Join us in Saratoga Springs as we bring together the leadership from New York’s intellectual and developmental disabilities community to discuss innovative strategies, initiatives, and partnerships for harnessing the future. 

We look forward to immersing event attendees in two-days of presentations & conversations, panel discussions and networking opportunities along with a stellar line-up of speakers from government leaders, not-for-profit entities, policymakers and experts from the field.

Agenda at a Glance

Thursday, December 1, 2022

1:00 – 1:15pm
Opening Remarks
Kirk Lewis, Chair, NY Alliance Board of Directors & CEO, Schenectady Arc

1:15 – 2:00pm
Keynote Address: The Search for the Holy Grail
Barbara Merrill, CEO, ANCOR

2:00 – 3:00pm
Trends in Medicaid Public Policy
Joshua Rubin, Principal, Health Management Associates

3:00 – 3:15pm
Break

3:15 – 4:30pm
The Complexities Serving People with Complex Needs – Panel Discussion
Facilitator: Robert Budd, CEO, F.R.E.E., Board Member, NY Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation
Sarah DuVall, Director of Behavioral Health, Healthcare Association of NYS
Lisa Fiato, Director of Public Policy & Special Projects, NYS Conference of Local Mental Hygiene Directors
Sarah Kuriakose, Ph.D., Associate Commissioner, NYS Office of Mental Health
James Lytle, J.D., Senior Counsel, Manatt, Phelps and Phillips
Jill A. Pettinger, Psy.D., Deputy Commissioner, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
Melissa Stickle, LCSW, Director, Sullivan County Community Services

4:30 – 5:45pm
Annual Presentation by the Commissioner of the NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities – 2022 and Beyond
Kerri Neifeld, Commissioner, NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Friday, December 2, 2022

8:00 – 9:00am
New York's Political Landscape: Continuity & Change
James L. Lytle, Senior Counsel, Manatt, Phelps and Philips
Julia Donnaruma, Senior Advisor, Manatt, Phelps and Philips

9:00 – 10:15am
Forecasting the 2023-24 New York State Budget – Expert Panel Discussion
Facilitator: Al Kaplan, Policy Advisor, AHRC NYC
Lisa M. Wickens-Alteri, President & CEO, Capital Health Consulting
Patrick Orecki, Director of State Studies, Citizen’s Budget Commission
Evan Sullivan, Senior Vice-President, Ostroff Associates

10:15 – 11:15am
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Journeys 
Part I: The NY Alliance DEI Journey
Evelyn Alvarez, Vice President, Heartshare
Ann Hardiman, Chief Innovation Officer, New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation
Stanfort Perry, Chief Executive Officer, Nassau AHRC

Part II: NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities’ Diversity, Equity & Inclusion National Community of Practice
Hirah Mr. Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer, NYS OPWDD

11:15 – 11:45am
The Struggles Have Snowballed in the Nonprofit World
Toni Pergolin, President & CEO, Bancroft and author of Too Important to Fail

11:45am – 12:45pm
Lunch

12:45 – 1:45pm
Strategies & Solutions for Addressing the Workforce Crisis
Facilitator: Doug DiGesare, President/CEO, Arc of Erie County
Desiree Loucks-Baer, Chief Operating Officer, National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals
Melody Johnson, Director of Education & Professional Development, Arc of Monroe
John Lopez, Executive Director, Devereaux Advanced Behavioral Health
Patrick Paul, Executive Director/CEO, Anderson Center for Autism
Kirsten Sanchirico, Vice President of Workforce Advancement, New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation

1:45 – 2:45pm
Coordinated Assessment System & Rate Reform Panel Discussion
Facilitator: Michael Seereiter, President & CEO, NY Alliance
Ron Colavito, Chief Executive Officer, Access Supports for Living
Tina Chirico, Chief Financial Officer, Anderson Center
Paul Joslyn, Chief Executive Officer, AccessCNY
Al Pruett, Director, Bureau of Assessment Oversight and Coordination, NYS Office for People With Developmental Disabilities

Hotel Reservations

Reservations using our group rate can be made at the following link: https://book.passkey.com/go/NYAllianceConference2022

2022 Leadership Conference COVID-19 Policy And Provisions

COVID-19 conditions continue to change. We thank Leadership Conference attendees in advance for your understanding and flexibility as we continue to navigate hosting in-person events during these times as we seek to protect the health and safety of all conference attendees and participants.

We are expecting approximately 200-250 attendees at the 2022 Leadership Conference many of whom will be traveling to Saratoga Springs from across New York State; some will be traveling from other states. There will be limited opportunities to socially distance within the event space especially during presentation times. 

Although the NY Alliance will not require that masks are worn during the 2022 Leadership Conference and the hotel is not currently mandating masks, participants are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while indoors where it will be difficult to maintain social distancing (except while eating or drinking). 

Participants will not be asked to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID test prior to attending. If you are exposed and/or test positive for COVID and are unable to come to the event, please let us know as soon as possible and we will provide a full refund of your registration fee.