Conference Registration

Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am

Break Out Sessions

Sponsored by MHP

From Cliff to Bridge: Neuroaffirming Pathways to Employment and Independence

Jennifer Brooks Kaluza, Founder and Executive Director, Come As You Are (CAYA)
Rhonda Osisek, M.S., CCC-SLP, Board Member and Trainer, Come As You Are (CAYA)

When school ends, the support system that surrounded a young person for years often ends with it. But the need does not. Neurodivergent adults face real barriers to employment and independent living; the drop-off is steep. And for far too many, no one is there to catch them.

Come As You Are (CAYA) is a Hampton Roads nonprofit filling that gap. We serve the neurodivergent adults that existing systems were not built for: those considered too capable for services, yet not fully equipped for the unwritten rules, invisible expectations and daily demands of adult life. School teaches many things. How to navigate a workplace, manage a budget, advocate for yourself, read a room or recover from a hard day at work are rarely among them. CAYA teaches those things.

In this 60-minute session, CAYA Founder Jenn Brooks Kaluza and Speech-Language Pathologist Rhonda Osisek share what it looks like to build programs that work for this population rather than around them. Attendees will explore the structure, evidence base and outcomes of READY and BRIDGE, see how CAYA's programs create structured, supportive pathways from training to real employment and learn how adult social events are building community connections and a sense of belonging that sustain long-term success.

Burnout Ahead: Recognizing the Signs and Shifting Gears Before You Stall

Martha Caraballo, Career Assessment Counselor for the Division of Rehabilitation, Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Nathan Roberts, Vocational Rehabilitation CCounselor for the Division of Rehabilitation, Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services

Is burnout a sudden crash, or a slow loss of power that leaves people running on fumes? This session explores the shifts in pace, clarity and presence that often go unnoticed in our busy lives. Participants will learn how to spot early signs of burnout in themselves and their teams, along with the cultural and workload pressures that quietly drain leaders. We’ll also look at what it takes to move from doing the work to leading the work, a transition that calls for new strategies, healthier boundaries and intentional delegation. Attendees will leave with practical, research‑supported approaches for managing energy, navigating work demands, staying present with their teams and building sustainable habits that prevent overload. Expect a thoughtful, grounded conversation designed to help leaders recognize when it’s time to shift gears before performance, well‑being or team culture begin to stall.

Cook. Nourish. Thrive. – Food: the Universal Ingredient for Confidence, Independence and Health

Leslie Lawrence, Culinary Director, Easterseals PORT Health
Savanna Wheeler, Team-Lead, Easterseals PORT Health

Food connects us before words ever do; Culinary Connections is where that unspoken language transforms into opportunity, independence and belonging. Through stories, a live demonstration, and a panel discussion, participants see first-hand how Culinary Connections is more than a program—it is a pathway to success both in the kitchen and in life. Adaptive culinary resources are showcased in action, highlighting a tool library designed to support everything from basic kitchen skills to more advanced techniques. Attendees see how even the youngest chefs use food to build soft skills and expand their palates, and hear how the program partners with industry associations to prepare students for careers in hospitality. Come listen, taste and see what makes this program different, and how a thoughtfully designed teaching kitchen, trained staff and intentional curriculum come together as the perfect blend in a recipe for success.

9:45 – 10:45 am

Break Out Sessions

Beyond Words: The Power of Communication, Listening, and Human Connection

Dominique Harrison, Director of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Eggleston

Communication impacts every aspect of human interaction, from supporting individuals receiving services to leading teams, resolving conflict, building trust and creating safe environments. Yet many adults were never intentionally taught how to communicate effectively, actively listen or recognize the barriers that impact understanding.

This highly interactive session explores the power of communication beyond spoken words. Through immersive activities and real-world discussion, participants will experience how communication can easily become distorted by assumptions, distractions, sensory barriers, emotions, body language and differing perspectives. Attendees will leave with practical strategies to become more intentional communicators, stronger listeners and more effective supporters for the individuals and teams they serve every day.

Transforming Guardianship in Virginia: Moving from Protection to Empowered Decision-Making

Ellie Rest, Guardian Training Program Coordinator, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), Division for Community Living

This session provides a concise overview of Virginia’s shift from traditional, protection‑focused guardianship toward approaches that emphasize autonomy and supported decision‑making. Discover how guardianship is shifting from a system built on protection to one that champions autonomy, dignity and real choice. Through powerful examples and emerging best practices, we’ll explore what it truly means to support individuals in shaping their own lives. Join us to rethink assumptions, challenge outdated models and envision a future where decision‑making is not taken away, but strengthened.

Situational Awareness Across the Lifespan: Skills That Support Safety, Independence and Employment

Mark Evans, Safety & Risk Manager, Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)

Situational awareness is a vital skill that supports safety, independence, employment success and strong community participation for Virginians with disabilities. This highly interactive session explores how situational awareness develops and changes across the lifespan—from youth entering the workforce to adults navigating community settings to older adults striving to remain safe and independent. Attendees will learn practical, person-centered strategies to help individuals strengthen awareness skills in workplaces, homes and public environments. Participants will engage in experience-sharing, scenario discussions and real-world application exercises. Join us as we turn “Talk” about safety and independence into “Transformation” in programs and daily practice.

Networking Break