2025 Positive Support Conference

Welcome to the Minnesota Positive Supports Get Together

Join Assistant Commissioner Natasha Merz and other state leaders in this first positive support conference plenary session to learn more about what the state of Minnesota is investing in to build regional capacity for positive supports. This session is organized as a panel with different leaders in the state and local professionals sharing from their perspectives how positive supports can address the critical challenge facing Minnesota services today.

Systems of Care (Room 2360)

This session will focus on using a systems model in positive supports to help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We’ll look at how teams can work together across different areas—like home, work, and the community—to create consistent, respectful, and person-centered support.  Jessica Simacek and Jennifer Jeffrey-Pearsall

Key Principles and Practices in Trauma-informed Supports (Room 2370)

This presentation targets both the principles involved, and core effective practices used in developing individualized trauma-informed supports. The presenters address the features of self-regulation and intentionality as key to understanding what safety feels like and means for the individual. Building that safety involves being prompted by what you are seeing, and responding to the trigger and the context, rather than responding with a strict behavioral procedure. Tips and tools on building effective trauma-informed supports are presented. Stacy Danov and Margaret Moore

Strategies Providers Can Use to Support People with Complex Service Needs Using PBS to Build Capacity (Room 2380)

This session will describe different ways in which residential and other providers are using PBS to build capacity at an organizational level and with individual staff. Several different examples will be shared to demonstrate how your organization can get started building capacity for positive supports. Hilary Hadfield, Rachel Freeman, Jodi Cushman-Purcell

Regional Capacity Building for Positive Supports (Room 2360)

We have Regional Quality Councils in the Arrowhead, Metro, West Central, and Southern areas of Minnesota that are made up of people who have disabilities, family members, and professionals. These Regional Quality Councils have workgroups/COP who focus on positive supports and building regional capacity. These groups then share their regional information and recommendations with each other and at a statewide level with DHS / state leaders.

Come to this presentation to learn about how Regional Quality Councils play a part in regional capacity building of positive supports in Minnesota. Learn how you can get involved and help spread the word on positive supports. Cortney Cressin and Becky Lambert

Organization-wide Positive Supports in Maryland: Improving Quality of Life and and Wellness for People Receiving Services (Room 2370)

Dr. Meg Depasquale from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration will describe how positive supports are being implemented in her state. Come learn more about what kinds of positive supports are implemented in Maryland with examples and stories provided. Meg Depasquale

Person Centered Practices and Sustainability (Room 2380)

This session will explore how we use PC practices with or without state or federal mandates. Nine core elements of PC practices that are key to maintaining and sustaining person centered practices at a system level will be addressed. Lastly, we will highlight the importance of partnership and alignment with advocates. Bob Sattler

A Box Lunch is provided for those attending in person. Additional Information Coming Soon

Assessing and Integrating Culturally Inclusive Practices within Lifespan Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Settings (Room 2360)

This session will provide a roadmap supporting Positive Behavior Support (PBS) implementors’ understanding of the successful integration of culturally inclusive practice within their personal PBS applied context(s)/setting(s). Examples of ways to assess cultural inclusivity and to promote increased cultural reflection and relevancy will be shared. Attendees will leave this session with applied materials, ideas, etc. to use within their own context(s)/settings(s) as they strive to increase inclusivity! Dani Dunphy and Ashley MacSuga-Gage

Integrating Positive Behavior Support with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Treat Anxiety in Youth and Adults with IDD (Room 2370)

Despite the increased risk for anxiety disorders in autistic individuals, there is a lack of research and clinical services focused on treating anxiety and related challenging behavior in this population, particularly for those with Intellectual Disability (ID). This presentation will discuss how to address anxiety using a multicomponent intervention plan that integrates Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Lauren Moskowitz

Introduction to the Culture of Safety Initiative (Room 2380)

The Disability Services Division’s Culture of Safety initiative is a proactive strategy to improve outcomes within disability services. This initiative follows the collaborative safety framework and incident review model. The model focuses on improving the reliability and safety of services through a robust and proactive response to critical incidents that emphasizes engaging with direct care workers and learning. Years of research has shown that assigning blame might decrease accountability because it inhibits the ability of an organization to understand and improve. In this session, DHS staff will share the basic safety science principles and values of the initiative. Scott Schifsky

Join Other Organizations in Minnesota Implementing Positive Supports: Training Opportunities (Room 2360)

This session will describe how you can form a team within your organization to move beyond a train and hope approach. Learn how organizations are changing policies, supporting staff who are learning about positive supports, and building capacity to implement important practices. Jennifer Jeffrey-Pearsall and Rachel Freeman

The ABC’s of Conducting Brief Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA) (Room 2370)

During this session, we will provide an overview of the Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) process. FBAs support our understanding of why behaviors occur and, with this information, can informs how we address, support, and improve individuals’ quality of life. Attendees at this session will learn about ways to conduct brief FBAs including tips for best practice and free/low-cost tools to assist with the process. Ashley MacSuga-Gage

Examples of Organization-wide Positive Supports from Other States: Improving Quality of Life and and Wellness (Room 2380)

This presentation will be provided by a leader from another state who is implementing positive supports. Come learn more about what implementation looks like in another state

Recognizing Outstanding Leadership in Minnesota

This closing session will include Natasha Merz and Stacy Danov who will conclude the Minnesota Positive Supports Get Together and recognize the important work occurring across the state