Supporting People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and Complex Behavioral Health Needs
Advancing Excellence in IDD Services
ACANY and LIFEPlan CCO Provider Relations is hosting a virtual summit designed to empower leaders and professionals across the IDD field. This event will spotlight emerging practices, innovative models, leadership strategies, and clinical insights that strengthen programs and improve outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and complex behavioral health needs.
Read more about the presenters and the topics of their presentations.
Presenter: Erik Jacobson, Ph.D.
Title: “Turning the Corner: A Practical Path from Crisis to Stability in Residential Care”
Time: 8:45 a.m.
Many agencies start in the same place—working hard, caring deeply, and still feeling stuck in patterns of crisis. This presentation highlights how clinical and administrative collaboration—using positive interaction strategies, trauma-informed use of blocking pads, new data systems, and a targeted special review process—helped shift programs from crisis to stability. Grounded in real residential experience, this session offers a practical and hopeful path for agencies ready to regain stability, strengthen leadership alignment, and make meaningful change stick.
Dr. Jacobson is the Chief Clinical Officer at Upstate Caring Partners who is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist. He has over 25 years of experience serving those with developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Dr. Jacobson is also an adjunct instructor at Hamilton College.
Presenter: John M. Guercio, Ph.D., BCBA-D, LBA, NADD-CC
Title: “Staff Training in Adult Services Setting: Key Components to Facilitate Safety and Skill Acquisition”
Time: 10 a.m.
Dr. John Guercio is the Vice President of Applied Behavior Analysis and Crisis Services at the Art of the Ozarks/Cornerstone Behavior Services in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Guercio has spent much of his career researching effective staff training protocols and behavior intervention strategies for staff and clients in settings where severe aggression is present. Since obtaining his master’s and doctoral degrees in behavior analysis and therapy from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Dr. Guercio has worked in settings serving as Director of Behavioral Services for the Missouri Department of Mental Health, and as Vice President of Clinical Services and Research at the Judevine Center for Autism/TouchPoint Autism Services in St. Louis. He also serves as adjunct faculty in the behavior analysis department at Washington University, St. Louis University and Central Missouri University.
Presenter: Dr. Benjamin Margolis
Title: “The Devil’s in the Details: Avoiding Pitfalls & Errors in Medical Care”
Time: 11:15 a.m.
Fragmentation of care leading to inaccurate information is a source of harm amongst the population we serve. At some hospitals, the medication error rate upon admission or discharge can exceed 100%. During this presentation, non-clinicians will see the process of admission, reconciliation, and discharge and learn how errors can happen – with a goal of identifying ways agency staff, families and advocates can help facilitate safe transitions and avoid harm. We will also cover outpatient care transitions and demonstrate ways care providers can help fragmented teams maintain accurate health information for individuals with IDD receiving support services.
Dr. Margolis is board-certified in neurology and psychiatry, trained under the combined residency program at Brown University. He specializes in neuropsychiatric care of adults with IDD in New York’s Hudson Valley and is an attending inpatient psychiatrist at the Bronx Psychiatric Center.
Presenter: Holly Brown, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC
Title: “Uncovering the Hidden Causes: Medical Screening as the First Step in Managing Interfering Behaviors”
Time: 1 p.m.
Interfering behaviors in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are often symptoms—not the root problem. This session emphasizes the critical role of thorough medical screening and ongoing monitoring, including the impact of polypharmacy, as the foundation for effective intervention. Discover evidence-based approaches to identify underlying health issues early, reduce unnecessary behavioral strategies, and improve outcomes for those you serve.
Dr. Holly Brown is a nationally recognized psychiatric nurse practitioner and academic leader specializing in psychiatric mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities. As Executive Director of the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing, she leads groundbreaking initiatives to integrate IDD-focused education into nursing curricula at all levels, preparing nurses to be advocates and leaders for this historically underserved population.
Presenter: Karyn Harvey, Ph.D.
Title: “Trauma Informed Support for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities”
Time: 2:15 p.m.
This presentation will highlight the complex mental health needs of many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Treatment and support will be discussed with an emphasis on post-traumatic healing.
Dr. Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years and has a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both state and individual organizations throughout the U.S. and Canada.