Thursday, June 11, 2026
9:15 a.m. – Welcome and Agenda Review
Lore Baker, Executive Forum Chair and CEO of Association for Individual Development (AID)
9:30 – 11:00 a.m. – “Lessons From The Pando Forest; Why Connectedness Is The Root Of Our Strength”
Presented by Alonzo Kelly, Kelly Leadership Group
The second largest organism on the planet is the Pando Forest. This breath taking forest holds a secret that few are aware of and often taken for granted by others. The strength of the forest can be found not on what is visible, but what is happening underground. This forest teaches us the power of connectedness, ecosystems, and collaboration. So goes one tree, so goes the forest. This full participatory discussion will challenge our thinking, invite our engagement, and create a call to action.
11:00 – 11:15 a.m. – Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Legislative Update
Presented by Kim Musheno, Senior Director, Medicaid Policy, The Arc of the United States
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. – Lunch Break
1:30 – 2:00 p.m. – IDD Navigator
Presented by Samantha Alloway, The Arc of Illinois, Tara May, Aspiritech, and Ann Morris, Little City
2:00 – 2:30 p.m. – “Nothing About Us Without Us”
Presented by Rio Goodwin Perez, Going Home Director, April Mcclees, Self-Advocate and Family Transition Program Mentor
Rio and April will discuss REV UP Illinois and the critical role self-advocates play in advocacy efforts. REV UP Illinois works to center and uplift individuals with disabilities so their voices, stories, and visions help steer the direction of the coalition as a whole. This important work is guided by the organizing principle, “Nothing About Us Without Us.” Together, they will share how self-advocates and allies can work together to create meaningful change and achieve measurable goals.
2:30 – 3:00 p.m. – Break
3:00 – 4:00 p.m. – “Beyond Traditional Staffing: Remote Support that Transforms Lives”
Presented by Donna Ennis, Jesse Brian McMorris, Dr. Kristen Salkas, Jacqueline Steward, Envision Unlimited; and Kimberly Hill, Rest Assured
Envision Unlimited members and staff will share their experiences developing remote supports in a CILA setting, including a self advocates perspective on his experience in his new home, lessons learned and post placement outcome data.
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Hospitality in Suite 117
6:00 p.m. – Dinner at Maggiano’s
Meet in hotel lobby at 5:45 p.m. for a bus at Maggiano’s
Friday, June 12, 2026
9:00 a.m. – Good Morning!
9:15 -10:45 a.m. – “Don’t Worry, Be a Critical Thinker: The Case for Using AI (Actual Intellect) to Lead During Unprecedented Times”
Presented by Colin Seale, thinkLaw
In times of rapid change and uncertainty, leadership requires more than technical expertise—it demands the critical thinking needed to navigate complex, high-stakes decisions with clarity, empathy, and vision. Critical thinking is not a “nice-to-have” skill for a select few; it’s the foundation for building policies, strategies, and cultures that honor dignity, promote equity, and drive lasting impact.
In today’s landscape—where artificial intelligence is reshaping industries and amplifying uncertainty—it’s time to prioritize a different kind of AI: Actual Intellect. In this engaging and highly practical session, Colin Seale—educator, attorney, and author of Thinking Like a Lawyer and Tangible Equity—will make the equity and leadership case for centering critical thinking as a non-negotiable skill for courageous leaders and provide personalized, practical, and powerful strategies to seamlessly integrate this into your work.
10:45 – 11:00 a.m. – Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – “Stop Doing It the Hard Way”
Presented by Erik Nelson, Kibu
Your staff are buried in paperwork, handoff notes, and admin tasks that eat hours every shift. There’s a better way, and it’s not as complicated as you think. This session breaks down how IDD provider organizations are using simple AI tools to cut documentation time, reduce burnout, and give their teams more of what they actually signed up for: time with the people they support.
12:00 – 12:30 p.m. – “The Path Forward” Presented by Samantha Alloway, Executive Director, The Arc of Illinois
Families and providers navigate the IDD system from different vantage points – but they’re headed to the same place. This 30-minute session traces those parallel journeys, explores the moments where they intersect, and makes the case for what becomes possible when families and providers move forward as true partners rather than strangers on the same road.
12:30 – 2:00 p.m. – Lunch Break
Stay and network or take your lunch to go