opportunities.
Ethical Dilemmas When Working with Persons Served
PRESENTED BY: Christal Phillips, MS, JD
1 Hour Ethics
This presentation addresses ethical dilemmas that arise when working with disabled groups in social work. These could include the use of medication to manage problem behavior, patients’ capacity to participate in their care plan, a lack of communication between multiple providers, a lack of patient input, and a lack of finances for respectful care. This can apply to disabled groups at home, school, medical clinics, and hospitals. These ethical issues become more complicated by financial constraints that do not offer social workers many options. This presentation is based on studies that analyze ethical considerations and practices with people who have disabilities
Ethics, Boundaries and Critical Life Skills
PRESENTED BY: Dr. Rosanne Renauer
1 Hour Ethics
This session provides a foundation and explores the relationship between ethics, boundaries, self-esteem and self-preservation in the face of ongoing and unrelenting demands. As a helping professional and generally in life, you are expected to continually demonstrate mastery of good interpersonal communication and empathy. Ethical behavior requires maintaining healthy boundaries in client interactions, organizational dynamics and professional relationships. What happens when doing this requires all of your energy, leaving you depleted? What strategies exist to build up your reserves, preserve and build a positive self-image and develop resiliency stores so you can continue to support others? This session will offer tips for increasing mindfulness, building assertiveness skills and navigating boundaries and challenging times within an ethical framework.
Ethics Over Optics: Protecting Inclusivity in an Anti-DEI Era
PRESENTED BY: Carie Branch
1 Hour Ethics
In response to Executive Order 14151 (January 20, 2025), which eliminated federal DEI programs and suspended diversity clauses in federal contracting, as well as the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill (July 4, 2025) with sweeping cuts to Medicaid, student aid, and gender-affirming care, and the broader dismantling agenda in Project 2025, many professionals are left twisting in the wind: committed to equity, yet fearful to say it out loud.
Ethics Over Optics guides vocational rehab counselors, providers, and behavioral health professionals, through a strategic reframing of equity work into ethically anchored, policy safe language and practice structures. Rather than abandoning values, attendees will learn how to re-narrate and preserve DEI principles through the language of trauma informed care, client centered ethics, access, dignity, and professional codes of ethics. This session provides:
-An overview of recent policy shifts that affect DEI initiatives—E.O. 14151, the One Big Beautiful Bill, and Project 2025
-Ethical professional frameworks that affirm obligations to support marginalized communities
-Hands on reframing tools: trigger vs. values focused language (e.g., “equity” to “barrier-free access”)
-Practical scripts and strategies to protect inclusive practices within compliance boundaries
Participants will be encouraged to share reflections and experiences related to presentation topic to build internal resilience and collective courage in a safe space.
Attendees will leave ready to integrate ethics first frameworks into daily work, and continue serving marginalized clients, while navigating federal scrutiny with confidence and integrity.
Executive Functioning at Work: Practical Strategies to Support Independence and Retention
PRESENTED BY: Taylor Picano and Hannah Bals
1 Hour
Executive functioning skills—such as planning, task initiation, and follow-through—are critical to workplace success, yet breakdowns in these areas remain a leading cause of job instability and turnover for people with disabilities. Recent research underscores that evidence-based interventions, including assistive technology (AT), cognitive-behavioral strategies, and structured environmental supports, can significantly improve employment outcomes when tailored to vocational contexts.
This session introduces practical tools VR counselors, job coaches, and therapy teams can use to recognize executive functioning challenges and integrate effective supports into job coaching and rehabilitation plans. Drawing on current evidence, we will explore how AT can be leveraged for both work entry and retention (Zhou et al., 2025), how structured accommodations can reduce barriers to task completion (Wilson et al., 2024), and how coaching approaches can foster self-regulation and independence (Scharlach & Rios, 2023). Attendees will leave with strategies ready to implement in the field to increase independence, improve job retention, and strengthen employment outcomes.
From Surviving to Thriving: Supporting Entry Level Employees Through Integrated Career Coaching and Resource Navigation
PRESENTED BY: Chris Smith and Torry Gargano
1 Hour
Frontline workers often face multifaceted challenges that extend beyond the workplace, including economic instability, limited access to resources, and a lack of exposure to the unwritten rules of professional environments. This presentation explores a wholistic support model that integrates resource navigation, motivational interviewing, and career coaching to empower frontline employees. By addressing both personal and professional barriers, this approach helps workers from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds build confidence, navigate workplace norms, and pursue meaningful career pathways.
Additionally, emerging generations such as Gen Z and Millennials are reshaping expectations of the workplace. These cohorts seek employers who offer more than just a paycheck—they value purpose, growth, and support. By implementing wholistic support strategies, organizations can attract and retain younger talent while fostering inclusive environments that meet the needs of all employees.
Drawing from real-world implementation and evidence-based practices, we will share strategies for building trust, fostering resilience, and promoting career advancement among frontline staff.
Learning Objectives – Participants will:
Understand the principles and impact of resource navigation in addressing barriers to employment and well-being.
Learn how motivational interviewing can be used to build rapport and support behavior change.
Explore career coaching techniques that promote long-term growth and self-efficacy.
Get ‘Em Ready: Federal Policy Meets Inclusive Practice in Transition Planning
PRESENTED BY: Dessie Johnson
1 Hour
Recent federal guidance from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) emphasizes the importance of coordinated postsecondary transition services for students with disabilities. This presentation explores how schools, vocational rehabilitation agencies, and community partners can implement these guidelines to create smoother pathways from high school to college, training, and employment. Special attention will be given to inclusive instructional models—such as push-in and pull-out services—that balance access with individualized support. Participants will gain practical strategies for aligning policy with practice, fostering student self-advocacy, and designing transition plans that move beyond compliance toward meaningful outcomes in adulthood.
Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Streamline Vocational Rehabilitation Tasks for Individuals with Disabilities: Stakeholder Perspectives
PRESENTED BY: Dr. Connie Sung and Dr. Matthew Smith
1 Hour
This session will present findings from a study aimed at identifying routine tasks in transition and vocational rehabilitation services, such as job development, job placement, and job coaching, that could benefit from automation. Drawing on stakeholder input through focus groups with community rehabilitation organizations and school partners, the project explores how stakeholders perceive innovative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, can be used to efficiently streamline repetitive tasks as well as their perceptions and recommendations. Participants will learn about the initial results from stakeholder brainstorming sessions, and practical examples of how AI-driven tools can reduce administrative burden and enhance support for individuals with disabilities. The presentation will also discuss ethical and implementation considerations for technology adoption in transition and vocational rehabilitation settings.
How Technology First Will Revolutionize Longterm Services
PRESENTED BY: Susan Chaplin, Margaret Overton
1 Hour
Learn how technology can transform direct care services for Michigan’s highly vulnerable IDD population. From enabling technology to help you take your medication independently and reliably, to smart refrigerators, induction stove tops, fall detectors, communication tablets, emergency call buttons, transportation assistance, Ring doorbells, and motion sensors…technology makes everyone’s life easier; for people with disabilities, it makes life
possible. An independent life, but a safe life, fulfilling and more autonomous, self-directed and free of the constraints of hovering parents and caregivers. Speaking of caregivers — this may be the most obvious solution to the Direct Care Personnel crisis. Yes, more pay. Yes, more certification and respect. But even with those reforms, which are slow in coming, there simply aren’t enough DCPs today, let alone in 10 years! Two parents who single-handedly started this revolution in Michigan partnered with Easterseals MORC and MOKA, Inc. to start a Task Force earlier this year to make enabling technology and remote support acceptable, adoptable and Medicaid-covered in Michigan. Margaret Overton, retired MD, and Susan Chaplin, retired management consultant, are parents of individuals with IDD who are now grown adults. Searching for a housing solution led them to discover that states throughout the country – 40 of them – were already supporting individuals with IDD with creative technological solutions. But not Michigan! Overton and Chaplin became vocal
advocates – with MDHHS, with provider agencies, with legislators throughout the state. They wrote a white paper. They presented to the Disability Caucus, the Care Caucus, the Autism Caucus and the Michigan Developmental Disability Council. They interviewed the states where Tech First has been adopted, like Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota and Oklahoma. Now their task force, with leaders from throughout the state, is taking on the challenge of
creating a blueprint for how to make it happen in Michigan. Learn what we’re doing to make Tech First a reality in Michigan, how it was done in other
states, how it will affect your clients and you, why you should support it, and what you can do to help.
Participants will learn:
What Technology First means and how it will benefit Michigan IDD Medicaid recipients
How enabling technology differs from assistive technology
How remote support works
What several other states are doing to support IDD clients with technology
What the Technology First Task Force is doing in Michigan
The impact of Tech First on the Direct Care crisis
Which other Michigan populations will benefit from Tech First
Introduction to Dementia in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
PRESENTED BY: Kristi Davis, CTRS
1 Hour
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are living longer than ever, and with longer life comes an increased risk of dementia. Join us to learn the risk of dementia for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities; the unique signs and symptoms of dementia in this population; and how to best modify support to meet changing abilities.
Late Diagnosed Autistics: Unmet Needs and Resource Gaps
PRESENTED BY: Jessica Humiston, LPC
1 Hour
Continued advancements in understanding Autism have lead to more individuals being diagnosed after childhood and adolescence. Individuals who are late diagnosed often have lengthy history of masking, resulting in lack of accommodations or supports in adulthood. This presentation will focus on the specific needs of this population, with a focus on mental health and therapeutic considerations – including frequently co-occurring diagnoses, employment concerns, grief response with diagnosis, and considerations for finding a therapist. Potential services that could be developed to serve this community will also be explored.
MiABLE- Saving without Sacrifice
PRESENTED BY: R Scott de Varona
1 Hour
Financial security shouldn’t come at the cost of essential benefits — and with MiABLE, it doesn’t have to! Join MiABLE Program Director Scott de Varona for a deeper dive into how MiABLE accounts empower people with disabilities to save money while
preserving critical benefits like SSI and Medicaid. MiABLE is a vital financial resource designed for individuals with disabilities,
who have historically faced barriers to saving money. Learn how MiABLE works, who qualifies and how you can help your clients
take advantage of this game-changing program. With real-life success stories, discussions, and you’ll be equipped to
further advocate for financial independence within the disability community! Help those you serve achieve financial success — without sacrifice.
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS): the Cliff Notes of Services and Roundtable Discussion
PRESENTED BY: Ann Degeler, Kristi Palmer
1 Hour
Presentation description/abstract: Participants will gain a broad overview of MRS and local level service coordination examples such as partnering with mental health agencies, local businesses / government agencies, vendors, training programs and Michigan Works. This will include case examples of the behind the scenes details of Eastern Upper Michigan supports coordination with local school district, trade programs and colleges for post-secondary and employment outcomes.
More Than Services: A Roundtable on Upholding Client Dignity
PRESENTED BY: Todd Michael and Dessie Johnson
1 Hour Ethics
Dignity is a core value in vocational rehabilitation and disability services, yet it is often challenged by systemic pressures, resource limitations, and the complexity of client needs. This roundtable will explore how dignity is defined, upheld, and sometimes compromised across different organizational contexts. Panelists will share perspectives from ethics, leadership, disability-specific services, and independent living, highlighting practical examples of how dignity informs service delivery, decision-making, and advocacy. Following brief presentations, participants will engage in a guided discussion on questions prepared by the facilitators, with an open forum to share challenges, strategies, and best practices. The session aims to foster dialogue among professionals about strengthening a culture of respect and person-centeredness across rehabilitation settings.
Navigating First Jobs: A Qualitative Exploration of Self-Determination Among High School Students with Disabilities
PRESENTED BY: Rommel Johnson, Ph.D., LPC, CRC, CAADC, NCC, and Stephanie Picazo, M.S
2 Hour
This presentation is based on a recent qualitative study (Summer, 2025) that explored the lived experiences of high school students with disabilities in Southwest Michigan as they navigated their first jobs. It addresses the gap in research that often overlooks the nuanced, personal perspectives of these students during this critical transition period. The study aimed to understand their perceptions, emotional responses, perceived barriers, and supports related to initial work experiences. Furthermore, it investigated how autonomy, competence, and relatedness—central components of self-determination—affected these students as they enter the workforce. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, with a purposeful sample of 10-15 students. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and themes related to self-determination. The findings provide in-depth insights into the contextual and interpersonal factors that shape the transition to employment, informing the development of more tailored and practical supports to enhance successful workforce integration for students with disabilities.
Navigating the Future of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
PRESENTED BY: Sigrid J. Adams and Maureen Webster
1 Hour
This presentation by the Director and Deputy Director of Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) will provide a forward-looking perspective on the bureau’s priorities, threats and opportunities. The core message centers on post secondary training options for VR customers, embracing innovation, organizational transformation and talent development of rehabilitation professionals. In addition, we will explore the threats to the bureau’s mission due to fluctuating funding and the ongoing challenges with recruiting and training qualified rehabilitation personnel. The presentation will offer a clear vision for how MRS plans to navigate future challenges and opportunities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities, our staff and our partners.
Paralinguistic Creativity: Infusing Disability Identity in Career Development
PRESENTED BY: Robert Parsons, Jr., MA, CRC, CVRT, LLPC
1 Hour
Collaborating with people with disabilities to achieve their respective employment goals mandates an individualized, wholistic methodology that considers a plethora of information from a customer. This information can be acquired through methods like interviewing and observation, but when a mental health practitioner has a disability, it can increase the potential for intimidation or hesitation. Professional research suggests that a professional’s disability identity has tangible effects on observed and perceived professional efficacy. This educational session highlights potential sources of identity-based hesitation or intimidation for therapists with a disability, while offering examples of ways a counselor educator with blindness successfully incorporates their identity into their methodology or teaching pedagogy. Opportunity for experiential activity and collaboration are included.According to the 2020 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) statistics, 36.8% of Koreans reported experiencing depression or depressive symptoms, the highest rate among OECD countries. The prevalence of depression is particularly high among individuals in their teens and twenties, with people with disabilities showing higher rates and more frequent reports of depressive symptoms compared to their peers without disabilities. Depression adversely affects the academic and vocational activities of individuals with disabilities as well as their physical and psychological well-being, highlighting the need for proactive intervention.
This session presents findings from an analysis of adolescents with disabilities aged 10 to 20, using the Korean Disability and Life Dynamics Panel Data. The study examines whether disability acceptance and self-esteem mediate the relationship between family strength and depression in this population. Based on the results, the session will discuss the role of rehabilitation counselors, propose effective strategies for reducing depression, and compare the Korean rehabilitation system with that of the United States to identify areas for improvement.
Parents’ Perspectives on Their Parenting Styles and Involvement in Transition Programs for their Ethnic-Minority Youth with Disabilities
PRESENTED BY: Adriza Caesar, Ph.D., CRC, LPC, and Gloria Lee, PhD, CRC
2 Hours
This presentation shares findings from a 2024 study that examined the lived experiences of parents of ethnic-minority youth with disabilities. The research study focused on how parental involvement and parenting styles interact with race/ethnicity and cultural practices that shape transition outcomes. Research in this area is limited and outdated; these voices are critical.
Using qualitative research methods, seven ethnic-minority parents were interviewed, and five themes emerged.
These findings presented key implications for educators, practitioners, and areas of future research. The parents emphasized the need for advocacy to support their youth, educational, and disability policies, which significantly impact service delivery. They also highlighted the importance of practitioners being skilled in working with culturally diverse populations and the overall impact of the transition process on youth and their families. Therefore, transition-age youth with disabilities and their families continue to face many challenges during this process, but remain underserved.
Pathways to Reducing Depression in Korean Adolescents with Disabilities: The Role of Family Strength, Disability Acceptance, and Self-Esteem
PRESENTED BY: Seongeun Oh, Kyo-bin Jeon, Minju Lee, Jaeyoung Kim, and Gloria Lee
1 Hour
According to the 2020 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) statistics, 36.8% of Koreans reported experiencing depression or depressive symptoms, the highest rate among OECD countries. The prevalence of depression is particularly high among individuals in their teens and twenties, with people with disabilities showing higher rates and more frequent reports of depressive symptoms compared to their peers without disabilities. Depression adversely affects the academic and vocational activities of individuals with disabilities as well as their physical and psychological well-being, highlighting the need for proactive intervention.
This session presents findings from an analysis of adolescents with disabilities aged 10 to 20, using the Korean Disability and Life Dynamics Panel Data. The study examines whether disability acceptance and self-esteem mediate the relationship between family strength and depression in this population. Based on the results, the session will discuss the role of rehabilitation counselors, propose effective strategies for reducing depression, and compare the Korean rehabilitation system with that of the United States to identify areas for improvement.
Roots Before Wings: How Mentoring Changes Lives in Flint and Beyond
PRESENTED BY: Tadarius Lowe, Sarah Britton
1 Hour
Before young people can soar, they need roots—stability, connection, and someone who believes in them. In this powerful and heartfelt session, mentors and mentees from Flint, Michigan, share their personal journeys and the life-changing impact of mentorship. Through authentic storytelling, panelists will reveal how meaningful relationships have helped them overcome adversity, rediscover hope, and unlock new paths forward.
Self-Determination Affirming With College Students
PRESENTED BY: Lynn Boza, Ph.D., CRC, LPC
1 Hour
Students in transition from high school to college need to acquire and use self-determination skills. Key components of self-determination and the population for whom this material is relevant will be described in this presentation. Participants will also acquire a model affirmation exercise developed by presenter for customers/clientele.
Strategic Alignment in Times of Change: Mergers, ASOs, and Back-Office Innovation in an Ever-changing Landscape
PRESENTED BY: Paul Blatt, Jeanette Hoyer
1 Hour
As Michigan’s behavioral health system undergoes significant transformation – organizations are evaluating strategic options to remain resilient and responsive. This session will explore the current landscape and the growing necessity for collaboration, shared services, and structural innovation. This session will address:
• The current environment and why change may be necessary.
• Reducing fear and stigma around organizational mergers, especially among boards and executive leadership.
• Structural options for combining resources including shared back-office functions, creation of Administrative Services Organizations (ASOs), and governance models (subsidiary vs. full merger).
• Resources available through networks and associations to support organizations during transitions.
This session will provide practical guidance and real-world examples to help organizations navigate change with confidence and clarity.
Strategic GPS: From Why to How to Wow
PRESENTED BY: James Willis
1 Hour
Presentation description/abstract: In today’s rapidly shifting environment, organizations that lead with clear, authentic values have a distinct advantage—they make decisions with clarity, align teams with purpose, and measure success in ways that matter. This session will guide participants through a practical, values-driven approach to strategic and operational planning.
We will begin by exploring why values come first, uncovering the ways in which they influence culture, decision-making, and organizational resilience. For those without clearly defined values, we will introduce proven strategies for discovering them—drawing on stakeholder input, organizational history, and purpose-driven frameworks such as Simon Sinek’s Start With Why. Participants will learn how to transform values from words on paper into living principles that shape hiring, training, and recognition.
The session will then move from vision to action, introducing the One Page Strategic Plan as a tool for translating values into clear strategic priorities. We will examine how to develop an Operational Strategic Plan that makes those priorities real through defined initiatives, timelines, and accountability structures. Finally, we will explore how progress dashboards—built around value-driven metrics—can keep organizations on track, enable real-time adjustments, and sustain alignment over time.
By the conclusion, participants will have a practical framework for developing or refining their values, translating them into strategic and operational plans, and measuring results in ways that reinforce their organizational purpose. They will leave with templates, examples, and the confidence to create a strategy that not only drives results, but stays true to what matters most.
Supporting Job Seekers with Criminal Backgrounds
PRESENTED BY: Christa Martin, MRC, CRC
1 Hour Ethics
This interactive dynamic presentation will guide participants through being able to better support job seekers with various criminal backgrounds. Individuals with disabilities are disproportionally represented in the adult criminal justice and the juvenile justice systems throughout the country, as well as the United State having the highest levels of incarceration in the world. This session will provide tools, resources, and tangible takeaways to assist clients becoming better self-advocates, along with the professionals that serve them being better advocates and allies. Improved self-sufficiency and job retention are key factors in reducing relapses and recidivism, so working to increase positive employment outcomes, combat stigmas, and providing the relevant resources needed are critical for clients with disabilities in overcoming this barrier to employment.
From types of background checks and how to interpret them, to expungements and non-disclosures, to filling out applications and answering interview questions, to felony diversion and federal bonding to the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, they are a plethora of ways to mitigate a criminal history impacting a person’s ability to meet their vocational goals. Through relevant real-world examples, lived experience, and expertise, this session will help you and your clients more effectively market themselves in the workforce and engage transformative employers in the process. We can equip our clients with the tools in the toolbox they need to form a foundation of many successes to come. This timely workshop will end with a facilitated discussion, as we often learn best from one another by sharing best practices and innovative ideas.
Technology for Accessibility in Employment and Community Inclusion
PRESENTED BY: Leah Paige Cooley
1 Hour
Making Workplaces and Community More Inclusive Through Everyday Tools- Using easily accessible tools such as on line video content to develop training mastery as well as using other tech platforms to assist in job readiness and skills development.
The Communication Frequency
PRESENTED BY: Shonda Rushing
1 Hour
It is often said that it is not what you say, but how you say it. I would argue that what you say is just as important, if not more so. Before words have tone, they hold power. Words are as close to alchemy as we can get, and the spirit realm cannot distinguish between joking and seriousness. Therefore, the words we speak shape the reality we live in.
The incantation “abracadabra” is spoken by a magician before altering reality. It derives from a Hebrew phrase, “Ebri K’dabri,” which means “I create as I speak.” There is a direct connection between what you say and what you experience. If we want to change what we experience, we must first change what we speak.
The Development and Feasibility of a Virtual Community-based Emotion Regulation Psychoeducation Program for Workers with Disabilities Promoting Work Wellbeing
PRESENTED BY: Gloria K Lee, Li Mao, Mudita Jagota, Erica Johnson-McNeal, Kristina Zwick
1 Hour
This presentation is based on a grant-funded project that was executed from November 2024 to October 2025. The project aimed at the development, adaptation and feasibility evaluation of an emotion regulation psychoeducation program. The original emotion regulation program, Skills Improvement Emotion Regulation for Adults; SIERA (Lee & Lee, 2024) was an 8 weekly in-person, lab-based group program of 60 minutes each session that was based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Linedan, 2014) for young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder. For the current project, a mixed methods approach was used, guided by implementation science principles and community-involved research. The adaptation was intended to make changes for working individuals with different disabilities from a community-based agency and to implement the program virtually. Implementation Science is defined as the scientific study of the use of strategies to adapt and integrate evidence-based health interventions into clinical and community settings to improve individual outcomes and benefit population health. It is used to address the gap between interventions that have been shown to be effective and routinely used by service providers and can benefit individuals in “real world” settings (Glasgow et al., 2012; Proctor et al., 2009). SIERA is adapted through multiple phases to adhere to the guidelines to modify existing intervention to suit the unique needs, population and setting. Phase 1 involved eight (8) workers with disabilities and staff from the community-based agency. They were given a month to review the original SIERA materials, followed by a focus group to discuss the suitability and solicitation of feedback to modify the materials to fit the needs of the workers with disabilities, using a set of guided questions. Several modifications in terms of the content and delivery were made. In phase 2 of the project, the modified SIERA was run with a total of three groups of 7-8 members in each group to test out the feasibility and initial efficacy of the program. Two of the three groups were completed, and the third group was launched at the time of this proposal’s submission. Partial qualitative results showed that workers with disabilities thought positively about this program; were able to apply what was learned to real life and work life situations. They also would recommend the program to others. Workers also reported learning the skills of regulating emotions and was helpful in enhancing their emotions. On the other hand, they reported information in each session could be reduced to allow more practice as a group to consolidate their skills. Though participants were able to bond while using online means for the group sessions, technological issues were a hinderance for logistical matters. Lessons learned from the execution of the groups and solicitation of feedback from each group provided further insight into how to improve the program to better fit these community-based workers with disabilities. Preliminary results thus far supported the needs to tailor programs for different groups, thus, further attesting the importance of the application of implementation science to practice in order to maximize the use and benefits of programs.
The Invitation: Cultural Humility in Practice
PRESENTED BY: Dr Crystallee Crain
2 Hour
Dr Crystallee Crain (she/her) invites you to attend her foundational training Cultural Humility: People, Community, & Practice Workshop. This workshop introduces participants to the framework of cultural humility, inspired by the work of Josepha Campinha-Bacote, Melanie Tervalon, and Jann Murray-García. This evidence-based approach emphasizes the importance of co-creating dynamic and generative relationships with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and different cultural experiences from your own. This could be in regards to a person’s race, ethnicity, class, education level, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, mental health capacities or disability status, political affiliations, or regional association.
During this workshop Dr. Crain will work with participants to identify gaps in understanding, capacity for humility and emotional responsiveness as it relates to their professional practice. Through a participatory framed experience, participants will be able to heighten their efficacy in their work by understanding how their biases, perceptions, and worldview impact their service to the community.
The Impact of Mental Health on Job Satisfaction: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem and Primary Job Perception
PRESENTED BY: Jiwon Seo, Elijah T. Salahuddin, Ying Hsuan Chen
1 Hour
This study aimed to examine the mediating effects of primary job perception and self-esteem in the relationship between mental health and job satisfaction among people with disabilities in South Korea.
Methods
Data were drawn from the 8th wave of the Second Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled, involving 4,577 participants with disabilities. To test the mediating effects of primary job perception and self-esteem in the relationship between mental health and job satisfaction, SPSS Statistics 30 was used, and the statistical significance of the mediation effects was verified through the Sobel test.
Results
First, mental health significantly and negatively predicted job satisfaction. Second, mental health significantly and negatively predicted primary job perception. Third, primary job perception significantly and positively predicted job satisfaction. Fourth, the mediating effect of primary job perception in the relationship between mental health and job satisfaction was positive and significant. Fifth, mental health significantly and negatively predicted self-esteem. Sixth, self-esteem significantly and positively predicted job satisfaction. Seventh, the mediating effect of self-esteem in the relationship between mental health and job satisfaction was positive and significant.
Conclusion
This study suggests that in order to improve job satisfaction among people with disabilities, it is necessary to provide counseling and interventions aimed at enhancing mental health, fostering a sense of meaning in one’s primary job, and creating opportunities to boost self-esteem. Notably, based on standardized coefficient comparisons, primary job perception (β = .519) had nearly three times the influence of self-esteem (β = .170), identifying it as a key factor in improving job satisfaction. Discussions and practical recommendations based on these results are presented.
The Necessity for Self-Care in Leadership
PRESENTED BY: Shonda Rushing
1 Hour
This presentation will discuss the importance of self-care in leadership. As a leader, you must not neglect your personal well-being and growth while guiding others. Being a leader does not exempt you from facing real-life challenges. You are in leadership not because you lack obstacles, but because you have successfully navigated the difficult journey of confronting your own mental and emotional conflicts. We will explore how to overcome the pain and disappointments that come with leadership, and how to develop the wisdom to stop the bleeding, allowing you to lead with humility and wholeness.
Transitioning into Leadership
PRESENTED BY: Sara Grivetti, Ph.D., CRC
1 Hour
This presentation is a research-based opportunity to share the role difference between a clinician and a manager or leader. Clinicians or counselors who have the desire to move into leadership will learn what knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) are needed to move into a leadership role successfully. This presentation will address role transition and how clinicians can successfully make the leap into a leadership role.
What Google Maps Doesn’t Show: The Missing Info That’s Keeping People from Applying
PRESENTED BY: Meegan Winters
1 Hour
In a world where first impressions are often digital, accessibility isn’t just a compliance issue — it’s a branding, hiring, and retention strategy. This session explores the often-overlooked link between physical accessibility, employment equity, and digital transparency. Attendees will learn practical steps employers can take to attract and retain disabled talent — starting with how their spaces are presented to the world BEFORE a person walks/rolls through the door.
Through real-world examples, inclusive hiring insights, and the story behind AbleVu — a platform bringing verified accessibility information to the forefront — this talk will challenge businesses to think beyond ramps and resumes. Whether you’re an HR leader, DEI advocate, or facilities manager, you’ll walk away with actionable tools to create truly inclusive workplaces, both online and off.
Utilizing Vocational Rehab for Inclusive HR Practices
PRESENTED BY: Jessica Diener, Justin Walworth
1 Hour
As vocational rehabilitations agencies we have the opportunity to see the power of vocational rehabilitation (VR) impact the lives of those we serve daily. But how often do we stop to assess if we are utilizing the pillars of VR to support the growth, development, and experience of our staff? During this session we will explore how the pillars, philosophy, and values of VR can influence how we navigate human resources and ultimately allow us to better support the professional and career development of our staff and teams, their interactions with traditional HR services, and the overall employee experience at our organizations.
Who’s Not at the Table? Making Room for the Stories We’re Missing
PRESENTED BY: Wendy Ernzen
1 Hour
As the parent of a daughter with Level 3 autism and host of “Let’s Plant Houses” podcast, I’ve learned that the stories we don’t hear shape our work as much as the ones we do. This session digs into why certain disability narratives get amplified while others, especially those more complex, remain invisible. Through personal stories and podcast conversations I’ve had, we’ll talk about how these gaps can create blind spots. You’ll walk away with practical ideas for spotting whose voices might be missing from your own work and simple ways to make room for the stories that could change how your work.
Workforce 101: Removing Barriers For a Better Workforce
PRESENTED BY: Dr. Mike Strouse
2 Hour
Staffing is one of the greatest barriers to delivering consistent, high-quality care—and the root of many system-wide breakdowns. This session, grounded in GoodLife University’s innovative staffing and compensation strategies, explains why traditional workforce models are breaking down and how simple, strategic changes can produce immediate and lasting results. With over 30 years’ experience designing and implementing innovative labor solutions, Dr. Mike Strouse will share how in just six months, we’ve helped agencies raise wages by over $2/hour, drastically reduce overtime, increase full-time employment, and stabilize services—all without new funding. Attendees will receive impact data from numerous case studies where GoodLife U’s methodologies were analyzed, including GoodLife itself where 98% of our DSP positions are filled, showing what’s possible when you remove structural barriers and rethink workforce strategy.
Key takeaways include:
Diagnose the problem: Identify key drivers of workforce instability caused by outdated staffing and funding practices
Drive financial efficiency: Learn how to raise direct care wages, reduce overtime, and improve staff schedules—all within your current budget.
Implement immediately: Leave with tools and next steps to build a more dependable, empowered, and mission-aligned workforce.
If you’re done with temporary fixes, this session offers a direct path to long-term workforce stability.
