MAKING CONNECTIONS MANSFIELD!
Saturday, February 1, 2025
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
First Methodist Mansfield
777 N. Walnut Creek Drive, Mansfield, TX 76063
The IDD Council’s Making Connections Disability Resource Fairs bring together the disability resources in our community to one, easily accessed location for families and caregivers to collect information and learn about benefits and services each provide. Making Connections Disability Resource Fairs are held throughout the year in various Tarrant County locations.
Attend Breakout Sessions and Visit with organizations providing services for:
Medicaid Waivers, Social Security, Guardianship/Supported Decision-Making, Behavioral Health, Transition & Employment Services, College Programs, Assistive & Adaptive Technology, Special Needs Trusts / Wills, Assisted Living / Housing, Financial Planning, Recreation & Leisure, Therapy & Camp Providers, Respite/Day Habilitation, and more
MAKING CONNECTIONS MANSFIELD SPONSORS:
Behavioral Innovations
https://behavioral-innovations.com
Caregiver Inc.,
Long-term Care Services & Supports
https://cg-idd.com
ResCare Community Living
www.rescarecommunityliving.com
Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County
www.workforcesolutions.net
LifeSpan Home Care
www.lifespantx.com
Noggin Education Foundation
www.nogginfoundation.org
9 A.M.
Exhibitor Hall Opens
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Visit with a variety of Exhibitors providing services and resources for people with disabilities and their families.
9:30 A.M - 11:15 AM
Breakout Sessions
9:30 - 10:15 AM
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Guardianship: Rush to the Courthouse or Last Resort?
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Medicaid Waiver Programs and Interest Lists: Accessing Services through your local LIDDA
10:30 - 11:15 AM
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Parent Panel: Preparing and Supporting Your Child's Journey
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ABA and Positive Reinforcement: With Practical Applications
12 P.M. - 1 P.M.
Keynote Presentation
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Medicaid Waiver Interest Lists: What the Numbers Tell You...or Don't!
1:00 P.M.
Exhibitor Hall Closes
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Session Descriptions:
9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Guardianship: Rush to the Courthouse or Last Resort?
An overview of the laws applicable to guardianship in Texas, the evidence and standard of proof needed to obtain a guardianship and the many alternatives to guardianship. By Judge Brooke Allen, Tarrant County Probate 2 Court
Medicaid Waiver Programs and Interest Lists / Accessing Services through My Health My Resources
As the State’s Local IDD Authority (LIDDA), MHMR is the first point of contact for families looking for services. Learn about Texas’ interest lists, options and benefits, and the criteria for services. By Rebecca Armbrust, My Health My Resources of Tarrant County
10:30 - 11:15 a.m.
Parent Panel: Preparing and Supporting Your Child's Journey
A discussion with parents that understand challenges faced with a new diagnosis, communication with student educators, and preparing for adulthood.
ABA and Positive Reinforcement: With Practical Applications
Applied Behavior Analysis is based in science and has been identified as the gold standard of therapy for individuals with Autism. During this presentation, ABA therapy will be discussed. In addition, positive reinforcement will be defined and a variety of positive reinforcement techniques will be reviewed. The attendees will also learn how to apply these techniques. By: Dr. Molly Adams, Behavioral Innovations
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Closing Keynote: Medicaid Waiver Interest Lists: What the Numbers Tell You...or Don't!
Texas Medicaid Waiver programs provide services to help people with disabilities live in the community instead of an institution. Sadly, these services are not readily available. People are placed on an “interest list” often referred to as a "waiting list," where services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. But what do these wait lists numbers tell you? How long is the wait? Who makes funding decisions, and how often? Our closing Keynote discussion will address these burning questions and what can be done to shrink the gap. By Cindi Paschall, Parent Advocate
About our Presenters
Dr. Molly Adams
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Behavioral Innovations
Molly Adams, PhD, BCBA, LBA is the Vice President of Clinical Compliance at Behavioral Innovations. Molly completed her undergraduate at Mississippi State University with a degree in Educational Psychology. She then completed her doctorate in School Psychology from Mississippi State University. Molly completed her Internship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Kennedy Krieger/Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, where she focused on working with individuals with developmental disabilities who demonstrated severe behaviors and worked directly with parents and families and provided consultation. Molly has been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2013. Molly’s current role focuses on highlighting our strong clinical care we provide our clients and families with stakeholders.
Cindi Paschall
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M.O.M. (Mom on a Mission), and Disability Advocate
Cindi Paschall is a parent passionately involved in advancing the human rights of persons with disabilities. She has dedicated the past 27 years to advocacy, applying her personal experience and knowledge in helping others. Over the years Cindi has worked and volunteered for various organizations dedicated to helping people with disabilities live their desired lifestyle. She currently serves as a volunteer for The Arc of DFW Area as a co-planner for the A Look Ahead Conference Series and is a contracted Employee with Texas Parent to Parent as a Regional Partner for the Navigate Life Texas website project. Cindi is also a 1997 Texas Partners in Policymaking graduate.
Judge Brooke Allen
Tarrant County Probate Court #2
Judge Brooke Allen serves the citizens of Tarrant County, Texas, as judge of Probate Court No. 2. The Court hears estate, guardianship, and civil mental health matters in addition to any civil matters ancillary to an estate or guardianship. Appointed in 2016, and re-elected in 2018 and 2022, Judge Allen has streamlined the docket, reduced the Court’s budget by more than 5%, and been a voice for ensuring litigants Constitutional rights. In addition, she has tried numerous jury trials in both probate and ancillary matters such as wrongful death, medical malpractice, and breach of fiduciary duty. With her team of 13, Judge Allen has reached numerous citizens throughout Texas educating them on the importance of estate planning, the Texas guardianship laws, and civil litigation in general. When not in court, you might find Judge Allen on the court playing tennis or coaching the “Killer Puppies,” her daughter’s basketball team. She’s married to Cameron Allen, a sergeant with the Dallas Police Department. To learn more about Probate Court No. 2, please go to: Probate Court No. 2 (tarrantcounty.com). To learn more about Judge Allen, please go to www.JudgeAllen.com
Rebecca Armbrust
My Health My Resources of Tarrant County