Click here for most recent program details

People with developmental disabilities and their families want good support so they can have what other citizens expect: a secure home, friends, places to belong, freedom to make choices, chances to learn, and opportunities to contribute. In the past, they have had to struggle with an under-funded service system that is too often inflexible and controlling and too frequently enforces exclusion based on low expectations. They have had far better lives when they have met allies among service workers who have joined them in creating good supports against all odds. Working together, with passion, hope, faith and courage, these leaders have invented effective supports for real lives.

This conference brings together people with developmental disabilities, family members, service providers, support coordinators, and policy makers to explore what is possible now as Georgia increases investment of public funds in individualized, person-directed supports.

Leaders from across the country who provide and coordinate person-centered supports will share what they are learning and leaders from Georgia will reflect on our own learning, the assets we have to build with, and the challenges we face. We will together envision what's possible for the future as we work together with passion, hope, faith and courage.

Possibilities for real jobs, real homes and self direction depend on the passion, hope, faith and courage with which those who offer service choose to keep on learning better and better answers to these tough questions.

• How do we focus all of our resources on assisting people to live lives of distinction as active and contributing citizens?
• What are the best ways to assist people to live securely in their own homes and enjoy the good things their communities have to offer?
• What are the most effective ways to assist people to get and keep good jobs?
• What helps people to plan hopefully and be in control of their lives?
• What can we trust to keep people safe?
• What helps to align the energies of staff and family members in support of real lives?
• How do we recruit and sustain trustworthy, capable, committed support workers?
• How do we balance creativity and responsiveness with demands for compliance and paperwork?
• How do we discover and move beyond assumptions and beliefs that hold people back?
• How do we act as good stewards of all the resources we have been given: talent, time, community assets, and public funds?

The people who will lead the conversations at this conference have each searched thoughtfully for better answers to these questions and have developed individualized ways of supporting people with developmental disabilities in real homes and real jobs.

However, they all know that their search is not over: people with dd keep changing and the system keeps presenting new opportunities and new difficulties. They will share what they have learned so far, what sustains them in the present, where they see themselves and their organizations going and identify the possibilities and challenges that they see in their future.

Tentative Agenda

*Continental breakfast, lunch, and breaks are included in the $125 registration fee. Hotel room costs are extra.

Continuing Education Credit

Continuing Education Credit is available. The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education has approved 1.5 Continuing Education Units (15 Hours) of credit for the conference. The program has also been approved for 14 core contact hours for Social Work Continuing Education Credit. In order to receive Social Work Credit, you will need to sign a form before leaving the conference.

People Who Will share their learning

Real Homes & Community Life

Jeff Strully, Jay Nolan Community Services, CA
Mike Chartier, Onondaga Community Living, NY
Mary Kissel, Georgia Options
Kim Turner. Options in Community Living, WI
Mary Romer, Total Living Concept, WA
Lyle Romer, Total Living Concept, WA
Pat Fratangelo, Onondaga Community Living, NY
Denise Shaw, Lifesharer, GA
Mary Yoder, Lifesharer, GA
Marcie Brost, Participant in Self-Directed Support, WI
Craig Modahl, Balance, Inc, WI
Peter Leidy, Consultant & direct support troubadour, WI
Richard Prue, Onondaga Community Living, NY
Scott Shepard, Avenues Supported Living, CA
Mark Vincent, Common Ground, NH
Jenifer Cordova, Dungarvin, WI
Susan Earl, Georgia Infirmary
Tom Kohler, Chatham-Savannah Citizen Advocacy
Brad Jones, Total Living Concept, WA
David Porterfield, Housing Consultant, WI
Sarita Reddy, Georgia Options
Scott Rider, Common Ground, NH

Real Jobs

Michael Callahan, Marc Gold & Associates, MS
Norciva Shumpert, Marc Gold & Associates, MS
Anne O'Bryan, The Quality Network, England
Erin Riehle, Project search, OH
Jane Boone, Jobs by 21 Partnership Project, WA
Linda Rolfe, Aging & Disability Services Administration, WA
Ray Jensen, King County DD Division, WA
Lisa Cuozzo, Maryland Customized Employment Partnership
Susie Rutkowski, Great Oaks Institute, OH
Jennifer Briggs, Briggs & Associates, GA
Sheila Fesko, National Center on Workforce & Disability Washington, DC

Self-Direction: Good Plans & Effective Coordination

Beth Mount, Graphic Futures, New York
Patti Scott, Neighbours, Inc, NJ
Cherry Oakley, Neighbours, Inc, NJ
Dan Rossiter, Dane County Human Services, WI
Chris Heimerl, Office of Behavioral Support, NM
Ruthie-Marie Beckwith, Tennessee MicroBoards Association
Michael Smull, Support Development Associates, MD

Lessons from Georgia's History & Future Possibilities

Charles Hopkins
Viola Nimmons
Pat Puckett
Steve Hall
Beth Mount
Dottie Adams
Joy Eason Hopkins
John O'Brien
Zo Stoneman
Mary Kissel

Georgia Center Information

The Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel, located on the beautiful, historic campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, provides innovative lifelong learning opportunities that develop intellectual and human potential. A total living and learning environment, the Georgia Center includes a 200-room hotel, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and computer lab — all under one roof. As a unit of UGA's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, the Center brings the University's teaching, research, and service expertise to the people of Georgia and beyond! For more information, visit www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.

Conference Registration: Register by May 8, 2008
Registration is limited. To register, please complete one of the registration forms below (if you are a requesting a scholarship for the registration fee as person with a disability, a family member, or a direct support professional).

Scholarship Requests: Register by May 8, 2008
Scholarships for the registration fee are available for people with disabilities, family members, and direct support professionals. Please fill out the Scholarship Registration below if you are requesting a scholarship for the conference fee and will be unable to attend without financial assistance. Scholarship requests MUST be received by May 8, 2008. You will be notified by May 15, 2008, if your request has been approved. Please note that the Georgia Center is not responsible for determining who will receive a scholarship.

Special Needs:
If you require special services, facilities, or dietary considerations, contact your event coordinator, Jean Mann at 706-542-2237 or Jean.Mann@georgiacenter.uga.edu, by May 8, 2008.

Lodging (Georgia Center Hotel):
A block of rooms is being held for Against All Odds 5:00 p.m. ET, May 8, 2008. Policies: (1) Tax Exemption — The State of Georgia only allows tax-exempt charges for a payment by a state-issued credit card or check or by a direct bill to a state agency (with a Georgia State Tax Exemption Certificate). (2) Lodging Cancellation — Cancel your reservation by 4:00 p.m. ET the day prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid being charged one night's room and tax. (3) At check-in, you must present your credit card or a completed credit card authorization form (for a copy, call 800-884-1381, Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET). Note: The Georgia Center is a smoke-free building; all lodging rooms are nonsmoking.

Travel Information:
Athens, Georgia, is located about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta. For directions, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/about/directions.phtml. A parking deck is located adjacent to the Center (hourly rates, maximum $8 each 24-hour period; vehicle height limit, 7 feet). Athens is served by two airports. Athens-Ben Epps Airport offers connecting flights to and from Charlotte, NC. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located about 90 minutes southwest of Athens, with scheduled ground shuttle service and rental car service available between the airport and the Georgia Center.

Program Cancellation Policies:
(1) Full refunds are available for cancellations made by 5:00 p.m. ET, May 23, 2008. No refunds will be issued thereafter; substitutions will be allowed. (2) If a program is cancelled for any reason, the Georgia Center will not be responsible for any charges related to travel.

Registration

Scholarship Registration — Download Registration

Non-scholarship Registration — Four Ways to Register: