Sessions

Understand why belonging matters, and how it impacts both our physical and mental health. Learn your role in fostering the culture of belonging. Understand the warning signs and resources for poor mental health.

Build a toolkit for better self-care and how to recognize when to use those tools. So often self-care and mindfulness take a back seat in life, but for individuals living with a mental illness or poor mental health, these practices are necessary. Learn new techniques to help improve your self-care routine and receive some new resources to try out.

Teams unknowingly create environments that are cohesive or adversarial. It is often the small responses to our everyday common frustrations that make or break our culture. Learn how negative assumptions pick up momentum, how to short circuit destructive disagreement, and stay on track to foster healthy team environments and a positive work culture.

Having a "tough conversation" at work or addressing an employee problem, is typically not our favorite conversation and most people would choose to avoid it. Learning to build your confidence to create healthy dialogue instead of a destructive disagreement is an essential skill at all levels. You can approach these situations with a stronger mindset and practical tools that build a foundation of trust and respect when it is most critical.

Assistive technology and remote care delivery are transforming the landscape of disability services—and they are here to stay. However, integrating these innovations into a direct support agency can be a complex and challenging process. This session will explore the key benefits of assistive technology, the level of effort required for successful implementation, and the critical question of whether agencies have the necessary personnel and resources to make it work. Attendees will gain practical insights and strategies to navigate this transition effectively, ensuring that technology enhances—not replaces—quality care and support.

5 Key Principles for Home & Community-Based Service Leadership Success

Have you wondered why some Home & Community-Based Service Leaders are more successful than others? Why some Leaders – after reading a book or attending a conference – unlock their true potential while others, who did the EXACT SAME thing struggle? That's because being a successful leader is LESS about learning something new that works, and more about UNLEARNING something old that doesn't. Which for most...is a conversation around mindset. That's why some Leaders get terrific results while others struggle. Because while they're doing all these (good) things...they're also INADVERTENTLY doing things holding themselves back, which directly ties into their mindset as a Leader.

Community involvement is important for everyone! We all want to belong and connect with the people around us. Sometimes when supporting people, we (service providers) forget this, or maybe we don’t know how to support people in connecting with their community. There are times when residential providers unintentionally exclude family and friends. There may be a difference of opinion or culture with the family. Family matters will offer you tools on how to involve families in people’s lives. It will demonstrate why relationships with families are important, and how to navigate conversations when conflict arises.

Transitioning from In-Person Staffing to Remote Support

With ongoing staffing shortages and a growing recognition that many individuals are being over-served, agencies must rethink traditional in-person care models. Remote support offers a way to not only address workforce challenges but also to empower people to live more independently, with greater control over their own lives. This session will provide a practical roadmap for organizations looking to start the transition to remote support where appropriate. We’ll explore how to determine when remote support is a good fit, engage individuals and families in meaningful conversations about the shift, and design care plans that prioritize independence and dignity. Additionally, we’ll discuss key organizational strategies, including workflow adjustments, staff training, and long-term sustainability planning to ensure smooth and effective integration. Attendees will leave with actionable steps to begin implementing remote support in a way that enhances both service efficiency and individual autonomy.

Have you ever heard this phrase, or maybe even said it yourself? Tone of voice and body language are key components of communication, but the words we choose are just as crucial. The words we use can either include or exclude others, and sometimes unintentionally create power dynamics. In this workshop, we will explore how implicit biases influence our word choices. We will discuss how language can contribute to an "Us vs. Them" mentality and examine concepts like Person-First vs. Identity-First language and ableism. By the end, you'll learn how to frame your mindset around these ideas to communicate more thoughtfully and inclusively.

Have you ever felt like you don’t belong in your leadership role? Is there a voice in your head telling you that you don’t know what you are doing, you are a fraud and that it is just a matter of time before someone calls you out? If this sounds familiar, you may be experiencing Imposter Syndrome. As a leader, you have many roles and responsibilities that affect others and sometimes the biggest barrier to success is you! In this training you will learn what Imposter Syndrome is, how it affects leaders and those who follow them, and how to conquer Imposter Syndrome and believe that yes, you do belong!

Let's face it: Being a Leader in today's modern organization isn't easy. You've got a hybrid workforce - with some people working from home while others are in the office - that can make it hard for you to consistently cultivate a highly productive, cohesive Team. You've got a multi-generational organization - with Baby Boomers, Gen Xers and everything else in between - that in and of itself can present various communication challenges for you as a Leader and with others on your Team. And oh, did I mention the avalanche of emails and “to do” list items that you as the leader need to personally get done? So the question becomes, as someone who wants to do their best each and every day without killing themselves in the process: How can I find the right Leadership Style that not only inspires and motivates others towards increased organizational productivity and retention, while still being in alignment with who I am and how I want to show up. Because make no mistake about it: As a woman, we have a unique set of challenges that we need to deal with when it comes to leadership, and keeping it all together!

Stepping outside our comfort zones is never easy, yet it is essential for meaningful personal and professional growth. In the human services field, staff shortages and shifting responsibilities often require us to take on unfamiliar roles and responsibilities. Instead of viewing these challenges as barriers, we can embrace them as opportunities to develop new skills, build confidence, and expand our impact. This interactive and empowering session will explore the importance of stepping beyond our comfort zones, the benefits of embracing change, and practical strategies to navigate discomfort with confidence. Through guided reflection and discussion, participants will identify an area for personal or professional growth and develop a concrete action plan to take their next bold step forward.

The Vital Role of Direct Support Professionals in Organizational Retention Efforts

Retention in the direct support workforce is a pressing challenge, and Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) play a crucial role in shaping the factors that influence staff longevity. This session explores how organizational culture, coworker relationships, and personal boundaries contribute to job satisfaction and retention. Participants will gain insight into how their actions and behaviors impact the workplace environment, fostering a culture that encourages commitment and reduces turnover. Through real-world examples and interactive discussion, attendees will leave with practical strategies to strengthen relationships, set professional boundaries, and positively influence retention within their organizations.

Burnout is a common experience, especially in today’s fast-paced and demanding workplace. In this workshop, we will explore various strategies for overcoming burnout and reclaiming your energy and vitality. The session will begin with an overview of burnout, including its causes and symptoms. We will then move on to practical techniques for preventing burnout, such as setting healthy boundaries, practicing self-care, and managing stress. Participants will also learn strategies for overcoming burnout, such as identifying and changing negative thought patterns, creating a support network, and setting achievable goals. The presentation will also cover techniques for regaining motivation and inspiration, such as visualization exercises and creative activities. By the end of the session, participants will have gained a better understanding of burnout and its effects, as well as practical tools and strategies for preventing and overcoming burnout. They will leave feeling empowered, energized, and ready to keep shining bright even in challenging times.

In the fast pace of today’s world, it's easy to lose touch with what truly brings us peace, joy, and fulfillment. This interactive session is designed for individuals seeking deeper emotional well-being and a more balanced life. Through guided reflection, science-backed insights, and practical strategies, participants will explore what it means to live with intention and purpose. Together, we’ll uncover the foundations of lasting happiness, identify personal barriers that may be holding us back, and learn simple, sustainable tools to help you reconnect with what matters most. Leave with a renewed sense of clarity, balance, and motivation to live a life that feels meaningful—on your terms.

In a world that celebrates hustle and constant output, taking time for yourself can feel like a luxury—but what if it's actually the key to your next big achievement? This interactive session explores how prioritizing your well-being can fuel both personal and professional growth. Whether you're a driven professional or simply someone striving for more, this will help you redefine success through the lens of self-care and self-advocacy.

Through guided discussion, reflection, and practical tools, you'll:
•    Discover how self-prioritization directly impacts long-term success
•    Identify the internal and external barriers that make self-care challenging
•    Learn actionable strategies to incorporate into your routine without guilt.

High-achieving individuals often find themselves overwhelmed by the demands of their careers, family obligations, and societal expectations—frequently neglecting their own well-being in the process. Boundaries to Brilliance: Revolutionizing Success Through Self-Care is an immersive and interactive workshop designed to empower you to reclaim their energy, establish firm boundaries, and cultivate self-care as a non-negotiable component of sustainable success. This workshop is ideal for professionals and caregivers who struggle with burnout, exhaustion, and the competing responsibilities of career and family, including those navigating the challenges of the sandwich generation. Through guided exercises, reflective discussions, and practical strategies, participants will learn to redefine success by integrating self-care and boundaries into their daily lives—unlocking their fullest potential and brilliance.

Have you ever felt like you’ve got so much going on that you’re not sure where to start, let alone how you're going to get everything done? I know I certainly have. And whether you're an organizational professional or a busy entrepreneur,  a fast-paced, relatively high stressful work environment is probably something we've ALL faced more times than we care to admit. And of course keeping in mind that "work is work" and that as an organization / business owner, we still need to get stuff done in order to fulfill our professional responsibilities, the question quickly becomes: What can we do to be more productive, while preventing burnout and overcoming the overwhelm that often accompanies super busy work environments? Great question! And one that Popular Speaker & Best-selling Author Brian Hilliard tackles head on.

During this fast paced, highly interactive session, participants will learn:
   • The 1 Rule that has personally enabled me to level UP my production and dial DOWN my stress.
   • The 4 Words that have helped me get stuff done...without killing myself in the process!
   • The 3 Things I do on a regular basis to reduce stress and overcome the overwhelm from work.
   • The 2 Key Principles designed to help you to Manage Your Energy...NOT your time.
   • The 1 Simple Tool that allowed me to deal with a runaway to do list...and put more time back in my day.