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Robin Rose Training/Consulting A renowned trainer, speaker and consultant, Robin helps people be their best when it matters most. Robin works with leaders and teams to enhance skills, integrate new behaviors, and improve performance. She makes it safe to learn new ways of working together. |
Boggs Center on Dev. Disabilities, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dan's areas of interest and expertise include positive behavior support, special education transition services, supported employment, and mental health for persons with developmental disabilities. |
President, EMP Inc. and Dover Training Group in Toronto. Allen is an international speaker and employment program designer specializing in creating solutions for generating positive outcomes for people with employment barriers. |
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OUR PRESENTERS: Allen Anderson, M.A. I-1 | I-2 | I-3: All Day Presentation: Advanced Selling Skills for Job Developers Allen is President at EMP Inc. and Dover Training Group in Toronto. He is an international speaker and employment program designer specializing in creating solutions for generating employment outcomes for people with employment barriers. His strategic approach to employment outcomes focuses on the employer relationship and the how to’s of building and maximizing this connection. He is known for being able to build innovative practical models and techniques to manage virtually any level of employment barrier’s entry into the workforce.
Allen has worked as a job developer, Director Job Placement, Director of Training & Development and Vice President and President of training companies. He has developed numerous training programs for job development professionals (management and line staff) in marketing skills for job development, written numerous articles and spoken extensively on job development internationally. Allen has a M.A. in Sociology, won the ASDT Disabilities Awareness Network Quality Service Award 1993, and the Ontario March of Dimes 2006 Vocational Rehabilitation Award.
Sixteen state agencies in the USA and many programs in Canada use his materials to guide their employment programs for people with employment barriers. Some current state agencies implementing these programs include South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department, Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation Services, and Florida Division of Blind Services.
J. John Andersen, MS, LMFT, Licensed Service Extender A-3: Supporting the Female Adolescent with Bipolar Disorder and Autism Within a Family Therapy Perspective John received his Master's Degree from San Diego State University in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. He has been in the helping profession since 1987 and has worked in many settings in mental health from adult day treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, crisis centers and residential treatment programs.
He founded and was the Chief Executive Officer of a highly acclaimed residential treatment center for adolescent males from the ages of 13 to 19 years old. The New York Times interviewed John and reported his program as "One of the best" therapeutic programs (May 9, 2003). His program specialized in treating young men with emotional challenges, substance abuse issues and family therapy. His holistic approach and determination to individualize treatment to meet the needs of the client as well as the family is one of his greatest hallmarks. John's passion to help others create breakthroughs in their lives and self-govern change, is one of his life long career goals.
John is known for his innovative vision, leadership and creativity in working with young people and their families. John has also served as a clinical consultant in program development and design for residential treatment programs.
Carmen Babb, MA, CADC A-2: The Power of Positive Purpose Carmen has been working in Mental Health for 15 years. She holds a Masters in Counseling. Carmen is a certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a Certified Stress and Trauma Care Counselor (certified to provide psychological first aid to trauma victims). She has been working at Psychiatric Services for over ten years and is the new owner of this agency as of October 1. She has worked with patients of all ages and continues to provide clinical services. Carmen is trained in EMDR and provides pro bono sessions for our service men and women returning from war zones.
Dan Baker, Ph.D. Opening Keynote: "And How Did We Get Here?" A-1: Youth with the Dual Diagnoses of IDD and Mental Illness H-2: Preparing Youth and Adults with ASDs for Work E-3: Using Positive Behavior Supports in the Community B-4 | B-5: Intergenerational Management F-6: Identity Developmental for People with Disabilities Dan is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Dan's areas of interest and expertise include positive behavior support, special education transition services, supported employment, and mental health for persons with developmental disabilities. He has provided consultation for over 100 community programs & schools, and teaches nationally, educating thousands of care providers every year. He has authored book chapters on positive behavior support, and is the co-editor of the National Association on Dual Diagnosis Bulletin. He has many years of direct experience, and is described as a fun and engaging presenter whose passion about his work shows in his teaching style.
Trina Balanoff, M.S. G-1: Sex is Natural: The Role of Sexuality in the Lives of People with Developmental Disabilities G-3: Understanding the New Children's Redesign Trina has been an advocate for over eleven years with emphasis on parent issues. She is currently the Program Advisor for the Idaho Training Cooperative at the University of Idaho Center on Disabilities & Human Development. She holds a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Idaho and has particular interests in the areas of sexuality, employment, and disability policy.
David Brown, B.A. F-2: Confidence, Relationships and Music (Direct Support-Adults) E-5: Confidence, Relationships and Music (Direct Support-Teens) David received his BA in political science through BSU and is currently attending the University of Colorado’s online campus, working toward a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in nonprofit administration. He developed a passion for working with people with physical and mental barriers to wellness during his years as a provider of employment services.
Helping to empower people to overcome their barriers and assume a more meaningful role in their community has given David great purpose in life. This passion has led him to partner with Matthew Jordan, MT-BC, in helping people achieve remarkable levels of wellness through the power of music. Currently, by day, he adjudicates disability claims for Social Security. Otherwise, when he is not at home having fun with his family of five or hitting the books, he is helping Matthew with community outreach and the “business side” of Music Makes Connections. And he loves every minute of it.
John Dineen, M.A. I-5: Reasonable Accommodation in the Workplace I-6: Doing More with Less: The Efficient Job Coach John holds a dual appointment with the Region X Technical Assistance Center for state Vocational Rehabilitation agencies and with the Northwest ADA Center, both located at the University of Washington. His background includes more than thirty years of supported employment experience, as well as providing technical assistance to employers and workers with disabilities on ADA issues. He is most known, however, for being thrown into a swimming pool by IDVR counselors during his first workshop in Idaho as a much younger “expert from Seattle.”
Rebecca Evans C-3: Empowerment from the Inside Out E-4: Uncovering your Sense of Self and Those Around You G-5: Brave Steps Forward: How to Make a Move No Matter What Rebecca is a motivational speaker, author and empowerment coach. She founded Inner Element as a way to combine her experiences as a woman in the military, mom and world class athlete into an organization that provides effective life breakthrough strategies. Her core philosophy, “fitness from the inside out” resounds for men and women of all ages.
Laurie Ford I-4: The Top Ten Ways to Increase Access to Employment for People with Psychiatric Disabilities Laurie is the Director of the Region 10 TACE (Technical Assistance and Continuing Education) Center at the University of Washington’s Center for Continuing Education in Rehabilitation, and currently teaches classes in the areas of working with people with psychiatric disabilities and in the national Certificate in Employment Services. Before coming to CCER in 1989, Laurie helped develop and manage one of the first supported employment programs for adults with developmental disabilities.
Jackie Frey C-1: Get Ready Now! Emergency Preparedness Jackie has been the coordinator for the Department of Emergency Services in Twin Falls County for the last 13 years. She is currently the President of the Idaho Emergency Mangement Association. She is a recipeint of the 2001 Governors Award in Emergency Managment, the Idaho Coordinator of the Year in 2000, and is certified in the following: Idaho Certified Emergency Managment Accreditation (ICEM), Advanced Professional Series (APS) and the Professional Development Series (APS) Certifications from FEMA, and over 35 Independent Study Certifications in Emergency Management. Jackie is a parent of a special needs child, and strongly believes in her position as a parent and as the Emergency Manager in her county.
Matthew Jordan, BC M-T, Board-certified music therapist F-2: Confidence, Relationships and Music (Direct Support-Adults) E-5: Confidence, Relationships and Music (Direct Support-Teens Matthew is a talented and accomplished practitioner of music therapy. He acquired his BA in Music at BYU in Provo, UT followed by his music therapy certification (requiring two years of additional study and 1,040 hours of practicum) through Utah State University. He has several years of experience providing wellness outcomes for a range of populations including: at-risk youth, bereavement, chronic pain, dementia/Alzheimer's, developmental disabilities, autism, drug addiction, hospice, mental health (depression, anxiety, PTSD, etc.), speech impairment, and stroke/neurocognitive injury.
Matthew’s insights on the empowering and healing qualities of music are enhanced by his years of formal education as well as his substantial experience in the field. As such, his presentations do not only incorporate findings from the medical community on music as a clinical intervention, but also real examples of what music therapy is and what it can do for people who struggle with a wide range of barriers to wellness.
Ann D. Kirkwood, MA A-6: Link Between Mental Illness and Suicide Ann specializes in social marketing relating to mental illness stigma and children’s mental health and suicide prevention. She is a winner of a 2000 International George Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting and the 2009 SAMHSA VOICE Award. She has directed the Better Todays. Better Tomorrows. school-based children’s mental health gatekeeper training program, winner of a RAND Corp. recognition, since its inception in 2000. Better Todays is designed to reduce stigma about mental health problems in children and encourage appropriate treatment. Since June 2006 she also has served as director for Idaho’s Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act project, Awareness to Action for Youth Suicide Prevention. She frequently presents on various topics such as rural mental health services and the link between mental illness and stigma. Ann serves on the national Consumer/Survivor Subcommittee for the Lifeline network of suicide hotlines and the SAMHSA center focused on stigma and discrimination. She consults for the HRSA Office of Performance Review on social marketing and strategic planning, offering services in Savannah, GA, Tuscaloosa, AL, Byhalia, MS, Penasco, NM, Irwin County and Wrightsville, GA, Fort Meyers and Jacksonville, FL. She is a previous reporter, editor and publisher as well as public relations professional for the State of Idaho. She is a mental health consumer.
Stephanie Leavell, MT-BC D-1: Together in Music: Techniques for Using Music in Therapy Stephanie Leavell (formerly Johnson) is a Boise native who grew up singing and playing the harp. Through her years as a performer, she was often drawn to the ability of music to encourage relaxation and expression. Shortly after discovering the field of music therapy, Stephanie was hooked and received her bachelor's in music therapy at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
Stephanie feels incredible passion for her career and is committed to providing this cutting-edge service to individuals in her beloved home town. Stephanie provides private and group music therapy sessions through Music Therapy of Idaho and is also the founder of a new non-profit, called The Idaho Music Therapy Initiative, Inc.
Kerry Leavell, M.A., MT-BC D-1: Together in Music: Techniques for Using Music in Therapy Kerry is a former Centennial High School Patriot, is excited to have returned to the City of Trees She holds a bachelors degree in music performance with an emphasis in percussion from Wheaton College's Conservatory of Music in Wheaton, Illinois, and recently completed her Master of Arts in expressive therapies with a specialization in music therapy and mental health counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Kerry completed two nine-month internships as a graduate student, which involved music therapy work with a variety of populations (see below). She is currently working towards her LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) credential, which she intends to receive in September 2012.
Robyn Legaretta-Edwards, M.A. D-2: Connecting the Disconnected and Unmotivated Student D-3: Strength Based Interventions Robyn's wish for becoming a steward of the people was realized when she received her Master's degree in Psychology from Pepperdine. Now, over sixteen years later, Robyn's been enlightening, encouraging, and enchanting Idaho's community with her energizing compassion, electrifying resourcefulness, and "knows no boundaries" loyalty. She's an enthusiastic partner who gently leads and is a welcoming warmth of invaluable intuition. A vivacious visionary, Robyn is a strong and stabilizing support, and a talented and tender teacher of remarkably connected communities.
Angela Lindig G-6: Working for Change: Using the Power of a Personal Story Angela works as the Program Coordinator for Idaho Parents Unlimited. Angela is the parent of three children. Her oldest daughter has atypical Rett Syndrome and her youngest daughter is diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, Reactive Attachment Disorder and Spina Bifida. As a result of her daughters' disabilities, Angela has first hand experience in advocating for both of her daughters as well as on behalf of people with disabilities within the community. Some of her advocacy efforts include serving on the State Independent Living Council and spearheading the effort to create Idaho's First Universally Accessible Playground - The Adventure Island Playground, located within Meridian's Settler's Park.
Janice Lung, Ed.D. B-6: Empowered to Create Well-Being! Janice holds a doctorate in educational leadership and brings over 20 years of experience teaching and facilitating groups in the areas of health and wellness, personal and professional development, communication and interpersonal relationships, leadership, group dynamics, and more. Through "b.Well," a local health and wellness education and outreach center, Dr. Lung inspires and informs individuals who are seeking greater health, joy, vitality, productivity and purpose in their lives. Students value her engaging and personable style of teaching.
Amber Mausling H-3: Dating, Relationships and Sex Amber has been an advocate for people with disabilities with Living Independence Network Corporation (LINC) since 2000 and has served people with disabilities since 1997. Amber lives in Boise with her husband and three children and is committed to the advocacy, activism and equality of people with disabilities.
Dennis Morrow, M.A.Ed., MBA E-1: Boys Will be Men: Road to Recovery B-2 | B-3: Two-Session: Managing and Surviving Organizational Changes A-4 | A-5: Two-Session: Not-So-Basic Listening Skills C-6: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or "Why We Really Do the Silly Things We Do" Dennis has been the Executive Director of Janus Youth Programs, Inc. since 1980. The agency has an $8 million budget, employs a staff of 250 at 18 locations in Oregon and Washington, and provides a wide array of services to high-risk adolescents. Dennis is also a management consultant working with both nonprofit and for-profit businesses, and he serves as an instructor at Portland State University (Institute for Nonprofit Management) and Portland Community College (Alcohol and Drug Counselor Education). He has provided training and workshops for over 20,000 people and hundreds of businesses/organizations ranging from small nonprofits to some of the largest accounting firms in the world. His primary focus is on Values-Based Management, a unique model for supervision and support of employees in the nonprofit/public service sector, but he has also provided training in the areas of organizational change, team building, staff conflict resolution, and race/gender issues in the workplace. A Licensed Professional Counselor, Dennis has also developed counselor and parent training programs for over 30 years including: Basic Counseling Skills; Advanced Counseling Skills; Parents-in-Charge; Adult Odyssey (impact of race and gender on the therapeutic relationship); Relationships and Addiction; Men and Addiction; and Boys Will Be Men: Gender Specific Treatment for Boys. In 2009, Dennis was recognized by the University of Portland’s Pamplin School of Business at their 75th Anniversary as one of the “Significant 75” graduates from the Business School. As a working manager himself and a parent of eight children, Dennis tends to focus on concrete strategies and techniques even for complex organizational/human dynamics.
Char Quade, J.D. F-1: Transition Age Planning G-2: The Art of Collaboration in the Development of a Legal IEP G-4: Legal Planning for Life After 18! Char is an attorney who specializes in Special Needs Trust Planning, Trust Administration, and Estate Planning for persons with disabilities and their families. She established C.K. Quade Law, PLLC in 2006, and her practice includes: Conservatorship, Guardianship, Elder Law, Estate Planning, Guardianship, Social Security Disability, Special Education Law, Special Needs Trusts, and Supplemental Needs Trusts. A founding board member, she continues as a member of the Idaho Guardianship and Fiduciary Association, serves as a board member of the Trust Estate Professionals of Idaho, and is a member of the Idaho State Bar Taxation, Probate and Trust Law Section.
Charlene has over 30 years of personal and professional experience in the area of helping persons with disabilities and their families. A lifelong advocate for and mother of an adult with Williams Syndrome, Charlene holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and has worked as a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP). In the past, she served as chair of the Interagency Early Childhood Intervention Committee (Mankato, MN), co-chair of the Parent Special Education Advisory Council (Wayzata, MN), and Regional Director (MN, WI, ND, SD) for the Williams Syndrome Association of Detroit, MI. She has authored numerous articles on childhood disability issues and lectures around the state on estate planning and disability matters; most recently presenting Legal Advocacy and Planning For Life After 18!
Rachael Raidon H-4: Parenting with a Disability Robin Rose, M.A. C-4 | C-5: Two Session: Managing Challenging Change Closing Keynote: "Excellence Under Pressure" A renowned trainer, speaker and consultant, Robin’s expertise is in teaching people how to stay calm, professional, and effective — especially during high-stress, high-pressure situations. Robin helps people be their best when it matters most.
Whitney Schexnider, M.Ed. D-4 | D-5: Two Session: Increasing Independence in Children with Developmental Disabilities Whitney began working in Boise with adults with disabilities in 1998. She worked as a developmental therapist and IBI therapist prior to moving to Virginia in 2005. After receiving her Master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University, Mrs. Schexnider worked for a large school district as a special education teacher and, most recently, as an Applied Behavior Analysis Coach. As an ABA Coach, Whitney had the opportunity to provide support and training to teachers, parents, and members of the community on the implementation of ABA and Verbal Behavior with preschool through 12th grade students with autism and intellectual disabilities. She helped teachers and school teams develop relevant and meaningful curriculum, IEP goals and data collection, functional behavior assessments and behavior plans, and increase skills in the areas of ABA and VB. She recently moved back to Idaho with her family.
Kathie Snow B-1: Creative Collaboration C-2: Create Synergy with Style, Substance and Words F-3: Creating Community with Natural Supports and Generic Services F-4: Disability is Natural F-5: Living Real Lives and Dreaming Big Dreams H-6: Cooperative Advocacy Since the way we think drives the way we act, Kathie believes real change can only occur if we first acquire new attitudes and perceptions about individuals with disabilities. Kathie is the parent of two young adults, one of whom has a disability diagnosis, and she combines her earlier career in the media with personal experiences in the disability arena to ignite positive and long-lasting change.
Kathie also believes the inclusion of people with disabilities can best be accomplished when they move from clienthood to citizenship, and replace traditional “special” and segregated services with assistance from the abundant supply of natural supports and generic services that exist in every community. And everyone has an important role to play in this effort!
In lively and insightful workshops in more than forty states and in Canada, Kathie questions today’s conventional wisdom, suggests alternatives to traditional services for people with disabilities, and covers a variety of topics including: People First Language, developing new attitudes and perceptions, using natural supports and generic services to create inclusive communities, cooperative advocacy, inclusive education, legislative issues, effective partnerships, systems change, empowerment, disability history, and more. While she’s been a “trainer” for 16 years, she still considers herself a “student”— learning from individuals with disabilities, family members, and others who attend her presentations and touch her life in a variety of ways.
Kathie is the author of Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities (now in its second edition) and 101 Reproducible Articles: Revolutionary Common Sense for a New Disability Paradigm. Her books, the Disability is Natural DVD, a variety of articles, and an assortment of bright, colorful, and positive “Disability is Natural” products are featured on her website (www.disabilityisnatural.com). Several universities are using Disability is Natural as a textbook, and articles from her “Revolutionary Common Sense” web page and her free E-Newsletter are frequently reprinted in other publications and websites. She created the Bowl of Apples logo to illustrate a new way of thinking: just as apples are natural, disability—like gender, ethnicity, and other characteristics—is a natural part of life. (This paradigm shift is included in the Federal Developmental Disabilities Act.) Kathie is also the author of the widely-disseminated “People First Language” article.
A graduate of the first class of Texas Partners in Policymaking (a disability leadership training program) in 1991, Kathie now presents at Partners programs in many states and provides technical assistance to many Partners coordinators. In addition, she presents keynotes and workshops at international, national, and state conferences, and has coordinated conferences and developed training curriculum.
Native Texans, Kathie and her family have resided in the Colorado mountains since 1991. Before the births of her children, she was a broadcast television writer, producer, and director and a print journalist. She’s energetic, positive, and determined to help create a society in which all are valued and all belong.
James Turner, Self Advocacy Leadership Network H-5: Keys to Accessing the Power of Work Tyler T. Whitney, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist / Clinical Director. A-3: Supporting the Female Adolescent with Bipolar Disorder adn Autism within a Familhy Therapy Perspective Tyler received his Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2001 from Forest Institute of Professional Psychology (FIPP). He interned at St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation Center (SUNY-Stony Brook Health Sciences System) in Port Jefferson, New York (Long Island). His post-doctoral training was conducted at Henry Ford Health Systems as a pediatric neuropsychology fellow (Detroit, Michigan) and at The Connections Center as a developmental psychology fellow (Houston, Texas). Dr. Whitney has conducted outcome research and published on ways families can help their children cope with medical and developmental crises. He has 10 years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders, and 6 years experience working with families and children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Tyler works with children and adolescents, their families, and systems in which problems with self-regulation, relational development, cognitive dysfunction, self-concept, and information processing difficulties are evident. He is currently the Clinical Director for ICACD, a state of the art facility with a multidisciplinary team concept in Meridian, Idaho. He has staff privileges at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Boise and Meridian. He consults with hospitals, residential facilities, and school districts throughout the Intermountain region. In addition, Dr. Whitney is also adjunct faculty at the University of Idaho-Boise Center.
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