A group of young people with IDD

MEMBER AND FAMILY FORUMS

Register Now for Upcoming Sessions

April Virtual Learning Session: Tips and Tricks for Recertifying Medicaid

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 12 p.m.

OR

Thursday, April 30, 2026, at 12 p.m.

Join us for a quick, informative webinar where our Medicaid experts will share essential tips and key information to help you confidently complete your Medicaid recertification. Perfect for anyone looking to avoid common challenges and delays in recertification, as well as anyone looking to support a smooth renewal process.

Register for the April 29th Webinar

Register for the April 30th Webinar

Virtual Learning Session: Family Support Services (FSS)

Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 12 p.m.

OR

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 6 p.m.

Learn the basics of Family Support Services (FSS), an OPWDD funded program that helps families who are caring for a loved one with a developmental disability at home. This session explains what FSS covers, including respite and goods/services reimbursements, who qualifies, and how to apply. We’ll also briefly review the approval process and what to expect after submitting a request. Presented by Lyndsey Paulin, Home Services Director at Racker.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Understand what Family Support Services (FSS) are, how the program works, and who is eligible to apply.
  • Explore the types of support FSS can help pay for, including respite care, goods, and services that support a loved one with a developmental disability.
  • Review how much funding may be available each year, what reimbursement means, and important rules to know before spending money.
  • Learn how to apply for FSS funding, how requests are reviewed, and what options families have if a request is denied.

Register for the May 7th Webinar

Register for the May 19th Webinar

Actions Speak Louder Than Words: Understanding Behavior as Communication in People with IDD

Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Behavior is a form of communication. For people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), changes in behavior are often a way of expressing pain, discomfort, or emotional distress. In this session, we’ll look at how certain behaviors can be signs of underlying medical issues. Before starting medication or behavior plans, it’s important to first understand what the behavior may be trying to tell us. Using real-life case examples, this presentation will walk through 10 common behavior patterns that may point to treatable medical causes. Identifying and addressing these causes can make a meaningful difference in health, comfort, and overall quality of life.

What You’ll Learn
• Why behavior should be seen as communication, not just a challenge
• Common behavior patterns that may signal pain or medical concerns
• How identifying underlying causes can improve health and wellness
• Why medical evaluation is a critical first step before treatment plans

Registration link coming soon

Questions? Contact Member Relations.

Translations Available

Real-time written translations in Spanish, simplified Chinese, traditional Chinese, and other languages will be provided.
Traducción escrita en tiempo real disponible en Español.
提供中文实时书面翻译。
提供中文實時書面翻譯。