The Mountain State Conference on Disabilities Journey to the Top September 18-19, 2025 Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown WV

Session Information

Pre-Conference Sessions

Pre-conference workshops have been canceled due to low enrollment.

Short Courses

50-minute lecture-style sessions

9/18/25-9/19/25 (specific times will be updated closer to the conference)
Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, WV

Abilities in Action: Inclusive Volunteering for All

Jenny Keener

School choice is certainly a hot topic in our political climate and a hotter topic in the disability community. WV offers the Hope Scholarship program that supports school choice for state residents. This will be a short presentation about the presenter’s family journey related to school choice, how and why they chose private school over public school, and the challenges and successes they encountered along the way.

Person-Centered Trauma Informed Care

Andi Fetzner, PsyD and Lori Chellis, MBA/MPH

Overview of Person-Centered Trauma Informed Care (PCTIC) training available within West Virginia for all staff and family caregivers. It is aimed at providing dignity, strength, and empowerment of trauma victims by incorporating knowledge about trauma in victims lives into agency program, policies, and procedures.

Lessons from COVID-19 can Prepare us to Support our Children in Future Crises

R. Lanai Jennings and Sandra S Stroebel

Crises, as most recently represented by COVID-19, highlight the multiplicative effect of problems for individuals with pre-existing issues. This session explores survey data of guardians of youth from West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky and aims to determine the relationship between crisis and type of childhood disability, parental psychiatric disability, and household demographics. This information has been analyzed to provide guidance for future crises so consideration can be given to developing individualized plans for at-risk children. This data can also help parents and educators know better how to support special needs children during crises.

Navigating Medical Transitions from Pediatrics to Adulthood

Melina Danko, MS

This session provides families, youth/young adults, and healthcare providers with tools to assess readiness for medical care transition and the need for potential supports. It provides information about Got Transition®, a free resource, that can be used to plan for and navigate through the medical care transition process. It allows them to hear stories of other individuals and families who are experiencing the same challenges and ways they overcame or navigated through them when transitioning medical care.

EPSDT Advocacy: Helping Children Obtain Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Services

Michael Folio, Taniua Hardy

Disability Rights of West Virginia (DRWV) is the state's federally mandated protection and advocacy system. Many West Virginia children require Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) interventions. DRWV has been successful in advocating for vulnerable children and obtaining EPSDT services for them. DRWV's Legal Director and DRWV's Program Director will unravel the regulatory maze of requirements and discuss successful advocacy strategies to obtain EPSDT services.

Ethical Advocacy in Social Work: Championing the Rights of Individuals with Disabilities

Shawn Allen

This presentation will explore the intersection of social work ethics and disability advocacy, emphasizing the role of social workers in promoting the rights and dignity of individuals with disabilities. Guided by the NASW Code of Ethics, participants will examine complex ethical challenges that arise in practice, including balancing autonomy with protection and navigating conflicts between professional obligations and client rights. Through real-world case studies and thoughtful discussions, attendees will gain insights into ethical frameworks and person-centered approaches that support inclusive and just practices. This session aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing participants' knowledge to advocate effectively while upholding professional integrity and respecting client self-determination.

Cultural Stigma and Burden Faced by MENA-Identifying Family Caregivers for People with Nervous System Disorders: A Mixed-Methods Rapid Systematic Review

Azeen Keihani, Dr. Alex Richard Parkhouse, Dr. Xueying Ren, Dr. Katherine M. McLeod

As a family caregiver of Iranian descent, the presenter grew up caring for her father with primary progressive multiple sclerosis alongside her mother and brother. As a family and as first-generation Americans, they experienced and currently witness the challenges and disparities faced as informal caregivers in their current aging society and healthcare system. This session provides an overview of informal caregiving, nervous system disorders, and cultural differences and how that impacts quality of life.

The Ins and Outs of Behavioral Health Client Rights

Tammy M. Ketchem, Nancy Fry

This session will provide information on the rights of individuals with mental health issues, intellectual disabilities, and/or substance misuse disorders who receive services from various community providers. The training will focus on Legislative Rule 64-CSR-74, Behavioral Health Consumer Rights.

Speech and Applied Behavior Analysis

Angela Wood, BCBA and Tracy Wood, CCC-SLP

This session will explain how speech pathologists and Applied Behavior Analysis providers can work collaboratively to assess the communication and behavioral needs of a child, determine the most effective mode of communication for the child to utilize, and determine the methods to teach basic communication. Practitioners will discuss strength-based assessments, the importance of functional communication training, and a variety of modes of communication (PECS, AAC devices, etc.).

Uniting Pathways: Education, Social Skills, and Behavioral Interventions to Empower Individuals with Disabilities

Melanie Gainer

As the parent of a child with multiple exceptionalities and as an individual with 20 years of experience in education and early intervention, the presenter will share practical strategies for navigating special education, fostering social skills and implementing behavioral interventions that bridge the gap for individuals with disabilities. This session will explore how to implement individualized approaches to communication, self-determination, and care coordination that enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities, autism, intellectual disabilities, and other exceptionalities. Drawing from lived experiences, participants will discuss successful models of service and collaboration between families, educators, and service providers.

Using Behavioral Skills Training to Teach De-Escalation Routines to Young Children

Nicole Shepherd, Erika Wick, Brianna Hutchison, Ashley Whitlatch

This session outlines how to teach de-escalation routines to young children in various settings and how to make those routines accessible across environments. Participants will walk through choosing customized routines and creating personalized visuals to support those routines.

WVABLE Savings: Empowering Individuals with Disabilities to Live More Independently

Roxanne Clay

For the last seven years, WVABLE Savings program has helped hundreds of West Virginians with disabilities become more financially independent, however, only 2% of eligible individuals are enrolled because they are not aware the program exists. WVABLE is made possible by the federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014 and allows eligible individuals to save above imposed asset limits while protecting eligibility for critical needs-based benefits, such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Medicaid. Session attendees will learn all program basics and how WVABLE is helping to improve the financial security and independence of West Virginians with disabilities.

Characteristics and Management of Adult Hearing Loss

Kenneth Morse

The goal of this presentation is to provide entry-level information about the characteristics and management of hearing loss. Participants will learn common ways that adults lose their hearing and the broad impacts that hearing loss can have on an individual. Specifically, hearing loss can impact people in auditory and non-auditory ways. That is, hearing loss can make it more difficulty to communicate with others (auditory), which can lead to depression, isolation, or third-party disability (non-auditory). Finally, the session will describe common management approaches for hearing loss, including strategies to minimize auditory and non-auditory hearing loss-related burden.

Workshops

2-hour interactive sessions

9/18/25-9/19/25 (specific times will be updated closer to the conference)
Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, WV

Planting SEEDS: Supporting Mental health Outside of Therapy

Matthew Zakreski, PsyD

It is vital for people to develop practical, sustainable strategies that focus on self-care and mental health in a way that feels personal and possible. The SEEDS protocol is a neuroscience-based system of self-care that anyone can do; the five steps of SEEDS: Socializing, Education, Exercise, Diet, and Sleep are shown to predict growth in both medical and mental health. This session will explore the science of SEEDS and give the participants an opportunity to workshop how to set and maintain goals in these different areas.

They Just WON'T DO IT: How to Help Your Gifted Kid get Unstuck

Matthew Zakreski PsyD

One of the hardest things about working with clients is their resistance to change. These refusals can be incredibly frustrating for teachers, parents, coaches, and mental health professionals, and often result in significant conflict between the client and their systems. Understanding how and why individuals get “stuck” allows for meaningful and empathetic engagement around these behaviors, which raises the likelihood of the students attempting and completing their work.

The Child’s Contributions to their Developmental Process

Sue Workman, BS, CCRP; Mindy May, Jayne Singer, Lesley Cottrell, PhD

There are key influences upon a child’s developmental process and their experiences that help us understand how to support a child’s developmental potential and well-being. This workshop explores these key drivers behind developmental process and the role that disorganization and regression plays in a child’s developmental agenda. Participants will also learn how the process is influenced by developmental challenges and disabilities.

Disability and Creative Movement: An Inclusive Arts Workshop

Megan Colaianni

In this workshop, participants will “take” a dance class in which the presenter will teach the exercises as they would in a typical class, letting the participants try (at their own comfort level), and then explaining how it’s inclusive, how it can be adapted, and how creative movement is really, at its core, already inherently inclusive. The presenter will demonstrate exercises that allow any person, with any disability, to fully participate. The main goal of these classes is to fill the space with abled and disabled people dancing together— and we will speak to the importance of mixed ability arts as the exercises are demonstrated.

Supported Decision Making and Other Alternatives to Guardianship

Katie Arbaugh

This lecture explores ways to support individuals in making their own choices through alternatives to guardianship. Attendees will learn about Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and other less restrictive options that promote autonomy while ensuring needed support. Self-advocates, caregivers, and professionals will learn practical tools and insights to help individuals retain their rights and independence.

Finding Your Voice: Advocacy Skills for Parents and Caregivers

Jenna Wallace, PsyD; Claire Baniak, PsyD; Ranzi Stacy; Jacie Sencindiver; Stacey Quinlan, MS

This workshop equips parents of children with special needs with essential advocacy skills to navigate medical, educational, and policy settings. Participants will learn how to effectively share their stories, engage in speaking opportunities, meet with decision-makers, and build coalitions. Emphasizing practical techniques, the workshop will focus on crafting compelling written narratives, preparing for meetings with key stakeholders, and honing an impactful elevator pitch. Parents will leave empowered, with the tools to advocate for their child’s needs and contribute to meaningful change at the local, state, and national levels.

Arts-Based Practices for Increased Health and Well-Being

Gretchen Durst

In this workshop, the scoping role of the state of the use of art-based practices will be discussed in brief. Multiple modalities of practices will be explained from a historical/cultural context as well as how these practices intersect with the social determinants of health. Multiple modalities such as mixed-media, rhythmic activities, and storytelling will be demonstrated for participant interaction with the potential health benefits discussed.

Coming Home Documentary screening and discussion

Tina Wiseman

This workshop includes a discussion about the On the Outside project, WV’s institutional history, the deinstitutionalization efforts of Developmental Disabilities Councils, and a screening of the Coming Home documentary. Coming Home is a 35-minute documentary about WV’s history of institutions, deinstitutionalization, and the shift towards community-based support for people with disabilities. A post-screening discussion will happen at the end of the session.

Poster Presentations

1-hour time blocks
9/18/25-9/19/25 (specific times will be updated closer to the conference)
Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, WV

Opportunities Beyond the Cliff: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Caregivers Who Seek Entrepreneurship as Pathway to Meaningful Employment for their Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

Angie Auldridge

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Disability Awareness and Occupational Therapy Education for First Responders in High-Stress Situations

Avery Santella

Effects of Late ADHD Diagnosis in Adults

Mackenzie Karl

Are Social Skills Progressively Developing Among Children with Disabilities?

Heather Hainer, Hunter Norton, Quincy Miller, Eric Baker, Xiaoxia Zhang

Exploring the Relationships between Executive Function and Screen Time Among Children with Disabilities

Quincy Miller, Xiaoxia Zhang, Hunter Norton, Heather Hainer, Eric Baker

Developing a Virtual Reality-Enabled Physical Activity Program During Recess for School-aged Children with Autism

Xiaoxia Zhang, Jeanette Garcia, George Mamboleo, and Ray Joslyn

Project DOCC: The Impact of Family Faculty Training for Health Science Students Serving Children with Special Health Care Needs

Melina Danko and Shannon Zimmerman

ABA Therapy for Children with ASD and the Impact of Environment on Treatment Outcomes

James Adkins

Early Bridges, Lifelong Impact: How Infant Toddler Specialists and Coaches Support Inclusive Practice Across West Virginia Child Care Settings

Clarissa Wade, PhD, IMH-E®; Andrea N. Littleton, BA, IMH-E®; Tonia L. Ross, BA

Music Therapy: Enhancing Wellness Through Musical Engagement

Erin Rosen, MMT, MT-BC

Assessing the Knowledge and Comfort Levels of Families of Children with Special Healthcare Needs with the Public School System in West Virginia

Katherine Brick, Linda Nield, Emily Nease, Amna Umer, Lesley Cottrell, Linda Friehling

The Psychosocial Benefits of a Peer-Based Jiu-Jitsu Program

Joseph Kleiner, Luke Hallowell, Jeanette Garcia

LEND Sessions

45-60-minute-long presentations from WV LEND mentors and staff
9/18/25-9/19/25 (specific times will be updated closer to the conference)
Waterfront Place Hotel, Morgantown, WV

Family-Practitioner Partnerships and Defining Success Together (1 hour)

Objectives:

  1. Recognize the critical role of families as equal partners in collaborative care and decision-making.
  2. Identify strategies to build trust and engagement with families, creating a foundation for authentic partnership.
  3. Define what success looks like with families, rather than for them.

Framing Disability: Models and Perspectives (45 minutes)

Objectives:

  1. Describe key models of disability (e.g., medical, social, cultural models) and their influence on service delivery, family engagement, and policy.
  2. Compare and contrast how different models of disability shape perceptions, priorities, and approaches across disciplines and systems.

Understanding Treatment: What Makes It Good or Bad? (1 hour)

Objectives:

  1. Identify key red flags of unproven or potentially harmful treatments, and describe characteristics of safe, evidence-based practices.
  2. Differentiate between anecdotal success stories and scientifically validated treatments using a decision making framework.

Schools and Families: Let’s Talk (45 minutes)

Objectives:

  1. Understand the rights of families and students under federal and state special education laws.
  2. Identify effective strategies for communicating with school staff, advocating for the child’s needs, and participating meaningfully in the IEP process.

Parenting Style and Temperament: A Balancing Act (1 hour)

Objectives:

  1. Understand how parenting or professional support style and consider ways to adapt their approach to better match a child’s unique temperament.
  2. Recognize how a child’s temperament interacts with a caregiver’s parenting style to influence behavior, emotional regulation, and family dynamics.

ACEs and Stress: Pathways to Wellness (1 hour)

Objectives:

  1. Define Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and describe their short- and long-term impact on physical, emotional, and mental health for children and families.
  2. Identify sources of stress for both families and providers—including systemic challenges, secondary trauma, and imposter syndrome—and how they affect well-being and service delivery.
  3. Understand pathways to resilience and healing by understanding protective factors and trauma-informed approaches that support both families and professionals.

Traumatic Brain Injury Track

1- Day Track, September 18, 2025

Join us for a full-day Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Track at the Mountain State Conference on Disabilities. The TBI Track is sponsored by the WV Traumatic Brain Injury Services program and dedicated to sharing stories and information about traumatic brain injuries. You'll hear direct experiences and professional insight from a variety of perspectives including survivors, caregivers, mental health experts, and social workers.

Whether you're a provider, caregiver, survivor, advocate, or policymaker, this full-day track will provide insightful conversations, lived experience, and practical strategies to support individuals living with TBI.

This track has been approved for 3 Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Continuing Education Credits.

Schedule:

  • 9:30–10:30 AM – Traumatic Brain Injury in Underserved Populations
    Cortland Nesley
    Explore the challenges and disparities faced by individuals with TBI in rural and underserved areas.
  • 10:45–11:45 AM – TBI Lived Experience Panel
    Hear directly from individuals living with TBI as they share stories of resilience, adaptation, and advocacy.
  • 11:45 AM–1:15 PM – Lunch Break
  • 1:15–2:15 PM – TBI Caregiver Panel
    Caregivers share honest reflections, challenges, and lessons learned while supporting loved ones with TBI.
  • 2:30–3:30 PM – Healing in the Wild: Ecotherapy for Brain Healing
    Adrienne Epley-Brown, LPC, ALPS; Shannon Waliser MSW, MPA, LICSW
    Explore how nature-based therapeutic practices can support emotional and neurological healing after brain injury, with insights from an ecotherapy perspective.
  • 3:45–4:45 PM – Beyond the Diagnosis: Navigating TBI Through a Social Work Lens
    WV TBI Social Workers
    Discover how social workers partner with TBI survivors to create person-centered plans that promote independence, address urgent needs, and enhance long-term quality of life.