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Agenda at a glance
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

Sunday, April 26th

3:00 – 5:00 pm

Exhibit Set-Up

4:00 – 5:00 pm

Conference Registration Opens

Monday, April 27th

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Conference Registration 

8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Exhibits 

10:00 - 10:15 am

Welcome and Kickoff

Deanna Rennon, vaACCSES President

10:15 - 11:30 am

Opening General Session

The Science of Hope

John Richardson-Lauve, LCSW, Senior Director of Community Outreach and Trauma-Informed Care Specialist, St. Joseph's Villa

Sponsored by Didlake

11:45 am - 1:15 pm
Lunch and Speaker
 
Delegate Jackie Hope Glass, Virginia House of Delegates, 93rd District, Commonwealth of Virginia

Sponsored QVR Ethical Care Systems

1:30 - 2:45 pm

Break Out Sessions:

Hope When It Counts: The Proper Role of AI in DD Services

The Future is ABLEnow

2:45 - 3:00 pm

Networking Break

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Breakout Sessions:

CARF: 2026 Standards Manual Updates and Survey Prep Tips

Collaboration is the Key to Success: DARS, DBVI and CAP Working Together to Improve Client Outcomes

5:00 - 7:00 pm

Welcome Reception
Refreshments and Live Music

Sponsored by ServiceSource and SOAR365

8:30 - 11:00 pm

Social Event

Tuesday, April 28th

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Conference Registration  

7:30 am – 5:00 pm

Exhibits Open

7:30 – 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30 – 9:30 am

Break Out Sessions:

Understanding DARS Services and Becoming a DARS Provider

Reducing Provider Burden: The MART Process

9:30 - 9:45 am

Networking Break

9:45 - 10:15 am
 
10:15 - 11:30 am
Opening Remarks: Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa
 
General Session: State Agency Leadership Panel: The Future of Services in Virginia

Donna Bonessi, Director, Employment Services and Special Programs, Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services
Mark Golden, Economic Assistance and Employment Manager, Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS)
Daryl Washington, LCSW, Commissioner, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS)
Tammy Whitlock, Deputy of Complex Care, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Service (DMAS)

Sponsored by Moms in Motion
11:45 am - 1:00 pm

Lunch and Speaker

It's Not Comedy, It's a Movement

Team Fred, Comedian

1:00 - 2:00 pm

Break Out Sessions:

Putting SUCCESS into Succession Planning 

Navigating Social Security and Related Benefit Programs

2:00 - 2:15 pm

Networking Break

2:15 - 3:45 pm
Navigate, Prioritize, Lead: A Hands-On Leadership Simulation for Human Services Teams
 
Chip Dodd, President and CEO, Support Services of Virginia, Inc.
Kevin Paluszak, Chief Executive Officer, Pleasant View, Inc.
3:45 - 4:00 pm

Networking Break

4:00 - 4:30 pm

General Session: Navigate, Prioritize, Lead: A Hands-On Leadership Simulation for Human Services Teams Key Takeaways

Chip Dodd, President and CEO, Support Services of Virginia, Inc.
Kevin Paluszak, Chief Executive Officer, Pleasant View, Inc.

8:00 - 11:00 pm

Off-Site Social Event

Wednesday April 29th

7:30 - 11:30 am

Conference Registration

7:30 - 11:30 am
Exhibits
7:30 – 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30 – 10:00 am

Break Out Sessions:

Virginia’s New Employment Playbook: "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Virginia anymore..."

State and Federal Public Policy Update

10:00 - 10:15 am

10:15 am
Networking Break

Service Dog Meet and Greet
 
Shelley Kuglin, Owner, Pawsitive Attitudes

10:15 - 11:30 am

Closing General Session

Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences

John Richardson-Lauve, LCSW, Senior Director of Community Outreach and Trauma-Informed Care Specialist, St. Joseph's Villa

Sponsored by VersAbility Resources

11:30 am

Conference Adjourns

Agenda Subject to Change