Keeping the Promise of Community Living

8:00–9:00 a.m.

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00–9:45 a.m. · Room 156

Welcome and Keynote: The Future of HCBS

Protecting Choice, Self-Direction, and Community Living

Chris Larson, Imber Services, DSPD provider (welcome). Matt Wappett, Executive Director, USU Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (keynote).

How Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), Olmstead, and disability rights advocacy have advanced community living, and current threats to these services and community living.

10:00–11:00 a.m.

Concurrent Breakouts I

Threats to HCBS · Room 156

Andrew Riggle, Disability Law Center public policy advocate. Nancy Strahan, Executive Director, Utah Association of Community Services.

Medicaid cuts, federal scrutiny of HCBS, caregiver compensation and ABA, ADA Title II integration protections, and the impact of low staff wages.

Supporting People to Thrive · Room 157

Katie Cox, Disability Law Center attorney. Deanna Wall and Luke Wall, family advocates.

Guardianship rights, supported decision-making, and practical ways to balance safety and autonomy.

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts II

Using the HCBS Settings Rule · Room 156

Amberly Dattilo and Mary Anne Davies, Disability Law Center attorneys.

Using individualized services, HCBS Settings Rule modifications, and ADA reasonable accommodations to improve access, choice, and community integration.

Employment and Transition Planning · Room 157

Bianca Gonzalez and Rene Gilfillan, Disability Law Center Client Assistance Program (CAP) advocates.

Accessing vocational rehabilitation, coordinating with DSPD employment services, and finding transition supports and assistance through CAP.

12:15–1:15 p.m. · Room 156

Lunch and Panel Discussion: Community Integration and Meaningful Choice

Libby Oseguera, Executive Director, Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (moderator). Chris Larson, Imber Services, DSPD provider. Tina and Adam Persels, Heather and Michael Brown, and Amy and Nora Cizik, individual and family advocates.

Self-advocates, families, and providers discuss practical ways to support choice, safety, and community participation across different support needs and guardianship arrangements.

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Concurrent Breakouts III

Person-Centered Planning · Room 156

Amber Foster, Support Coordinator, Timpanogas Supports. Krissie Summerhays, Support Coordinator, Envision Quality Supports. Mary Anne Davies, Disability Law Center attorney.

Building plans around individual goals, requesting changes or additional services, and appealing Medicaid service denials.

Safety, Choice, and Community Living · Room 157

Justin Naylor, Chrysalis DSPD provider representative. Aubrey Snyder, USU Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice.

Evidence-based strategies to support safety in community settings, including identifying characteristics of safe, high-quality HCBS services.

2:30–3:00 p.m. · Room 156

Closing Remarks and Call to Action: Working Together to Protect HCBS

Chris Larson, Imber Services, DSPD provider (introduction). Cheryl Smith, longtime disability advocate and founding member of the Autism Council of Utah (speaker).

Reflect on how disability advocates, families, and providers have worked together to respond to threats to community services, securing investments to reduce waiting lists and increase provider rates. Discuss how to build on those successes to protect and expand Medicaid HCBS, improve quality and safety, and strengthen community services moving forward.