2021 Summit Featured Speakers & Happenings!
View the "Schedule at a Glance" HERE
MEMO: Alliance Summit COVID-19 Protocols Under Review (08.12.21)
September 14 - 16, 2021
Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center
620 Village Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Bios and/or contact information for each presenter is linked by clicking their names.
If presentation slides are not available below, feel free to reach out to the presenter directly via their contact info linked to their names.
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Click Below to Skip to:
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Tues Sept 14
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Weds Sept 15
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Thurs Sept 16
Below are confirmed speakers/presentations - subject to change. We will continue to add information as it is available, including presentation slides and contact information.
Tuesday, September 14th General Session Presenters
Summit Check-In and Networking with Exhibitors
Please enjoy lunch on your own, onsite options include Spencer’s (reservations required) or the Skywalk Cafe (call ahead - preorder’s by 9:00am preferred) Time: 11:00am - 12:15pm
Room: Peaks 4-5
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Welcome and Opening from Alliance Staff and Leadership
Time: 12:15 - 12:30pm
Room: Peaks 4-5
Author, Speaker at e4marketing
Tapping the Unconscious Mind for Unthinkable Results
Time: 12:30 - 1:30pm
Room: Peaks 4-5
Research shows that 90% of our choices are driven by our unconscious mind, yet most marketers and companies continue to appeal to the other 10% of our thought processes. Jeanette McMurtry, author and keynote presenter, has been helping brands across all industries trigger the psychology of choice, elevating relevant engagement and influencing consumer behavior. In this highly interactive session, she will help you understand how we really process information, how words, color, images and more influence our choices, loyalty, and how you can adjust your marketing and communications for psychological relevance and unthinkable ROI. This skill can help Colorado IDD agencies during legislative campaigns, by increasing revenues, and attracting and retaining Direct Support Professional work staff.
Jeff Newman, Autistic Activist:
Director of Community Integration at Community Connections, Inc.
The Ableism Elephant: Making Our Organizations Welcoming to Employees With IDD
Time: 1:30 - 2:30pm
Room: Peaks 4-5
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We need to name and address the elephant in the room. We are an industry that exists to be hired by a specific population, yet almost nobody from that population works in our organizations, let alone in management or leadership roles. We need to be embarrassed by the lack of representation of people with disabilities and especially people with IDD in employment and leadership of our organizations. Worse still, we are failing to recognize how ableism perpetuates this- instead, we tend to automatically view ourselves as welcoming and accommodating employers to people with disabilities because we are the "experts". As a result, we fail to see the ways we have made inaccessible and hostile workspaces, how we make people with disabilities feel "othered" and unwelcome, and the tremendous drain of talent we experience as a result.
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This session will make the case for real inclusion in disability services and discuss how to begin making our organizations more welcoming to the communities of the people we serve.
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Tuesday September 14th Exhibitor-Related Breakout Sessions
Summit Check-In and Networking with Exhibitors
Snack Break sponsored by Frisco (Empowered Margins)!
Time: 2:30 - 3:00pm
Room: Floor 3 Foyer
Agency Growth: Why Data Makes the Difference
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm
Room: Imperial Ballroom
Executive Director at Karuna Care Services, in partnership with Frisco (Empowered Margins)
Description: Karuna Care Services started growing fast when they realized the importance of the data lifecycle, which couldn't be tracked well on paper, on spreadsheets or even on Therap. Meet Executive Director Tim Maxwell, inventor of Frisco, as he shares his personal data journey from frustration to triumph and get a glimpse into the future of PASAs with bioanalytics bringing better care through better data.
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Co-Presenter: Tom McClintock, Senior Client Services Manager at Empowered Margins
Presented by Rigid Bits, in partnership with Flood and Peterson
Cybersecurity – How to Prevent an Attack and Mitigate Your Risk
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm
Room: Peaks 15-16
This session will focus on security, compliance, and an open discussion of the risks and requirements for Alliance CCB and PASA members.
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Co-Presenters:
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Sean Gingerich, Risk Advisor at Flood and Peterson
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Greg King, Risk Advisor at Flood and Peterson
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Ryan Smith, Director of Sales and Customer Success at Rigid Bits, LLC
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Co-founder & COO at Safe4All (Neuro Equality LLC )
The New Workplace, The New Norm
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm
Room: Peak 14
This presentation will discuss how our Safe4All mobile app shapes the NEW WORKPLACE along with other business and technology drivers. We will explore the factors influencing THE NEW WORKPLACE, the challenges for its success and how THE NEW NORM is sustained.
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Safe4All is a mobile app designed to help individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD), such as Autism, manage daily tasks and goals with the real-time support and guidance of their Caregivers. Safe4All software app offers multi featured caregiver to client communications such as geolocation based notifications combined with Safe4All’s Incident Reporting System designed specifically to address No Bullying/No Harassment in the workplace, school or home. Safe4All provides real time support to caregivers, coaches, clinicians, counselors, parents, teachers and professionals to facilitate trusted communications with their client individuals. We believe our Safe4All app is a meaningful value add in the creation of THE NEW WORKPLACE, THE NEW NORM. Go to Safe4All app website www.safe4allapp.com for more Information.
Registered Dietitian at Shield Healthcare
Focus on Fiber
Time: 3:00 - 3:30pm
Room: Peaks 6-8
Dietary fiber is an essential component of a healthful diet - Learn about the types of fiber and the benefits it plays in your life, as well as the importance of fiber for individuals with IDD!
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Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) at Action Seating and Mobility
Person-Centered Mobility and Adaptive Equipment Provision
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm
Room: Peaks 9-10
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Discussion on the challenges faced by individuals with significant disabilities when obtaining and maintaining complex and custom mobility and adaptive equipment.
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Co-Presenters:
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Rusty Jones, Regional Account Manager, ATP
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Mike Harris, President, ATP, CRTS
Brand & Communications Manager of Arlington Heritage Group
Enhancing Lives and Improving Outcomes Through Consumer Funds Management
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm
Room: Peaks 1-3
Providers struggle everyday with the complexity of issues in serving their consumers. As the demands and environment are ever-evolving, providers need to explore innovative methods to ensure the financial safety of their consumers as well as the financial health of their organization.
We will explore best practices by demonstrating how you and your teams can perform long range financial planning, improve quality of life, ensure eligibility for benefits and creatively fulfill individuals’ goals for your consumers. This includes contributions to ABLE and pooled trust accounts, health savings accounts, and other exempt instruments. We will talk about how to best use these to achieve desired results. Case studies
illustrate situations to avoid as well as how to eliminate frivolous pend-downs or wasting consumer funds.
Join us as participants will learn to:
• Maximize client resources without jeopardizing benefits
• Understand “resources” and “exempt resources”, along with best practices
• Identify challenges providers face when making decisions for clients as representative payee
• Choose best financial solutions to enhance consumer lives and improve outcomes
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VP of Sales at Direct Care Innovations
EVV Best Practices by Direct Care Innovations
Time: 3:00 - 4:00pm
Room: Peaks 11-12
Join Direct Care Innovations in a discussion on EVV, Training, and Today’s best practices for your Agency and the Consumers you support. Direct Care Innovations (DCI) is an industry-leading state of the art Business Management platform specifically designed for Self-Direction Agencies. We provide EVV, Time and Attendance, Client Transportation Tracking, Training and Compliance, Real-Time Authorization Management, Vendor Payment & Employer Reimbursements, and EDI capabilities. All of DCI’s modules work seamlessly together to provide unparalleled ease of use, compliance, and usable data. We give you the power of your data through automation to reduce overtime, increase utilization, and control their budget. This allows you to put money back in the hands of your direct care workers!
Contact us to learn more about DCI at 480-295-3307 or at info@dcisoftware.com.
Networking with Exhibitors
Time: 4:00 - 4:30pm
Room: Floor 3 Foyer
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Welcome Reception with buffet and cash bar
(drinks can be paid for via room charge, credit card, or cash)
Time: 5:00 - 7:00pm
Room: Outdoor Tent
Wednesday September 15th General Session Presenters
Morning Activity: Meet us promptly at 6:40am for an easy morning hike on the Lower Sawmill and Snowflake Trail Loop (1.5 miles + 1 mile roundtrip to trailhead and back)!
Time: 6:40 - 7:45am
Meeting Spot: Beaver Run Hotel Lobby
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The meet-up time may be earlier after Alliance staff does a "test hike" upon arrival in Breckenridge, so stay tuned!
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Bring water!
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Breakfast and Introductions
Join us for several short introductions to learn more about sponsors’ services and how they can work with your organization. Sponsored by Arlington Heritage Group, Empowered Margins, Shield HealthCare, Direct Care Innovations, Public Partnerships.
Introductions begin at 8:20am. Breakfast ends promptly at 8:50am.
Time: 8:00 - 8:50am
Room: Peaks 4-5
Hearts of Glass Panel Discussion - Cutting-edge food production meets meaningful, inclusive employment for people with disabilities.
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<--- Watch the Filmmaker Welcome Video
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Register to watch the film at your convenience between September 1 - 19, here on Show & Tell. Or watch in-person at the Alliance Summit after this panel discussion (check the schedule for screening times). The film is being presented with descriptive audio and closed captioning (English and Spanish).
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Time: 9:00 - 10:00am
Room: Peaks 4-5
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We're excited to share this story of employment possibilities with you! Please join us for a lively panel discussion with audience Q&A.
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Panelists Include:
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MYCAH MILLER, Packaging Associate, Vertical Harvest
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AVA REYNOLDS, Microgreens Association, Vertical Harvest of Jackson Hole
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JENNIFER TENNICAN, Director & Producer of Hearts of Glass
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This award-winning programming — the documentary Hearts of Glass and the panel discussion — is brought to you by Alliance.
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Hearts of Glass follows the tumultuous first 15 months of operation of Vertical Harvest (VH), a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse that provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities in Jackson Hole, WY. The film weaves the story of VH’s launch with the personal journeys of employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plants and people grow together in this intimate portrait of innovation, inclusion and impact.
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Alliance's 'Session in Review' & Future Legislative Priorities
Time: 10:30 - 11:30am
Room: Peaks 4-5
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Join us to learn about the 2021 legislative session in Colorado, as well as insights into where Alliance's policy work is heading in future years. This presentation will examine the IDD-related bills that passed during the most recent legislative session and and review COVID-19 work and policies. We will also ruminate on what legislation we anticipate seeing next year.
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Presenters will include:
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Randy Brodersen, Alliance Government Relations Advisory Committee of Excellence (GRACE) Co-Chairperson and Executive Director at North Metro Community Services
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Shari Repinski, Alliance Government Relations Advisory Committee of Excellence (GRACE) Co-Chairperson and CEO and ED at Rocky Mountain Human Services
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Jodi Walters, Alliance Board President and Executive Director at Parker Personal Care Homes
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Presentation Slides Linked Here
Networking with Exhibitors
Time: 11:30am - 12:00pm
Room: Floor 3 Foyer
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Annual Luncheon with Awards Presentations: 2021 Alliance Legislator of the Year and Special Recognition Awards
Time: 12:00 - 1:30pm
Room: Outdoor Tent
Wednesday September 15th Breakout Sessions
Networking with Exhibitors
Time: 1:30 - 2:00pm AND 3:00 - 3:30pm (last chance to enter any raffles offered by Platinum and Gold Exhibitors!)
Room: Floor 3 Foyer
CANCELED BUT NOW AVAILABLE TO VIEW ONLINE:​
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Erica Dennison, Special Projects' and THINK+change Manager, The Arc of Aurora/THINK+change; Hanni Raley, Assistant Executive Director
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Have you found yourself struggling with disability-focused training ideas and resources to help support your team and the individuals you serve? Or perhaps you have little to no budget or even time to create provocative and relative content that represents important issues, trends, or challenges affecting providers of community services for people with IDD? We’ve got you covered! THINK+change, The Arc of Aurora’s training and education program, strives to change knowledge, attitude, and behavior to ultimately improve the quality of life for people with IDD, their families, and the professionals in their lives.
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THINK+change TALKS, TRAININGS, and TOOLS offer many no-cost resources for case management agencies, program approved service agencies (PASA), direct support professionals, and other disability businesses.
Hearts of Glass Video Screening (1 hour 8 minutes)
Time: 2:00 - 3:08pm AND 3:30 - 4:38pm
Room: Peaks 1-3
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Forgot to sign up to screen, or didn't have time to watch, Hearts of Glass BEFORE our panel discussion this morning? Watch it in-person now.
Or register to watch the film at your convenience before September 19, here on Show & Tell.
This award-winning programming — the documentary Hearts of Glass and the panel discussion — is brought to you by Alliance.
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Hearts of Glass follows the tumultuous first 15 months of operation of Vertical Harvest (VH), a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse that provides meaningful employment for people with disabilities in Jackson Hole, WY. The film weaves the story of VH’s launch with the personal journeys of employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plants and people grow together in this intimate portrait of innovation, inclusion and impact.​
Division of Housing Community Access Team Manager at Colorado Department of Local Affairs
How can I Encourage Affordable Housing for my Community?
Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm AND 3:30 - 4:30pm
Room: Peaks 11-12
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Learn about opportunities to advocate, encourage, and possibly even sponsor the development of more affordable housing in your community. There are local and state government officials who would want to help, if they only understood the need for housing for people with IDD. Affordable housing developers are also out there - you can help them understand the need, incorporate design features that people with IDD want, and advocate for these projects throughout the development process.
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Co-Presenters:
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Doug McNeill, CEO at Laradon
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Tim Dolan, Senior Commercial Loan Officer at Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
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Presentation Slides:
Improving Employment Outcomes through the National Expansion of Employment Opportunities Network (NEON)
Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm AND 3:30 - 4:30pm
Room: Peaks 9-10​
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The NEON initiative is a project of the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy that provides free technical assistance to employment services providers to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Alliance was chosen by ANCOR as one of only five state associations to receive this technical assistance. This year, six Alliance/ANCOR members have been working with a national subject matter expert on their plans to advance competitive, integrated employment for those they serve. Join us for a panel discussion to hear their progress and plans for the future.
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Panelists Include:
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Jodi Walters, Executive Director, Parker Personal Care Home
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Tom Knost. Senior Director, Continuum of Colorado
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Kim Cortes, JD, Director of Community and Employment Services, Imagine!
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Vanessa Lehman, Independent Contract Program Supervisor, Mosaic
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Angela Woodall, Operations & Program Services Director, Foothills Gateway, Inc.
Forever Changed: Technology disruption and the crisis of those left behind
Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm AND 3:30 - 4:30pm
Room: Imperial Ballroom
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Description: The technology disruption combined with the COVID-19 pandemic has made tangible the necessity to modernize traditional services and supports to hybrid and customized person-driven programs. In this session you will hear about the national trends in technology utilization, a person-driven process for identifying technology solutions to achieve personal goals, and future trends in technology innovation.
Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado
START Again! Dual Diagnosis and Crisis, Implementing Effective Care Coordination.
Time: 2:00 - 3:00pm AND 3:30 - 4:30pm
Room: Peaks 6-8
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Co-Presenters Include:
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Corry Robinson-Rosenberg, PhD, RN, Professor Emerita at University of Colorado School of Medicine
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Christiano Sosa, Executive Director at The Arc of Colorado
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Reni Moreno, START Coordinator at Foothills Gateway, Inc.
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Carol Meredith, Executive Director at The Arc Arapahoe & Douglas Counties
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In this session, presenters will describe the continuing implementation of the cross-system gap pilot for individuals experiencing behavioral health challenges. This will be an opportunity to learn about an evidenced-based national training for care coordination and crisis prevention. The collaborative cohort model of training is funded by HB21-1166. Come and learn about the exciting opportunities ahead!
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Exhibitor Meet & Greet Happy Hour
Time: 4:30 - 6:30pm
Room: Base Nine Bar
Thursday September 16th Breakout Session Presenters
Breakfast and Raffles!
Breakfast ends promptly at 7:50am. Platinum & Gold Exhibitor Raffles will take place at 7:35am - must be present to win
Time: 7:15 - 7:50am
Room: Peaks 4-5
Director of Legal Services at Disability Law Colorado
An Introduction to Disability Law for Service Providers
Time: 8:00 - 9:00am AND 9:15 - 10:15am
Room: Imperial Ballroom
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Co-Presenters:
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Olivia Pilcher, MSW, LSW, Community Integration Advocate
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Sara Pielsticker, Esq., CI Attorney
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This presentation will provide a general introduction to disability laws found in various federal and state statues and state regulations which can be relevant to and impact the process of providing services to individuals with disabilities.
Patricia Henke, MS, CRC:
Director of the Colorado Office of Employment First
Elevating Employment First through Systems Innovation, Collaboration and Training Excellence
Time: 8:00 - 9:00am AND 9:15 - 10:15am
Room: Peaks 9-10
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Co-Presenter: Tiffany Cron, PhD - Curriculum Developer/Trainer
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Colorado became an Employment First state in 2016 when SB16-077 passed the legislature. Since then, several additional bills have passed that further Employment First Efforts in Colorado. The Colorado Office of Employment First will provide updates on Systems Innovation projects, Professional Development, Training & Consultation available and continued and new partnerships developed to continue the momentum of Employment First in Colorado!
Director of People Operations at Support, Inc.
Exploring the Glass Ceiling in Human Services: A Phenomenological Study of Minorities and Privileged Positions in Program Approved Provider Agencies
Time: 8:00 - 9:00am AND 9:15 - 10:15am
Room: Peaks 1-3
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My topic was designed to analyze minority hiring practices within our space. To better understand issues surrounding diversity and inclusion in human services, I researched Colorado PASA’s and CCB’s from 2019-2020.
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What I collected was the personal experiences of the individuals who identify as racial minorities within our professional community, and connected themes to present research trends. These trends provide impactful information for decision-makers. The experience of the individual participants provides a glimpse to our companies of how people may experience us. These experiences include hiring practices, support, development, and culture. From there, I also identified potential solutions for our industry decision-makers to better anticipate ways to improve inclusion and representation in our industry.
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The experiences are formed from direct quotes and can be pretty powerful to read, especially when presented in alignment with other participants who work in a different role, company, or region.
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Networking with Exhibitors
Time: 9:00 - 9:15am AND 10:15 - 10:30am
Room: Floor 3 Foyer
Thursday September 16th General Session Presenters
Vice President, Government Relations at American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR)
ANCOR Government Relations Update: This Moment in HCBS History
Time: 10:30 - 11:30am
Room: Peaks 4-5
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2021 is proving to be a pivotal year for Medicaid Home and Community Based Supports and the direct care workforce. Thanks to the Biden administration, the 117th Congress and a multitude of strategic partnerships, never has your advocacy been more important or more effective. Hear about the latest federal updates and opportunities for transformative change in the future of disability services from our national trade association, ANCOR.
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Staff at the Office of Community Living, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing
Building the Foundation for Recovery and Transformation ​
Time: 11:30am - 12:30pm
Room: Peaks 4-5
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An interactive session with HCPF leadership to review lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and explore current and upcoming opportunities for strengthening Colorado’s long-term care system.
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Presenters will include:
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Bonnie Silva, Director, Office of Community Living
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Colin Laughlin, Deputy Office Director and Benefits and Services Management Division Director, Office of Community Living
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Amanda Lofgren, Case Management and Quality Performance Division Director, Office of Community Living
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Due to limited space and high demand, this is an Alliance Member event or by invite only.
Click HERE to read Alliance's Invitation Policy and to request an invitation to attend.