Shaping the Future: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Registration and Networking

Wednesday May 21, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am MDT

All Hands

Welcome to "Shaping the Future!" Check-in and receive helpful information about the conference events.

Wednesday May 21, 2025 8:00am - 8:45am MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

8:30am MDT

Welcome and State of Agency Address

Wednesday May 21, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MDT

All Hands

During this session, we'll guide attendees through the different conference activities and expectations so that everyone can feel prepared and get the most out of their experience. Attendees will hear from Department of Health and Human Services leadership. We will work together to dive into the exciting opportunities and shape the future ahead!

Speakers

Tonya Hales

Libby Oseguera

Executive Director, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council

Libby has served the public for over twenty years working in adaptive recreation, employment supports, and many years of advocacy programming, policy work and active engagement in improving publicly-funded services and supports. She received a Bachelor of Science, Recreation at the... Read More →

Angie Pinna

Wednesday May 21, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

Plenary

9:00am MDT

Shared Living: A Next Generation Service Model with Stability, Consistency and Quality at Its Core

Wednesday May 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT

All Hands

This presentation explores GoodLife's pioneering Professional Family Teaching (PFT) Shared Living model, which is CMS’ settings-rule facing: to provide safe arrangements that cultivate inclusive lives where support is personal, individualized, and natural. By leveraging the strengths of both natural and Professional Families, the Shared Living model offers a sustainable solution for delivering high-quality services and is truly a win-win-win. It allows those with disabilities to access stable, high- quality care, accessible housing, personalized wrap around services, and transportation. Shared Living keeps costs manageable for the organization, but it also benefits Professional Families by allowing them to receive attractive, tax-exempt compensation while sharing the expense of costs they are already incurring (like costs for housing and transportation). Attendees will gain insights into critical features of GoodLife’s Shared Living model, implementation strategies, and real-life success stories. Furthermore, they will discover opportunities for future growth and innovation in next-generation care delivery.

Speakers

Dr. Mike Strouse

President & CEO, GoodLife Innovations, Inc.

For more than 30 years Mike has led GoodLife Innovations, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Mike’s extensive work encompasses research, development, refinement, and dissemination of evidence-based, nationally-regarded, community service models that consistently produce person-centered... Read More →

Shared Living pdf

Wednesday May 21, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

Plenary

9:00am MDT

Exhibitor Booths

Wednesday May 21, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm MDT

Lonestar

The Exhibitor Hall showcases a wide array of resources, services, and informational booths to benefit you and those you support.

Wednesday May 21, 2025 9:00am - 5:00pm MDT
Lonestar

Exhibitor Hall

10:00am MDT

Break - Exhibitors and Networking

Wednesday May 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:10am MDT

TBA

Now is a great time to take a break and mingle with others at the event? It's a great opportunity to meet new people and have some interesting conversations. Enjoy your time getting to know others!

Wednesday May 21, 2025 10:00am - 10:10am MDT
TBA

Plenary, Networking

10:10am MDT

Grief Literacy: Strategies for Supporting Grieving Adults

Wednesday May 21, 2025 10:10am - 11:50am MDT

All Hands

People with intellectual or developmental disabilities are often shielded from opportunities to process, express, or learn about grief. This session will discuss needs of grievers and offer strategies for helpers to support people after a difficult loss.

Speakers

Laura Bradbury

Social Worker, Caring Connections: A Hope and Comfort in Grief Program, University of Utah College of Nursing

Wednesday May 21, 2025 10:10am - 11:50am MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

Plenary

11:50am MDT

Break - Exhibitors and Networking

Wednesday May 21, 2025 11:50am - 12:00pm MDT

TBA

Now is a great time to take a break and mingle with others at the event? It's a great opportunity to meet new people and have some interesting conversations. Enjoy your time getting to know others!

Wednesday May 21, 2025 11:50am - 12:00pm MDT
TBA

Break, Networking

12:00pm MDT

Lunch and Awards Presentation

Wednesday May 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm MDT

All Hands

Enjoy lunch and networking followed by the recognition of the 2025 Advocacy Awardees presented by the Utah Developmental Disabilities Council and the 2025 Ila Marie Goodey Awards presented by the Division of Services for People with Disabilities

Wednesday May 21, 2025 12:00pm - 12:50pm MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

Plenary, Lunch

1:00pm MDT

Exploring Opportunities for the Utah Long-Term Services and Supports System

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

Beehive

In 2023, the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) began a research study for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to learn about what is and isn’t going well in the current long-term services and supports system. In this session, HSRI and partners at the Utah Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice will present an overview of the study, research findings to date, and gather feedback about potential opportunities for improving services and supports for people with disabilities and older adults in Utah.

Speakers

Jami Petner Arrey

Project Director, Human Services Research Institute

Talk to me about federal and state disability policies, services, and funding.

Saska Rajcevic

Engagement Coordinator, Human Services Research Institute

Saska is a Project Manager for the National Center on Advancing Person-Centered Practices and Systems (NCAPPS) which is administered by the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI). NCAPPS is an initiative from the Administration for Community Living (ACL) and the Centers for Medicare... Read More →

Katie Emmett

Utah State University Disability Research, Policy, and Practice

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
Beehive

Blue Circle, Breakout

1:00pm MDT

Empowering Advocacy: Understanding Disability Service Funding and Legislative Impact

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

1241

Systems can be intricate, and the funding streams that support crucial services for people with disabilities can be complex. This session aims to make it easier to understand how services are funded and the impact of your voice in the legislative process. Join us in learning how to advocate for people with disabilities in a manner that suits you best. Every voice is important, so let's work together to speak up and advocate for positive change!

Speakers

Mary Urie

Policy Support Specialist, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
1241

Green Star, Breakout

1:00pm MDT

Partnering to Ensure Success (Yours, Ours, and the Utahns We Serve)

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

All Hands

Health and safety of individuals
Administrative requirements are met
Quality service delivery.

This session will provide an overview of the responsibilities of the Division of Licensing and Background Checks and the Division of Continuous Quality and Improvement and how we coordinate our efforts to support a strong service system for Utahns.

Speakers

Carrie Bambrough

Director, Division of Continuous Quality and Improvement

Shannon Thoman-Black

Division Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services Division of Licensing and Background Checks

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

Orange Triangle, Breakout

1:00pm MDT

The Essential Keys to Navigating Housing and Resources

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT

1242

Learn through peer-to-peer guidance who have faced similar challenges, have relevant expertise, and shared experiences. Expand possibilities by understanding independence through choice, navigation, education, service and resources.

Speakers

Alejandra Preciado

DSPD Housing Specialist, DHHS Services for People with Disabilities

Ale has over 13 years of experience working to help individuals with disabilities. Prior to coming to DSPD, she was a service coordinator and manager for an early intervention program whose focus was helping advocate for children with disabilities and empowering their families. She... Read More →

Lydia Robertson

Accounting Manager, TURN Community Services

Lydia started at TURN Community Services in May 2002 as Accounts Payable and Housing Advocate. She was the Housing Advocate for almost eight years before suggesting the need for it to be a dedicated position due to the volume of individuals served by TURN now on housing vouchers... Read More →

Melissa Gardner

Housing Specialist, TURN Community Services

Melissa started at TURN in October 1998. She began as a direct support staff to being the Residential Coordinator at a few different residential sites. In 2018 Melissa made the change to the Housing Specialist for TURN. The Housing Specialist’s role is to be the advocate for the... Read More →

Camille Bowen

DSPD Statewide Housing Coordinator, DHHS Services for People with Disabilities

Camille has over 23 years of affordable housing experience. Prior to coming to DSPD, she was a Property Director serving those 55 and older, administering multiple HUD funded housing programs, which included positions as 504 Coordinator and Federal Programs Compliance Officer. She... Read More →

Wednesday May 21, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm MDT
1242

Yellow Square, Breakout

2:10pm MDT

Supported Decision-making

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT

Beehive

Now that Utah has codified supported decision-making, this session will focus on the specifics of the new law, including how individuals can begin creating a supported decision-making agreement, what an agreement might include, and what protections exist.

Speakers

Nate Crippes

Public Affairs Supervising Attorney, Disability Law Center

Nate Crippes is the Public Affairs Supervising Attorney at the Disability Law Center (DLC). In his current role, he oversees the DLC’s outreach, intake, public policy, and communications teams. As the Public Affairs Supervising Attorney, he has greatly expanded the DLC's public... Read More →

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT
Beehive

Blue Circle, Breakout

2:10pm MDT

Fostering Healthy Relationships for Individuals with Disabilities: Resources for Professionals

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT

1241

This presentation aims to provide an array of resources and information tailored for professionals and caregivers assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in fostering and sustaining healthy relationships.

Speakers

Alex Schiwal

Researcher, Managing Editor DDNJ, Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice Utah State University

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT
1241

Green Star, Breakout

2:10pm MDT

Partnering to Ensure Success (Yours, Ours, and the Utahns We Serve)

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT

All Hands

To support a quality services system, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the Division of Licensing and Background Check (DLBC) and the Division of Continuous Quality and Improvement (CQI), support contracted, licensed and certified providers to ensure;

Health and safety of individuals

Administrative requirements are met

Quality service delivery.

This session will provide an overview of the responsibilities of the Division of Licensing and Background Checks and the Division of Continuous Quality and Improvement and how we coordinate our efforts to support a strong service system for Utahns.

Speakers

Carrie Bambrough

Director, Division of Continuous Quality and Improvement

Shannon Thoman-Black

Division Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services Division of Licensing and Background Checks

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT
All Hands 7860 Bingham Junction Boulevard Midvale, UT 84047

Orange Triangle, Breakout

2:10pm MDT

Understanding Medicaid Waivers and DSPD Eligibility

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT

1242

This session will cover the eligibility process, wait list basics, and the five Medicaid Waivers DSPD manages

Speakers

Angie Pinna

Services for People with Disabilities

Jamie Douglas

Services for People with Disabilities

Wednesday May 21, 2025 2:10pm - 3:10pm MDT
1242

Yellow Square, Breakout

3:10pm MDT

Break - Exhibitors and Networking

Wednesday May 21, 2025 3:10pm - 3:20pm MDT

TBA

Now is a great time to take a break and mingle with others at the event? It's a great opportunity to meet new people and have some interesting conversations. Enjoy your time getting to know others!

Wednesday May 21, 2025 3:10pm - 3:20pm MDT
TBA

Break, Networking

3:20pm MDT

Neighborhood Network: A Next Generation Service Model

Wednesday May 21, 2025 3:20pm - 4:30pm MDT

All Hands

As demand for care rises and the workforce shrinks, in-home care—the most preferred option—is becoming increasingly unreliable, costly, and difficult to access, especially for those with complex needs. Families are stepping in to fill gaps, with over 50% of care now self- directed and many states paying family caregivers. This session explores GoodLife’s innovative Safety Net and Neighborhood models, designed to overcome the challenges of in-home care by blending its benefits with the strengths of congregate care. Learn how GoodLife organizes scalable, person-centered community care, the core skill that promotes safety and independence, and the impact these models have had on outcomes, staff capacity, and policy.

Speakers