WI Annual Conference: February 16 & 17, 2017 Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Balancing Act: Finding Autonomy Through Interdependence
We are down to our last few seats registration closes 2/13/2017 at 5pm
Click here for full 2017 conference program
Click here for printable form to register by mail
Thursday, 2/16/17 1:00—4:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker Dr. Glenis Benson : Autism Spectrum Disorder and Communication
Dr. Benson has supported persons with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) for over 35 years. She has been Senior Advisor to the United Nations for the Middle East for ASDs, Director of the Autism Program and Assistant Professor in Pediatrics at USD. She has taught at the Kentucky Autism Training Center with the University of Louisville and currently teaches at UW Madison. Dr. Benson co-produced, wrote and narrated a video entitled Autism Spectrum Disorders (http://www.attainmentcompany.com). She has numerous articles and book chapters to her name as well.
Dr. Benson obtained her PhD. from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and conducted both her doctoral and master’s research on persons with ASD. She trains nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics including behavioral supports as well as ASDs. She currently consults from her private practice in Madison. Glenis is also a founding board member of Camp AweSum a camp in northern Wisconsin for youth and families who live with ASD. She can be reached at info@ASD-DOC.com.
5:00 Reception
Friday, 2/17/16
8:15- 8:30am Welcome: Dr. Margaret Nygren (Executive Director of AAIDD)
8:30-10:00am Keynote session: Identity, Community, and Commitment: Learning to Love the Paradoxes – Presented by William Gaventa, M.Div.
Our commitment as professionals and advocates to independence and autonomy can also have a “dark side,” i.e., a neglect of the ways we are all rooted in relationships and depend on others. As professionals, parents and advocates who provide support, it is far too easy to forget that we also need to be supported. It is a journey in honesty and mutuality, helping us all to become better individuals and stronger communities.
Bill Gaventa is currently the Director of the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability as well as the new Collaborative on Faith and Disability, linking a number of University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities who are addressing spirituality through initiatives in training, technical assistance, research, and/or dissemination. He was formerly Director of Community and Congregational Supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey. Bill’s primary areas of experience and expertise are spiritual and faith based supports with people with disabilities, training for clergy, seminarians and community services staff, aging and then of life/grief issues in intellectual and developmental disabilities, cultural competence, and community building. As a writer and editor, he has edited newsletters and several books, written articles and chapters, and served as the Editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health for 14 years, now as an Associate Editor. Bill and his wife, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, moved in 2013 to Waco, Texas where she serves as Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Baylor University. They have one son, Matthew, daughter-in-law, Sarah, both of whom are clergy in Virginia, and one grandson, Charlie.
Breakout Session 1 10:15am-11:45 am
Session A: Developmental Disabilities: The Neuroscience of Sexual Functioning. Clinical and Ethical Considerations (Part 1) – Presented by Terry Young, PhD
This presentation will provide a brief review of the underlying causations of developmental disorders and the socio-political impact of the history of providing services for persons with developmental disabilities. There will be discussion of the rights of persons with developmental disabilities with a specific focus on sexuality. The influences and interactions of atypical neurosexual development and sexual expression and behaviors over the lifespan will be addressed
Dr. Terry Young is a board certified clinical neuropsychologist specializing in adult and child neuropsychology. His experience includes years of providing direct services for persons with developmental disorders, neurological conditions, including degenerative conditions, dementia and traumatic brain injury; and, he has also provided medical-legal, forensic, and Workers’ Compensation neuropsychological/psychological services for adults and children with chronic pain, PTSD, concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury and related conditions. Dr. Young has served as a consulting psychologist and clinical care reviewer for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in the care of victims of clergy abuse. He has been in private practice at New Life Resources in Waukesha, Wisconsin since 1991. He is adjunct faculty at Marquette University and Staff in the Department of Pediatrics with the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. He provides neuropsychological/psychological evaluations for the Concussion Care Network for the Wheaton Franciscan Health System.
Session B: Respect for Persons, Applied to Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities – Presented by Ryan Spellecy, PhD
Respect for persons, or as it is sometimes described respect for autonomy, is a fundamental principle in bioethics. In many cases though, this means facilitating an informed, voluntary decision for a decisional individual that reflects his or her values. What then should be done if the person is not decisional? For a non-decisional adult, we will look to evidence of past wishes when that person had decisionmaking capacity. What should be done for someone who never had the capacity to form such wishes? This presentation will address some of the basic legal issues associated with decision making for non-decisional individuals with specific attention to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities that prevented them from ever expressing legally binding wishes. We will then turn to ethical strategies for adhering to the ethical principle of respect for persons even when an individual cannot legally make his or her own decisions, and apply this legal and ethical framework to cases
Dr. Ryan Spellecy received his PhD in Philosophy from the University of Utah and is The Ursula von der Ruhr Professor of Bioethics in the Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. Dr. Spellecy has authored and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed articles in the area of research ethics, informed consent, ethical issues in psychiatry, and ethical issues at the end of life. He has advised the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute regarding engaging stakeholders in the peer review process, the Association of American Medical Colleges on IRBs and community based research, and testified before the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics regarding the use of clinical data for research. He currently chairs an Institutional Review Board at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is a member of the ethics committees at the Milwaukee County Behavioral Health Division, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and Curative Care Network.
Session C: Community Building: Theirs and Ours – Presented by William Gaventa, M.Div.
An exploration of some of the best practices in community building with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Walking along with others towards community inclusion and belonging leads to inevitable questions about what community means for us as well. Community building, in a very real sense, starts at home
Bill Gaventa is currently the Director of the Summer Institute on Theology and Disability as well as the new Collaborative on Faith and Disability, linking a number of University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities who are addressing spirituality through initiatives in training, technical assistance, research, and/or dissemination. He was formerly Director of Community and Congregational Supports at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities in New Jersey. Bill’s primary areas of experience and expertise are spiritual and faith based supports with people with disabilities, training for clergy, seminarians and community services staff, aging and then of life/grief issues in intellectual and developmental disabilities, cultural competence, and community building. As a writer and editor, he has edited newsletters and several books, written articles and chapters, and served as the Editor of the Journal of Religion, Disability and Health for 14 years, now as an Associate Editor. Bill and his wife, Beverly Roberts Gaventa, moved in 2013 to Waco, Texas where she serves as Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Baylor University. They have one son, Matthew, daughter-in-law, Sarah, both of whom are clergy in Virginia, and one grandson, Charlie.
Lunch 11:45am-12:45pm
Breakout Session 2 12:45pm-2:15pm
Session A: Developmental Disabilities: The Neuroscience of Sexual Functioning. Clinical and Ethical Considerations (Part 2) – Presented by Terry Young, PhD
This presentation is the second portion of the session outlined in Breakout 1. Participates will need to attend both sessions.
Session B: Guardianship and Alternative Decision-Making Tools – Presented by Robert (Rock) Theine Pledl, J.D.
Some people with disabilities may need assistance to make important decisions. Historically, the answer was often to the place them under complete guardianship and remove all of their legal rights. That has changed dramatically as Wisconsin and other states have changed their laws to provide for limited guardianship and various alternatives. This presentation will describe the legal structure of guardianship, emerging alternatives and the ways in which individuals with disabilities may be served or disserved by the guardianship process.
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Session C: As You Eat, So You Are: Foods that Harm, Foods that Heal – Presented by Linda Draayers
There are so many so-called truths about health living flying around these days. What do you believe? Are eggs good, are they bad? Can I eat carbohydrates? Is dairy bad for me? How many calories do I need every day and what is the best way to get them without feeling starved? This seminar will explore the areas of the world where people are living the longest and their secrets. We will explore, in depth, foods that promote health and healing, along with foods that if eaten in enough quantities send our bodies all the wrong signals and speed up the aging/dying process. A lot of individuals truly do not realize that the food that we put into our bodies greatly determines our mood for the day, our energy levels, our ability to sleep well, to concentrate and so much more. Healthy cooking and low cost healthy recipes and snack ideas will be provided. We will discuss foods that fight fat and help keep your metabolism working for you and against you. Many believe that to eat healthy is to eat very little and spend a lot of money. This session will dispel those beliefs. This seminar is packed with information for people of all ages, backgrounds, sizes, fitness levels, etc. Attending could be the start of a new and more fulfilling dietary life not only for you, both those you support.
Linda is a Training Director and Program Administrator with over 20 years in the field of Intellectual Disabilities. She has her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Northwestern College. She is the Region 6 Chair for the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) and a member and Training Co-Chair of the AAIDD WI Board. She is also Preseident of the Southeastern Wisconsin Training Initiative and an active member of the Milwaukee Area Developmental Disabilities Association Caregiver Appreciation Committee. Linda currently oversees the training program for her agency, Options for Community Growth, Inc. in Hales Corners, WI as well as training for over 20 other agencies in the Southeastern Wisconsin region. She also oversees a 12-bed assisted living facility in West Allis, WI.
Breakout Session 3 2:30pm-4:00pm
Session A: Cultivating Compassionate and Culturally Responsive Circles of Care – Presented by Lea Denny
This presentation will focus on introducing concepts around intergenerational trauma, practice-based evidence (PBE) and cultural competence to best inform and support consumers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In exploring these concepts, strengthbased ways to access the consumer, familial, and community resilience will be reviewed. In addition, strategies on how to address ways to be an authentic ally for a consumer and their circle of care (familial/ caregiver) will be explored. The goal within this framework is to encourage a culturally responsive, trauma-informed and consumer specific approach to care. This approach invites a sense of community belonging and support within the consumers’ circle of care.
Lea S. Denny received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. Her graduate degree is in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mount Mary University (a CACREP program) with an emphasis in trauma and addiction counseling. Her theoretical orientation is rooted in attachment theory with an emphasis on culturally responsive, trauma-informed care. Ms. Denny has worked 15 years with children, youth, and their families in various settings including residential, in-home care, and schools. Ms. Denny worked as an Academic Counselor for First Nations Studies, Milwaukee Public Schools serving K4-12th grades. As an intern clinical therapist, she worked with sexually abused children providing Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) with an emphasis on sensorimotor interventions. Her master’s thesis’ “All Nations – One Tribe: Healing Historical Trauma Together” was a community based, quantitative study to identify the prevalence, pervasiveness, and transmission of historical intergenerational trauma, and pathways for post-historical trauma growth. Ms. Denny was the inaugural recipient of the Ana Grace Scholarship presented by the Child Trauma Academy in the Fall of 2016 and selected to join NMT certification training. Ms. Denny recently became the owner of Thriving Legacies Consulting Services, LLC., and founder and Executive Director of HIR Wellness Center. It is her passion and life’s work to serve her community and work towards healing and wellness.
Session B: God and the Group Home: Beyond The Nervous Relationship of Providers and Religion – Presented by David Morstad, M.Ed, FAAIDD
Historically, there has been a reluctance on the part of support provider organizations when it comes to actively supporting the spiritual practices of the individuals whom they support. Acting as though this is somehow a delicate “church and state” concern is a distraction from the real issue. The acknowledgement of the spirituality of people with disabilities raises important questions about the integrity of individual supports. The session will provide data relative to US cultural norms of religious practice, and the practical impact of faith communities as natural support networks. It will also propose a renewed understanding of the person-centered, choice-honoring nature of planning and supports.
David Morstad was on the staff of Bethesda Lutheran Communities for many years. He was the founding executive director of the Bethesda Institute and served as its Senior Fellow until 2015.
As a teacher and consultant, Morstad has assisted organizations across the US, Central America, the Baltic nations, and the Middle East to advance their faith-based and training initiatives. He is a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and was the 2010 recipient of the Henri J.M. Nouwen Award, presented by AAIDD’s Religion and Spirituality Division. He currently serves on the Governor’s Committee for People with Disabilities in Wisconsin and writes at www.LargerTable.com.
Section C: Benevolent Touch and Essential Oils – Presented by Heather Hitchler and Leann Reichertz
Benevolent Touch is any positive tactile contact on another or one’s own skin with loving intent. It was developed originally at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee to help patient’s with dementia who may be challenged with anxiety and troubling behaviors such as wandering and aggression. In Leann’s experience, she has found that the benefits of Benevolent Touch extend beyond that, including helping people with various ages, illnesses, disabilities, and even ourselves. This is a hands on presentation, where participants will learn massage techniques and practice them on each other during the class.
This class is being held in conjunction with an Introduction into Essential Oils class. The essential oil portion will show you how to incorporate the power of nature’s own oils to assist in the dealing with various issues.
Leann Reichertz is the Day Program Director for Options for Community Growth, Inc. She has a B.F.A. in Fine Art and is also a certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. She has experience in working with children in a psychiatric setting, adults with intellectual disabilities and elders with dementia. Leann has also used Benevolent Touch while visiting hospice patients, and has volunteered internationally in schools and psychiatric hospitals.
Heather Hitchler is the Human Resources Director for Options for Community Growth, Inc. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Special Education and has worked in the field for over 25 years. She has been incorporating her knowledge of essential oils with this population for the last year.
Many Thanks to our 2017 Sponsors!
