2026
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Solutions Conference
OCT27&OCT28
Community Employer of the Year
a Hybrid conference
PARty
aBOUT
Emerging DSP of the Year
Contact par@par.net to sponsor!
Tuesday Breakfast
Tuesday Refreshments
DSP Length of Service Award
CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS
Thank you Sponsors!
We are offering the following Continuing Education (CE) credits free of charge to conference attendees. Some CEs may include a fee to be paid directly to the accreditation agency. We do not charge any additional fees. STATE BOARD OF ACCOUNTANCY PENDING APPROVAL HUMAN RESOURCES CERTIFICATION INSTITUTE (HRCI) SOCIETY FOR HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (SHRM) PENDING APPROVAL STATE BOARD OF NURSING PENDING APPROVAL
DSP Family Relationship Award
Main Ballroom & Zoom Event
Wednesday Breakfast Buffet
Keynote Speaker
Tuesday Lunch
Every year, the PAR Solutions Conference brings together providers of Intellectual Disability and Autism (ID/A) services from across the state and country. This past year has brought up many more opportunities and challenges. Between addressing the workforce crisis, developing innovative technology solutions, and focusing on improving the health and well-being of the individuals we support, coming together to discuss solutions is more important than ever.
Wednesday Lunch
The PAR Solutions Conference is held both virtually on Zoom and in-person in Harrisburg. Please note that this year, attendees joining virtually will only have access to the hot-topic sessions streamed live from the main ballroom. All other concurrent sessions will be available in person only. The sessions available to virtual attendees will be highlighted throughout this brochure as well as listed at the end. For access to the full conference experience, including all concurrent sessions, networking opportunities, and exhibitors, we encourage attendees to register for in-person attendance.
DSP Advocate of the Year
Wifi
Wednesday Refreshments
TUESDAY OCTOBER 27 Schedule at a glance
Registration & Breakfast Buffet @ 7:30-8:45 AM Welcome @ 8:45-9:00 aM Keynote Speaker @ 9:00-10:00 AM Break & Exhibit Hall @ 10:00-10:15 AM Concurrent Session - E @ 10:15-11:15 AM Break & Exhibit Hall @ 11:15 AM-11:30 AM Concurrent Session - F @ 11:30 AM-12:30 pM Lunch & Exhibit Hall @ 12:30-1:30 PM Concurrent Session - G @ 1:30-2:30 pM Break & Exhibit Hall @ 2:30-2:45 PM Concurrent Session - H @ 2:45-3:45 pM
Registration & Continental Breakfast @ 8:00-9:00 AM Welcome & Annual Report @ 9:00-10:15 aM ''We Are Worth It.'' Awards Ceremony @ 10:15-11:15 AM Break & Exhibit Hall @ 11:15-11:30 AM Concurrent Session - A @ 11:30 AM-12:30 pM Lunch & Exhibit Hall @ 12:30-1:15 pM Concurrent Session - B @ 1:15-2:15 pM Break & Exhibit Hall @ 2:15-2:30 PM Concurrent Session - C @ 2:30-3:30 pM Break & Exhibit Hall @ 3:30-3:45 PM Concurrent Session - D @ 3:45-4:45 pM PAR-ty @ 7:00-8:30 pM
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 Schedule at a glance
Concurrent Session A October 27 11:30 aM - 12:30 PM
A-1 ID/A System Research from the Center for Disability Information - > Mark Davis, President & CEO > Scott Spreat, Ed.D., Research Director > Ilana Gruber, Research Analyst } CDI Join the Center for Disability Information, an independent research organization focused on using research to improve the lives of people with ID/A, for a discussion on recent research reports. Attendees will then get a sneak peek at the upcoming CDI research agenda. A-2 Update on the ODP CPS Workgroup Recommendations - Main Ballroom * Available Virtually! > Jeremy Yale, Director of The Bureau of Policy and Quality Management, Office of Developmental Programs Join ODP's Jeremy Yale for an update and discussion on ODP's Community Participation Supports (CPS) Workgroup recommendations. The workgroup was created to explore possible improvements to the CPS service. To help shape these improvements, ODP brought together a stakeholder workgroup and held focus groups with self-advocates to better understand how people experience CPS today. A series of recommendations was developed through in-depth workgroup sessions with stakeholders. This session will walk through the updates and the next steps for implementation. A-3 From Foundations to Performance: Verland and InVision’s Practical Journeys to Becoming Data-Driven > Scott Bachik, CEO, The BI Collaborative > Gary Boughamer, Vice President of Business Intelligence, InVision Human Services > Dr. Marianne DiMatteo, Chief Operating Officer, Verland Human service providers are under increasing pressure to demonstrate quality, compliance, outcomes, workforce stability, operational efficiency, and financial sustainability. Yet many organizations begin their data transformation by purchasing technology or producing more reports. Tools and dashboards are important, but neither creates the leadership alignment, shared definitions, ownership, or operating discipline required to turn data into better decisions. This collaborative session brings together Verland and InVision Human Services, two Pennsylvania providers at different, complementary stages of the same journey. Verland will share how it is sequencing leadership alignment, organizational priorities, data governance, KPIs and OKRs, and then the technology and infrastructure needed to support a new EHR and Performance-Based Contracting. Dr. Marianne DiMatteo will offer a candid executive perspective on what is working, what remains in progress, and what Verland would do differently. InVision will show how Business Intelligence leadership, cross-departmental collaboration, data governance, a formal data strategy roadmap, and quality and performance scorecards are helping the organization move from reporting toward enterprise performance management. Gary Boughamer will share the practitioner’s view of building internal capacity, connecting Quality with other departments, and using InVision’s achievement of ODP’s Clinically Enhanced Performance-Based Contracting status as a practical context for aligning governed measures with value-based expectations. Scott Bachik will connect the two provider stories through a practical transformation sequence: align people and leadership; measure what matters most; establish governance, ownership, and standards; build trusted data and technology; create scorecards and review cadences; and translate insight into action and learning. The session will distinguish compliance as the floor, not the ceiling, and will give participants a realistic framework they can adapt to their organization’s maturity, capacity, and priorities. A-4 To Treat or Not To Treat? – Lessons Learned On the Journey Towards Effective Treatment of Mental Illness - > Dwayne Albright, MA, LPC, Owner, Transitions & Growth Counseling, LLC > Ken Williams, M.Ed, Behavior Specialist, InVision Human Services During this session, we will share holistic strategies utilized to assist persons supported and their teams with achieving positive mental health outcomes through psychiatric treatment. Through a question and answer format, we will focus on organizing information, prioritizing symptomatology, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. Building on foundational concepts learned during Pennsylvania’s initial Dual Diagnosis (MH/IDD) Institute, we will discuss how we have refined our approaches throughout our careers, with an emphasis on how we are currently partnering with others to impact treatment outcomes.
Registration & Continental Breakfast @ 8:00-9:00 AM
about
''We Are Worth It.'' Awards Ceremony @ 10:15-11:15 AM * Available Virtually! Join us as we celebrate the 2026 "We Are Worth It." Award winners! The awards ceremony recognizes outstanding employees of providers, self-advocates, and community businesses who employ individuals with disabilities. We will be honoring an individual or business in the following categories: Self Advocate Employee of the Year Community Employer of the Year Frontline Manager of the Year Behavior Support Professional of the Year Job Coach of the Year Lifesharing Impact Award Emerging Direct Support Professional of the Year Direct Support Professional Length of Service Award Direct Support Professional Advocate of the Year Direct Support Professional Family Relationship Award
TUESDAY OCTOBER 27 Schedule
Welcome & Annual Report @ 9:00-10:15 aM * Available Virtually! Join the PAR ID/A Foundation's President and CEO, Mark Davis, as we kick off the conference. The Annual Report will feature key updates from PAR from the past year and the election of the Board of Directors. Attendees will also hear from Committee Chairs as they provide updates on past and future committee work.
Concurrent Session C October 27 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
C-1 Neighborhood Network: A Next Generation Service Model that Organically Fills Gaps in Independence and Care - > Mike Strouse, PhD., President & CEO, Goodlife Innovations > Megan McKinney Todd, Executive Director, GoodLife University This session explores GoodLife’s innovative and award-winning Neighborhood Network service model, 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 across the spectrum of need and regardless of silos. Learn the core skills that promote safety and independence, as well as the impact this model has on outcomes, staff capacity, and policy. C-2 Where Should We Grow Next? Reading the Pennsylvania ID/A Market with Public Data - Main Ballroom *Available Virtually! > Lisa MacDonald, Principal Consultant, Consulting for Human Services Every board asks the same question: where should we grow next? For-profit and private equity backed providers answer it with demand modeling and competitive mapping. Most mission-driven organizations answer it with deep community knowledge and experience, built over decades, now strengthened by public data as an added layer of evidence. Pennsylvania publishes more useful data than most providers realize. PUNS waiting list counts, ODP licensing records, waiver enrollment, and the fee schedule together show where people are waiting and where licensed providers are scarce. This session walks through that analysis county by county, with a demonstration of a mapping tool built entirely on public Pennsylvania data. An empty county isn't automatically an opportunity, sometimes it means nobody can staff it. The session also shows this in action: how a market that looks attractive on demand alone can look different once workforce and reimbursement realities are factored in. C-3 One Organization's Journey to Becoming Clinically Enhanced - > Deb Hyatt-Burkhart, PhD, COO > Kim Love, President & CEO > Marlene D'Angelo, RN, VP of Health Services } InVision Human Services This presentation focuses on one organization's process and approach to achieving ODP's performance-based contracting clinically enhanced tier assignment. Presenters will discuss how their agency conceptualized the project, what resources were employed, how staff were organized and motivated, and how technology was used to track and maintain progress. The program will be interactive, with opportunities for questions and shared learning among participants. C-4 Approaching Employers and Achieving Successful Employment Outcomes - > Kevin Walker, Business Development Director > Tricia Zeltwanger, Job Coach } Penn-Mar Human Services Utilizing effective practices for developing and building relationships with employers and having performance goals with accountability is critical for organizations to achieve long term successful employment outcomes. Attendees will learn effective strategies for employer prospecting, how to identify unmet labor needs, overcome employer objections, and deliver a compelling employment proposal. Participants will have the opportunity to practice and receive feedback on their elevator pitch during the session. Strategies and metrics to track and measure employer engagement will be discussed. In addition, we will share our successful model for providing community-based, person-driven employment supports and success stories. Penn-Mar provides a unique perspective having achieved a high level of success, while also overcoming the additional challenges of providing services in two states with different funding models, billing systems, service definitions, and regulations. The approaches and practices reviewed during this session are applicable to all organizations providing employment services.
B-1 Beyond Services: A Practical Framework for Building Social Capital in the ID/A Community - > Dr. Bev Weinberg, OTD/MS/OTR/L, Founder and Executive Director, Integrate for Good Young adults with IDD often leave school having mastered important life and employment skills, yet many continue to experience loneliness, limited social networks, and difficulty accessing meaningful employment and community roles. What if the missing ingredient isn't another program, but social capital? This session introduces a practical framework for intentionally building relationships, belonging, leadership, and community connections that improve long-term outcomes. Participants will explore how providers can leverage businesses, colleges, volunteers, peer mentors, and community organizations to create authentic opportunities for contribution rather than simply participation. Attendees will leave with practical tools, partnership strategies, and measurable approaches they can adapt within their own organizations. B-2 Nothing About Us Without Us: Building, Growing, & Sustaining Self-Advocacy - Main Ballroom *Available Virtually! > Margaret Walsh, Life Sharing Coordinator, Citizen Care > Liz Edington, Advocate, Voices For Change > Amanda DeStefani, DSP > Kristi Strausbaugh, Senior DSP } Penn-Mar Human Services > Joe Ginter, Advocate, Penn-Mar Central Advocacy Group > Bill Wagaman, Advocate, Penn-Mar North Advocacy Group > Lindsay Kondis, President, Voices of Mainstay > Deborah Cassata, DSP, Mainstay Self-Advocacy Committees empower people with ID/A to share their voices, influence decisions, and drive meaningful change within the organizations that support them and in their communities. In this interactive panel discussion, self-advocates and representatives from three provider organizations will share their experiences building, growing, and sustaining their committees. Panelists will discuss how their committees were formed, strategies for maintaining engagement, lessons learned, and the impact advocates have had on organizational culture, policies, and advocacy efforts. Attendees will gain practical ideas, tools, and inspiration for starting a committee, strengthening an existing one, or expanding opportunities for advocate leadership. B-3 Technology First in Action: Empowering Independence, Inclusion, and Everyday Lives Through Innovation - > Laura Silsby, Division Director of CPS > Andrea Consigny, Division Director of Employment Services and Community Connections > Toni Hinkle, Director of CPS and Therapeutic Recreation } SPIN Technology is transforming the way people live, work, and connect with their communities. This session showcases how SPIN has embedded an inclusive Technology First culture throughout the organization and focusing on people supported in residential, employment, and CPS to increase independence, choice, safety, and meaningful community inclusion. Participants will explore practical applications of enabling technology, digital literacy, remote supports, and innovative communication tools that empower individuals to achieve their personal goals while strengthening partnerships with families and Direct Support Professionals. Through success stories, measurable outcomes, and lessons learned, attendees will discover how SPIN has increased family engagement, improved service quality, enhanced workforce efficiency, and created sustainable, person-centered supports. B-4 Bridging Experience & Evidence: Neurodiversity-Affirming Care in ID/A Services - > Georgiana Provance, LCSW, BSL, Director of Government Relations & Corporate Communications, Fayette Resources, Inc. > Timothy Olson, BS, NADD-DSP, Autism Self-Advocate & Direct Support Professional, Spectra Support Services, LLC How can ID/A professionals translate neurodiversity-affirming principles into everyday practice? This interactive session combines current research with the lived experience of an autistic adult self-advocate to compare the medical, social, and neurodiversity models of disability. Participants will examine how language, research framing, sensory processing, communication, attention, and social expectations influence clinical and service decisions. Through practical metaphors, guided activities, and case-based discussion, presenters will demonstrate strategies such as presuming competence, using inclusive language, adapting communication, and supporting sensory and environmental needs. The session also addresses real-world limitations, including individual variability, systemic constraints, and the risk of turning affirming principles into rigid protocols. Participants will leave with a critical framework and concrete tools to strengthen autonomy, trust, engagement, and outcomes across clinical, residential, educational, and community settings.
Concurrent Session b October 27 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
Exhibit Hall Hilton 2nd Floor
Concurrent Session D October 27 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
Join us as we PARty the evening away after day one of the conference! The PARty will have great music, hors d'oeuvres, drinks and games.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 13 IN PERSON + VIRTUAL
PARty 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM The Whitaker Center
D-1 The New Dance: Keeping Providers and Supports Coordinators in Step Under Performance-Based Contracting - > Sara Sherman, CEO, Provider Power Moves The new Supports Coordination Performance-Based Contracting requirements are here! And you may be thinking...what the heck? Meeting these new expectations, especially around remote supports, competitive integrated employment, and least restrictive housing, can feel like unfamiliar territory. Success will require a level of collaboration, data sharing, and accountability between providers and supports coordinators that many organizations haven't experienced before. The days of, "I've done my part correctly; I don't know what they're doing over there," are over. In this session, providers and SCOs will learn to work collaboratively to ensure that individuals are receiving the best services possible while also meeting PBC measures. D-2 Real Time Case Collaboration - Main Ballroom *Available Virtually! > Nicholas Burton, Co-CEO > Jacksin Geiger, Community Manager } NextGen Synergy Join a real time case collaboration through Project ECHO®. We will present a situation a DSP is facing and the audience will be the room of experts to help problem-solve and think through recommended solutions. This session will bring people together to learn, share a real-world case, and grow as a community of practice. ECHO® empowers teams with tools, confidence, and practical strategies that support person driven and trauma informed care. D-3 From Case to Cause: Using Case Management Data to Inform Policy Change - > Christine Lederer, LSW, Associate Director of Adult Advocacy > Shane Janick, MPH, Executive Director } The Arc of Philadelphia Disability services are at risk. Join this session to learn how to track, organize, and translate consumer data to help policy makers understand what is at stake for the disability population. Service providers, case managers, and healthcare providers already have a wealth of information about consumers’ everyday experiences. The key is to organize that individual data to tell a concise, clear story about the challenges of securing disability services each year. We will walk through what data to look at, how to organize it, and how to present it to policy makers so that everyone walks away knowing exactly what needs to be done to preserve the rights of the disability community. D-4 Making the Ask - > Jonathan Rilling, CEO, Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. Asking for a gift is one of the most important and most avoided moments in fundraising. This interactive session is designed to help you move from theory to practice.
Inside Main Ballroom
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E-1 Band Together Pittsburgh x Valley Community Services: Improving Wellness for People With IDD Through Music - > John Vento, Co-Founder, Band Together Pittsburgh > Max Barkley, Strategic Communications Specialist > Zachary Gilbreath, CPS DSP } Valley Community Services There are plenty of useful skills to add to an individual's repertoire; but few are as easily enjoyable and widely beneficial as learning an instrument. Over the last year and a half, Valley Community Services and Band Together Pittsburgh have collaborated to give 5 individuals the chance to learn about music, while also attending open-mic style events to increase sociability and wellness on a community level. E-2 ODP Initiatives to Build Clinical Capacity - Main Ballroom *Available Virtually! > Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary > Lauren House, Director of the Bureau of Community Services } Office of Developmental Programs Join Deputy Secretary Kristin Ahrens and Director of the Bureau of Community Services Lauren House for an update on how ODP is partnering with providers to better support individuals with severe autism and dual diagnosis. E-3 Igniting Grassroots Advocacy: From Hesitation to Action - > Anne Couldridge, Executive Director, The Arc of Cumberland & Perry Counties > Georgiana Provance, LCSW, BSL, Director of Government Relations & Corporate Communications, Fayette Resources, Inc. > Kristen Farry, Executive VP of Policy and Strategy > Carrie Adkins-Ali, Senior Director of Strategic Communications } Woods System of Care Grassroots advocacy is the heartbeat of systemic change, but too often, staff at provider agencies feel intimidated, unsure, or disconnected from the process. This interactive workshop will demystify advocacy and equip attendees with practical, energizing tools to engage staff at all levels, from direct support professionals to executive leadership. Drawing on current research and the development of a stakeholder engagement framework, presenters will explore practical strategies for integrating advocacy into internal communications, employee education, leadership engagement, and organizational culture. Speakers will discuss their emerging approach to fostering a culture where employees understand the organization's policy priorities, recognize how public policy impacts the people they support, and know how to elevate barriers and opportunities for systems change. Through real-world examples, hands-on activities, and a toolkit of proven strategies, participants will leave inspired and empowered to build 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. E-4 From Data to Culture: Advancing Organizational Health Through Safety Systems - > Patricia Hillis-Clark, PsyD., Chief Operating Officer > Gregg Kelinson, VP of Quality and Innovation > Kelly Sesay, Assistant VP of Quality } KenCrest ID/A providers face growing pressure ranging from workforce safety risks and rising insurance costs. This session presents a structured, data-driven approach to improving organizational health by strengthening the culture of safety, governance, and accountability. Participants will learn how a multi-state provider redesigned its safety infrastructure by integrating cross-functional leadership, standardizing safety committee processes, and aligning incident management with organizational learning. Central to this model are monthly safety committee workflows and quarterly incident management forums that link local accountability to system-wide outcomes. The session highlights how incident and claims data are translated into operational strategies through structured review processes and through partnership with an external risk management consultant. Participants will also gain insight into the use of a multidisciplinary Safety Summit model used to engage leaders, analyze trends, and convert data into actionable commitments. This session offers practical strategies to align workforce behavior, enhance safety outcomes, and improve financial performance.
Join us for updates on the priorities of the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Kristin Ahrens served as the Director of the Bureau of Policy and Quality Management for ODP prior to serving as the Deputy Secretary. Before joining ODP, she served as the Policy Director for the Institute on Disabilities at Temple University. Kristin's 25 years of experience working with people with disabilities spans from advocacy and community education to providing supported living, family support and self-directed services and includes the development and management of several self-directed models. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, Ms. Ahrens was the Director of Self-Determination Resources, Inc. (SDRI), a regional brokerage serving adults with I/DD, in Oregon. Deputy Secretary Ahrens has a Masters in Education and Disability Studies Certificate from Temple University. Break & Exhibit Hall @ 10:00-10:15 AM
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 28 schedule
Registration & Breakfast Buffet @ 7:30-8:45 AM Welcome @ 8:45-9:00 AM Join us as we kick off day two of the conference! Keynote Speaker - Kristin Ahrens @ 9:00-10:00 AM Deputy Secretary, Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs, Department of Human Services
Concurrent Session E October 28 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Concurrent Session G October 28 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Concurrent Session F October 28 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
F-1 Preventing Undesirable Outcomes Through Forecast Modeling and Escalation Procedures - > Ryan Lemmon, Director of Quality & Performance Improvement, Mainstay Life Services The presentation will review how Mainstay developed forecast models to support proactive risk mitigation and established escalation procedures that have significantly reduced the rate of critical incidents. It will also explain the value and ROI of these models, how they are used, and how the escalation procedures were built from data reviews and risk signals. These procedures define specific interventions to deploy when validated triggers occur. By better understanding incident-management triggers, using forecast models, and following a defined response plan, we have seen a significant reduction in incidents and critical incidents F-2 Licensing Updates and Trends for All Licensed Programs - Main Ballroom *Available Virtually! > Alisa Hendrickson, Human Services Program Representative, Bureau of Community Services, ODP > Brandi Respress, Human Services Program Representative, Bureau of Community Services, ODP In this session, staff from ODP will give updates on licensing issues such as regulatory compliance guides, revisions, and compliance issues, and will then discuss common licensing problems and solutions. F-3 Silent No Longer: Advancing the Fight for Disability Rights - > Robert Stack; Founder, President, & CEO; Community Options, Inc. As advocates, we must remain dedicated to promoting opportunity and inclusion in all aspects of life. If a person seeks employment, then they should be free to explore career options, earn a fair wage, and receive competitive benefits, no matter the level of their disabilities. This session from Robert Stack provides a blueprint in bridging the gap between previous employment practices for people with disabilities and methods to provide career opportunity, support, and development. Stack will explore case studies from Community Options’ employment programs, highlighting their entrepreneurial businesses—Vaseful Flowers, Presents of Mind, and Daily Plan It—which support meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Through this presentation, attendees will walk away with valuable knowledge of effective employment practices and tools to implement these supportive programs in their own communities. F-4 BHA Basics: Understanding Provider Appeals Under Title 55, Chapter 41 of the PA Code - > Michael Oliverio, Esq.; Partner; Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease LLP This presentation will provide an overview of providers' right to appeal ODP actions to the Bureau of Hearings and Appeals, including frequently asked questions and hot topics in appeals. The presentation will include common issues encountered by providers that can be appealed, such as provisional licenses, sanctions, involuntary discharges, drops in needs group levels, denied claims, denials and partial approvals of NEA budgets, and authorized units of service. The presentation will help familiarize providers with what to expect during the appeal process and how appeals can be used to supplement a provider’s operations.
Concurrent Session B 1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
G-1 Beyond the Deal: Leading Through Post-Affiliation Transformation - > Rich Rinaldi, MBA, PMP, Managing Director of Strategic Growth, Devereux > Wendy Pardee, PhD, Executive Director, TCV Community Services > Gretchen Kelly, Executive Director, Devereux/PLEA > Cindy Pasquinelli, Senior Advisor, Strawberry Fields Inc. Much attention goes to the lead up to an affiliation, including strategic rationale, due diligence, and closing the deal. Far less goes to the phase that determines whether it works: the integration and transformation that follow. This session offers a candid, leader-to-leader perspective on navigating the post-affiliation landscape, drawing on the real-world experience of TCV Community Services, PLEA, and Strawberry Fields, which affiliated with Devereux. Presenters will unpack the bandwidth demands of integration, the infrastructure required to support growth, and the change management skills needed to align cultures, systems, and expectations, including why visible executive commitment is essential to team cohesion and momentum. Attendees will see how shared operational capacity and subject matter expertise helped affiliated providers improve quality, expand service lines, and deepen community impact. Especially valuable for CEOs, executive teams, and board leaders weighing affiliation, this session provides a road map for what comes next and how to lead through it. G-2 Continuous Quality Improvement and Performance-Based Contracting - Main Ballroom *Available Virtually! > Lauren House, Director of the Bureau of Community Services > Tara Giberga, Director, Division of Quality Management and QA Risk Management } Office of Developmental Programs Join ODP's Lauren House and Tara Giberga for a session on continuous quality improvement and Performance-Based Contracting. G-3 Technology First: What to Do When You Get Stuck - > Abby Grasso, MSW, Vice President of ID/A > Nathan Gerhard, MBA, Managing Director of ID/A } Access Services Every provider’s Technology First journey is unique, but what happens when progress stalls before it truly begins? Access Services, Inc. faced this challenge and discovered that a shift in perspective could quickly turn hesitation into momentum. This session will share their story, including where they started, what changed, and how re-framing technology as a practical tool for everyday support helped accelerate progress. Attendees will learn strategies for removing barriers, streamlining processes, and building confidence in technology integration. Participants will leave with practical, accessible tips for incorporating technology into conversations and services using the resources they already have. G-4 Rooted in Stability – The Lotus Project: Integrating Permanent Supportive Housing and Whole-Person Recovery for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism, and Mental Illness - > Patricia McGee, CEO > Becki Fahs, RN, Senior Director Clinical Supports, Director of Community Programs > Kyli Kauth, Director of Program Integrity and Quality } McGee Aegis Solutions > Meranda Hess, Program Specialist, Lehigh County Administrative Entity Housing is often viewed as the end goal of support services, but the Lotus Project challenges that belief. This presentation explores how stable housing serves as the foundation for recovery, health, employment, meaningful relationships, and community participation for adults with intellectual disabilities and/or autism who also experience co-occurring mental illness. Developed in 2021 through a partnership between McGee Aegis Solutions and the Lehigh County Administrative Entity, the Lotus Project was created to address the significant disparities these individuals face in housing stability, health outcomes, and community integration. Over the past five years, the model has evolved into a comprehensive, person-centered approach that combines permanent supportive housing, clinical services, functional skill development, and opportunities for community inclusion. Attendees will learn how this integrated model creates the stability necessary for long-term growth and improved quality of life, while offering practical insights for replication in other communities.
Concurrent Session H October 28 2:45 PM - 3:45 PM
The PAR Solutions Conference is held both virtually on Zoom and in-person in Harrisburg. Please note that this year, attendees joining virtually will only have access to the hot-topic sessions streamed from the main ballroom. The sessions available to virtual attendees are listed below.
H-1 Building Trust - > Kathy McHale, Senior Advisor, PAR Trust is a key differentiator for high performing teams, partnerships, and organizations. Building and sustaining trust makes everyday workflows more efficient, innovation and big initiatives possible, and difficult transitions easier. Trust at all levels with all stakeholders is required for effective communication and getting things done. The essential skills of assessing trust levels, building trust, and how to enact a trust reset will be discussed. Attendees will learn: Why trust is critical for the success of an organization How to restore and rebuild trust What to do when trust is broken How to transition to transformative trust H-2 Innovation, Compliance, and Culture: A Practical Playbook for the PBC Era - Main Ballroom * Available Virtually! > Maxine Williams, Human Resources Director > Ryan Williams, Innovation Leader > Verne Dixon, CPA, MBA, Chief Financial Officer } Shared Support, Inc. Performance Based Contracting has created changes for ID/A providers by centering compliance and operational enhancement. Providers that may be resource-limited are tasked with creating operational efficiencies that enhance quality and compliance. Our organization has learned that technology alone won’t create the needed change. Culture will. This session, led by a CFO, HR Director, and Innovation Leader, tells the story of our organization's technology transformation: the wins, the staff who couldn't make the shift, and the hard lessons in aligning hiring decisions with a technology-forward future. We will share practical, low-cost tools (including Power BI reports and workflow automations) built without a large IT budget, and leave you with a framework for building appreciation at every level from DSP’s to the C-suite. No matter the size of your organization, you'll walk away with concrete first steps you can start using tomorrow. H-3 Inside Outside Baseball - > Mark Davis, President and CEO, PAR > Nick Kratz, Vice President of Government Relations } PAR Join PAR staff for a discussion on the latest developments in state and federal politics and what they mean for the ID/A community.
Virtual Session List
Tuesday, October 27
9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Welcome & Annual Report
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
''We Are Worth It.'' Awards Ceremony
11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
A-2 Update on the ODP CPS Workgroup Recommendations
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM
B-2 Nothing About Us Without Us: Building, Growing, & Sustaining Self-Advocacy
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
C-2 Where Should We Grow Next? Reading the Pennsylvania ID/A Market with Public Data
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM
D-2 Real Time Case Collaboration
Wednesday, October 28
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Welcome
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
E-2 ODP Initiatives to Build Clinical Capacity
F-2 Licensing Updates and Trends for All Licensed Programs
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
G-2 Continuous Quality Improvement and Performance-Based Contracting
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
H-2 Innovation, Compliance, and Culture: A Practical Playbook for the PBC Era
The PAR Solutions Conference is open to EVERYONE! Pricing is as follows:
REGISTRATION
BOOK YOUR ROOM @ HILTON HARRISBURG: Click here to book your room by October 4! One N. 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 If you have any questions about registration, please contact the PAR office at (717) 236-2374 or email par@par.net.
*Virtual attendees will only have access to sessions in the main ballroom. There is a modest $35 fee for virtual attendees, which helps support event costs.
click here to register!
PAR Member
Price
Both Days
$399*
Single Day
$279*
Non-Member
$539*
$419*
Family Member/Self-Advocate/Family Subscriber
$179*
$129*