The Association of Community Professionals

Presents the 2022 Fall Conference!


September 8 & 9th, 2022
Kearney - Holiday Inn 110 2nd Ave.
Registration starts at 8:00am
September 8 - conference 9:00 - 4:30
September 9 - Conference 9:00 - 12:30




About The Presentation



Day 1

Pivot or Perish. Why technology solutions are key to the future of services and community living.
Presented by Dr. Emily Tanis

Throughout the pandemic, organizations had to be agile and creative to survive the ambiguity. However, what became clear was the necessity to embed and embrace technology solutions to ensure access to changing environments. This presentation will guide you through the adoption of disruptive and innovative technologies to support people with ID/DD and their families and demonstrate the demand for future investments to ensure access to community living.

Day 2

Supported Decision Making: An Option for Families and Guardians
Presented by: Johnathan Martinis, Brad Meurrens, Mary Phillips

Plenary guardianships continue to be the norm and can be overused and overbroad. Families and individuals are often unaware of wholesale options when considering guardianships, such as Supported Decision Making, or how guardianships could co-exist with Supported Decision Making arrangements. This presentation intends to provide not only an understanding of the concept of Supported Decision Making, but also its practical application. "Supported Decision Making has the potential to increase the self-determination of older adults and people with disabilities, encouraging and empowering them to reap the benefits from increased life control, independence, employment, and community integration" - Blanck & Martinis, 2015

Emergency Management Disability Awareness Training:
David Whalen
Niagara University

Findings from FEMA show knowledge and resource gaps exist in planning for and meeting the needs of people with disabilities and access and functional needs. Frequently these knowledge and resource gaps can result in disparate treatment or denial of full and equal services. At the peak of an emergency situation, people with disabilities often face significant challenges and barriers in obtaining appropriate and timely assistance, in some instances life-threatening. Niagara University's Emergency Management Disability Awareness Training is currently addressing this crisis in Nebraska through funding from the state's Developmental Disabilities Council. This presentation will introduce the Inclusive Planning/Active Participation program, one of which will be conducted in Lincoln on September 26-27. Previous Nebraska attendees have said: Very inclusive, interesting content. Held my interest and attention very well. Presenter very knowledgeable and easy to listen to. This was a well-designed and well thought out course that had every element possible. I loved how many resources we were provided!









This conference meets the criteria for an approved continuing education program for Mental Health Practitioners and Social Workers.



Please fill out the online registration form to attend the 2022 Fall Conference




Cancellation/Substitution Policy: If you are unable to attend this conference as scheduled, you may send a substitute. Sorry no cash refunds.

For more information regarding this conference, membership in ACP or if, because of a disability, auxiliary aids, dietary needs or reasonable accommodations are needed to fully participate in this conference, please contact contact Kylie Joyce at 308-784-4222 or scds.kylie@gmail.com..

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