FAQs
OPRA Great Provider Summit: FAQs
General
When and where is the Summit?
The 2027 OPRA Great Provider Summit will take place at Hilton Easton.
Accessibility & Accommodations
How do I request mobility/access accommodations?
On the registration form, select Yes under Mobility & Accessibility Needs & describe what you need (e.g., wheelchair/scooter access, reserved seating, step-free routes).
How do I share dietary needs or food allergies?
Please list any food allergies or dietary restrictions in the field provided during registration.
How do I request hearing accommodations?
If hearing accommodations are needed, please indicate that in the registration form.
Exhibitors & Sponsors
Will there be exhibitors and sponsors?
Yes - attendees will have multiple opportunities to connect with Summit sponsors & exhibitors throughout the event.
Will my email be shared with exhibitors?
Your registration form includes a choice regarding exhibitor communications.
Contact
Who do I contact with questions?
For registration, hotel, or general Summit questions, please contact mfannon@opra.org
Schedule
Save-the-date for OPRA GPS '27
June 2-4, 2027
Hilton Easton, Columbus, Ohio
Questions?
Contact Melissa Fannon, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships
2026 OPRA Great Provider Summit Sponsors
Headline
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Presented by
Platinum
Bronze
Breakfast
Sessions
Introduction Sponsor
For more information contact Melissa Fannon, OPRA Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships: mfannon@opra.org
Hotel & Travel
Questions?
Contact Melissa Fannon, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships: mfannon@opra.org
AGENDA |
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| Wed. 05/06 1:00pm - 3:00pm |
Ready For It: Pre-Conference Training Leading Through Change: Using Appreciative Inquiry to Build What’s Next - Molly McGuigan, Bellflower Street, LLC |
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| Wed. 05/06 4:00pm - 5:00pm |
Start Me Up: Exhibitor Showcase Welcome Reception |
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| Thurs. 05/07 9:00am - 9:20am |
Happy Together: Opening & Welcome |
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| Thurs. 05/07 Breakout Sessions 9:30am - 10:30am |
Come Together:Executive Leadership |
One Way or Another:Program Design & Innovation |
Taking Care of Business:Business, Finance & Operations |
We Are the Champions:Supervision & Workforce |
I Won't Back Down:Advocacy & Innovation |
| Breakout Session 1 | Breakout Session 2 | Breakout Session 3 | Breakout Session 4 | Breakout Session 5 | |
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Tech-Enabled Independence: How Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration Is Reimaging DD Service Models |
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Seasonal Wellness
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The Soundtrack
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Jamie Steele
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Ken Smith, NextGen AT
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Steve Colecchi, Hattie Larlham
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Deb Maloy
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Bethany Toledo-McCray, Lighthouse Cove &
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| Thurs. 05/07 Sponsored Sessions 11:00am - 12:00pm |
We Can Work It Out:Giv. |
We Can Work It Out:Gladegy |
We Can Work It Out:Smart Living Systems |
We Can Work It Out:TrailBlaze Creative |
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| Sponsored Session 1 | Sponsored Session 2 | Sponsored Session 3 | Sponsored Session 4 | ||
Resilience on Purpose:
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Leadership Momentum: Protecting Your Mission Through Executive Continuity |
Expect the Unexpected:
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Change is Inevitable. Chaos is Optional. |
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Danny Laneri & Alec Fowler Giv. |
Stacy Sufka
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Hannah Eldridge, LADD, Inc. Jerome Kidd & Shawn Thorpe Louisa Ridge |
Tim Hindes & Erin Sogal TrailBlaze Creative |
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| Thurs. 05/07 12:00pm - 1:00pm |
Eat It! Lunch | ||||
| Thurs. 05/07 Breakout Sessions 1:00pm - 2:00pm |
Come Together:Executive Leadership |
One Way or Another:Program Design & Innovation |
Taking Care of Business:Business, Finance & Operations |
We Are the Champions:Supervision & Workforce |
I Won't Back Down:Advocacy & Innovation |
| Breakout Session 6 | Breakout Session 7 | Breakout Session 8 | Breakout Session 9 | Breakout Session 10 | |
Ohio's Policy and Business Landscape:
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AI Meets IDD:
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The Rising Cost of Employee Medical Benefits - Unpacking Myths, Strategies that Work, Hope for the Future |
The Training Revolution: Why DSP Training Determines Retention & Quality Care |
Thriving as a Neurodivergent Professional: Unlocking Your Unique Potential |
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Rick Carfagna
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Patrick McKinney
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Paul Nachtwey
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Joel Carson
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Scout Dearth
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| Thurs. 05/07 Breakout Sessions 2:30pm - 3:30pm |
Come Together:Executive Leadership |
One Way or Another:Program Design & Innovation |
Taking Care of Business:Business, Finance & Operations |
We Are the Champions:Supervision & Workforce |
I Won't Back Down:Advocacy & Innovation |
| Breakout Session 11 | Breakout Session 12 | Breakout Session 13 | Breakout Session 14 | Breakout Session 15 | |
From Context to Strategy: Leading Organizations Through Change |
Growing Community and Opportunity: The HELP Harvest Model |
ICF Reimbursement Update & Benchmarking Trends |
Avoiding The Ambiguity Abyss: The Vague Burn-Out |
The Funding Future of Ohio’s Medicaid Program |
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Stacy DiStefano
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Tami Honkala, Susan Berneike & Allison Briskey
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TJ Ely & Denise Leonard
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Sarah Davies
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Christine Touvelle
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| Thurs. 05/07 6:00pm - 9:30pm |
We Will Rock You!: OPRA Encore at the Rock Hall Event |
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| Fri. 05/08 8:00am - 9:00am |
Wake Me Up: Continental Breakfast |
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| Fri. 05/08 9:00am - 10:00am |
Session 16 - The Final Countdown: General Session Looking Ahead: State Leadership Perspectives for the Final Months of the DeWine Administration - Directors Panel (DODD, OOD & ODM) |
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| Fri. 05/08 10:00am - 11:00am |
Breakfast at Tiffany's: Attendee/Exhibitor Brunch |
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Fri. 05/08 |
Session 17 - Who Are You: General Session Who Are We, Really? Clarity, Distinction and Direction in a Changing System - Stacy DiStefano, Consulting for Human Services |
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| Fri. 05/08 12:45pm - 1:30pm |
Session 18 - Let it Be: Closing Keynote Creating a Positive and Mindful Workplace Culture - Pandit Dasa, Work Mindful Corp. |
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