Wednesday, June 17
8:00 AM – Registration Opens - Grand Lobby
Self-Advocacy Track Opens – Oak Room B
Please note: Breakfast at your hotel or on your own
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM – Welcome & Keynote Address
Dr. Craig Moffett - Auditorium
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Vendor Exhibits and Beverage Break - Lobby & Magnolia A
10:30 AM – 11:45 AM – Breakout Sessions
Neurodivergent Advantage
Amber Sheppard - Magnolia Room B
Amber and her dog, Tubbs, share her philosophy of “Be Fierce and Kind.” As an attorney with autism, Amber discusses navigating the professional world while embracing neurodiversity.
When Parents Know, Children Grow
Ashley Jenkins - Oak Room A
This session explores how screening results support early identification of developmental concerns and guide families to referrals and resources for their child.
From Symptoms to Success: Employment for Individuals with Long COVID
Dr. Madeline Castle & Dr. Zach Ahonle - Auditorium
This session highlights functional impacts, referral pathways, and practical strategies for individuals with disabilities, families and community partners. An exploration of real-world supports, accommodations and collaborative approaches will promote workforce participation and success.
11:45 AM – 1:00 PM – Lunch, Awards, and Informational Videos, Oxford Hall
1:00 PM – 1:15 PM Vendor Exhibits in Lobby and Magnolia A
1:15 PM – 2:30 PM - Breakout Sessions
Special Needs Planning & MS ABLE
Richard Courtney - Auditorium
Discussion of asset protection, personal decision-making, and healthcare financing including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. ABLE accounts will also be explored.
Driving with a Disability: Can You? Should You?
Eric Knox - Oak Room A
Overview of driving barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, evaluation processes, adaptive options, and potential funding sources.
Bridges to Speak: Teaching Functional Communication in Today’s Classroom
Dr. Wildmon - Magnolia Room B
Overview of the Bridges to Speak program, a practical approach to supporting individuals with significant language impairments through low-tech AAC and picture exchange communication.
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM - Keynote Address "A.I. in Our World"
Chris Chessum - Auditorium
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Dinner on Your Own
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM - Conference Gala, Oxford Hall
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Please note: breakfast at your hotel or on your own
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM - Breakout Sessions Begin
Advanced Crisis Planning
Matt Nalker & Steve Allen - Auditorium
Participants will learn innovative strategies for crisis prevention and intervention and gain tools for managing challenging situations.
Medicaid and You
Cindy Brown - Magnolia Room B
An overview of Medicaid eligibility, allowable services, and the appeal process.
Mental Illness: Nothing About Us Without Us EVER
Dr. Joy Hogge - Oak Room A
A discussion of common ways children, youth and adults with mental illnesses are excluded from decisions about their care and sometimes railroaded into segregated settings such as unwarranted inpatient care and youth detention or adult jails. We will explore how we can advocate as a community to address segregating practices, including school threat assessments that unnecessarily segregate children with disabilities and the overuse of law enforcement to respond to mental health situations.
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM - Keynote Panel: "Postsecondary Options After High School"
Auditorium
Mississippi college and university program staff will discuss specialized program services available that focus on education and employment opportunities.
Dr. Jerry Alliston, University of Southern Mississippi, Moderator
Dr. Jordan Spencer, SSP, NCSP, BCBA – Mississippi State University
Dr. M Cade Smith – University of Mississippi
Dr. J Michelle Clouse – Itawamba Community College
Scott Mullins, LMSW - University of Southern Mississippi
11:55 AM – 12:00 PM - Evaluations and Final Door Prize Auditorium
Grab & Go Lunch Provided
