Agenda and Schedule

Our four-day conference offers a dynamic mix of keynotes, panels, and breakout sessions designed to strengthen, inspire, and uplift the direct care community.

Each day features opportunities to learn from experts, share lived experiences, and engage in practical skill-building across four key tracks: Workforce Development & Professionalization, Caregiving Skills & Best Practices, Wellness, Resilience & Mental Health, and Leadership, Advocacy & Inspiration.

The schedule below outlines the flow of sessions, networking breaks, and special events to guide your experience. You can also find session descriptions and speaker bios here.

Welcome Reception: Sunday, September 28th, 2025

Time: 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Location: DoubleTree Lansing

Enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and refreshments as you network with fellow attendees, build or strengthen your direct care community, and set the tone for the three days ahead. The evening will also feature a special presentation from Sam Demma (6:00–7:00 p.m.). You won’t want to miss it!

Day 1: Monday, September 29th, 2025

Time
Event
Workforce Development & Professionalization
Caregiving Skills & Best Practices
Wellness, Resilience & Mental Health
Leadership, Advocacy & Inspiration
9:00 am – 9:45 am Introduction Leaders of the Initiative: Clare Luz, PhD
Executive Director, MSU IMPART Alliance and Ed Kiefer, LBSW
Director of Learning & Development, Easterseals MORC
9:45 am – 10:45 am Keynote Be Someone’s Taco: How Direct Care Workers Transform Lives Through Simple Acts of Love
10:45 am – 11:00 am Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Breakout Sessions Competency-Based Direct Care Worker Training and Professionalization. The Hands that Hold Us: A Daughter’s Gratitude to Direct Care Workers The Caregiver’s Recharge: Finding You Again Working with People & Train the Trainer Initiative
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Keynote DCW Panel
2:00 pm – 2:20 pm Break
2:20 pm –  3:20 pm Breakout Sessions From Experience to Recognition: Designing Industry-Recognized Credentials for Direct Care Workers A Caregiver’s Guide For Our Golden Generation Caregiver Mental Health and Wellness Building and Supporting BRAVE Teams
3:20 pm – 3:40 pm Break
3:40 pm – 4:40 pm Breakout Sessions From Surviving to Thriving: Making Every Shift a Great One Honoring The Final Chapter: End-of-Life Care for Older Adults Why Should You Care? Shaping Communications, Marketing, and Culture Change Around the Direct Care Workforce A Caregiver’s Butterfly Garden: The Power of Creative Healing and Community Connection
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm Capitol Walk Walk to the State Capitol for a brief presentation and a group photo of all in attendance

 

Day 2: Tuesday, September 30th, 2025

Time
Event
Workforce Development & Professionalization
Caregiving Skills & Best Practices
Wellness, Resilience & Mental Health
Leadership, Advocacy & Inspiration
9:00 am – 9:45 am Introduction DCW “Open Mic”
9:45 am – 10:45 am Keynote From Surviving to Thriving: Work as a Source of Energy and Connection
10:45 am – 11:00 am Break
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Breakout Sessions Building Michigan’s Direct Care Workforce: State Policy and Action Recommendations Introduction to Dementia in Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Compassion, Fatigue, and Burnout Prevention Lead Where You Stand: Elevating Care through Purposeful Practice
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Panel Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Panel Discussion
2:00 pm – 2:20 pm Break
2:20 pm –  3:20 pm Breakout Sessions Strengthening the Direct Care Workforce: State Strategies for Investing in an Integrated Model Living Well With Dementia A Brief History of Mental Health: Humanity’s mistakes, mishaps, and the occasional breakthrough The Golden Rule
3:20 pm – 3:40 pm Break
3:40 pm – 4:40 pm Breakout Sessions A Novel DCW Career Success Program is Coming Soon! A Gentle Approach is Person Centered: A Culture of Gentleness as a Relational Framework for Support The Psychology Of Interdependence Through an Autistic Lens Trauma-Informed Leadership

 

Day 3: Wednesday, October 1st, 2025

Time
Event
Workforce Development & Professionalization
Caregiving Skills & Best Practices
Wellness, Resilience & Mental Health
Leadership, Advocacy & Inspiration
9:00 am – 9:15 am Introduction Virtual Butterfly Garden Launch
9:15 am – 10:15 am Keynote Bridging the Gap: Connecting Caretakers and the Disability Community
10:15 am – 10:45 am Panel Lived Experience Panel Discussion
10:45 am – 11:00 am Break
11:00 am –12:00 pm Breakout Sessions Who Gets Tech and Who Gets Left: Collaborating with Direct Care Workers to Explore Digital Literacy The Fatal Five in Focus: From Awareness to Action Possibilities! Sexuality Training for Direct Care Workers: Opening the Conversation About Safety, Sexuality, Vulnerability, and Responsibility
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm Keynote The Magic of Hope
2:00 pm – 2:20 pm Break
2:20 pm –  3:20 pm World Café Empowering Direct Care Workers