Call for Proposals: Solutions Conference on Autism and Intellectual Disabilities

Posted by on June 27, 2011

Innovation NOW!
PAR Solutions Conference 2011 Call for Proposals

Proposals due to PAR by Monday July 18

PAR’s Solutions Conference is the only conference in Pennsylvania of its kind. Every year the Solutions Conference brings together top-notch presenters, policymakers, state officials and experts in our field to provide information, engage in Q&A sessions, and participate in public forums that are focused exclusively on autism and intellectual disabilities. At the Solutions Conference, participants are doing more than hearing about policy developments and practical applications in the field; you are helping to create and shape them.

The Solutions Conference will be held on October 25 and 26 at the Harrisburg Hilton. We are now accepting session proposals online. You can access the call for proposal form online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WDJ8KJL.

This year’s theme is Innovation NOW! Robert F. Kennedy said 45 years ago: “The future does not belong to those who are content with today, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend vision, reason and courage in a personal commitment.”

In keeping with this theme and a focus on the immediate future of the community service system, we want to hear what innovative things you have done that blend vision, reason and courage in support of your missions. We are particularly looking for proposals which:

* Identify innovative approaches/solutions to services, quality, efficiencies, community integration, and any other aspect of the community service system
* Share best practices and resources for managing the new payment system
* Identify emerging, creative service models (e.g. housing)
* Include individuals with autism and individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families;
* Address health-care related topics as they relate to individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities;
* Connect changes occurring at the federal level to changes occurring at the state level and offer action steps and promising practices
* Motivate stakeholders to work together for the sustainability of the entire community ID system
* Identify trends and best practices in the autism field as well as what is occurring in other states
* Demonstrate how being good stewards of the earth has enriched the lives of consumers (e.g. community gardens, recycling initiatives)

PAR also urges policymakers, providers and others to highlight innovative ideas that they are considering or implementing in autism and intellectual disabilities, health care reform, Medicaid, government oversight, statutes, regulations and reforms, school-to-adult life, compliance, Olmstead and community integration, service continuation/emergency preparedness, human resources, workforce development, leadership in the field, information technology, contracting, legal issues, risk management, employment, international services, everyday lives, and other relevant topics.

PAR also includes sessions that are unique or special interest offerings providing different perspectives and insights. We invite you to consider completing the online Call for Presenters at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WDJ8KJL. Please also share this form with others whose work you value.

The range of proposals we receive each year gets more diverse and exciting. We are looking forward to a large number of proposals related to innovations to help participants leave the conference with new ideas and new thoughts.

Please write your proposal so that it is clearly defined, creative, specifically geared towards our participants, and timely.

Be sure to submit your application by Monday July 18, 2011 to maximize your chances for inclusion in the conference.

Pennsylvania’s Service Network for Autism and Intellectual Disabilities
1007 N. Front Street  Harrisburg, PA 17102
Ph 717.236.2374 F 717.236.5625