Empowering Excellence 2026: Full Schedule

Welcome to our first annual conference where we will celebrate, frontline staff of all of the Arcs of New Jersey. This promises to be an exciting event while supporting frontline staff in all they do.

9:00am EDT

Registration

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:00am - 9:45am EDT

9:45am EDT

Welcome

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:00am EDT

Ballroom

Thursday September 17, 2026 9:45am - 10:00am EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

10:00am EDT

Proclamation Presentation

Thursday September 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EDT

Ballroom

Dr. Stephen Cha, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, will join us during the opening session on Thursday, September 17, 2026, to present a proclamation recognizing Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. Commissioner Cha’s participation is an incredible honor and provides a powerful statewide acknowledgment of the essential work performed every day by Direct...
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Thursday September 17, 2026 10:00am - 10:15am EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

10:15am EDT

"You Are the Standard: Owning Excellence in Direct Support"

Thursday September 17, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT

Ballroom

Thursday September 17, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

11:30am EDT

Let's Get moving

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Hatteras

Exhibitors

Spectrum Sports

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Hatteras

Caring for the Caregiver

11:30am EDT

10 Principles of Success – Building Excellence in Everyday Practice

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT

Biscane

This dynamic session equips frontline professionals in the I/DD field with practical, real-world principles to elevate performance, strengthen impact, and build a culture of excellence in daily service. Participants will explore how to intentionally enlarge their capacity to learn and manage—recognizing that growth is not optional in a field that demands adaptability and compassion.The session...
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Speakers

Frank Adu

CEO, The Arc Middlesex County

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:15pm EDT
Biscane

Lead with Excellence

11:30am EDT

Strengths-Based Transition Planning: Honoring Differences, Reframing Deficits

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT

Newport

This is a session description

Speakers

Rebecca Nash

Thursday September 17, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Newport

Empowering Voices & Person-Centered Practices

12:15pm EDT

Lunch

Thursday September 17, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT

Ballroom

Thursday September 17, 2026 12:15pm - 1:15pm EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

1:30pm EDT

Self-Management – Leading Yourself Before Leading Others

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Biscane

Speakers

Denise Beckles

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Biscane

Caring for the Caregiver

1:30pm EDT

Connecting with People of All Abilities Through the Power of Music

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Hatteras

Sponsors

Derrick Ludvickson-Luna

PROGRAM DIRECTOR, Blue Light Music

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Hatteras

Empowering Voices & Person-Centered Practices

1:30pm EDT

From Direct Support to Dynamic Leadership: Translating DSP Skills into Leadership Strengths

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT

Newport

Speakers

Matt Brady

Assistant Executive Director of Vocational Services, The Arc, Ocean County Chapter

New Jersey

Jessica Scott

Director, Employment Services, Arc of Camden

Thursday September 17, 2026 1:30pm - 2:15pm EDT
Newport

Lead with Excellence

2:30pm EDT

Beyond the Boxes: Turning Data Into the Stories of Those We Support

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

Newport

Speakers

Nichole

Business Development Territory Manager, Therap Services

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
Newport

Connected Teams - Better Outcomes

2:30pm EDT

Navigating Justice Involvement: Practical Strategies for DSPs and Frontline Supervisors

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

Hatteras

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
Hatteras

Empowering Voices & Person-Centered Practices

2:30pm EDT

Empowering Excellence from Where You Stand Why it Matters to Lead

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

Biscane

Speakers

Frank Adu

CEO, The Arc Middlesex County

Thursday September 17, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
Biscane

Lead with Excellence

3:30pm EDT

"Bridging the Gap: Building Stronger Relationships Between Staff and the Families We Serve"

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT

Ballroom

Thursday September 17, 2026 3:30pm - 4:15pm EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

4:45pm EDT

LUNIQUEBINGO

Thursday September 17, 2026 4:45pm - 6:45pm EDT

Ballroom

LUNIQUEBINGO: Recharge, Connect & Play!Turn up the music, grab your bingo card, and get ready for an unforgettable, high-energy experience! LUNIQUEBINGO combines great music, friendly competition, laughter, and plenty of surprises to create the perfect opportunity to relax, recharge, and connect with others.Frontline professionals spend every day caring for and supporting others—but caregivers...
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Thursday September 17, 2026 4:45pm - 6:45pm EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

8:30am EDT

Breakfast

Friday September 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT

Ballroom

Friday September 18, 2026 8:30am - 9:30am EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

9:30am EDT

Mindful Relaxation

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT

Ballroom

Sponsors

Daniel Minko

Spectrum Sports

Friday September 18, 2026 9:30am - 9:45am EDT
Ballroom

Caring for the Caregiver

9:45am EDT

From DSP to CEO: A Leadership Journey of Purpose, Growth and Possibility

Friday September 18, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EDT

Ballroom

Leadership does not begin with a title—it begins with a commitment to serve, learn, grow, and positively influence others.Join five accomplished leaders from The Arc network for an authentic and inspiring conversation about their journeys from frontline service to executive leadership. Panelists Laura Williams, Executive Director of The Arc, Ocean County Chapter; Frank Adu, Executive Director of...
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Speakers

Paul Kring

Director - Training and Compliance, The Arc of Union County (NJ)

New Jersey

Denise Beckles

Friday September 18, 2026 9:45am - 11:00am EDT
Ballroom

Keynote Speaker and General Sessions

11:15am EDT

"What Exactly Do You Do All Day?" If You've Ever Been Asked That Question, This One's For You.

Friday September 18, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

Newport

One shift. One Direct Support Professional. A lifetime of impact. But when that work goes undocumented, it disappears. The progress, the breakthroughs, the small moments that matter most. Let's talk about the work you do every day, why documenting it matters, and the tools that help you capture the difference you're making.

Speakers

Heather Janci

Friday September 18, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
Newport

Empowering Voices & Person-Centered Practices

11:15am EDT

Managing Up: Strengthening Communication and Teamwork from the Frontline

Friday September 18, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT

Biscane

Strong teams are built on clear communication, shared priorities, and mutual accountability. This Leadership-focused session equips Direct Support Professionals and frontline supervisors with the practical skills to “manage up” as a way to strengthen communication, improve teamwork, and drive better outcomes.Participants will learn how proactive, solution-focused communication supports...
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Speakers

Paul Kring

Director - Training and Compliance, The Arc of Union County (NJ)

New Jersey

Sue McCarthy

Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance, The Arc of Atlantic County

I started as a DSP at The Arc of Atlantic County in November of 2005. I worked in residential for the first year and then made my way into the Quality department in 2006. I became a coordinator and then worked my way up to Director of Quality Assurance and Compliance. My main job... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2026 11:15am - 12:00pm EDT
Biscane

Lead with Excellence