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The Arc of Illinois

Agenda

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. In Person Only: Registration, Continental Breakfast, Visit with Exhibitors

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcome

9:15 – 10:45 a.m. Keynote – “Navigating The Terrain of Change (without losing our way or sanity!)” Presented by Alonzo Kelly, PhD

An intentional focus on communication and critical thinking will assist with navigating crucial conversations with one another and those we serve. Civil discourse does not require a lack of civility in the process. This full participatory discussion is designed to introduce communication skills when those around us may be slow or resistant to change. We should not lose sight, nor our sanity, in situations where others may not be interested or willing to evolve their thinking or attitude with an ever evolving community and world. 

11:15 a.m – 12:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one, Sessions #1 and #5 will be livestreamed)

  • Session #1 (Live Streamed): Tareema Jean-Baptiste – STAR NET Region V “Understanding Behavior: How we can offer supports to help children where they are” This training is a comprehensive introduction to the function of behavior and explores how sensory can affect behavior.  Participants should expect to leave with a deeper understanding of behavior, an introductory knowledge of sensory systems, and a different perspective on how to support a child with challenging behavior.
  • Session #2 Jesus “Chuy” Campuzano, Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon, Jr, Stephanie Kanter – IL ABLE “Self-Advocates Make It Happen with an IL ABLE Account” Self-advocates/IL ABLE Account Owners will share how an IL ABLE Account has given them greater control over their money and empowered them to save money for current and future expenses.
  • Session #3 Laura Anderson – Winning Systems, Inc, Lori Opiela – UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago, Carole Rosen – The Arc of Illinois “Me? Advocate? Of course you can!” Advocacy is essential for effective IDD services. This presentation provides strategies for individual and legislative advocacy, ensuring self-advocates’ needs and their circles of support are recognized and addressed.
  • Session #4 – Geno Bagnuolo – Trinity Services, Inc, Angelica Tobias, M.Ed – S.I.B.S. “How I Managed My Brother’s Mental Health Crisis” “How I Managed My Brother’s Mental Health Crisis: A self-advocate’s story…with support from our family’s service provider”. This presentation is about navigating my brother’s dual diagnosis as someone with depression.
  • Sesión #5 En Español (Transmisión en Vivo) Robert Guzman – scaleLIT “Conexión con los centros de empleo” Descubra cómo los American Job Centers apoyan a su comunidad. Todos los idiomas importan y las personas con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo son ciudadanos con los mismos derechos y responsabilidades que los demás ciudadanos.
     

12:45 – 1:30 p.m. Plenary Session – Katy Neas – The Arc of the United States

1:45 – 3:00 p.m. Plenary Session – The Arc of Illinois Staff “The Programs of The Arc of Illinois: How Can We Support You and Who Does What” The Arc of Illinois offers several programs targeted to specific members of the disability community and their families. This presentation by the directors will describe each program in detail. Program staff will also join to share the roles that state agencies play in providing services to people with IDD in Illinois.

3:15 – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one, Sessions #6 and #10 will be live streamed)

  • Session #6 (Live Streamed) Laura Fine, Andrea Siwik– Stevenson High School “Empowering Parents for Transition Planning: Starting Early for Lifelong Success”   Early, comprehensive transition planning for students with disabilities is essential. Collaboration between families, educators, and agencies is key to achieving successful post-school outcomes.
  • Session #7 Hannah Magrum, Michele Westmaas – Thrivent “Financial topics for families with IDD”   Special needs moms, as well as financial advisors Michele  Westmaas and Hannah Magrum, explore financial topics for our families. No products sold. Session not recorded.
  • Session #8 Jersey-Shabazz Hosier – Access Living “Legislative Advocacy”   Jersey-Shabazz Hosier, an experienced advocate, lobbyist, and community leader, will discuss the significance of legislative advocacy and its impact on empowering communities and influencing public policy for positive change. 
  • Session #10 En Español (Transmisión en Vivo) Ruth Aguilar – The Arc of Illinois, Fabricio E Balcazar, PhD – UIC, Consuelo Puente – Family Matters “Microempresa – Está En Tu Futuro?” Esta un microempresa en tu futuro? Ven y conoce los recursos que estan disponibles para ayudarte a decidir si un microempresa es tu futuro.

4:15 – 5:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one, Sessions #11 and #15 will be live streamed)

  • Session #11 (Live Streamed) Alexandra Baig – Companions on Your Journey “What an Inclusive Postsecondary Education (IPSE) Program Can Do for You” Learn how students with intellectual disabilities can attend college and learn on-campus alongside their neurotypical peers to build employment and independent living skills, including how to pay for the education.
  • Session #12 Brian Rubin, JD, Benji Rubin, JD – Rubin Law “Special Needs Trusts, ABLE Accounts, Letters of Intent, and Related Topics” Brian Rubin, a parent, and Benji Rubin, a sibling, of Mitchell Rubin who has Autism, will present the basics of special needs’ planning, including special needs trusts, ABLE accounts, selecting the future team of trustees and guardians, impact of divorce and law-suit settlements, educating the extended family, letters of intent, and many related topics.
  • Session #13 Patrick Gale – Pearce Services, Russel Houser – BASES Autism Services “How are You Doing?: A Check-In on our Mental Health” Mental health is incredibly important in our daily lives.  As self-advocates, we will cover both of our journeys towards self-care.  We will also discuss strategies to maintain personal wellness and promote positive well-being.
  • Session #14 Family Social Meet and gather with families and individuals attending the Convention. This is a chance to learn from other families and build connections for the future.    
  • Sesión #15 En Español (Transmisión en Vivo) Maria Castillo – Family Resource on Disabilities, Consuelo Puente – Family Matters “los derechos de las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo cuando interactúan con la policía en la escuela y su comunidad” En esta presentación los participantes aprenderán sobre los derechos de las personas con discapacidades del desarrollo cuando interactúan con la policía en la escuela y su comunidad.

5:30 – 7:00 p.m. In Person Only: Awards Reception

Stay and enjoy light appetizers, watch a performance, and meet other Convention attendees.  The Arc of Illinois Annual Convention Awards will be presented to the winners.
 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. In Person Only: Registration, Continental Breakfast, Visit with Exhibitors

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Welcome and Keynote – “We Are The Arc of Illinois” Presented by Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois

A presentation on the urgent need for family voices to lead system change in Illinois. It explores how lived experiences drive policy improvements and why the time for change is now.

10:30 – 11:15 a.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one, Sessions #16 and #20 will be live streamed)

  • Session #16 (Live Streamed) Susan Agrawal – The Arc of Illinois, Lauren Schrero – Equip for Equality, Erica Stearns – UIC – Division of Specialized Care for Children “Repurposing Your Skills to Create Meaningful Change” We all have skills to create meaningful change! Join this interactive session as panelists share how they transformed their skills into impactful work supporting caregivers and the disability community.
  • Session #17 TBD – Brian Rubin, JD, Benji Rubin, JD – Rubin Law “Guardianship & the Many Alternatives to Guardianship” Brian Rubin, a parent, and Benji Rubin, a sibling, of Mitchell Rubin who has Autism, will explain Guardianship (Limited and Plenary), and the alternatives, including Supported Decision Making (new law), Powers of Attorney, and related matters.
  • Session #18 Tracey Hawkins – Safety and Security Source “Empowering the IDD Community: Practical AI & Cybersecurity Strategies for Everyday Life” Learn actionable strategies to safeguard individuals with IDD and their families from scams, fraud, and AI cyber threats while fostering safer and more inclusive online spaces.
  • Session #19 Allan Bergman – High Impact “Customized Employment with Fidelity Results in Zero Reject and Zero Failure” During this session, you will learn the significant differences between customized employment with fidelity and supported employment. Supported Employment is about supports after finding a job. Customized Employment is about a great deal of work before finding a “good fit” employment situation and then providing supports.
  • Sesión #20 En Español (Transmisión en Vivo) Maria Castillo – Family Resource on Disabilities, Consuelo Puente – Family Matters “Los Estudiantes Inmigrantes & Transición” Los estudiantes inmigrantes presentan oportunidades y obstáculos únicos en el proceso de planificación de la transición. Los participantes en esta sesión aprenderán sobre los recursos disponibles para estudiantes inmigrantes y la mejor manera de abordar los obstáculos.

12:00 – 12:45 p.m. Plenary Session – DHS/DDD Update

1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Keynote – “Better Together: A Community as a Catalyst for Social Change” Presented by Emily Holl, MFA, MSW

The landscape of services and supports for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and their families has evolved over the past 75 years, thanks largely to the advocacy of people with disabilities and their families. As the service system has grown, so has the community of people working tirelessly to shape it to meet the needs of people with disabilities and their loved ones. Self-advocates, parents, and siblings have joined together to share stories, lend support, celebrate victories, and demonstrate that no one is on this journey alone. While today the need for advocacy is as strong as ever, so are our communities of advocates. This presentation will tell a story that begins in Illinois in 2006 about finding a community of sibling advocates who became lifelong friends and sparked a career path to create sibling support around the world.   

2:15 – 3:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one, Sessions #21 and #25 will be live streamed)

  • Session #21 (Live Streamed) Joyce Clay – CaristLLC “Developing Partnerships to Facilitate Successful Medical Transition in Persons with Complex Care Medical needs” This presentation discusses strategies needed to navigate transition from the pediatric to adult health care settings in children with multiple medical needs.  Successful and problematic life scenarios in the transition process will be shared.
  • Session #22 Katherine Hamann, Nora Handler, Tara Conley – S.I.B.S. “Connecting Siblings: Supporting the Whole Family” Three adult siblings of brothers and sisters with IDD will tell their stories. They will share their journeys becoming advocates and share resources for siblings across the life span.
  • Session #23 Nancy Aguirre, MSW, LSW, Kristin Gharst, Kimberly L Johnson, Chelsey Smith – CRSA, Michelle Burgess, Natasha Croff – CPS “Family Resources Information Session” Join the Community Residential Services Authority and Chicago Public Schools Parent Involvement Specialist for a great information resource session that will provide more information and resources to add to your Advocacy toolbox. These two organizations are where you can find FREE advocates to help you on your journey as you navigate the special education and mental and behavioral health services across Illinois.
  • Session #24 Jessica Schuyler-Weir – IATP “Illinois Assistive Technology Program Services and Programs” This breakout session will provide an overview of the numerous assistive technology programs and services available to Illinois residents through the Illinois Assistive Technology Program.
  • Sesión #25 En Español (Transmisión en Vivo) Elida Elizondo – SSA “Descripción General del Seguro Social por Discapacidad Social y la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario” La presentación brindará una descripción general del Seguro Social por Discapacidad y la Seguridad de Ingreso Suplementario (SSI), incluidos los requisitos de elegibilidad y el proceso de solicitud. La presentación también destacará los   servicios en línea del Seguro Social.

315 – 4:00 p.m. Breakout Sessions (choose one, Sessions #26 and #30 will be live streamed)

  • Session #26 (Live Streamed) Samantha Alloway, Susan Agrawal – The Arc of Illinois “Advocating for Medicaid” Join this session to understand the importance of Medicaid and learn the best practices in advocating to your Congressional and State legislators. How can you get your message across on this vital program.
  • Session #27 Timotheus “T.J.” Gordon, Jr, Jae Jin Pak – UIC IDHD “Virtual Future is Now: An Online Future Planning Curriculum for Adults with IDD” As families develop their plan for the future, the adults with IDD increase their participation in the planning process, gain self-confidence, and a sense of inclusion and empowerment in their life decisions. 
  • Session #28 Tammy Foster, Tina Yurik – Illinois Respite Coalition “Getting connected to lifespan Respite and other supports the IRC provides” What is lifespan respite? What is the free statewide virtual respite training and database? How can caregivers get connected to respite support?  Learn more about respite and the Emergency Respite Care stipend.
  • Session #29 Megan Mutti – Family Matters “Key Questions to Ask to Improve your IEP” This session equips parents with essential questions to ask during IEP meetings to ensure their child’s educational needs are effectively addressed. Participants will learn how to frame questions that promote meaningful parent-school collaboration, ensure the IEP aligns with their child’s strengths and challenges, and advocate for appropriate services and supports.
  • Sesión #30 En Español (Transmisión en Vivo) Dinayra Sorando Rivera – UIC IDHD “El Futuro Virtual es Ahora: Un Plan de Estudios en Línea para la Planificación del Futuro de Adultos con Discapacidades Intelectuales y del Desarrollo y sus Familias” El propósito del entrenamiento virtual El Futuro es Ahora es ayudar a los adultos con discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (IDD, por sus siglas en inglés) y a sus familias a planificar para el futuro. A medida que las familias desarrollan su plan, los adultos con IDD aumentan su participación en el proceso de planificación, ganan confianza en sí mismos y sienten una mayor inclusión y empoderamiento en las decisiones sobre su vida. Establecer planes puede reducir el estrés, abrir más oportunidades de conexión, ayudar a que toda la familia se sienta más unida y brindar mayor claridad para todos los involucrados.

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Thank you to our Sponsors!

VIP Sponsor
Keynote Sponsors
Rubin Law
Champion Sponsors
Comcast
Inclusion Sponsors