The Arc of Illinois Leadership Conference is scheduled for February 4-5, 2016 at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle. Hold these dates for an event that you will not want to miss.
Our program will feature leaders in Illinois and nationally. We will also host a networking dinner at Maggiano’s as well! Program, registration and hotel arrangements will be available shortly.
Here’s a summary on three of our featured speakers for the Leadership Conference.
Director Kris Smith, Division of Rehabilitation Services, DHS
“Innovations in Employment”
The Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act, WIOA, signed into law by President Obama, updates vocational rehabilitation services and seeks to address a number of employment challenges facing people with disabilities. Director Smith will highlight some of the changes in WIOA including Employment First initiatives, sub-minimum wages and the state’s unified plan.
John Agosta, Ph.D., Human Services Research Institute
“Delivering on the Promise”
All of us count on an overarching promise of opportunity to live our lives in society with our family and friends and to have a job that pays a decent wage. In Illinois, are we delivering on that promise for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Or not? Or have we strayed off course? All service systems go through change, but change always requires choices. What choices should we make? Which should we avoid? Let’s “keep our eye on the prize” and deliver on what people with I/DD tell us they want. They tell us they want jobs. They want friends. They want to live a life in the community like everyone else with the support they need. Let’s make sure we deliver on the promise.
Director Greg Fenton, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Leadership Prospects
The Division of Developmental Disabilities manages over $1.3 billion in services and supports for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. While we have made progress, Illinois has a long way to go to remove barriers that prevent people from living in community-based settings. As a new Director, Director Fenton will talk about efforts underway to transform our system through the use of person centered practices in this interactive presentation.
In addition other topics include: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid New Rules on Home & Community-Based Services; A Few Things We Learned on Our Mother/Daughter Journey; Leadership Prospects; Supporting Siblings: Advancing Involvement and Leadership; Ligas Report and Recommendations and Insights for Advancement in Disability.
Tony Paulauski
Executive Director
The Arc of Illinois
20901 S. LaGrange Rd. Suite 209
Frankfort, IL 60423
815-464-1832 (OFFICE)
815-464-1832 (CELL)
Tony@thearcofil.org