From caring comes courage.

I AM WORTH IT.
2014 PAR SOLUTIONS
CONFERENCE
November 12 & 13, 2014
PRE-CONFERENCE
November 11, 2014
“From caring
comes courage.”
— LAO TZU
The Hilton - Harrisburg, PA
Pennsylvania Advocacy and Resources for
Autism and Intellectual Disability
www.par.net/register
PAR’s 2014 Solutions Conference & Pre-Conference
Session Descriptions
Pre-Conference Day
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) Professional
Development Training: Competency + Ethics = Outcomes: Creating a Culture of Direct Support
Competency - Sponsored by SPIN, Inc., underwritten by the AVS Foundation
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Welcome, Introductions & Short Video on Creating a Movement
9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Direct Support Professionals Making the Difference: A Good Afternoon,
or a GREAT Life?
Joseph M. Macbeth, Executive Director, NADSP
After a fun ice-breaking exercise and introduction to the presenters, the NADSP will share its
mission to improve quality at the point of interaction between a staff person and the person with
a disability. This session will provide extensive information on how “true” quality is defined while
providing context for CQL Personal Outcome Measures, the five characteristics of every
profession, moving stories from the field about direct support professionals being skilled and
ethical, and ways that direct support professionals can become empowered, competent and
valued as a professional.
10:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Morning Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The NADSP Code of Ethics Encounter
John Raffaele, Ethics Facilitator, NADSP
John Raffaele, a skilled staff educator and licensed social worker from New York, will share real
examples culled from decades of practicing in the field of intellectual disabilities in a role play
unlike any other. In learning about ethical responsibilities, John will act out some real dilemmas
and ethical decisions that confront direct support professionals on the job every day. Using the
NADSP’s Code of Ethics, participants will consider ways that ethical practices can be
incorporated into daily practice. The beliefs and attitudes that are associated with being an
effective human service professional are critical to understanding this code - it is not the
Thank you to our Sponsors
handbook of the profession, but rather a roadmap to assist us in staying the course of securing
freedom, justice, and equality for all.
12:30 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. Lunch
1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. The Great Direct Support Professional Competency Debate
Joseph M. Macbeth, Executive Director and John Raffaele, NADSP
The cornerstone of every profession is a standardized set of competencies with which all
practitioners carry out their craft. The NADSP Competencies have been adopted by the United
States Department of Labor’s Long-term Care, Supports, and Services Competency Model and
were used as the foundation for several states as they began to develop their own competency
set for direct support professionals. This session will introduce the NADSP Direct Support
Professional Competencies in an engaging, thought-provoking and fun manner. The audience
will break into small groups and discuss the competencies…and then the fun (and learning)
begins.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Facilitated Group Discussion: Lessons Learned, Best Practices and
Identifying Champions
A facilitated discussion that investigates how direct support professionals can use the ethical
practices, professional skills and adept reasoning to assist people with disabilities to have better
personal outcomes and enriched lives. This session will begin a deeper discussion by asking
three questions that will identify ways that the spirit of the NADSP’s Code of Ethics and
Competencies will be incorporated in everyday practice. Part of the discussion will focus on how
the organization can create a culture of competence with skilled, ethical and empowered direct
support professionals that will lead the way to quality.
● ● ●
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CFO Seminar
10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Welcome, Introductions and Announcements
10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Department of Public Welfare Chapter 51 Regulations
PAR Fiscal Roundtable Co-chairs: William Harriger, COO, Verland; Derrick Yacovelli, VP
Corporate Finance, NHS Human Services
Thank you to our Sponsors
PAR’s Fiscal Roundtable Co-chairs will provide a critical update on the very latest Chapter 51
news and activities. This information goes beyond what you are reading in PAR Mails – it is
strongly recommended that all of our members send at least one fiscal professional to hear this
important information.
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Managing Remote Workforces: Wage and Hour and Employment Law
Concerns for Service Providers
Andrea Kirshenbaum, Principal, Post & Schell, P.C.; Kathleen Bailey Stengel, CEO, Clarity
Service Group
This presentation explores the wage and hour risks and employment challenges created by this
rise in remote work, with a particular focus on companies serving those with ASD and
intellectual disabilities, and remote work of non-exempt employees. Participants will learn about
the differing federal and state laws governing wage and hour and employment, as well as
developments in the law. The presentation also explores how companies can mitigate against
risks in an evolving legal landscape.
Background: Most recent estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
show that one in 68 children in the U.S. “have now been identified with an autism spectrum
disorder.” While the reasons behind the numbers have been the subject of much debate, what is
clear is that children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require specialized
services and education that evidence-based research shows should be provided in the natural
environment- that is, in the home, school or the community. The result is a large (and
increasingly growing) remote workforce – and the employment and wage and hour challenges
that come with it.
The culmination of these factors has created a perfect storm for ASD service providers from a
wage and hour and employment perspective, many of which are part of the PAR Services
Network. Those that employ large numbers of ASD workers and/or have non-exempt workers
performing work remotely are facing significant risk in the form of collective action litigation
under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Healthcare Issues and Update Including ACA
Brad Kopcha, FSA, MAAA, Executive Vice-President, the Benecon Group, Claudia Burchstead,
Director, the Benecon Group and Nicholas F. Castellano, President and CEO, Castle Benefits
Consulting Group
We will take you step by step through a program that will reduce your taxes/fees to both the
State and ACA at the same time having you hold on to your profits. Our model has been in
Thank you to our Sponsors
effect for over 20 years with a 98% retention factor and the program we will be showing you has
been in effect for over 5 years and includes a number of PAR members.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Special Planning For a Special Life: Planning Financially for the End of
Life for an Individual with IDD or Autism
Ruth Wolf, LUTCF, ChLAP, MSAA, CSA, Senior Consultant, Special Considerations; Shawn
Carper, Supervisor, Cremation Society of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Planning a funeral for a consumer you serve can be a very emotional event, especially if the
death was unexpected. Funerals should be meaningful, personal and fitting for the consumer.
That means the funeral costs must fit within the consumer’s budget, too. Participants will learn
about the various funding options that are available for their burial or final expenses. Some of
the questions covered will be: What do you do if your consumer has little or no funds available
for his/her burial plan? Are Pooled Trusts or OBRA Payback Trusts an option for funding? Does
your agency have a systematic method in place to track all of your consumers’ burial plans? All
individuals deserve a beautiful send off when they pass away, and this session will help you
learn how to make that happen.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Afternoon Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Open Forum
PAR Fiscal Roundtable Co-chairs: William Harriger, COO, Verland; Derrick Yacovelli, VP
Corporate Finance, NHS Human Services
The open forum will give all CFOs in attendance to ask follow-up questions, share information
and best practices, and recommend content for future fiscal-related trainings and forums. PAR’s
private online community for members will also be discussed with instructions for accessing the
Fiscal Group provided.
4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. CFO Reception at the Whitaker Center Sponsored by Maher Deussel
Thank you to our Sponsors
“From caring comes courage.” – Lao Tzu
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Solutions Conference
10:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Welcome
Shirley Walker, President and CEO, PAR
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Keynote: Unleash Your Creative Vision
Dick Durrance, National Geographic Photographer
11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Lunch Sponsored by InVision Human Services
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Break
5:15 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Networking Social
Track: Leadership Summit – Sponsored by SEFCU Insurance
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. The Provider of the Future: Seizing Opportunities to Offer Person-Driven
and Family-Centered Supports
Marian Frattarola-Saulino, CEO, Values into Action PA; Kristen Ahrens, Policy Director, Temple
University Institute on Disabilities
Don't miss this opportunity to understand how Participant Directed Services works in
Pennsylvania. If you do not want to be left behind or have the organization you work for fall
behind the times on how to support people and their families, join us for this interactive and
informative session. The future is here - don't let it pass you by!
A unique partnership between the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University and Values Into
Action, a PAR member organization, is advancing the growth of Participant Directed Services by
enabling people and their families to successfully direct their services using Supports Brokering.
Supports Brokering is a service available to P/FDS and Consolidated Waiver participants who
choose to direct their own services. It is a service that can be provided by an employee hired by
the person and/or her/his family or by a qualified provider agency.
People who self-direct their services currently compromise 21% of P/FDS and 8% of
Thank you to our Sponsors
Consolidated Waiver participants, and they are looking for resources that will expand their
opportunities and support their preferences and priorities, not just over their services but in
terms of charting their life’s purpose and course. They are looking for people and organizations
who understand them, and this: the best way to predict the future is to help create it.
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Systems Transformation on Steroids: Part One
Allan Bergman, President and CEO, HIGH IMPACT Mission-Based Consulting & Training
In 2015, we will celebrate the following anniversaries: 25th of the ADA; 40th of IDEA; 45th of
the DD Act; 50th of Medicaid and Medicare; and the 80th of Social Security. During this period
we have seen policy, funding and best practices evolve that are improving and can vastly
improve the quality in the lives of children and adults with disabilities, including their
longevity. Our legislative and funding agendas have resulted in huge reductions in the use of
institutions and a vast growth in the availability of community services and supports; however,
the laws, courts, self-advocates, families, researchers and leading edge practitioners demand
"more and better" with increased expectations at an accelerated pace for self-determination,
individual budgets, person-centered planning and informed choice for everything including
where and with whom they live and work. The convergence of these forces and trends is placing
increased demands on community providers for rapid change. This newest phase of
"deinstitutionalizing" the facility-based services that most of us created is here and is not a
passing fad that requires major internal transformation.
In Part One, we will learn about the converging trends from federal funding sources, courts and
stressed federal and state budgets that make up our new landscape and are driving the need
for rapid transformation for providers and its impact on individuals with disabilities and their
families.
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Systems Transformation on Steroids: Part Two
Allan Bergman, President and CEO, HIGH IMPACT Mission-Based Consulting & Training
In Part Two, we will examine some of the essential strategies for providers to consider in order
to remain viable with new business models, use of real time technology, dispersed staff and
others that will be necessary for providers to lead and manage the agency transformation
process. This process requires commitment, time, energy and adaptability; and, yes money!
The end result will look and feel very different for all stakeholders; and, if done well, there are no
losers.
Thank you to our Sponsors
● ● ●
Track: Employment – Sponsored by Access Services
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. The Employment First Imperative: “Suit the Actions to the Words”
Allan Bergman, President and CEO, HIGH IMPACT Mission-Based Consulting & Training
In spite of nearly 30 years of numerous federal laws, regulations, billions of federal, state and
local dollars spent promoting the goals of the DD Act of full "independence, productivity and
integration" and self-determination and the ADA goals of "equal opportunity, independent living,
economic self-sufficiency and full participation" the one word synonym for most adults living with
significant disabilities is "poverty.” The outcome of poverty is projected to cost the federal
government more than one trillion dollars in 2018. The projected rate of growth for the costs of
dependency and segregation is not financially sustainable. It is time for action plans to combat
disability poverty and to assure integrated employment outcomes and wrap around integrated
community supports by aligning resources with policy and emerging and best practices and
raising expectations of all stakeholders for each child and adult living with disabilities to be a
valued, productive member of an inclusive society. In this session, you will learn about these
challenges and the opportunities before us as a result of the major changes included in the new
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, recent policy directives of the U.S. Department of
Education, the support and guidance of CMS and the force of the Civil Rights Division of the
U.S. Department of Justice.
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. National and State Initiatives: ODP and OVR Working Collaboratively to
Enhance Employment Outcomes
Diane Cashman, Director of Employment, ODP; Dana Baccanti, Chief, Special Programs
Division, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
This session will provide a general overview of national and state initiatives and trends
impacting employment and how OVR and ODP are working together to enhance employment
opportunities for all people with disabilities. National and statewide topics covered will be the
CMS Final Rule, the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), the State Employment
Leadership Network (SELN) Initiative, the Office of Disability Employment Policy’s Employment
Resource Rebalancing Initiative (ERRI), and the ODP Futures Planning Initiative.
OVR and ODP have begun many collaborative initiatives which will be presented, including the
Joint ODP/OVR Joint Bulletin entitled “OVR Referral Process for Employment Services.” This
Thank you to our Sponsors
session will also share information on a number of statewide and local OVR/ODP collaborative
programs that will enhance employment outcomes in Pennsylvania.
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Many Hands Make Light Work: A Team Approach to Competitive
Employment
Allison Smale, Director of Program Enhancement and Growth, Kencrest EmployNet; Erica
Kishpaugh, Employment Services Director, Keystone Human Services Central ID
The old adage is true, many hands do make light work. This presentation will illustrate how
effective use of teamwork can make employment outcomes more successful. Presenters will
discuss the role of Direct Support Professionals and families in the job development and
planning process, as well as ways that teams can assist job seekers in developing their
community connections and networks. Also highlighted will be the agencies’ role in competitive
employment programs. Best practices used in job development and job training will be explored.
This session will be interactive with opportunities to discuss successes and brainstorm solutions
to challenges. Audience members will leave with an understanding of their roles in the
competitive employment process and will have numerous tools at hand to better support people
in their job search.
● ● ●
Track: Technology: the Big Picture – Sponsored by Fayette Resources
1:00 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. Viewing your Organization through Multiple Lenses: Utilizing Staff Video
Projects
Rob Reid, President and CEO, Access Services; Eric Smith, Director of Crisis Support, Access
Services
There is an ever growing need for nonprofits to use video to reach constituents, potential donors
and the general public. The growth of YouTube and the many social networking websites make
it imperative for nonprofits to better tell their stories and promote their missions through video.
The number of online video viewers grew by more than two-thirds to 941 million in 2013, from
563 million in 2008, according to ABI Research. This represents just over 1/2 of the 1.8 billion
consumers expected to use the Internet. It is clear that to capture the attention of the average
person organizations will need to use more visual arts. Nonprofits can hardly afford to have
professionally produced videos to meet this demand. Learn how one organization utilized the
talent of their staff to produce quality videos.
2:15 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Break
Thank you to our Sponsors
2:30 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Technology and Information Access to Improve Quality of Life for People
with Disabilities
Carol Erzen, IDD Director of Training and Staff Development, NHS Human Services; Shaleea
Shields, Administrator, NHS Human Services; Sherri Portnoy, IDD Director of Administration
and Professional Development, NHS Human Services and Rich Herold from AbleLink
Technologies
People with disabilities have an equal right to technology and information access. This session
will explore a demonstration project that improves the quality of life for group home residents by
helping them safely leverage the Internet to stay in touch with family and friends, communicate
with members of their support services team, acquire basic computer skills, and explore other
interests, while safeguarding the privacy and security of all consumers and employees. This
session will also explore the reasons to embark on assistive technology, provide outcome
measures, and explore challenges to meeting the goal of empowering people with cognitive
barriers with technology characterized by a person-centered design philosophy that results in
making everyday technologies, such as smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers,
accessible.
3:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Break
4:00 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. Using Digital Technology with Children & Adults – Organize, Don't
Agonize
Ronnie Skibicki, VP of Strategic IT Services; Nina Wolfarth, Early Care Coordinator, Barber
National Institute
The presenters will discuss an overview of operational processes and planning for incorporating
technology into service delivery programs for children and adults with intellectual
disabilities. Barber National Institute has been using technology in service delivery for the past
three years. The audience will learn about the technologies used including iPads, TAPit and the
apps used by our providers. A brief description about the selection process for devices and
apps and the procedures implemented for training and maintaining the various devices.
● ● ●
Thursday, November 13, 2014
7:45 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. Breakfast
8:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony
Thank you to our Sponsors
10:45 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Break
12:15 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Exhibitor Hall - Lunch Sponsored by Melmark
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
Track: Leadership Summit – Sponsored by SEFCU Insurance
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Live From Harrisburg – National Trends in Disabilities
Diane McComb, State Association Liaison, ANCOR
Join Diane McComb, ANCOR Liaison to State Associations, fresh from ANCOR’s 2014
Leadership Summit as she brings us up to date on the latest reform efforts in disabilities. Her
presentation will provide an overview of ANCOR’s Leadership Summit, as well as snippets of
what’s going on around the country in funding reform, MLTSS, and DOJ. This session will
provide participants with links to current trending.
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Wellness in the Workplace
Nicholas Castellano, President & CEO, Castle Benefits Consulting Group; Claudia Burchstead,
Director, Benecon Group, Representing the Eagle Health Trust; Alexis Bruni, Health Solutions
Client Executive, Humana
This session will discuss the Return on Investment with facts and figures when instituting a
Wellness Plan in the workplace and the engagement of your workforce, as well as the
Affordable Care Act guidelines when using wellness initiatives as part of your Contribution
Strategy.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Autism – What’s Happening in Pennsylvania?
Nina Wall, Director, Bureau of Autism Services
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Dialogue with ODP About Now and the Future
Dolores Frantz, Quality Management Director, Office of the Deputy Secretary; Patty McCool,
Director, Bureau of Supports for People with Intellectual Disabilities, Office of Developmental
Programs (ODP)
Leaders from ODP will engage in a dialogue with attendees about current and future policy
issues impacting services for people with intellectual disability and their families.
● ● ●
Thank you to our Sponsors
Track: Employment – Sponsored by Access Services
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Penn-Mar Conversion from Sheltered Workshop to Employment
Jennifer Skelly, Director of PA Programs; Jackie Stevens, COO; Judy Blachowicz, Vocational
Program Instructor and Robert Kuhn, CFO, Penn-Mar
In January 2013, Penn-Mar Human Services, a provider in York County, officially became an
Employment Training & Discovery Program. This decision did not come easily but was made so
that the organization could better support the Community Employment model and to pave the
way for the future of services. Penn-Mar will share its philosophy regarding employment and
how this transition was driven by this philosophy and passion. The transition did not come
without its challenges. Penn-Mar will openly share these challenges as well as the success that
this transition has had on the individuals supported. Prospective concerning this transition will
be shared from Administration, Fiscal and Direct Support staff from Penn-Mar Human Services.
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Customized Employment featuring VIA, SPIN, and CIS Part 1 of 2
Corey Smith, Director of Employment Services, VIA of the Lehigh Valley; Andrea Davies
Consigny, Director, SPIN Employment Services; Susan Schonfeld, Executive Director,
Community Integrated Services
“There are an unlimited number of ways to make a living.”-- Please join us as we share our
experience implementing the Discovery Process and Customized Employment Outcomes
highlighting non-traditional employment outcomes and how to pay for it.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. Customized Employment featuring VIA, SPIN, and CIS Part 2 of 2
● ● ●
Track: Technology: the Big Picture Track – Sponsored by Fayette Resources
11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) for Nonprofits
Matt Eshleman, Chief Technology Officer, Community IT Innovators
BYOD stands for Bring Your Own Device. It refers to staff bringing their own devices to work,
instead of working on the computer provided by the organization. BYOD can have its benefits
and challenges. It also raises a lot of questions. - Does your nonprofit have a BYOD policy? Does your organization help staff configure their personal devices to use for work? - How does
BYOD affect your organization’s data? We’ll discuss how nonprofits can prepare for BYOD,
leverage the strengths and minimize the challenges.
Thank you to our Sponsors
1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. IT Governance: Boring Name, Big Impact
Matt Eshleman, Chief Technology Officer, Community IT Innovators
As corporate information technology infrastructure increases in size and complexity,
organizations are recognizing the need for a better mechanism for assessing IT’s role and
alignment to the key corporate initiatives. What began as a series of best practices has evolved
into the field known as IT governance. In this session, we explore the five key questions
organizations must answer to manage and control IT as an integral part of their general
business management. You will also learn the concepts large organizations use to approach IT
governance and how they can be adapted for a smaller organization.
2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break
3:00 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. I Didn’t Know My Smartphone Could Do That…and Other Lifehacks
Worth Knowing
Gabrielle Sedor, Director of Communications and Laura Bennett, Director of Administration,
PAR
Chances are, you own a smartphone. But do you know how powerful that little device actually
is? Are you using it to its fullest potential both in your work and personal life? Smartphones are
too costly and too useful to be just used for texting, emailing, making phone calls and playing
Candy Crush. In this fun and interactive session, we’ll show you how to use your mobile device
in unexpected ways.
Inspired by David Pogue's TED Talk about tech tricks you need to master, we will also share a
list of “lifehacks” you didn’t know you needed but probably do.
This is one session where we won’t ask you to silence your phones…in fact, we ask that you
come ready to use them!
Thank you to our Sponsors