IL-NET T&TA Center Pre-Conference, Workshop and Materials for the 2023 APRIL Conference

About the pre-conference

October 12, 2023; 10:00-11:30 AM PT: Session 1 - Navigating Tough Conversations and Overcoming Obstacles

Presenter: Andy Arias

Tips for Pushing Through Difficulties—In this session, Andy Arias will cover how to prepare for challenging discussions and planning regarding inclusion and equity strategies in your organization. Andy will provide a roadmap for expanding your inclusion efforts without requiring additional or specialized funding. Additionally, he will discuss practical ways to make progress while navigating changing leadership, political, and funding priorities.   

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October 12, 2023; 1:00 PM-2:30 PM: Session 2 - Mind the Gap - Using Your Data to Address Service Gaps

Presenters: Forrest Hamrick, Vice President & Chief Quality Officer, Able SC

Join Forrest Hamrick as he expertly guides CILs/SILCs in identifying service gaps and underserved populations by leveraging PPR and basic Census data. With a keen eye for detail, he'll show you how to assess staff and board representation of marginalized groups and provide practical knowledge on how to collect and analyze data to create effective outreach plans. Ensure your organization serves the community fully by attending this invaluable session with Forrest.

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October 12, 2023; 2:45 PM- 4:00 PM Session 3 - Authentic Outreach: Meeting People Where They Are

Presenters: Mel Leviton, Executive Director, Idaho State Independent Living Council, Beck Levin, Systems Change Advocate, Dayle McIntosh Center, Juanita Herrera, Lead Assistive Technology Advocate, Dayle McIntosh Center, Pamela Torres, Lead Deaf Services Advocate, Dayle McIntosh Center, Jet Hurley, Deaf Services Advocate, Dayle McIntosh Center

In this panel discussion, we will discuss the crucial topic of creating authentic outreach plans to ensure the inclusion of all disability groups, races, and other marginalized populations. "Authentic Outreach" refers to connecting with people on their level and in their environment, meeting them where they are without any judgment or preconceived notions. The aim is to establish meaningful connections and build trust with communities to ensure that their voices are heard and their needs are met.

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About the workshop

October 14, 2023; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Pacific:  Introducing the Outcome Measurement Toolkit—A Resource for Centers for Independent Living

Presenters: Krys Standley, RTC:Rural, Jeff Gutierrez, RTC:Rural, Paula McElwee, IL-NET T&TA Center

This workshop introduces the newly created Outcome Measurement Toolkit, which CIL directors and administrators can use as a guide in taking tangible steps to improve their programs’ outcomes. In this workshop, you will learn two valuable aspects of using this toolkit: (1) helping you assess and manage your programs’ outcomes and (2) demonstrating your programs’ impact for funding purposes. We will share how, through using this toolkit, CIL directors, administrators, and staff can learn to work collaboratively to measure, evaluate, and ultimately improve consumer outcomes. The toolkit starts where your CIL is, with its existing programs and guides you to better measure and understand the outcomes of your current programs. This workshop will provide an orientation to the progression of the toolkit and explain how you can use it to gather the kinds of information that help to tell compelling stories that demonstrate your programs’ impact.

  • View the PowerPoint (pptx)

Training Materials