Understanding Swallowing Disorders: Diagnosis, Safety & Support.
This session offers a clear, clinical overview of swallowing disorders, including key signs, symptoms, and common causes. Participants will explore the anatomy and physiology of the swallowing process, diagnostic procedures, and evidence-based treatment approaches. Special focus will be given to diet texture modifications and strategies to support safe, effective nutritional intake, especially for individuals with complex needs. You will leave better equipped to recognize swallowing issues and advocate for timely interventions.
★ 1.25 Hours
Managing the Fatal Five+ in I/DD Care: Best Practices & Emerging Approaches:
This session explores evidence-based strategies
and evolving interventions for managing the Fatal Five+ conditions in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Participants will review both foundational and innovative approaches to identifying and addressing these high-risk medical concerns. Emphasis will be placed on proactive nursing interventions that promote early recognition, timely treatment, and improved
long-term outcomes, empowering nurses to elevate the safety, quality of life, and well-being of those they support.
★ 1.25 Hours
Healing through Humor-finding Balance, Resilience & Connection:
Research shows that laughter and levity are among the most
powerful tools for building connection, reducing stress, and enhancing engagement, and few deliver this lesson better than awardwinning comedian and wellness speaker Kate Davis. In this entertaining and enlightening keynote, Kate explores how humor
creates authentic connections, builds trust, and supports mental well-being in demanding professional environments. She’ll guide
participants through the art of “de-risking” humor, using storytelling and evidence-informed insight to show how levity can
strengthen communication, increase resilience, and foster a healthier workplace culture. Expect to laugh, reflect, and walk away
with practical techniques to level up how you connect with clients, colleagues, and yourself.
★ 1.25 Hours
Parkinson’s Disease in Individuals with I/DD: Recognizing and Responding to a Progressive Condition:
This session focuses on
the presentation and progression of Parkinson’s disease in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants
will explore early signs, care challenges, and strategies to support individuals across care settings. Emphasis will be placed on adapting communication, routines, and interventions to meet changing needs over time. Resources, tools, and interdisciplinary supports will be highlighted to help you improve quality of life and promote safety, dignity, and engagement for people living with PD
and I/DD.
★ 1.25 Hours
Sleep Disturbances in the I/DD Population: Causes, Risks & Interventions:
Sleep disorders are common, and often underrecognized—among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This session explores the causes of sleep disturbances, particularly in relation to specific syndromes and diagnoses. Participants will gain insight into common types of sleep disorders, risk factors, and behavioral and medical treatment options. You will leave better prepared to assess sleep related concerns and implement strategies that support healthier rest, improved behavior, and overall well-being for individuals with I/D.
★ 1.25 Hours
Navigating End-of-Life Decision-Making in the I/DD Population:
This session provides a clear overview of the legal requirements for end-of-life decision-making for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Participants will learn how to navigate surrogate decision-making, including the 1750‑b process and the role of the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee, ensuring timely, ethical, and person-centered care.
★ 1.25 Hours
Preparing for Survey Success: What to Expect and How to Excel in OPWDD Health Care Reviews:
This session offers a clear overview of healthcare service survey requirements for agencies under the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD).
Participants will gain insight into the three core components of the survey process: observation, staff interviews, and record review.
Practical guidance will be shared to help attendees prepare staff, understand documentation expectations, and avoid common pitfalls.
★ 1.25 Hours
Oral Health & the I/DD Population: Recognizing the Unspoken Signs:
Poor communication between individuals, caregivers, and
healthcare providers can lead to undiagnosed dental issues, often contributing to pain, behavioral changes, and health complications.
This session highlights the critical importance of recognizing subtle signs of oral discomfort in individuals with I/DD and provides
strategies for improving interdisciplinary communication, early identification, and collaboration to reduce unmet dental care needs
and improve overall health outcomes.Oral Health & the I/DD Population: Recognizing the Unspoken Signs: Poor communication between individuals, caregivers, and
healthcare providers can lead to undiagnosed dental issues, often contributing to pain, behavioral changes, and health complications.
This session highlights the critical importance of recognizing subtle signs of oral discomfort in individuals with I/DD and provides
strategies for improving interdisciplinary communication, early identification, and collaboration to reduce unmet dental care needs
and improve overall health outcomes.
★ 1.25 Hours
Hot Topics in I/DD Nursing: Updates, Challenges & Evolving Best Practices:
Stay informed and prepared in an ever-changing care
environment. This session explores current trends, emerging policies, clinical priorities, and system-level updates impacting the care
of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Designed to spark discussion and share practical insights, participants
will leave better equipped to respond to shifting expectations, regulatory changes, and the evolving role of the nurse and care team in
the ID/DD field
★ 1.25 Hours
Choking Prevention: Best Practices for Staff and Policy:
Between January 2020 and June 2022, nearly 1,000 food-related choking incidents were reported to the Justice Center. Choking remains a leading cause of accidental injury and death in the U.S., according to the National Safety Council. This session introduces the Choking Prevention Spotlight and Toolkit, designed to help agencies reduce risk. Participants will learn to apply best practices in staff training, food preparation, supervision, and observation. The session will also cover guidance on updating policies and procedures to strengthen prevention efforts and improve safety outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
★ 1.25 Hours
Understanding Anemia in the I/DD Population: Diagnosis, Types & Treatment Strategies:
Anemia is a common yet often overlooked condition affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the lifespan. This session will guide participants in identifying different types of anemia, interpreting key CBC values, and understanding how to determine the root cause. Discussion will include acute blood loss anemia, iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, and thalassemia, equipping participants with practical tools to support accurate diagnosis and treatment for individuals with I/DD.
★ 1.25 Hours
Prescribing with Purpose: Supporting Safe Medication Use in the ID/DD Community:
People with intellectual and developmental
disabilities often face unique challenges when it comes to medication use, including overprescribing, diagnostic overshadowing, and
complex drug interactions. In this session, I will offer insight into how care team members can recognize and respond to these issues
with care and intention. The focus will be on promoting safer, more individualized approaches to prescribing that honor each person’s
needs, reduce unnecessary medications, and strengthen collaboration across care teams.
★ 1.25 Hours
Understanding Mortality Reviews: Improving Outcomes Through Collaboration.
This session will explain how OPWDD and the
Justice Center conduct mortality reviews to better understand health issues, service delivery challenges, and patterns of risk. Attendees will learn how these reviews lead to actionable recommendations aimed at improving care and preventing future deaths.
The presentation will also highlight how the two agencies collaborate to support individual providers and share findings that inform
system-wide improvements in the field of ID/DD services.
★ 1.25 Hours
Recognizing Rashes: What’s Normal, What’s Not, and When to Act:
This session offers a practical look at common rashes encountered in daily care settings, especially when supporting individuals with ID/DD.Participants will learn how to differentiate between benign, self-limiting skin conditions and those requiring urgent medical evaluation. Through real-world examples and clinical visuals, the presentation will highlight key features, red flags, & patterns that help nurses assess rashes more confidently. Whether you’re new to skin assessments or seeking to sharpen your diagnostic eye, this session will build your confidence and clinical judgment in identifying and responding to dermatologic concerns.
★ 1.25 Hours
The Power of Connection: Recognizing the Nurse–Individual Relationship in I/DD Care:
This session explores the deep, often life-changing relationships that form between nurses and the individuals they support in ID/DD settings. Participants will reflect on the emotional and professional significance of being “that person” for someone—an anchor, advocate, and trusted presence. The presentation will highlight the rewards of building meaningful connections rooted in person-centered care, health goals, and life planning. Discussion will focus on the unique aspects of the ID/DD nursing role that foster long-term relationships, promote personal growth, and offer a level of fulfillment rarely experienced in other nursing specialties.
★ 1.25 Hours
Assistive Technology & Remote Healthcare Access:
This session focuses on equipping healthcare providers with tools and strategies to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in using telehealth more effectively. Participants will learn about general tablet features, accessibility options, and assistive technology that can increase comfort and independence during virtual care. The session also introduces a Telehealth Video Project aimed at building familiarity with online medical services. By addressing barriers to access, this training promotes more inclusive and flexible healthcare delivery for people with ID/DD across care settings.
★ 1.25 Hours
Understanding and Managing Allergic Diseases:
Allergic conditions are on the rise, now affecting up to 20% of the U.S. population.
This session provides an up-to-date overview of common allergic diseases including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and food allergies. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the underlying immune mechanisms, risk factors, and clinical presentations of these
conditions. Evidence-based strategies for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management will be explored, with a focus on improving nurse confidence in recognizing, supporting, & educating individuals with allergic conditions across care settings.
★ 1.25 Hours
Understanding Change and Treatment Options:
This session explores the physiological foundation of menopause, what it is, the
hormonal changes involved, and the common symptoms that individuals may experience. Attendees will learn about treatment options with a focus on menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), also known as hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The session will
address the risks, benefits, and evolving research behind these therapies, while debunking common myths and misunderstandings.
Emphasis will be placed on the importance of individualized care plans that respect each person’s goals, history, and symptom profile. Nurses will gain tools to better educate and support individuals through this natural life transition.
★ 1.25 Hours
Regulations in Practice: What Nurses Need to Know:
This session offers a practical look at regulatory expectations and common healthcare findings identified during certification surveys of programs across New York State. Participants will explore how these findings intersect with nursing roles in certified, person-centered care settings. The session emphasizes the nurse’s essential role in promoting safety, quality, and compliance. By examining real-world regulatory outcomes, attendees will gain a clearer understanding of how nursing practice not only supports daily care but also drives adherence to standards that protect and empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
★ 1.25 Hours
Modern Diabetes Management:
As diabetes technology continues to advance, devices such as continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps are transforming diabetes management. These tools offer improved accuracy, greater independence, and better protection against hypo- and hyperglycemia. This session will explore how these technologies work, their benefits, and how they impact care planning and daily health decisions. Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of how to support individuals with diabetes, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, by promoting safe, informed, and person-centered use of these life-changing tools.
★ 1.25 Hours
Smooth transition: Improving Hospital-to Home Care:
Hospital discharges are a critical and often complex point in care, especially for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) supported in Individualized Residential Alternative (IRA) settings. This session shares transition practices gathered from diverse stakeholders-including hospital systems, clinical staff, and support teams-to highlight effective, person-centered approaches. Attendees will examine common discharge barriers, the clinical implications of recurrent hospitalizations, and how to initiate meaningful conversations about disease progression, quality of life, and end-of-life care. By strengthening transition planning, healthcare providers can improve outcomes, reduce avoidable readmissions, and support dignity throughout the care continuum.
★ 1.25 Hours
Inspiring change through connection.
This session challenges attendees to rethink what it truly means to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. With a focus on person-centered approaches, participants will explore how systems can either elevate or limit quality of life, and how meaningful change begins through connection, inclusion, and cultural leadership. The session will examine the role of both formal supports and everyday relationships in building a good life, not only for the individuals we serve but also for the professionals and caregivers who support them. Attendees will leave with renewed perspective and strategies to promote dignity, inclusion, and lasting impact.
★ 1.25 Hours
