LSA Disability Network 2015 Summer Meeting

Join the LSA Disability Network in Chicago!

The LSA-DN 2015 Summer Meeting will be held August 6-7 at the ELCA offices in Chicago, IL with a bonus innovation tour at the Center for Independent Futures on the afternoon of August 5th.

Exciting meeting topics and speakers include:

• George Klauser, Executive Director of LSS of Minnesota’s ACO, will discuss best practices and lessons learned from this innovative service model. Altair Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is a new collaboration of seven disability, health and wellness partners including Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. The ACO offers a compassionate redesign in disability services by creating a life-planning process that enables people with disabilities to make their own choices.

• Ilsa Flanagan, Director of the Reframing Initiative at the National Human Services Assembly, will review the results from qualitative and quantitative research done by the Frameworks Institute that was designed to improve public understanding of the importance and scope of human services work. The goal of the project is to find effective strategies for reframing the public discourse around human services work. Ilsa will introduce toolkits and templates developed to help organizations integrate the proven framing messages in their communications about fundraising, advocacy, and other areas.

• Dr. David Mank, Director of the Institute on Disability and Community at Indiana University Bloomington, will highlight best practices in competitive, integrated employment for people with disabilities. He will also discuss current federal efforts to advance integrated employment and his role on the Department of Labor's Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive, Integrated Employment for People with Disabilities. Dr. Mank has an extensive background in the education and employment for persons with disabilities.

The final agenda will be released soon.

For the first time, we will have an optional innovation tour at the Center for Independent Futures (CIF) in Evanston, IL. Approaching disability services from an educational framework, CIF utilizes the Full Life Model to provide self-directed, person-centerd supports and services. Our tour will be particularly focused on their unique customized employment program and their family-focused alternative housing options.

Wednesday, August 5 – DN Innovation Tour from 2:30pm - 5:30pm

Thursday, August 6 – LSA-DN Summer Meeting

Friday, August 7 – LSA-DN Summer Meeting ending at 12pm

When registering, make sure to select each event you would like to participate in including the innovation tour, DN meeting and Thursday night dinner.

Hotel Reservations

Please make your hotel reservation at SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare by calling 773-867-0000 and reference the meeting name "LSA Disability Network Meeting." By using that name, you will receive a special rate of $135 on Wednesday night and $104 on Thursday night. The cut-off date is July 23, 2015.

SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare is just minutes from O'Hare airport and offers a convenient complimentary shuttle service to and from O'Hare airport. All reservations guarantee free high-speed internet, free on-site parking, and access to the pool and fitness center. The hotel is 0.9 miles from the ELCA offices. Shuttle services will be provided to and from the DN meeting.

SpringHill Suites Chicago O'Hare

8108 West Higgins Road

Chicago, IL 60631

773-867-0000

For questions and concerns, please contact Sarah Meek at smeek@lutheranservices.org or 202-499-5831.

See you in Chicago!