The 8th Annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disABILITY:
TRANSITION: TODAY, TOMORROW, TOGETHER

2009 Conference Call for Proposals

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Did you know...

“Given that the U.S. economy has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs in the first quarter of 2008 alone, we have asked Dr. Garner to discuss, among many other issues, the possibilities in 2009 of the Congress reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, with an emphasis on Title IV, which comprises the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998.”

Keynote Speaker:

Connie Garner is Policy Director for Disability and Special Populations for Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who is Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). Currently, she is responsible for interagency disability/health policy development for the HELP Committee, and she consults to the Senate Democratic Caucus on disability issues, mental health related issues, and domestic HIV/AIDS legislation. Connie was the lead Democratic staff person for: (1) the "Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999; (2) the 2004 reauthorization of the Special Education legislation (IDEA); and, (3) the reauthorization of the "Ryan White Care Act of 2006". She was also responsible for negotiating the "Family Opportunity Act of 2005.”

Featured Speakers:

William A. Gannon
As Executive Director, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Gannon provides leadership and oversight of the state and federal vocational rehabilitation programs, including the Hiram G. Andrews Rehabilitation Center, the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services. He directs the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to Pennsylvanians with disabilities on a statewide basis in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, as well as policies of the State Board of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Joanne Cashman
Cashman is the Director of the IDEA Partnership, National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE), an innovative investment by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the US Department of Education to bring state education agencies and national organizations together to focus them on improving outcomes for students with disabilities. The Partnership affiliates with 53 national organizations that represent policymakers, service providers, administrators and families.

Luciana Chaves
Chaves is the Founder and President of CIRIAC, Guadalajara, Mexico. Along with two additional mothers of children with cerebral palsy, Chaves created a facility to provide sorely needed services for children with disabilities in Guadalajara in November 1986. The number of students grew as the institution was recognized for developing educational and rehabilitation programs for people with cerebral palsy in the metropolitan area. Continuous training of all the personnel and the upgrading of different aspects of these training programs has always been a top priority.

Neil S. Harbus
As Senior Program Manger, CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Aberdeen, N.J., Harbus’ presentations include 2009 CSP Wellness Conference, 2009-ACTA and USPRA Conferences, 2008 presentation for USPRA and ACTA Conference on Housing First; NJPRA-The Mental Health Treatment Study; and Creative Applications of Wellness Curricula for Better outcomes. He provides administrative and clinical oversight to the supervisors of the PACT program, Partial Care Program, Supported Employment, Residential Program, ICMS Program and the Aberdeen Outpatient Program. Harbus also provides training and implementation on all Evidence-based Practices in the above programs. He is spearheading an agency transformation toward a client centered, strengths-based, recovery model.

Mark E. Smith
Mark Smith has held the position of Consumer Research/Outreach Manger at Pride Mobility Products in Exeter, PA since 2007. Smith is a columnist in New Mobility Monthly magazine, editor and founder of WheelchairJunkie.com, was co-editor and chapter author of Spinal network: The Total Wheelchair Resource Book (2009) and authot of Making the Most of It: The 11 keys to mastering Disability and Life (Author) (2008).

Program

8:00–8:30 — Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:30–9:00 — Welcome Opening Remarks
     Harold Baillie, Ph.D., Provost/Vice President of Academic Affairs, The University of Scranton
     Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., Dean, Panuska College of Professional Studies
     Edward R. and Patricia Leahy, Honorary Conference Chairs

9:00–10:30 — Opening Keynote Speaker
     Constance Garner Ph.D. Policy Director for Disability and Special Populations for Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who is Chairman of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). Dr. Garner is responsible for interagency disability/health policy development for the HELP committee and she consults to the Senate Democratoc Caucus on disability issues, mental health-related issues, and domestic HIV/AIDs legislation.

10:30–10:45 — Break

10:45–12:00 — Session 1
     The Role of Vacational Rehabilitation in Transition, William A. Gannon, B.S.

12:00–1:00 — Lunch
     Remarks, Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., Ph.D, President, The University of Scranton
     Poem, Josie Cordaro
     Leahy Awards for Excellence, Edward R. and Patricia Leahy

1:00–2:00 — Sesssion 2
     The Role of Transition Policy on Transitioning Individuals and Their Families, Joanne Cashman, Ed.D.

2:00–3:00 — Concurrent Sessions
     Transitions: The Policy Picture, Constance Garner
     Transitions: Example from a Guadalajara, Mexico Perspective, Luciana Chaves

3:00–3:15 — Break

3:30–4:15 — Concurrent Sessions
     Using Evidence-based Vocational Practices to Achieve Better Outcomes with the Psychiatrically disAbled, Neil S. Harbus, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.,C.P.R.P.
     Education as the Great Socioeconomic Equalizer, Mark E. Smith, M.A.

4:15–5:30 — Home Town Meeting and Panel Discussion
     Emphasis will be placed on healthcare reform proposed by President Obama’s administration and how this impacts disability and transition issues. U.S. Senator Robert P. Casey will participate via video teleconference from his office in Washington, D.C.

Hotel Information

Radisson Lackawanna Station
700 Lackawanna Avenue, Scranton, PA 18503 (570) 342-8300
Conference rate of $94 (double room). Room reservations must be made by September 20 for special conference rates.

Holiday Inn Scranton-East (Dunmore)
200 Tigue Street, Dunmore, PA 18512 (570) 343-4771

Registration

Register online at: https://web2.scranton.edu/forms/disability_conference-registration.html

Professional: $95 Full conference
Family Member: $40 Full conference
Student with ID: $40 Full conference

CEUs

One certificate of your choice is included with the registration.
PA/LSW License Number
Act 48 Teacher's Certification
NBCC Certification Number
CRCC Certification Number
PA/Professional Counselor License Number
CEUsPA/Marriage and Family Therapist License Number

Conference Registration Deadline: October 1, 2009
Cancellations must be received on or before October 1, 2009. There will be no refunds after that date.

disABILITY Conference, c/o Dr. Carol Ann Radle
Panuska College of Professional Studies
The University of Scranton, McGurrin Hall, Room 114
Scranton, PA 18510
Phone (570) 941-6305 Fax (570) 941-7950

For Additional Information about the Conference contact:
Lisa Burns (570) 941-4134, burnsL2@scranton.edu

Become a corporate sponsor for The 8th Annual Northeastern U.S. Conference on disABILITY: TRANSITION: TODAY, TOMORROW, TOGETHER. For more information, please contact: Professor Rita DiLeo at dileor5@scranton.edu.