Morning Keynote:

I Can’t Make You:  Attitude Shifts and Derailments for Resistance

 Dr. Maag is a nationally recognized behavioral consultant on best practices for managing resistance and improving relationships with others.  A licensed psychotherapist, Dr. Maag is a public speaker and consulting editor to numerous journals. He is creative, knowledgeable, and experienced and will kick off the conference with a lot of energy.

John Maag, Ph.D, University of Nebraska

Dr. John W. Maag is a Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln specializing in the education and treatment of children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. He has published over 90 articles and book chapters as well as authoring four books—one of which, Parenting without Punishment, won a Parent’s Choice award.  He was also the recipient of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Distinguished Teaching Award.   

Every Family Makes  Difference

Participants in this workshop will engage in discussions, share ideas and receive resources on how to be a respectful and effective advocate for children. The importance and benefits of meaningful parent involvement will be highlighted as well as the National Family School Partnership Standards.  Come and learn skills to help you have the best IFSP/IEP meeting ever!

Jane Groff, Director, Kansas Parent Information Resources Center (KPIRC) and Lesli Girard, Director, Topeka Center-Families Together, Inc.  Jane has been a general and special education teacher for more than 25 years and believes family involvement provides the foundation for student success.  Lesli has worked extensively with parents to help them understand their rights and responsibilities within the special education process.

Sarah Hoffmeier, MSW -  Family Service & Training Coordinator, KISN/Families Together, Inc.

Real Life Strategies: Accessing the General Education Curriculum for Students with Significant Disabilities

Tierney Thompson, special education teacher Bonner Springs Elementary School and Leia Holley, Parent Information Specialist ,Topeka Center-Families Together, Inc. and parent of two outstanding young men. Tierney he has taught students with significant needs in an inclusive school for more than 10 years. Leia’s son, Sean is a high school junior who has significant autism.

Positive Behavior Support Extravaganza 

Kelcey Schmitz is a Research Assistant for the Kansas Institute for Positive Behavior Support within the Life Span Institute at the University of Kansas, Matt Enyart has more than 17 years experience working with children and adults with disabilities. And Katie Hargrove is employed by The Arc of Douglas County as Behavior Supports Coordinator. Katie has a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and a master’s degree is Early Childhood Special Education with an emphasis in Autism Spectrum Disorders from the University of Kansas.

Ending Keynote:

Honoring Jay Turnbull’s Contributions to Inclusion and Quality of Life: 10 Take-Home Lessons for Families and Professionals.

In this presentation, Ann and Rud will reflect on what they learned over four decades with their son, JT, who was an inclusion pioneer. Although Jay had an untimely death in 2009 at the age of 41, his inclusion legacy provides continuing guidance not only for Ann and Rud but for all of us. Ann and Rud will share family stories from their best professor who always gave them the hardest and most rewarding exams of all – Professor Jay Turnbull!