Special Medicaid Advisory Committee Meeting about interRAI Assessment Tool
From Rep. Robin Shackleford:
After hearing your direct concerns about the new interRAI level of care assessment tool, I requested — and secured—a special meeting with the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) to address its impact on our disability community.
Date: Monday, September 21
Time: 10:00am
Location/Online Link: TBD
We need to ensure these assessments are fair, accurate and truly serve the people who rely on them. Join us, stay informed, and make sure your perspective is represented.
For details to submit questions ahead of time, contact my office at 317-234-9121 or h98@iga.in.gov.
Framing a Life Shaped by Your Dreams & Goals
The Charting the LifeCourse Framework was created to help individuals and families of all abilities and all ages develop a vision for a good life, think about what they need to know and do, identify how to find or develop supports, and discover what it takes to live the lives they want to live.
Join this free event learn more about CtLC.
Presented by Noble, Inc.
RSVP by 4pm 9/22/2026 to CFL@mynoblelife.org.
Indinaa AAC Summit
Ready to make AI work for you? Join us for the 2026 Indiana AAC Summit when we host Lauren Schwartz Gonzales for her session, "AAC + Observation + AI = Magic: Amplifying Communication Through What Really Matters".
Lauren says “Here's what it IS about: the magic of truly observing AAC users, leaning in close, and discovering what REALLY matters to each person. Then, creating a “plan” for REAL immersive AAC language experiences that are entirely student/communicator led. AI is simply the tool that gives us speedy or “souped up” ideas once we have those observations. The real work—the relationship-building, the curiosity, the presuming of potential—that's all us! This workshop teaches you to become an expert observer first. Then we show you how AI can accelerate the creation of materials that honor what you've discovered”.
Registration opens April 1st. Visit our website https://indianaaacsummit.com/.
The Think Sensory Summit
The Think Sensory Summit is back for its second year, and we have truly outdone ourselves with this speaker lineup.
🌟 Alfie Kohn
🌟 Dr. Barry Prizant
🌟 Dr. Ross Greene
🌟 Kelly Mahler
🌟 Kristy Forbes
🌟 Chris Wenger (Speech Dude)
🌟 Mick Olds
🌟 Greg Santucci
...AND SO MANY MORE
This November, join us for four completely free days of conversations about neurodiversity, sensory processing, regulation, communication, behavior, connection, and participation.
Free registration.
2026 OCALICON
The premier autism and disabilities virtual conference!
November 17 - November 20.
Visit https://conference.ocali.org/ for more information.
Disability Resource Fair
Connect with local resources to help you create a vision for Your Good Life.
Learn more about:
Advocacy groups
Assistive Technology
HCBS Waiver Providers
Housing Resources
Financial and Future Planning
Recreational Opportunities
Remote Supports
For more information, including a list of participating organizations, or if you would like to be an exhibitor, visit oasisforlife.org/drf.
Ask The Arc Webinar - Appealing a Level of Care Denial
Join us for Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
If you or someone you love has been told they no longer meet the Level of Care for a Medicaid Waiver, or you just want to learn more about the process, this Ask The Arc is for you!
You can register here: https://bit.ly/Ask_the_Arc. A recording will be shared on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/TheArcofIndiana following the event.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
What to Know About the New 1915(c)(11) Waiver Authority
The ACL Grassroots Project launched with the goal of supporting national, state, and local disability leaders and community members to build networks and strengthen leadership, with the intention of advancing disability policy and supports that serve disabled people and communities fully.
In this national webinar, the Grassroots Project will host an overview of the new Medicaid 1915(c)(11) waiver authority under H.R. 1 and what it could mean for access to home- and community-based services. This webinar will break down the new waiver authority, highlight key implementation questions, and explore how advocates, councils, providers, and community partners can engage early to help ensure the authority expands access while protecting existing HCBS systems and the people already seeking services.
Featured Speakers:
· Elizabeth Zirker, Senior Attorney, National Health Law Program (NHeLP)
· Zaida Ricker, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Policy, National Association of State Head Injury Administrators (NASHIA)
· Whit Downing, Vice President of Policy and Programing, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities
Free registration.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
Understanding the Basics of Medicaid
Take the confusion out of Medicaid with this engaging IPMG Informational Webinar tailored specifically for Individuals receiving Indiana’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers—and the families, caregivers, and professionals who support them. Understanding the Basics of Medicaid features Beth Peabody, IPMG Eligibility Coordinator, who brings over eight years of experience helping Individuals access and maintain critical benefits. With a background in psychology, medical assisting, and hands-on work assisting uninsured patients in hospital settings, Beth understands how overwhelming Medicaid can feel. In her current role, she supports IPMG Case Managers Wrap Facilitators in helping Individuals and families stay on track with eligibility—offering practical, real-world guidance you can trust.
In this webinar, you’ll learn how to:
Understand the basics of Medicaid eligibility for Indiana HCBS Waiver participants
Stay on top of annual redetermination so coverage isn’t interrupted
Take the right steps to restore Medicaid if benefits lapse
Whether you’re a waiver participant, family member, caregiver, or professional, this session will give you the knowledge and confidence to protect and maintain essential Medicaid coverage.
Presented by IPMG.
Free registration.
Ask The Arc Webinar - You’re Mad, Now What?
Join us for Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
With so many changes and so much confusion, people are angry, and they're scared. They also want to make sure their loved ones with disabilities have the supports they need to live the lives they want to live. We want to change things. Many just aren't sure how to do it. Kim Dodson, CEO of The Arc of Indiana, will discuss the steps people can take to protect the services and supports for people with disabilities.
You can register here: https://bit.ly/Ask_the_Arc. A recording will be shared on our YouTube channel, youtube.com/TheArcofIndiana following the event.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
HANDS ECHO Webinar Series
Developmental Disabilities and Autism ECHO connects individuals and their comprehensive care system to subject matter experts for regular real-time collaborative sessions to advance learning and practice in serving individuals and their families.
Upcoming webinars:
7/24/2026: Waiver Homes, Supported Living
Waiver Homes
Independent living options for adults not in waiver homes/apartments
Supported Living
7/31/2026: Denied Services, Next Steps
What to do when denied services
Where else to look
8/7/2026: Medicaid, Medicare, Medicaid PA
Medicaid
Medicare
Medicaid PA, Home Health
8/14/2026: Charting the LifeCourse-CtLC
CtLC domains
Providers connecting resources to domains
8/21/2026: Transition to Adulthood
Research on smoother transition to adulthood
App development-conversational user interface for mindfulness based on CBT-worn on wrist
Transitioning out of school and into community
Socially assistive robot
Join the webinars here (via Zoom).
Presented by Hands in Autism DD & Autism Project ECHO. For more information contact asdecho@iu.edu.
Ask The Arc Webinars - Special Edition
Join us for Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Tonight’s topic: New HCBS Waiver rules taking effect August 1, 2026. The state has recently announced the rate reduction for live-in caregivers who provide waiver services, and FSSA has announced their implementation plan for Medicaid Work Requirements. It is a LOT of information, and it is confusing.
In this session, we are going to share information on Medicaid work requirements, the rate reduction for live-in caregivers and what that really means, and who can be a paid caregiver under the new waiver rules. We know people have a lot of questions, so please join us. While this webinar is scheduled for an hour, we will continue until all questions are answered.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
Noble's Parent Cafe
Parent Cafe is a support session that explores balancing family life, managing struggles and growing through challenges.
Presented by Noble, Inc. For more information contact Johnda Knight by email or phone (317-469-1097).
Free registration. RSVP by July 13, 2026.
Low Vision assistive technology for independence
Attend this webinar to explore assistive technology tools that can help individuals with low vision live more independently. Participants will discover solutions for daily tasks, mobility, and accessing information.
Presented by PACER Center.
Free registration.
Ask The Arc Webinar - PA, Home Health, Attendant Care, PAC
Ask The Arc—a free webinar series where we talk about topics that matter to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Once you sign up, you’ll automatically be registered for this month’s webinar and all future sessions, held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. EST.
Tonight’s topic: PA, Home Health, Attendant Care, PAC - We live in a world of alphabet soup, and it is SO CONFUSING! We just want people with disabilities to have the services and supports they need. In this session, we are going to talk about the different services available, how different services can work together, and how to maximize what you have to live the life you want to live. All of this can be so confusing and overwhelming, so please bring your questions as we navigate the disability services world.
Presented by The Arc of Indiana.
Free registration.
CtLC Live: Caregiving and Well-Being
Caring for a loved one is meaningful, but it can also feel overwhelming. Your well-being matters, too!
We invite you to join us for CtLC Live: Exploring Caregiving & Well-Being, where we’ll reflect, plan, and problem-solve together. In this interactive session, you’ll discover practical ways to:
Support your physical, mental, and emotional wellness
Find balance while caring for others
Strengthen both your resilience and your relationships
Choose the time that works best for you:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 9am - 10am or Tuesday, May 14, 2026 3pm - 4pm.
(Both sessions cover the same content.)
Free registration.
Presented by Nisonger Family Resource Network of Ohio.
Safe, Active, and Connected Communities for Youth
Healthy Places by Design just released the Action Guide for Building Safe, Active, and Connected Communities for Youth and Young Adults which provides actionable recommendations and practical advice to take action.
Join our webinar on May 7, 2:00-3:00 pm ET to learn how public health practitioners and multi-sector community partners can use the Action Guide to integrate violence prevention and community safety strategies into their efforts. The webinar will also share real stories and successes from communities who are addressing the issue through comprehensive approaches led by young people in their communities.
Download the Building Safe, Active, and Connected Communities for Youth Guide.
Presented by Healthy Places By Design.
Free registration.
Exploring sensory supports beyond fidgets
In this one-hour webinar, we'll explore a variety of sensory tools that support focus, regulation, and comfort across everyday environments. Moving beyond traditional fidgets, participants will learn how sensory supports can be selected and used intentionally to enhance participation at home, school, work, and in the community.
Presented by PACER Center.
Free registration.
CtLC Live: Caregiving and Well-Being
Caring for a loved one is meaningful, but it can also feel overwhelming. Your well-being matters, too!
We invite you to join us for CtLC Live: Exploring Caregiving & Well-Being, where we’ll reflect, plan, and problem-solve together. In this interactive session, you’ll discover practical ways to:
Support your physical, mental, and emotional wellness
Find balance while caring for others
Strengthen both your resilience and your relationships
Choose the time that works best for you:
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 9am - 10am or Tuesday, May 14, 2026 3pm - 4pm.
(Both sessions cover the same content.)
Free registration.
Presented by Nisonger Family Resource Network of Ohio.
Assistive Technology Awareness Day
Come celebrate National AT Awareness Day with Easterseals Crossroads!
Tour our programs and get hands on experiences with Assistive Technology from our INDATA, ATLAS, and Clinical AT teams. Learn how these high- and low-tech tools can assist individuals with independence in employment, play, gaming, home, and life! Hands on experiences will be provided for attendees, and light refreshments will be provided.
Virtual Event: For those who are not able to join us in person, please join us for a remote tour of our program on April 22, 2026 at 10:00am at this link.
Self-Directed Services with Indiana's HCBS Waivers
Indiana FSSA recently started offering Self-Directed Care on the CIH and FS home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers. This option aims to help older adults and people with disabilities have the support they need to live in their communities.
Join us to learn more about this service from Karly Sciortino-Poulter, The Arc Advocacy Network Director for The Arc of Indiana.
RSVP by April 10 to programs@oasisforlife.org to reserve your spot.
Disability Resource Fair
Connect with local resources to help you create a vision for Your Good Life.
Learn more about:
Advocacy groups
Assistive Technology
HCBS Waiver Providers
Housing Resources
Financial and Future Planning
Recreational Opportunities
Remote Supports
For more information, including a list of participating organizations, or if you would like to be an exhibitor, visit oasisforlife.org/drf.
Emergency Preparedness for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Join us for a webinar to share strategies and resources to help families of CYSHCN prepare for unexpected emergencies and natural disasters. Emergencies happen. Prepare today to be safe tomorrow.
(Two times are available to accommodate family schedules.)
Date: March 17, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Date: March 17, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To register, please use the following links:
Registration link 11 a.m. https://redcap.link/ERprep-AM
Registration link 7 p.m. https://redcap.link/ERprep-PM
Presented by The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
Emergency Preparedness for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Join us for a webinar to share strategies and resources to help families of CYSHCN prepare for unexpected emergencies and natural disasters. Emergencies happen. Prepare today to be safe tomorrow.
(Two times are available to accommodate family schedules.)
Date: March 17, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Date: March 17, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
To register, please use the following links:
Registration link 11 a.m. https://redcap.link/ERprep-AM
Registration link 7 p.m. https://redcap.link/ERprep-PM
Presented by The Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
Charting the LifeCourse on: TRANSITION
Discover how Charting the LifeCourse tools can support students, families and professionals during the transition from school to adulthood.
This session offers a quick overview of the transition process and introduces practical tools - like the Exploring Portfolio, Transition Quick Guide, and Vision Tool - to spark planning and empower next steps.
This session is also offered on February 12 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
Presented by the Family Resource Network of Ohio.
Free registration.
Charting the LifeCourse on: TRANSITION
Discover how Charting the LifeCourse tools can support students, families and professionals during the transition from school to adulthood.
This session offers a quick overview of the transition process and introduces practical tools - like the Exploring Portfolio, Transition Quick Guide, and Vision Tool - to spark planning and empower next steps.
This session is also offered on February 19 9:00am - 10:00am.
Presented by the Family Resource Network of Ohio.
Free registration.
Preventing Caregiver Burnout: How Special-Needs Family Can Protect Their Health Before Crisis Hits
Caring for a loved one with special needs is an act of devotion—and without proactive self-care, caregivers can quickly move from compassion to exhaustion.
In this empowering webinar, Caregiver & Family Health Coach Drew Deraney will share practical strategies to prevent burnout before the warning signs appear. You’ll learn how to recognize early stress patterns, build sustainable daily routines, and strengthen resilience so you can show up with clarity, energy, and confidence for the ones who depend on you most.
Presented by Mike Ringel, Strategies for Wealth.
Free registration.
Real-Life Stories: Building a Comfortable Smart Home
This year we will hear from Kirby Smith and Suria Nordin. In July of 2014, Suria, suffered a spinal cord injury that resulted in quadriplegia. Kirby found the technology being offered to improve her life was outdated, expensive, and very limited due to customizations. Suddenly, simple everyday things were challenging. They solved those issues and July of 2015 formed a company to bring these solutions to an underserved population. SunKirb Ideas, LLC offers affordable off-the-shelf consumer-based solutions through technology to give those with disabilities and unique challenges the ability to be more independent and have more control of their environment. This enabled people to control the lights, temperature, turn on and off alarms, control their doors, control music and entertainment, see and communicate remotely, and control the televisions (including the cable box, TiVo, Netflix, and Hulu) using voice commands.
In the past two years, Suria and Kirby took on another huge project, expanding their existing home to include the other side of their century-old rowhome in Old City, Philadelphia. This project provided the opportunity to design and build their newly renovated space to take advantage of the latest smart home technology and other assistive technology to create an updated comfortable and accessible home for both of them.
Suria and Kirby will share their extensive knowledge and experience in designing and building a smart home for accessibility, safety, independence, and comfort.
If you require any accommodations other than those listed above, please email Wendy Davis at wdavis@patf.us. Follow PATF on social media to learn more about assistive technology during our AT Awareness campaign.
Registration link: https://bit.ly/2025BuildingAComfortableSmartHome
Registration required. ASL interpretation, captioning and Spanish interpretation will be provided.
Protecting Medicaid: Advocacy in Action
The Arc of Indiana, Autism Society of Indiana, Down Syndrome Indiana and Indiana Statewide Independent Living Council invite you to join us for a critical webinar addressing the impact of proposed Medicaid cuts on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
This session will:
· Provide an overview of the proposed changes and what they mean for Medicaid users in Indiana.
· Explore how these cuts could affect essential services such as ABA therapy, personal care supports, and long-term services and supports.
· Offer practical strategies for effectively advocating to legislators and decision-makers.
· Share tools and resources to help families and self-advocates make their voices heard.
Now more than ever, united advocacy is essential to protect the rights and supports of Hoosiers with disabilities. Whether you are a self-advocate, family member, service provider, or ally, this webinar will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to take action.
Free registration.
Family Support Waiver Workshop
Join the Autism Society of Indiana on December 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM for an informative Family Support Waiver Workshop. This event will guide individuals with autism and their families through the process of understanding and navigating Indiana’s Family Support Waiver (FSW).
Free registration.
2025 OCALICON
The premier autism and disabilities virtual conference!
November 18 - November 21.
Visit https://ocali.org/ for more information.
Indiana Waiver Reset Collaborative Conversation Announcement for People Receiving Services
The Indiana Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS) is working to improve the services that help people with disabilities live in their homes and communities.
To help, the Human Services Research Institute (HSRI) and Aligned Consulting Collaborative (Aligned) will host conversations throughout the state to learn from people receiving services, families, service providers, and case managers about what changes are needed. Based on the feedback received, HSRI and Aligned will develop recommendations for the service system.
Join one, or both, of these feedback sessions:
Click to register for Monday, November 17, 2025 6-7:30pm
Click to register for Wednesday, November 19, 2025 6-7:30pm