Thirteenth annual

Opening, Welcome and Introduction

Richard Niedel, MSW, LSW, is currently the Program Director, Specialized Home Care for the Association For Community Living. Rich has a Masters in Social Work with a concentrations in Community Organization and Administration from the University of Connecticut, a Bachelors of Business Administration, Marketing, from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA and a Neuro Linguistic Program Certification, NLP Practitioner/Consultant. He has over 36 years progressive experience in all facets of shared and supported living; expertise in program development, staff management, clinical services to individuals, training and regulation compliance. He is a founding member of the Shared Living Conference who has provided numerous workshops and has acted as its chair, co-chair and advisor. Rich is currently serving as the vice president of NAFCO which strives to provide best practices in policy and development for Adult Family Care organizations on a national level.

Keynote

Al Condeluci, PhD has been an advocate and catalyst for building community capacities and understanding culture since 1970. Born and raised in the steel town of Pittsburgh, PA, still making his home there, Al received his Bachelors Degree in Psychology from Youngstown State Univesity, his Masters in Social Work and PhD in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. Since 1973, he has worked as an attendant, caseworker, advocate, planner, program director and now, CEO of his organization, UCP/CLASS. UCP/CLASS has created a family of corporations and is dedicated to its mission-"working toward a community where each belongs." UCP/CLASS, under Al's leadership, has grown to become the third largest disability service agency in Western PA (with a new office in Erie, PA) with a budget of $32 million and a staff and payroll complement of 700. UCP/CLASS was listed in the 50 "Best Places to Work" in Allegheny County, PA in 2007. Through Al's efforts, UCP/CLASS is "empowering people...building communities."

Along with his work at UCP/CLASS, Al is associated with the University of Pittsburgh's School of Social Work and School of Health and Rehabilitation Science and Robert Morris University Graduate School of Business. In these academic roles Al teaches, supervises students and serves as advisor and consultant

Since 1975 Al has emerged as a national leader and consultant on human services and community issues. He speaks annually to national and international audiences reaching some 15,000 people each year. His books, Interdepence (1991, 1995, CRC Press), Beyond Difference (1996, CRC Press), Cultural Shifting (2002, TRN Press), Advocacy For Change: A Manual for Action (2004, ANCOR Foundation Press), The Essence of Interdependence (2008, Lash Publishing) and Together is Better (2008, Lash Publishing) have won praises and awards for their thoughtful approach to culture and comuunity and are now used at many colleges, universities and in-service settings. His books are now available through Lash Publishing's website www.lapublishing.com (919-562-0015 or at www.ucpclass.org.

Along with his professional activities, Al is involved in a variety of civic volunteer roles. He is on the board of the Southwest PA Partnership for Aging, The Advisory Committee of Hattie Larlham Service System and the immediate past chairman of the PA Statewide TBI Advisory Board.

Al has lived his entire life on the family homestead of "Condeluci Hill." Settled in 1917 by his grandfather, Antonio and honed by his father, mother, uncles and aunts, "Condeluci Hill" is currently home to 15 families and was featured in Life Magazine (Aug, 1996). Al still lives on the "hill" with his wife Liz, children Dante, Gianna and Santino and some 45 other members of the Condeluci family.

101. Why We Do What We Do: Bringing Back the Passion in our Lives

Al Condeluci, PhD

102. Root Cause Analysis (RCA) in Disability Service and Support Settings

Steven Staugaitis, PhD is currently an Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and works within the E. K. Shriver Center, Center for Developmental Disabilities Evaluation and Research. He has over 35 years of direct experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and administering local, regional and state-wide service systems. Dr. Staugaitis is a licensed clinical psychologist (Connecticut) who has a PhD and an MA in clinical psychology and a MS in management. In addition to clinical work, he has served as the director of a large state operated facility for persons with developmental disabilities (Southbury Training School), as a regional director in Connecticut managing both public and private provider community services, including HCBA=S and ICF/MR programs, and as a bureau chief in a state disabilities central office (Connecticut DMR) where he was responsible for strategic planning, information technology, staff development and oversight of a numer of state-wide projects and initiative involving enhancement to quality assurance and improvement systems.

Alexandra (Alixe) Bonardi, is an occupational therapist and researcher who focuses on programs and initiatives to improve the quality of services for people with intellectual disability, particularly in the areas of health and safety. She is currently the assistant director of the University of Massachusetts Medical School's Center for Developmental Disability Evaluation and Research and a faculty member in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

103. Adult Family Care - A Community Based Living Option

Lisa Prince, MS, LSW, received a Masters degree in 1999 from Worcester State College in Nonprofit Management. She has been involved with the Adult Foster Care program for over 11 years and serves as an Adult Foster Care Program Manager for Tri Valley, Inc. Lisa is also the President of the Massachusetts Council for Adult Foster Care, a position she has held for over five years.

Beth Shelton earned an MBA from Boston University's School of Public and Nonprofit Management. She worked in the Housing Department at the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, licensing Assisted Living facilities and assisting municipalities to develop affordable supportive housing. In 2007, she began working at the MassHealth Office of Long Term Care as the program manager for Adult Day Health and Adult Foster Care.

104. Choice and Risk in Shared Living Clinical Service Delivery - Part 1

John Struth, EdS, is the clinical director for Nonotuck Resource Associates. He has worked their for 20 years. In his capacity he supervises four clinicians and coordinates clinical services with other program departments throughout the agency. He also maintains an active caseload of direct clinical services. Additionally, John serves as chairperson for the New England Business Associates human rights committee and does consulting work when he can fit it in. Previously he served as a psychologist for Commonwealth Community Services in the Berkshires. He has taught several courses in special education and applied behavior analysis through Johnson State College in Vermont and at Kansas University. John has coauthored several professional publications in journals and book chapters, and served as coeditor for a special journal issue on innovative employment services while a student at Kansas University.

Shanna Burke, MSW, LCSW graduated from Springfield College School of Social Work with an MSW in 2007She is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). After working as a therapist at a Springfield agency for a couple of years, she joined Nonotuck as a program director in the South Hadley office. She is currently a clinician covering the Pioneer Valley and the Berkshires. She specializes in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and is developing a therapeutic modality for Animal-Assisted Therapy. Aside from her responsibilities as Nonotuck, Ms. Burke is also Vice-Chair of the Board of Registration of Social Workers. She is also an item writer for the Association of Social Work Boards, the organization that develops the social work licensing examination and a member of the Resolutions and Standards Committee for ASWB as well. She is also a consulting editor for the journals Social Work and Social Work Research. She will begin her doctorate in social work in the fall at Simmons College. Other interests include volunteering for animal rescue organizations, as well as running, triathlons and organic gardening.

James Kiely, MS, Clinician - Educated in Psychology and Biology; 25 years experience in individual and group psychotherapy, psychological testing, Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior modification, DSM IV diagnosis; familiar with ISP/IEP process, Medicaid and managed care systems. Experience in the elementary school classroom. Currently a Clinician/Behavior Specialist, LifeSkills, Inc, in Webster, MA and Clinician/Psychologist, Nonotuck Resources. He has been a Residential Support Professional, TILL, Inc., a Substitute Teacher, Worcester Public Schools, Worcester, MA, Teacher Assistant, 6th Grade, Conant Elementary School, Acton, MA; a Psychologist, Boston Center for Therapeutic Services, Vinfen Corp., Jamaica Plain, MA; a Counseling Psychologist, Human Resources Institute, Malden, MA; Residential Manager, Technical Aid Corp,, Newton Lower Falls, MA; Behavioral Consultant, Metro Respite Center, Vinfen Corp, Jamaica Plain, MA, Psychologist II, Fernald State School, Waltham, MA, Psychologist B, Central VA Training Center, Lynchburg, VA. In his career he has benefited from ongoing trainings and skill acquisition in Assessment and Treatment for Individuals with Dual Diagnosis; ongoing trainings and experience in Defeating Depressive Thinking and other symptoms of Depression, Pharmacological and Nutritional Approaches to Autism, Loss and Greiving and the Developmentally Disabled, Medical Ethics and People with impairments, Clinical Management of Agitation, Screening Adults for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Behavioral Therapy Helpful in the the treatment of Alzheimer's, New Frontiers in the Treatment of Depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Effective for Hypochondriasis.

105. Special Needs Planning, Financial eligibility for Medicaid Home and Community Based Waiver Services and related Legal issues

Frederick J. Misilo, Jr., Esq., M.Ed is the director with the law firm of Fletcher, Tilton & Whipple, PC, which has offices in Worcester and Framingham. He practices in Massachusetts and Rhode Island in the areas of estate planning, trusts and estates, elder law, probate and real estate. Mr. Misilo is a former Deputy Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Retardation and Executive Director of Harbor Area Community Services, Inc. of Boston. Mr. Misilo holds a law degreee from Suffolk University Law School; a Master's Degree from Harvard University; and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

106. The Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services Home and Community Based Services Adult Waiver Programs

Michelle Harris is the Community Systems Director for the Central/West Region of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS). In her role, she oversees several service systems for DDS including family support, supported employment, clinical services, learning and development, housing and transportation. She has been with DDS for 12 years. prior to coming to DDS, Ms. Harris was a secondary and post-secondary computer science educator and holds a masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from Worcester State University. As a member of the DDS Waiver Team, she is responsible for supporting the implementation of the DDS Home and Community Based Waivers.

Donna Boucher is the Area Director for the North Central DDS Office in Fitchburg. She has been with the Department of Developmental Disabilities for 30 years serving in a number of key management positions. Ms. Boucher is currently a member of the DDS Waiver Team charged with implementing the new waiver programs for the Commonwealth.

201. Interdependence: The Whole Community

Al Condeluci, PhD

202. Providers Share Their Experiences: An Interactive Workshop

Alternatives

Harry Sunderland and Edward Raymond. Harry has many years of experience in human service so his decision to become a Shared Living provider was a natural step in providing support. Over the last year, Harry and Ed have established a home together, developed new relationships and are active in their community. Harry and Ed continue to grow while they explore and experience life together.

HMEA

Ron Anderson has been a Shared Living provider for HMEA for six years. In this time he has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the individual he lives with as well as the organization he works for. Ron has become a vital member of the team that supports Will on a daily basis.

William Wellman lives with Ron Anderson and is supported by HMEA's Shared Living program. Will has been part of HMEA's Shared Living program for seven years. In this time Will has realized his dream of becoming a public speaker talking with students about his personal story. In the six years that Will has lived with Ron, he has demonstrated tremendous personal growth.

Elaine Haron is Will Wellman's mother and legal guardian. She is a tremendous source of support and advocacy for Will. She has been by his side through many personal struggles and accomplishments. Elaine continues to be a vital member of the team that supports Will on a daily basis.

Seven Hills

Judy Swekla and Louise Warwick. Louise came to live the Judy when she left Monson Developmental Center. Judy has been a shared living provider for 17 years. Judy brings with her solid, insightful and practical wisdom which comes from her experiences supporting Louise.

203. Stress Management for Caregivers

Douglas Hughes, LMHC, MA earned a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts. Doug have over 20 years experience in human services, working with people who have developmental disabilities. His experience includes Behavioral Medicine, Health Psychology, focused on chronic pain management and stress management. Currently, Doug is a Clinical Service Manages at LifeStream and a Mental Health Counselor/Pain Specialist at St. Ann's Hospital.

204. Case Examples of Choice and Risk in Clinical Service Delivery - Part 2

Dan Shafer, MEd, joined Nonotuck Resource Associates in 2009 as a clinician. Dan received a BA in Special Education from Boston College and Masters in Organizational Development and Human Services from UMass Amherst. Dan has worked for over 30 years in Western Massachusetts both as a special edcuation educator in numerous local school districts and as a behavioral consultant. His practice has been focused on developing holistic and person centered plans that seek to support each individual's aspirations and desires to live and work in the community. Dan is a practitioner of Gentle Teaching and is committed to using positive approach when engaging someone who has challenging behaviors. His commitment is to nourish relationshops and worked with the power of engagement to stimulate dialogue and espressions. Never working is isolation. Dan encourages all participants to contribute to the evolution of healthy interactions. His teaching background allows for creative and educative initiatives that seek to accommodate the unique learning needs of the people we serve. Dan has an Intensive Needs Certification in Massachusetts. In addition, he has been on the faculty of Westfield State University teaching various courses in their disability program. Dan has presented at both state level and national conferences and continues to have a small private practice as time allows. When not at work, Dan has started a small artisan craft business in stained glass mosaics. He lives in Belchertown, MA with his wife, Therese.

Tim Jubinville, LMHC graduated from Assumption College with a MA, CAGS in Counseling in 1996 and a BA in English in 1994 and most recently passed the LMHC exam. Tim is a clinician at Nonotuck Resource Associates.

205. Behind the Scenes: A Look at qualifying and supporting a Shared Living household

Elizabeth Bird - Liz has been employed with HMEA for 16 years. She began working direct care in group homes and Supported Living. For the past 10 years, she has been working in the Shared Living department as both a Placement Coordinator and the Recruiter/Trainer. Liz received a BA in Psychology from Assumption College in 1994 and is also a certified MAPP (Massachusetts Approach to Partnerships in Parenting) instructor through the Department of Children and Families. Liz and her husband have also been Shared Living providers for 10 years.

Christine Young - Christine has been working at Nonotuck Resource Associates since 1984. She began working as a direct care worker and has held many positions at the agency. For the past five years, she has been a placement specialist working primarily with the Greenfield, South Hadley and Pittsfield regions. Christine grew up in New Hampshire, attended Hunter College in New York City where she got a BA in Journalism. She also holds a masters degree in Human Service Administration from Springfield College. Christine is also a graduate of the first class of graduates in the Leadership Development Institute. Christine lives in Northampton, MA; she and her partner have six children.

Jodie St. Louis - Jodie has been employed with Alternatives Unlimited for 10 years. She has over 20 years experience in the human services field supporting adult individuals with developmental and psychiatric disabilities in the community, residential and family settings.