Breakfast

8:30 - 9:30 am

Break Out Sessions

Reducing Provider Burden: The MART Process

Jamie Rupe, BSW, Quality Improvement Specialist, Office of Community Quality Improvement, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Britton Welch, Director, Office of Community Quality Improvement, Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

In May of 2021, the Office of Community Quality Improvement began going down a DBHDS path to reduce burden on providers that resulted in the establishment of the Multi-Agency Review Team (MART). The MART process has demonstrated success for streamlining review processes of six review entities, with the overarching goal of reducing burden on providers’ completion of various regulatory reviews.  Undergirding that goal are two strategies: 

• Decrease, if not eliminate, reviews starting on the same day.
  • Accomplished through the MART Master Scheduler
• Decrease, if not eliminate, multiple requests for the same documentation to be uploaded to multiple locations.     
  • Accomplished through the MART Master Document List (MDL); and
  • The development of the MART Repository for one-time upload of provider documentation for multiple review entities.

While MART began with a focus on CSB DD services, it is now at the point to begin the work of expanding the MART process to private providers. 

Please feel welcome to join Britt Welch and Jamie Rupe as they provide an overview of the current MART process, features and benefits of MART, and plans for MART throughout 2026 and beyond.

DARS Updates

9:30 - 9:45 am

Networking Break

9:45 - 11:15 am

General Session: Commissioner Panel 

11:45 am - 1:00 pm

Lunch and Speaker

1:00 - 2:00 pm

Break Out Sessions

Putting SUCCESS into Succession Planning

Kevin Paluszak, Chief Executive Officer, Pleasant View, Inc.

This session invites participants to rethink succession planning through a forward‑looking, future‑ready lens. Rather than treating succession planning as a reactive process or a routine HR exercise, we’ll explore how it can become a strategic opportunity to reimagine roles, strengthen organizational alignment and anticipate the evolving needs of both positions and the institution.

Participants will be introduced to a practical framework that emphasize redefining role expectations, building shared pools of expertise to minimize productivity gaps during transitions, and enhancing overall efficiency when key positions turn over. The session will also feature a case study that examines organizational structure, workflow patterns and job descriptions as a way to demonstrate a more holistic, systems‑level approach to preparing for long‑term success.

By the end of this workshop, attendees will walk away with actionable strategies to transform succession planning into a proactive, future‑focused driver of organizational resilience and excellence.

Navigating Social Security and Related Benefit Programs

Mack Eckenrode, Public Affairs Specialist, Philadelphia Region, Social Security Administration 
Tamishia Henry, Chief Executive Officer, Good Steward Business & Benefits Consulting, LLC
Angela Osby, Professional Relations Officer, Tidewater District Office, Disability Determination Services

Navigating Social Security and Related Benefit Programs provides an overview of Social Security disability benefits and other public assistance programs that support individuals with disabilities and low-income individuals. Participants will gain a clear understanding of eligibility requirements, application processes, common challenges, available work incentives and resources. This session is designed to equip professionals with practical knowledge and strategies to better assist individuals in accessing and maintaining critical benefits while promoting long-term stability and self-sufficiency.

2:00 - 2:15 pm

Networking Break

2:15 - 3:45 pm

Group Activity - Scavenger Hunt

3:45 - 4:00 pm

Networking Break

4:00 - 4:30 pm

General Session: Kevin Paluszak

8:00 - 11:00 pm

Social Event