ANCOR Connect ‘26

The Leader’s Compass: Decision-Making When the Path Isn’t Clear

Tuesday, April 21, 10 am-12 pm

In times of uncertainty, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about having the courage and clarity to decide. This session invites senior leaders to explore how data, values, people, and timing intersect in high-stakes decisions.

Through applied scenarios and peer-coaching dialogue, participants will practice a structured framework for making complex choices, balancing ethics with evidence, and communicating with transparency when the path forward is anything but certain.

Presenters:

• Robert Budd, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises, Inc.
• Linda Timmons, Mosaic
• Rita Wiersma, Accord

Beyond the Hype: Real-World AI Lessons from the New York Alliance

Tuesday, April 21, 10 am-12 pm

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved quickly from science fiction to hype to practical (with some hype), and disability service providers need a way to keep pace without losing sight of mission, compliance, or person-centered values.

This session will share lessons from the New York Alliance AI Community of Practice and its AI Toolkit, including results from conducting an AI Organizational Self-Assessment (OSA) across providers in 2025 and then again in 2026.

We’ll review how scores shifted across seven OSA domains: (1) AI Readiness & Strategic Vision, (2) Data Management, Privacy, and Security, (3) Technology Infrastructure & Integration, (4) Human Oversight & Ethical Use, (5) Workforce Development & Training, (6) Service Delivery & Quality Outcomes, and (7) Compliance & Regulatory Adherence. We’ll also review videos, checklists, policies, and exercises the Community of Practice’s Toolkit.

Presenters:

• Doug Golub, Data Potato
• Katie Page, NY Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation
• Michael Seereiter, NY Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation

Empowering Supervisors: Building Strong Teams Through Leadership and Connection

Tuesday, April 21, 1:30-3:30 pm

Turnover continues to challenge providers, but the single most powerful influence on retention is often overlooked: the frontline supervisor.

This session will show how strengthening supervisory leadership directly impacts workforce stability and reduces costly turnover. Attendees will explore the real impact supervisors have on DSP commitment, learn how to ignite key leadership skills, and discover how tools like stay interviews and relationship-based supervision can create stronger, more stable teams.

Through guided discussion and group problem-solving at round tables, participants will leave with practical strategies they can apply immediately to better support their workforce. This isn’t another “theory-heavy” session; participants will walk away with clear action steps, peer-tested ideas, and a framework to build empowered supervisors who retain and grow strong DSP teams.

Presenters:

• Scott McKeough, Woodfords Family Services
• Ghislaine Mparanirubumwe, Happy Haven
• Brian Vye, John F. Murphy Homes

Converging Forces: How H.R. 1 and Managed Care Will Shape Medicaid’s Future

Tuesday, April 21, 1:30-3:30 pm

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed in July of 2025, will have far-reaching effects on Medicaid systems across the country over the next decade.

In this session, we will examine how another transformational change—managed care for long-term services and supports (MLTSS)—and the OBBBA could interact to put pressure on changing state Medicaid systems. Organizational leaders will come away with specific strategies for navigating the pressures that these two simultaneous pressures will bring to bear.

Presenter:

• Richard Edwards, Amivie

Addressing Systemic Barriers to Improving Supports for People with Dual Diagnosis

Tuesday, April 21, 1:30-3:30 pm

An estimated 30-70% of all people with I/DD also have a mental health condition. Despite this high prevalence, in most states, there is a chronic lack of a whole-person approach to supporting individuals with co-occurring I/DD and mental health service needs. For children and adults with I/DD, brain injuries, and other cognitive disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions, accessing services and supports can be difficult. This Pre-Conference Session will provide a deep dive into the urgency of addressing this critical need, and how the federally-funded Link Center is working with states and stakeholders to improve access through systems change, workforce capacity building, and information sharing about emerging and promising practices that are person-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive.

Presenters:

• Jeanne Farr, NADD
• Mary Sowers, NASDDDS

Igniting Advocacy from Hesitation to Action

Track: Leadership & Organizational Development
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Advocacy doesn’t belong to a few people in power—it belongs to all of us. In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to turn everyday experiences into powerful stories that influence policy and shape public perception.

Presenters will share practical strategies to engage staff at all levels, from direct support professionals to executive leadership, to find their voice, connect with lawmakers, and transform fear into confidence.

Through storytelling exercises, real-world examples, and a ready-to-use grassroots toolkit, attendees will leave with the confidence and clarity to start (or strengthen) a culture of advocacy within their organizations. Whether you’re new to advocacy or looking to deepen your impact, this session will spark ideas and action.

Presenters:

• Anne Couldridge, The Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties
• Georgiana Provance ’27, Fayette Resources

Scaling Change Together: Finding Courage in the Chaos of Now

Track: Workforce Solutions & Sustainability
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Between workforce shortages, funding shifts, and rising administrative demands, most leaders barely have time to breathe—let alone plan for transformation.

Learn how Maine’s state association of I/DD providers, MACSP, launched the Change Management & Systems Optimization Learning Collaborative, a statewide initiative bringing provider organizations together to navigate the now with courage, creativity, and connection.

Through stories, applied tools, and a replicable peer-learning model, attendees will see how structure can actually create space for creativity—and how connection fuels resilience in the face of overwhelming daily pressures. You’ll leave with strategies to strengthen your team’s focus, protect staff energy, and sustain change in the middle of constant motion.

Presenter:

• Rebecca Emmons, Maine Association for Community Service Providers

Beyond the Task List: Reclaiming Meaning & Motivation at Work

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

It’s easy to lose sight of purpose when every shift feels like a race against time. This session helps re-center what drew so many of us to this field in the first place: joy, connection, and growth.

Presenters will share evidence-based strategies and simple, creative tools to increase staff engagement, strengthen relationships, and help staff, DSPs, and other team members rediscover the meaning in their work. You’ll learn how to turn everyday routines into opportunities for teaching, empowerment, and belonging—helping people supported, and the professionals who walk beside them, thrive together.

You’ll leave with a ready-to-use plan to rebuild morale, reimagine motivation, and bring more heart back to the workday.

Presenters:

• Jasmine Jordan, YAI
• Anna Katterjohn, YAI
• Lauren Vargas, YAI

Room to Grow: Expanding Residential Capacity Through Strategic Partnerships

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Across the country, providers face the same residential services gridlock: limited funding, restrictive siting rules, and a growing need for community housing.

These challenges can feel insurmountable, yet they also create opportunities for new approaches. In Massachusetts, Incompass Human Services faced these same realities and, through a strategic partnership with CIL, a nonprofit housing developer, designed a model that transformed mounting pressures into progress—and expanded residential capacity by more than 50% in under a decade.

You’ll hear how creativity, collaboration, and courage reshaped state policy, unlocked new opportunities for medically complex populations, and built a framework that other organizations can adapt. Participants will leave with practical tools to navigate cross-sector collaborations, pathways for adapting to shifting policy environments, and a proven framework to apply in their own organizations.

Presenters:

• Michael Bloom, Incompass Human Services
• Chris Canna, Corporation for Independent Living (CIL)
• Samantha VanSchoick, Corporation for Independent Living (CIL)

Florida Forward: Lessons in Reinvention for a Resilient Future

Track: Business Resilience & Financial Strategy
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

As managed care expands, provider organizations across the country are being asked to adapt faster than ever. Florida’s shift from a pilot to a full program offers valuable insights for leaders navigating similar transitions.

This panel brings together executives from the managed care, provider, and association sectors who helped guide the change. They’ll share what worked, what was difficult, and what every organization should consider before a shift of this scale.

Attendees will gain financial and operational lessons from the front lines—how to strengthen solvency, preserve mission, and sustain quality during major funding transitions.

Presenters:

• David Rogers, Independent Living Systems
• Tyler Sununu, Florida ARF
• Zach Wray, Sunrise Community

Measuring What Matters Most: Turning Data into Daily Insight

Track: Data & Decision-Making
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Have you ever wondered how to truly measure the impact of your services on the lives of the people you serve? When the landscape keeps shifting, measurement has to mean more than dashboards.

This session shows how one multi-service provider centers the voices of people supported, translates those insights into organization-wide goals, and uses them to guide impactful strategy across programs. While traditional measurements such as revenue, turnover, and vacancy rates are still critical, we’ll move past these and into the realm of measuring the true impact of your mission.

You’ll leave with a clear, replicable approach to turn mission into metrics—and metrics into daily decisions.

Presenter:

• Janet Yousey, Shangri-La

Shifting Power & Choice to Individuals with Disabilities

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Belgium’s Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH) has implemented one of Europe’s most established systems of individual budgeting for people with disabilities.

This session explores how the VAPH individual budget model works in practice, from eligibility determination and budget allocation to support planning and oversight, and how it shifts power and choice directly to individuals and their families.

Presenters will examine how individualized budgets are used to purchase a wide range of supports, the role of support brokers and providers within the system, and the safeguards Belgium has put in place to balance flexibility with accountability.

The session will also address implementation challenges, including workforce implications, administrative complexity, and equity considerations. Designed for policymakers, provider leaders, and advocates, this session offers practical insights and transferable lessons for states considering or refining self-directed and individualized funding approaches for people with I/DD.

Presenters:

• Bert Morrens, Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities
• Sven Pans, Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities

The ANCOR Tech Advisory Council: Collaborating to Create

Track: Business Resilience & Financial Strategy
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

ANCOR’s first-ever Technology Advisory Council is working to build recommended processes and resources that members can use in their own organizations. The Council’s goal? Effective incorporation of technology in agencies for improved operational efficiencies to better support individuals with I/DD.

Hear from a few Council members and learn what has already been accomplished, get a sneak preview of a self-assessment tool you can use to help develop your organization’s own technology strategy and road map, and help to shape future projects!

Presenters:

• Michael Arevalo, Core Solutions, Inc.
• Ryan Edlich, Statewise
• Bob Hitson, The BI Collaborative
• Danny Laneri, Giv
• Gabrielle Sedor, ANCOR (moderator)

From Insight to Impact: Using Predictive Index to Strengthen Hiring & Engagement

Track: Workforce Solutions & Sustainability
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

I/DD and social service providers face an urgent challenge: stabilizing the workforce while ensuring quality care. High turnover undermines trust, disrupts continuity of support, and threatens the quality of services.

This workshop highlights how one organization used the Predictive Index (PI) to improve hiring, strengthen management, and create a culture of engagement. Leaders learned to adapt their styles to team members’ unique motivations, reducing turnover and increasing staff satisfaction.

Together, we’ll learn how to apply PI insights to hire smarter, adapt leadership styles, and reduce turnover—and ultimately, build healthier organizations where staff feel supported and the people you serve benefit from consistency.

Presenters:

• Susan Blue, Community Services Group
• Kara Guerriero, INCITE Consulting Solutions
• Tony Zipple, INCITE Consulting Solutions

Bridging the Gap: Advancing Mental Health Support for People with I/DD

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) who also experience mental health conditions—known as dual diagnosis—face significant barriers to receiving effective support and care. Although an estimated 35% of people with I/DD also live with mental health challenges, services are often siloed across separate systems with differing priorities, funding mechanisms, and regulations. This fragmentation, combined with a shortage of providers equipped to support dual diagnosis populations, leads to inconsistent care and poor outcomes.

This session will explore the concept of dual diagnosis, highlight the systemic challenges impacting individuals and families, and introduce a promising model being implemented at Albertina Kerr, in Oregon, specifically focused on youth up to the age of 25. Attendees will gain insights into how integrated, sustainable approaches can improve access and quality of mental health care for people with dual diagnoses—regardless of age.

Presenter:

• Allison Stark, Albertina Kerr

Optimizing Health Care and HCBS Expenditures

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Cutting-edge technologies are transforming Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) and reducing health care expenditures.

This session will explore practical applications of tools such as electronic risk screening, remote support systems, telehealth, and medication management platforms. Learn how these innovations improve health outcomes, increase efficiency, and support individuals to live more independently.

Real-world examples will illustrate how providers can integrate these solutions into daily operations to enhance quality of care while optimizing resources. You’ll leave with actionable strategies to leverage technology for better health, safety, and cost-effectiveness in HCBS settings.

Presenters:

• Craig Escudé, IntellectAbility
• Maulik Trivedi, StationMD

Creative Voices, Connected Communities: Changing Lives Through Media Arts

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

What if one program could simultaneously address workforce development, social isolation, digital literacy, and community inclusion for people with I/DD—while creating powerful self-advocates?

This dynamic session showcases the Media Makers Program, where neurodiverse youth use photography, video, animation, and graphic design to explore identity and build community. You’ll leave equipped with a ready-to-implement activity guide for inspired media arts programming. We’ll uncover how media arts can revolutionize engagement while addressing your organization’s challenges around participation, outcomes, and meaningful skill development.

Presenters:

• Sydney Birakos, Outside the Lens
• Melanee Garls, Outside the Lens
• Kevin Tung, Outside the Lens

Charting Your Course: Strength-Based Advocacy in Rough Waters

Track: Leadership & Organizational Development
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

What happens when advocacy begins with strengths instead of deficits? Drawing from seven years spent sailing around the world, Jena Crafton shares stories of inclusion and belonging that span cultures and continents—and what those lessons can teach us here at home.

From connecting with families in Guatemala and South Africa to testifying at the White House, Jena’s journey shows how storytelling and self-advocacy can turn lived experience into leadership. This fireside chat invites participants to reflect on their own strengths, re-center the “why” behind advocacy, and discover practical ways to create more welcoming communities for all.

Presenter:

• Jena Crafton, University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development

Paths to ANCOR Leadership: Everything You Wanted to Know About How to Step Up

Track: Leadership & Organizational Development
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Did you know that ANCOR elected positions are term-limited? How do members become leaders? Which positions are appointed, and by whom? As ANCOR has grown exponentially over the last decade, so have opportunities for members to step up and assume positions of leadership.

From serving on the ANCOR Board of Directors to co-chairing committees and communities of practice, your national association is committed to educating members about pathways for leadership and ensuring transparency in those processes. Join the members of ANCOR’s Leadership Development Committee for an informative discussion about these questions and more!

Breaking Out of the Systems That Keep You Small

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Konekt is a Belgium-based social enterprise that supports young adults with disabilities discover their talents, take on meaningful and visible roles, and develop confidence through multi-year learning programs, practical trainings, and supported pathways into education and employment.

Acting as a laboratory for social innovation, Konekt also partners with schools, municipalities, companies, and community groups to test new models and shift societal mindsets about the contributions made by people with disabilities.

During this presentation, participants will learn how Konekt supports the creation of individualized plans for accessing inclusive environments where each person can be valued and accepted for all they have to offer. Participants will also learn about Konekt’s training program, “Break-Out”, for young adults aged 18-30, through which each person can discover new experiences to help inform their decisions for adult living and employment. Together, we’re creating a future in which people with and without disabilities will live, learn and work together.

Presenters:

• Koen Deweer, Konekt
• Jef Dolfyn, Konekt

Remote Supports, Real People: Lessons from the Frontline

Track: Business Resilience & Financial Strategy
Knowledge Level: Advanced

Is your organization prepared for the future? Budget cuts, staffing limitations, and overtime expenses are just a few of the challenges facing service providers across the nation. These challenges threaten providers’ ability to continue supporting the community engagement individuals deserve.

From reductions in overtime expenditures, direct cost-savings, and staffing augmentation, Remote Supports have a proven ability to supply provider organizations with a more agile suite of supports they can utilize to improve the lives of the individuals they support and ensure they continue to flourish in their community.

In this session, representatives from four Remote Supports organizations, all members of the Coalition for the Advancement and Integration of Remote Supports Services (CAIRSS), will explore the organizational benefits of provider-wide integration of the service into existing staffing models.

Presenters:

• Michelle Madden, EPIC
• Chris Patterson, Night Owl Support Systems (NOSS)
• Becky Sharp, Open Doors Columbus
• Don Shirley, SafeinHome

Workforce by the Numbers: Using Workforce Data to Drive Strategy

Track: Data & Decision-Making
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

In today’s climate of funding shifts, staffing shortages, and policy changes, a stable and qualified workforce is more critical than ever. High turnover and endless recruitment cycles are costly, impacting both your bottom line and the quality of support you provide. But where do you begin when there are many challenges, potential solutions, and limited resources?

This session invites you to understand the story that YOUR data is telling, and how to turn that story into strategy. Representing a diverse group of providers from Rhode Island who have leveraged their own workforce data and worked together to understand statewide trends and challenges, panelists will share their experiences collecting and interpreting key data and how it has informed key workforce strategies.

You’ll leave with actionable tools and real-world examples from provider organizations that have successfully used data to work toward a shared goal: stabilize the direct support workforce and ensure consistent, high-quality services.

Presenters:

• Casey Gartland, West Bay RI
• PJ Harder, Perspectives Corporation
• Marissa Ruff, Seven Hills
• Ruth Turekova, Olean Center
• Liz Wiedenhofer, LIFE Inc.
• Kris Foss, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota (moderator)

Improving Quality Now: A Six-Domain Framework for Organizations

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of I/DD services, organizations must be agile, data-informed, and deeply person-centered. This session presents a practical framework for evaluating and improving service quality from residential supports and day programs to clinical services and case management.

Through real-world examples, participants will explore how each domain of the Institute of Medicine’s Six Domains of Healthcare Quality can improve quality and elevate care practices. The session will highlight strategies for cross-departmental collaboration, technology integration, and workforce empowerment, all while centering the voices and needs of people with I/DD.

Presenters:

• Lucy Holmes, Pine Tree Society
• Alyssa McNamara, Pine Tree Society

Pipeline to Purpose: Investing in a Future-Ready Workforce

Track: Workforce Solutions & Sustainability
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Building a sustainable DSP workforce takes more than inspiration—it takes infrastructure, partnerships, and long-term investment.

This session spotlights one provider in Pennsylvania’s Graduation to Direct Support Professional (G2DSP) initiative—a hands-on pilot program giving high school students paid vocational experience, mentorship, and credentials while still in school. This inclusive approach engages learners from all backgrounds, helping them develop empathy, communication, and person-centered skills that strengthen both their futures and the field.

Presenters will share how partnerships with schools, career centers, and workforce boards transformed an idea into a replicable statewide strategy for sustainable DSP development, and you’ll leave with practical steps to take back to your team to build your own initiative.

Presenters:

• Timothy McGrane, St. Joseph’s Center
• Melanie Opalka-Bentler ’27, St. Joseph’s Center

Learning from Experiences: Effectively Identifying & Treating Seizures in Your Agency

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Three million people in the US are affected by Epilepsy, and 1 in 26 people will develop Epilepsy in their lifetime. People whom your agency supports may experience a range of types of seizures that your staff may not notice and may not have the experience to manage.

In this session, hear and learn directly from colleagues, each of whom will share how they are effectively educating their team members and stakeholders on seizure identification and seizure control, selection of medications that can be used, and how to engage with a partner to obtain critical education and guidance that can be passed to their team members.

Presenters:

• Kathy Carmody, Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities
• Diane Moore, Developmental Disabilities Nurses Association (DDNA)
• Darlene Scott, The Phoenix Residence
• Jean Gelpi, Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Breaking the Divide: Integrating Behavioral Health and Disability Supports

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

For people with both I/DD and mental health needs to get the care they need, it takes strong cross-system collaboration. But all too often, I/DD providers find themselves left out of planning conversations or unsure how to engage meaningfully with mental or behavioral health teams.

This session explores what happens when those systems stop competing and start collaborating. Leaders from Ohio share their proven model for integrating behavioral health and I/DD supports—demonstrating how clear communication, shared planning, and trust can transform care for complex populations.

You’ll leave with actionable tools to bridge gaps between providers, engage mental health partners, and navigate challenging conversations across disciplines. It’s a real-world look at how whole-person care becomes possible when silos fall away.

Presenters:

• Nathan Henninger ’25, I Am Boundless
• Lauri Livingston-Roberts, I Am Boundless

Beyond Compliance: Data as a Compass for Health & Inclusion

Track: Data & Decision-Making
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

Data can do more than check compliance boxes—it can transform care. This session shares a practical roadmap from an organization that has embedded data collection, analysis, and reporting into its culture.

Attendees will learn how to align clinical and social determinants of health data with strategic goals, and leverage tools like Tableau and Power BI for decision-making. By exploring both successes and challenges, participants will see how real-world data initiatives support housing, employment, and behavioral health outcomes—and how these efforts anticipate future payment and quality models.

Participants will leave with actionable strategies to strengthen data governance, build staff buy-in, and apply insights that advance equity, independence, and wellness for people with I/DD.

Presenter:

• Ronald Colavito, Access: Supports for Living Network

The New DSP Code of Ethics: Courage Meets Practice

Track: Workforce Solutions & Sustainability
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Direct Support Professionals face ethical crossroads every day—often with little time, guidance, or support.

This panel introduces the newly revised NADSP Code of Ethics, reimagined through the voices of DSPs, frontline supervisors, people with disabilities and leaders across the country. Presenters will unpack what’s new, why it matters, and how the updated practice guidelines can strengthen DSP confidence, decision-making, and professional identity.

Attendees will leave with practical ways to embed the Code of Ethics into training, supervision, and everyday practice—helping teams navigate complex situations with clarity, compassion, and courage.

Presenters:

• Amy Hewitt, Institute on Community Integration, University of Minnesota
• Joe Macbeth, National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)
• Nick Smith, SPIN Inc.
• Tony Thomas, Welcome House

Educating Employers for Inclusion that Lasts

Track: Leadership & Organizational Development
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Imagine if every business understood the value of employing people with disabilities—not just as an act of goodwill, but as a proven way to strengthen their workforce and community impact.

This session will explore how we can better educate businesses about the skills, talents, and invaluable contributions of people with disabilities. In this collaborative session, attendees will share proven strategies, uncover common barriers, and generate innovative approaches to local employer engagement. Together, we’ll build a toolkit of ideas and tactics drawn from agencies nationwide, so every participant leaves empowered with practical solutions they can put into action.

Presenters:

• Jim Freeman ’27, TSE, Inc.
• Jessica Stejskal, TSE, Inc.

Resilience on Purpose: Building Organizations That Outlast Uncertainty

Track: Business Resilience & Financial Strategy
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

I/DD providers are operating in constant motion—balancing workforce shortages, tight budgets, and rising expectations from payers and policymakers.

This interactive session explores how leaders are using data, dashboards, and emerging AI tools to help agencies not only keep up, but thrive. Presenters from Giv., Starling, and the ANCOR Technology Advisory Council share how to identify KPIs that actually matter, automate what drains capacity, and embed practices that can turn data into a driver of resilience, sustainability and belonging.

Participants will leave with practical templates, a KPI guide, and a “data huddle” framework—and the confidence that no matter their size, budget, or systems, they can take meaningful steps today that build strength for tomorrow.

Presenters:

• Alec Fowler, Giv.
• Danny Laneri, Giv.
• Erika Leonard, Starling

How Inclusive Internships Can Open City Doors to Disability Talent

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Government agencies are struggling to fill critical roles, while talented job seekers with disabilities still face systemic barriers to employment. The Partnership for Inclusive Internships (PII) proves that both problems can be solved together.

This session showcases how AHRC New York City and state partners built a zero-cost-to-employer internship model that opens doors to meaningful government careers. This session provides a practical roadmap to implement this public-private partnership model in your own community, including how to leverage existing vocational rehabilitation funding, navigate government hiring processes, and build the cross-sector collaborations that make inclusive employment pathways a reality.

Presenters:

• Hannah Millson, AHRC New York City
• Michele Shapiro, AHRC New York City

Masterpieces & Money: Helping Artists Earn Without Losing Benefits

Track: Business Resilience & Financial Strategy
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

For many artists with disabilities, selling artwork brings both pride and pressure—how do you earn income without risking essential benefits?

This session breaks down the complex rules around Social Security and Medicaid while offering clear, empowering strategies to protect income through tools like special needs trusts, pooled trusts, and ABLE accounts. Led by financial experts from Arlington Heritage Group, attendees will leave with the practical knowledge to help disabled artists save, plan, and thrive creatively and financially.

Presenter:

• Tom Tirney, Arlington Heritage Group

AI in Human Hands: Tools for More Impactful Services

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t coming—it’s already here. This panel brings together national leaders to show how AI can reduce documentation burdens, improve quality, and strengthen trust without losing the human touch.

Attendees will see real-world examples of AI tools being used in human services today—from summarizing documentation and detecting health risks to streamlining attendance—and hear honest lessons about what works, what doesn’t, and what’s next.

Whether you’re AI-curious or already exploring how to integrate it into your agency, you’ll leave with clear ideas, concrete strategies, and a fresh perspective on how to lead in the age of AI.

Presenters:

• Justin Brockie, Therap Services
• Josh Dezurik, Dungarvin

Aligning Benefits with Today’s Workforce Realities: New Approaches for DSP Support

Track: Workforce Solutions & Sustainability
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Today’s direct support workforce is multicultural, multilingual, and financially strained, with more than half qualifying for public assistance. Traditional perks like standard health plans or modest raises don’t address the realities DSPs face today.

This session reimagines what “useful” benefits really mean—showcasing flexible, affordable, and creative solutions that meet DSPs where they are. Presenters will share proven models for wrap-around supports such as housing, childcare, transportation, and flexible pay options, all designed to strengthen satisfaction, retention, and belonging. Participants will gain clear, replicable strategies to align benefits with real-world DSP needs, reduce costs, and sustain a workforce that feels valued both on and off the clock.

Presenters:

• Megan McKinney Todd ’26, GoodLife University
• Mike Strouse, GoodLife Innovations

Purposeful Direct Support: Building Meaningful Community Connections

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Direct support professionals (DSPs) are often tasked with balancing administrative requirements while fostering genuine connections that enhance the quality of life for the people they support.

Drawing on frameworks such as Defining Connections and Best Practices in Developing Community Supports, this session will show how DSPs can identify, initiate, and sustain meaningful relationships beyond service settings for those they support in their chosen community. We will emphasize how to move beyond “activities” toward authentic belonging, helping individuals achieve intimate, casual, and community connections that are lasting and reciprocal.

Attendees will learn practical strategies by embedding structured conversations into daily routines, observing natural preferences, modeling essential social skills, and documenting progress with simple connection tracking tools. You’ll leave with concrete tools to transform everyday interactions into inclusion and connection.

Presenters:

• Stephanie Higginbottom, Hope House Foundation
• Shannon Pociask, Hope House Foundation

Scaling Remote Supports for People with I/DD: Driving Innovation Through Collaboration

Track: Service Innovation & Flexibility
Knowledge Level: Intermediate

When workforce shortages meet rising expectations, innovation can’t wait. This panel brings together leaders from managed care, technology, and provider organizations who transformed a Kansas-based pilot into a national model for scalable remote supports.

Through candid stories, data, and real-world outcomes, this session will show how collaboration across systems can reimagine service delivery without losing sight of person-centered values. Whether you’re a provider, policymaker, or payer, this session offers actionable takeaways to help you navigate the evolving landscape of I/DD services and embrace technology-enabled care models.

Presenters:

• Brian Hart, ShiftAbility
• Nanette Perrin, Sunflower Health Plan
• Sarah Schlitter, Johnson County Developmental Supports

Inclusive by Design: How Universal Design Improves Quality for All

Track: Data & Decision-Making
Knowledge Level: Advanced

In a rapidly evolving service environment, designing for the “average” person is no longer enough. This session introduces Universal Design as a practical framework for Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), giving leaders real tools to build processes that are inclusive by design.

Through stories, data, and hands-on strategies, participants will learn how to embed accessibility and equity into every phase of CQI—from stakeholder engagement and data analysis to redesign and rollout. Real-world examples will illustrate how Universal Design can uncover hidden barriers, boost participation, and drive better, more equitable outcomes.

Whether you’re new to CQI or an experienced quality leader looking to deepen your equity impact, this session will provide fresh insights and practical steps you can implement immediately.

Presenter:

• Tina Marie Lowry, Envision Unlimited

Turning Lived Experience into Lasting Impact

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Advanced

Empowering individuals with disabilities to engage in policy advocacy is essential for creating inclusive and equitable systems. This topic is critical to the field because it bridges the gap between lived experience and policy development, ensuring that those most affected by disability policy have a voice in shaping it.

When people are equipped to advocate for themselves and their communities, they develop leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills—contributing to improved independence, self-confidence and long-term success.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1) Apply a four‑component self‑advocacy framework to design at least two person‑centered activities that build knowledge of rights and communication skills, 2) Implement a meeting-with‑legislators toolkit to support self‑advocates’ direct policy engagement, and 3) Adapt trip-planning and change-management strategies to help self‑advocates respond to real‑time disruptions.

Presenters:

• Katie Abrams, University of Iowa REACH Program
• Erica Kaldenberg, University of Iowa REACH Program
• Bill Loyd, University of Iowa REACH Program

Building a Workforce Pipeline through Early Investment

Track: Workforce Solutions & Sustainability
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

The future of the direct support workforce begins with inspiration—and sometimes, that spark starts in a classroom. This session spotlights one organization’s “Pathways to Opportunities” program—a hands-on, high-touch model that begins building the next generation of DSPs as early as 10th grade.

Through mentorship, paid experience, and life skills development, students graduate not just with job readiness, but with a sense of belonging and purpose in the field. Attendees will hear directly from program leaders and student ambassadors about how early exposure builds purpose and pride in direct support work—planting the seeds for a lifelong career in human service.

You’ll leave inspired by a replicable model that proves sustainable workforce transformation doesn’t start with recruitment—it starts with relationships.

Presenter:

• Tim Brown, Northeast Arc

What’s the Value of Accreditation?

Track: Person-Centered Supports & Quality Services
Knowledge Level: Universal/All

Accreditation has long been a marker of quality in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) service sector, yet many provider organizations are still weighing whether the investment delivers meaningful returns.

This session explores the purpose, impact, and practical value of accreditation for I/DD service providers navigating today’s regulatory, workforce, and funding challenges. Presenters will break down how accreditation frameworks promote stronger organizational practices, improve service quality, enhance risk management, and support alignment with state and federal expectations.

Participants will examine real-world outcomes, including how accreditation can strengthen staff competencies, reinforce person-centered practices, and contribute to better measurable results for people supported. You will leave with a clearer understanding of the benefits, costs, and strategic considerations involved in pursuing accreditation, along with insights to help determine whether it’s the right move for your organization.

Presenters:

• Robert Budd, Family Residences and Essential Enterprises
• Rita Wiersma, Accord

ANCOR Connect, formerly the ANCOR Annual Conference, is our nation’s premier gathering of providers of long-term supports and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and those who are dedicated to providers’ success. With nearly 1,500 participants expected this year, ANCOR Connect convenes you and your colleagues to:

• Learn from one another about pressing challenges and emerging innovations.
• Share best practices that enable providers to support more people with high-quality services.
• Connect with leaders, up-and-comers and newcomers to the field.
• Advance our shared vision for fully inclusive communities.
• Learn from one another about pressing challenges and emerging innovations.
• Share best practices that enable providers to support more people with high-quality services.
• Connect with leaders, up-and-comers and newcomers to the field.
• Advance our shared vision for fully inclusive communities.

All staff from I/DD provider agencies are welcome and encouraged to attend ANCOR Connect, including:

• Executive leaders
• Program directors & program managers
• Frontline supervisors
• Direct support professionals
• Care coordinators & support coordinators
• Nurses & other clinical staff
• Administrative support staff
• Board members

In addition to staff from provider agencies, ANCOR Connect draws a diverse range of other participants, including:

• Self-advocates & other individuals with I/DD
• Family members of individuals with I/DD
• Researchers
• Federal, state and local policymakers & regulators
• Corporations offering products & services used by I/DD providers
• At-large members of the disability advocacy community

Given the diverse range of ANCOR Connect participants, there’s something for everyone—including YOU!

April 21-23, 2026, at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport (450 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02210)

Generally speaking, pricing depends on whether you’re an ANCOR member and how far in advance of the conference you register. Additionally, special pricing is available for direct support professionals. Visit the “Attend” tab of the ANCOR Connect website to learn more.

Your ANCOR Connect registration includes full access to the entire array of activities on offer in Boston on April 21-23, including:

• Keynote presentations and plenary sessions
• Breakout sessions
• The presentation of the 2026 Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards
• Multiple networking receptions and events
• The chance to connect with leading companies in the Exhibitor Lounge

Your registration does not include access to ticketed events, namely our Pre-Conference Workshops and the ANCOR Foundation Reception, both on April 21. Tickets for these events can be added onto your registration at the point or purchase or at a later date, space permitting.

Make sure you already have an ANCOR account since you will use the same information to login to our registration platform. If you don’t yet have one, create one. If you have an account but you need help resetting your password, see our troubleshooting guide. Or you already get ANCOR emails but haven’t yet set up your password, view this video. If you have difficulty, send a note to [email protected].

Registrations canceled on or before March 20, 2026, will be fully refunded, less an administrative fee of $75. No refunds will be issued on or after March 21, 2026. To cancel your registration, email [email protected].

Yes! Self-service substitutions are available through our online platform until April 14, 2026. You can substitute a registrant by accessing your event registration through the My Events page. 

When establishing a registration, you will be asked to log into our event management system. To do so, you will use the same email address and password that you use to log into any ANCOR website (e.g., ancor.org, the ANCOR Connected Community, etc.).

If you don’t yet have an ANCOR account, create one! Then use the same login credentials to sign into our event management system. If you have an account but you need help resetting your password, see our troubleshooting guide. If you still need support, email [email protected].

Ensure you are logged in using the email address that you use for ANCOR communications. If you still don’t see member pricing, please contact [email protected].

Yes. Creating an account is fast and simple, and it’s the only way we can discern your eligibility to participate and the pricing you should see. Therefore, we ask that you create an account.

Yes, each registrant must have their own ANCOR account to register for ANCOR Connect. If you begin registering one or multiple colleagues and find that someone’s email address does not exist on the online system, send them this resource which gives instructions on creating an ANCOR account. If you’d like the ability to manage your organization’s ANCOR roster and are not the designated representative for your employer, contact [email protected] and we can give you administrative access which will allow you to create accounts for those you’d like to register.

ANCOR Connect is the premier gathering of community-based I/DD service providers and the community of professionals who support these providers. The organizations that exhibit at ANCOR Connect offer products and services that are relevant to leaders at all levels of the organizations that comprise the conference audience.

Featured exhibitors each year include ANCOR’s Diamond, Platinum and Gold Partners. Nonprofit, for-profit, academic and provider organizations are all welcome to exhibit at the conference.

We have a limited number of exhibit spaces available. Please log into the Exhibitor Store. Create an ANCOR account first if you haven’t already since it’s required to register.

Please see page 19 of the ANCOR Connect ’26 Exhibitor & Sponsor Prospectus to learn more about costs and add-ons.

If an exhibitor, after submitting payment, is no longer able to attend, a request must be made in writing to ANCOR no later than March 13, 2026. The exhibitor fee will be refunded less a $250 administrative fee. Absolutely no refunds will be made after March 13, 2026.

Session proposals were solicited in the fall prior to ANCOR Connect and submissions were due in late September. Anyone who submitted a proposal should have received a notification regarding whether their session was accepted or not. If you submitted a proposal and are unsure of its status, please email [email protected].

Yes! Not only are DSPs welcome and encouraged to attend, but there is special programming available for DSPs, including the presentation of the annual Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards. To encourage DSPs to participate in the ANCOR Connect, deeply discounted registration rates are available.

Yes! Here’s what to do if any of the following apply to you: 

• DSP: A Direct Support Professional is defined as someone whose primary role is as a direct care worker, in-home support worker, personal assistant or attendant that works directly with people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to ensure that they have the supports needed to live, work and enjoy life more independently in a community-based setting.  If you are a DSP, you are eligible for a discounted rate. To register as a DSP, send us a message and include your name, the organization where you work, and the address of your organization. We will get back to you within two business days. Contact [email protected] for more.

• 100% State Association member: Before registering, make sure you ask your state association for a special promo code! This code must be used at the time of purchase and no refunds can be given after registration is complete.  If you are registering a group of people, please reach out to [email protected] for a link to the special promo pricing.

• Speakers: All speakers will receive an email with a link to register at the speaker rate, so please hold off on registering until you get that message. If you have any questions, email Alli Strong-Martin. 

• Self-advocates and family members: To access these rates, contact us at [email protected]. 
• Students: If you are a student interested in attending ANCOR Connect, send us a message and include your name, the college/ university you attend, and the address of your school. We will get back to you within two business days.

ANCOR is happy to provide certificates of attendance upon request. Information about how to request a certificate of attendance will be made available onsite.

Don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help! Simply drop us a line at [email protected].