7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Registration is open all-day - Southampton Room, Main Level

8:30 am – 9:45 am
Networking Breakfast and Visit the Exhibitors - Ballroom, Main Level

Fill out your Vendor Card and Submit at the Vendor Reception to win our Door Prize

9:45 am – 10:00 am
Welcome Remarks - Ballroom, Main Level

Mohsen Badran, President & CEO of ACCSES New Jersey, Inc.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Navigating the Federal Legislative Landscape - Navesink Room, Main Level (1 CRCC Credit)

Presenter:

Kate McSweeny, President, ACCSES

ACCSES President, Kate McSweeny will provide a lively session of discussion and Q and A about pending legislation in the U.S. House and Senate that may prove important to people with disabilities and the organizations that serve them, and recent legislation, regulations, and executive orders that could have an impact on your organization.  She also will give an overview of what ACCSES anticipates the key issues to be for its members in the coming year.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Open Public Records Act-Requests, Responses and Document Production - Tea Room, Main Level

Presenter:

Dawn R. SanFilippo, Esq.  OPRA and OMA Specialist

Description:  The Open Public Records Act-Requests, Responses and Document Production—This seminar is designed to aide records custodians, in properly responding to requests to ensure that government transparency is maintained and record custodians are in compliance with OPRA.  This seminar will address new issues in OPRA and the ethical balance of maintaining government transparency with protection of individual privacy rights and attorney-client privilege.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Disability Law Primer - Mandelbaum Barrett PC - Pembroke Room, Main Level (1 CRCC Credit)

Presenters:

Arla Cahill and Brent Pohlman, Mandelbaum Barrett PC

The Disability Law Primer will be an introduction to relevant state and federal laws pertinent to service providers of individuals with disabilities. Of particular focus will be laws related to employment. Topics covered during the session will include the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD). Participants will receive an overview of those laws impacting their work in the provision of disability services as well as the ways in which they can ensure their consumers receive the full benefits and protections to which they are entitled under the law.

10:00 am – 11:00 am
Purchasing Law Review for Local Government - Devon Room, Main Level

Presenter:

Nicola Reid, Purchasing Agent, Stafford Twp

Description: An overview of the policy changes and new laws that apply to local public contracts law.  Ms. Reid will speak on the changes to the law and  the practical use of the law changes on a day to day basis.

11:00 am – 11:15 am
Visit our Exhibitors - Southampton Room, Main Level

Fill out your Vendor Card and Submit at the Vendor Reception to win our Door Prize.

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
NJ Legislative Update - Navesink Room, Main Level (1 CRCC Credit)

Presenters:

Scot McKay and Richard Wright, MBI Gluck Associates

This session will cover legislative issues in New Jersey that affect people with disabilities at work and in their lives and the services that organizations provide to them.

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Records Management Best Practices - Tea Room, Main Level

Presenters:

Joseph Falca, Supervisor of Records Management, NJ Division of Archives and Records Management, retired

Lenora Miko, Records Management Solutions Expert, Easterseals, NJ

Description: The basis of good records management is in how records are handled to provide ease of access, protection while in use and ease of disposal when the life cycle has ended.  This session will give an overview best practices in organization and storage of records; conversion to other formats and what to look for in and making the most of an electronic storage system.   It will also explore what to look for in using a vendor to help you with these tasks.

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
ACCSES NJ/NJAPSE Transportation Panel Discussion - Issues and Solutions for Local Transportation for People with Disabilities - Pembroke Room, Main Level (1CRCC Credit)

Presenters:

Moderator: Karen Elliot, Director of Professional Services, Occupational Training Center of Burlington County

Karen Alexander, Managing Director, New Jersey Travel Independence Program at Rutgers University

Steve Cook, Executive Director, Arc of Mercer County

Namecca Parker, Transportation Operations Executive, NJ Transit

This panel discussion will address some of the challenges and opportunities for enhancing accessible transportation options for people with disabilities in New Jersey. Services to be discussed will include coordinated agency-based transportation, Access Link ADA Paratransit developments, and Travel Training – teaching people with disabilities how to use accessible buses, trains, and light rail.

11:15 am – 12:15 pm
New Jersey State Agencies Offering Compliant Purchasing Alternatives: DeptCor, DSS and DPP - Devon Room, Main Level

Presenters:

Brian Gallagher, Promotional Sales Specialist, DeptCor

Joseph Signoretta, Supervisor, DSS

Allan Sydlo, Cooperative Outreach Lead, DPP

Description: Good decision making in public purchasing requires knowledge of all available, compliant sources, which makes good fiscal sense for the New Jersey taxpayer.

This program is presented by 3 State agencies, and is designed to engage and educate local government agencies on purchasing compliant products and services available from the State of New Jersey. Offering a variety of products, from green cleaning products to sheds, from food products to regulatory signs and printing, DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP are the go to sources for many State and local government agencies.

This presentation and subsequent Question and Answer period is designed to:

• Familiarize local agencies with the products available, and use, of DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP State Cooperative Contracts.
• Engage using agencies directly and provide them with a better knowledge of compliance.
• Improve knowledge of the products available with DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP.
• Gain knowledge from using agencies and understand their needs for existing and future products.
• Elevate the overall level of “customer service” that DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP provides.
• Present an opportunity to establish contact points with DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP.

12:15 pm – 12:30 pm
Visit our Exhibitors - Southampton Room, Main Level

Fill out your Vendor Card and Submit at the Vendor Reception to win our Door Prize

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm
STAR Awards Luncheon - Ballroom, Main Level

Come have a great lunch and stay for this years awards.

1:45 pm – 2:00 pm
Visit our Exhibitors - Southampton Room, Main Level

Fill out your Vendor Card and Submit at the Vendor Reception to win our Door Prize

2:00 pm – 3:40 pm
ACCSES NJ General Membership Meeting - Navesink Room, Main Level

*The General Membership meeting is for ACCSES NJ Upper Level Management and their designees.

2:00 pm – 3:40 pm
Are You Prepared? Cyber Incident Response Planning - Tea Room, Main Level

Presenter:

Lou Romero, Certified Government Chief Information Officer, Secure Data Services

Description: This session will go over Cyber Incident Response Planning: what is cyber incident response planning, steps in creating one and planning for a cyber incident, and testing of the plan.

2:00 pm – 3:40 pm
A Strengths-Based Approach to Assisting Job Seekers with Addressing Gaps in Employment - Pembroke Room, Main Level (1.5 CRCC Credits)

Presenters:

Joni Dolce, MS, CRC, Assistant professor

Ni Gao, Ph.D., LCSW, Professor

Integrated Employment Institute, Department of Psychiatric Rehabilitation & Counseling Professions

Rutgers University

Description: This workshop addresses the challenge many job seekers potentially encounter when they haven’t worked for some time or may have left jobs due to less than favorable reasons–gaps in work history. This can make it difficult to develop resumes, complete applications, and feel confident during job interviews. The workshop will identify strategies and resources to assist job seekers in describing gaps in work history.

2:00 pm – 3:40 pm
Advancing Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives: Fostering Social Responsibility Through Supplier/Purchasing Diversity - Devon Room, Main Level

Presenter:

Kevin Regan, Director of Government Sales, ACCSES NJ

Description: Supplier diversity and inclusion initiatives can make a significant difference to communities throughout New Jersey.  As we emerge from the pandemic, broad interest in socially responsible purchasing is accelerating rapidly.  S-994/Chapter 385 signed into law on January 18th 2022, seeks to further the policy of the State and all political subdivisions to encourage and assist people with severe disabilities to achieve maximum personal independence through productive employment throughout New Jersey in one of the many Community Rehabilitation Programs.

3:45 pm – 5:45 pm
Vendor Networking Reception - Molly Pitcher Lounge and Patio(Ballroom if inclement weather)

Evening Networking Reception with Hot & Cold Hors D’oeuvres & Entertainment.

Visit our Exhibitors – Southampton Room, Main Level, during the day.

Fill out your Vendor Card and Submit at the Vendor Reception to win our Door Prize

Door prize Drawings (must be present to win)

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
ACCSES NJ – Honorary Dinner - Navesink Room - Main Floor

(Tickets Available in the Event Section)

Celebrating the Contributions and Legacy of Peggy Englebert and Len Nicolosi, and the Legacy of Floyd Nesse

Let us come together to share a meal and memories as we honor the careers of these passionately dedicated members of the ACCSES NJ family. Uniquely individual in their approach to life, they shared the same passion and committed their careers to serve people with disabilities. Join us as we offer our sincere gratitude for their years of service, We look forward to honoring their contributions to our shared mission with our friends and co-workers, both those we’ve known for years and those we’ve just met.

7:30 am – 8:30 am
Registration - Southampton Room, Main Level

8:00 am – 9:10 am
Breakfast in the Ballroom - Ballroom, Main Level

9:15 am – 10:45 am
Interagency Collaboration and Pre-Employment Transition Services - Navesink Room, Main Level (1.5 CRCC Credits)

Presenters:

Toni Scott, Program Planning and Development Specialist of Youth Services, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Bill Freeman, CSPD Coordinator, NJ Department of Education

Amanda Gerson, NJ Commission for the Blind  and Visually Impaired

 Starting early to prepare students for success in adult life is key! Students with disabilities aged 14 through 21 (and possibly older) can now access needed services from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired to help them prepare for success in Competitive Integrated Employment.  This session will explain what these services are, how to obtain them for students, and the agency’s and local school’s role in making this happen.

9:15 am – 10:45 am
Benefits Counseling 101 for the Employment Specialist - Tea Room, Main Level (1.5 CRCC Credits)

Presenter:

Dawn Hale, Director, Employment Services, Arc of Camden

Join us to learn how you as an Employment Specialist, Job Coach, or Employment Services Professional should handle questions about a clients SSI/SSDI benefits.

• What do you say?
• What should you not say?
• Who can you turn to for more answers?
• How can you teach your client what they need to know?
• Is it billable?

11:00 am – 12:30 pm
An Updated View of the Extended Employment (EE) “Hybrid Program” - Navesink Room, Main Level (1.5 CRCC Credits)

Presenters:

Deborah Vaughn, Chief, CRP Unit, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Kathleen Kindya, Program Planning and Development Specialist, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Jennifer Sosdorf, Program Planning and Development Specialist, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Susan Polansky, Program Planning and Development Specialist, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Tina Brand, Program Planning and Development Specialist, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Lori Schafer, Program Planning and Development Specialist, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Tiffany Hood, Program Planning and Development Specialist, NJ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Description: The Hybrid Model allows extended employees to begin working in competitive-integrated employment while at the same time, benefiting from the supports of their EE program. Participation in this program is strictly voluntary. It is driven by the belief in a transitional employment approach and the need for strong collaboration between the consumers, providers, DVRS counselors, employers, and other community partners. This workshop will provide an overview of the Hybrid program, offer lessons learned and share success stories as told by providers and a local DVRS office.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm
When it Comes to Protecting Your Business Data, Cyber Resilience is Key - Tea Room, Main Level (1.5 CRCC Credits)

Presenter:

Michael DePalma, Senior Channel Development Manager, Datto, Inc.

As we move forward into 2023, our reliance on our IT infrastructure continues to grow. Unfortunately, cyber criminals are seizing on this growth and a recent study showed that the small business community is their favorite target. In order to combat these threats, cyber resiliency is key to keeping your office safe from these attacks. In this webinar we will cover:

1. Who are behind these attacks and why are they targeting the small business community?
2. What do these attacks mean to your business?
3. Simple ways to mitigate these risks.
4. Ways in which you can reduce your downtime should an attack occur.

11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Executive Development Program Session - Part 1 - Devon Room - Main Level

By Invitation Only

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Luncheon - Ballroom, Main Level

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Nonprofit Community Rehabilitation Programs - Navesink Room, Main Level (1.5 CRCC Credits)

Presenter/Moderator: Matthew R. Putts, PhD, CRC, CVE, ACCSES New Jersey

This session is designed specifically for state employees, including those in the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS), to learn about nonprofit community rehabilitation programs, nonprofit structures and governance, and the New Jersey state-use set-aside program. The session will include a formal presentation followed by a panel discussion featuring three nonprofit employees who will be able to discuss their experiences and answer questions.

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Janitorial Operations Meeting/Scoles Systems Presentation - Tea Room, Main Level

Presenters:

John Ganley, Director of Quality Assurance, ACCSES NJ

Garth Hutchinson, Regional Building Services Manager, ACCSES NJ

Jason Krellin, Regional Building Services Manager, ACCSES NJ

Description: This session will provide an overview of the Smart Inspect system: what is looked at, how it is scored, how often inspections are done.  There will be discussion as to what the scoring means for a job site and for your janitorial operations and how ACCSES NJ will work with you to make any needed improvements. This session will feature a presentation by Scoles Systems on equipment that can be used for disinfection projects that will streamline your operations.

1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
Executive Development Program Session - Part 2 - Devon Room - Main Level

By Invitation Only

3:20 pm – 3:20 pm
Conference Ends

Conference Ends and Thank you for all that attended