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2024
Self-Direction Conference

The NJ Self-Direction Conference is designed to educate, promote and highlight self-advocacy. 

This year's theme of Back to the Future will showcase the lessons of self-direction's past and strategies to enhance self-direction for future generations. 

Get ready to fast-forward your future!

About 2024
Self-direction Conference

Location - Brower Student Center at The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ 08618 (in-person) 

 

Day One - Thursday, October 31st, 2024; 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 

Social and Networking Event 

Day Two - Friday, November 1st, 2024; 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM 

Conference and Workshops 

Need hotel accommodations nearby? 

We have reserved rooms at the Marriott Courtyard Ewing Princeton for $149. 

You can book your room here. Make sure to select the correct date of your stay! 

What to look forward to… 

Learning Opportunities from:

  • The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities,

  • DDD's Office of Education on Self-Directed Services,

  • Self-Advocates with lived experience,

  • Leaders in the disability community - including Paul Aronsohn, NJ's statewide Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families, as well as Keynotes Ric Crowley, Deborah Prockner and Kevin G. Nuñez!

Join us at the NJ Self-Direction Conference, where we blend the best of the past and the possibilities of tomorrow to empower you to take control of your journey.

November 1st, 2024 Agenda

9:00 am – 10:30 am 

Keynote Speaker – “Self-Direction: Back to the Future”

Presenter: Ric Crowley 

Presenter Organization: Macrow Associates 

 

10:40 am – 11:40 am

 

Track 1: Self Direction 101 

Session Name: Using Charting the LifeCourse to Build Collaborative Relationships in Self-Directed Services 

Presenters: Colleen McLaughlin and Jaime Zahid 

Presenter Organization: The Boggs Center on Human Development 

10:40 – 11:40 am  

Track 2: Principles of Self Direction 

Session Name: Self-Direction Panel Discussion: Exploring Foundations, Current Practices, and Future Visions 

Facilitators: Patricia Brennan, Jessica Licona, Ashley Ritchey

 

Panelists: Stephen Gruzlovic, Michael Fondacaro, Grace Fondacaro, Ann Martinelli and Joe Martinelli 

Presenter Organizations: The NJ Division of Developmental Disabilities and Office of Education on Self-Directed Services 

11:50 am – 1:05 pm

Session Name: Lunch and Learn- Policies and Procedures Surrounding Self-Direction

 

Presenters: Becky Thomas and Greg Motchnik 

Presenter Organization: Division of Developmental Disabilities 

1:10 pm – 2:25 pm 

Session Name: Subject Matter Experts, Olmstead at 25: Looking Back, Looking Forward 

Presenters: Paul Aronsohn, Josh Godown, with Carl Mobley, Brandon Mager and Barb Mannix, Self-Advocates

Presenter Organizations: State of New Jersey, Office of the Ombudsman for Individuals with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities and Their Families & Bridges Supports Coordination, LLC

2:35 pm – 3:35 pm 

Track 1: Self Direction 101 

Session Name: How to Eat the Elephant 

Presenter: Deborah Prockner

Presenter Organization: Macrow Associates 

2:35 pm – 3:35 pm 

Track 2: Principles of Self Direction

 

Session Name: What's working for YOU in Self-Direction? 

Presenters: Patty Kowalchuk and Pam King 

Presenter Organization: Royal Community Support and Self-Advocate 

 

3:35 pm - 4:00 pm 

Closing Call to Action led by Ric Crowley and Deborah Prockner

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the 2024 Nj self-direction conference
is brought to you by

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