G01 Policy, System, and Workforce Updates from Our National Partners
September 28 / 9:00 am—10:15 am
Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, President and CEO of National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Gabrielle Sedor, Chief Operations Officer and Foundation Director of ANCOR
Richard Edley, PhD, President & CEO of RCPA
In the midst of a global crisis and a once-in-a-century pandemic, the health and wellbeing of people around the nation is more important than ever. Mr. Chuck Ingoglia of the National Council and Ms. Gabrielle Sedor of ANCOR will share updates from the federal landscape that affect the behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability systems. Join us to hear about topics such as the workforce crisis, calls for the strengthening of Medicaid, the effects of additional COVID-19 relief packages, innovations in providing treatment and services, and policy updates.
G02 A Personal Journey Through Addiction and Recovery
September 28 / 11:00 am—12:15 pm
Nic Sheff, Author
Jason Snyder, Director of Drug & Alcohol Division at RCPA
Author Nic Sheff will share his harrowing story of addiction, his road to recovery, and all in between. Nic and his father were portrayed in the movie Beautiful Boy, and Nic continues his journey through his own writing.
G03 State of the States, Moderated by Chuck Ingoglia
September 28 / 4:30 pm—5:45 pm
Meg Snead, Secretary of the Department of Human Services
Dr. Aliya Jones, MD, MBA, Deputy Secretary of Behavioral Health for Maryland’s Public Behavioral Health System
Sarah Noonan Davis, Deputy Secretary for Special Populations, Strategic Planning and Innovation at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services
Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, President and CEO of National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Hear from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Meg Snead, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Behavioral Health Dr. Aliya Jones, and Delaware state leader Sarah Noonan Davis in a session moderated by Chuck Ingoglia of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.
G04 It’s Not the How, It’s the Why: Understanding the Larger Issues of Addiction
September 29 / 9:00 am–10:15 am
Graham Hetrick, Dauphin County Coroner
Jason Snyder, Director of Drug & Alcohol Division at RCPA
Dauphin County Coroner, speaker, and TV series creator Graham Hetrick will discuss what he has learned about the addicted brain over his 31-year career. Graham will challenge what you think you know about addiction and shed new light on its causes and effects.
G05 The US Department of Health & Human Services Regional Approach to Address Health Equity
September 29 / 1:15 pm–2:30 pm
Patricia Danner, Regional Outreach Specialist at U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Elizabeth Anderson, PhD, Regional Minority Health Advisor at U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Health Equity is a top priority at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This session will provide an overview of health equity and addressing health disparities. HHS Region 3 has organized the Regional Health Equity Council to address the significant health equity considerations of the COVID-19 response and vaccination efforts. The Council is working to leverage the work done to support pandemic response and recovery, and expand to address a range of other health equity needs as a cross federal partner, cross sector partner collaboration. Federal programs to address health disparities will be shared with attendees.
G06 Fireside Chat with Sara Canaday, Leadership Strategist, Hosted by Susan Blue
September 30 / 9:00 am–10:15 am
Sara Canaday, Leadership Strategist, Speaker and Award-winning Author
Susan Blue, CEO, President, and Owner of Community Services Group (CSG)
Sara Canaday, Leadership Strategist, speaker, and author of “Leadership Unchained: Defy Conventional Wisdom for Breakthough Performance,” shares her insights on managing employee’s needs for flexibility while delivering results and satisfying client needs, along with her valuable advice for leaders who are feeling stretched to the limits.
G07 One Size Does Not Fit All – The Need for Equity in Service Provision and Establishing A Comprehensive Continuum of Care
September 30 / 3:15 pm–4:30 pm
Gloria Satriale, Esq., EdD, LBS-PA, ACRE, Executive Director of Preparing Adolescents and Adults for Life
Hugo Dwyer, Executive Director of Voice of Reason
Scott Mendel, Esq., Chairman at Together for Choice
Amy Lutz, MEd, President of EASI Foundation
Richard Edley, PhD, President & CEO of RCPA
Current PA regulations and practices limit choice and fail to acknowledge that some individuals desire and need more intensive specialized settings and supports. Those affected by severe behavior, complex medical or mental health challenges, or other intense needs require a true continuum of care that provides equity in state supported service provision — from the most inclusive options to specialty disability-specific settings — to meet their profound and lifelong needs. One size does not fit all. Hear from national advocacy experts regarding how PA’s narrow interpretation of the HCBS setting rule and other policies deprive individuals with intense needs of a choice in where they live, work, and play. Hear from the families on how these policies have impacted their loved ones’ quality of life.
G08 Neurodiversity 101 – The Next Chapter in Your Diversity Story
October 1 / 9:00 am–10:15 am
Natalia Lyckowski, Resource Group Co-Chair, Business Analyst & Application Developer at IBM
Common factors of diversity include race, ethnicity, gender, gender expression and identity, religion, and age. But what about diversity of the mind? Neurological differences such as autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and others are found in 1 in 20 people. Accepting such differences as strengths and skills can positively impact not only the individual, but your community, and even your company’s revenue. Come and explore this next chapter in your own diversity story to embrace neurodiversity as any other natural human variation.
G09 A Workplace Built for 2021 and Beyond: Examining Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Belonging and Confronting Implicit Bias
October 1 / 10:45 am–12:00 pm
Michael Cohen, JD, Partner at Duane Morris’ Employment, Labor, Benefits, and Immigration Practice Group
The case for creating and sustaining a workplace culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is not only compelling; it’s an absolute necessity. A diverse and inclusive workforce creates a more comfortable working environment, generates improved decision-making and problem-solving, and has a positive impact on the performance of an organization. As the greatest impediment to creating DEI&B at work is implicit bias, an examination of the topic is absolutely crucial. In addition, this webinar will focus on the motivations for creating a diversity and inclusion program, and how to translate those motivations into action that will positively impact employee relationships as well as support your organization’s business objectives.