Opening Doors Together Conference
Conference Agenda
Below, you will find the agenda for the June 11th and 12th, Opening Doors Together 2024 Conference.
Tuesday, June 11th
11:30am - 12:00pm - Registration & Networking
12:00-12:45pm - Lunch Buffet
12:45- 1:00pm - Welcome Remarks
1:00- 1:15pm - Break & Networking
1:15- 2:30pm - Session A:
- Session A1: In the Zone with Fair Housing | Presented by Brittany Mellinger from Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
- Session A2: Housing - The Cornerstone of Stability | Presented by Shawn Johnson from PA Department of Corrections and Sharon Leon from Union County Housing Authority Justice Bridge Program
- Session A3: A Focus on Accessibility in Affordable Housing - Challenges and Solutions | Presented by Benjamin Van Couvering from HDC MidAtlantic, and Mason Smeltzer from United Disabilities Services
2:30- 2:45pm - Break & Networking
2:45- 4:00pm - Session B
- Session B1: Statewide Housing Needs—Call to Action! A Review of Statewide Housing Needs | Presented by Jessie Pierce from PA Department of Aging, and Stephanie Meyers from PA Department of Human Services with guided by Dyann Roth, President and CEO of Inglis and Kevin Hancock, of Kevin Hancock Consulting LLC .
- Session B2: Landlord Engagement: Investing in Relationships | Presented by Timothy Burchett from the Lancaster City Housing Authority, and Rainy Boyle from NEPA Inclusive
- Session B3: Creating a New, Sustainable Model for Inclusive Housing | Presented by John Ungar and Tameata Jordan from NewCourtland
4:00- 5:00pm - Networking and Happy Hour
Wednesday, June 12th
7:30 - 9:00 am - Registration and Breakfast Buffet
8:00 – 9:00 am – 811 PRA Drop-in Office Hours
9:00- 10:00 am - Breakfast Program- Central Ballroom
Welcome: Laura Willmer-Rodack, Director, Inglis Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania
Remarks: Theresa Jenkinson, Chief Strategy Officer & Executive Director, Inglis Community Services
Remarks: Bryce Maretzki, Director of Strategic Planning and Policy, Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
Keynote Speaker: Rosemarie Rosetti, PhD Leading Disability Inclusion Expert, Universal Design & Accessibility Consultant
10:00- 10:30 am - Networking Break
10:00- 10:30 am – 811 PRA Drop-in Office Hours
10:30- 11:45 am Session C
- Session C1: Getting from Here to There - Innovations in Rural Public Transportation | Presented by Kristen Hauser from Crawford Transportation Authority
- Session C2: Housing for Individuals with Disabilities: Busting Myths, Providing Choices | Presented by Becka Hoover and Susan Rowell from Values into Action PA and by Sara Crimm from Families CCAN
- Session C3: Independent Living Apartment Units - Innovative Collaboration with Affordable Housing Developers | Presented by Shane Janick from the Arc of Philadelphia, and Bianca Waliddin from Liberty Housing Development Corp.
11:45- 12:30 pm - Lunch Buffet
12:30- 1:30 pm- Lunch Program
Remarks: Dyann Roth, President and CEO, Inglis
Remarks: Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Secretary Department of Human Services
Keynote: Domonique Howell, Independent Living Specialist, Liberty Resources & Ms. Wheelchair Pennsylvania 2023
1:30- 1:45 pm- Networking Break
1:45- 3:00 pm- Session D
- Session D1: Hoarding Disorder: Sustainable Solutions | Presented by Gabriel Halperin-Goldstein and Dara Leinweber from Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia
- Session D2: Stronger Together - A Coordinated Effort to Combat Homelessness | Presented by Chris Kapp from Cumberland County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
- Session D3: Removing Home Repair Barriers for Home Modifications Through Strategic Partnerships | Presented by Jeremy Carter and Pierce Robinson from UPMC, Rebecca Aguilar-Francis from Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, and Adrienne Walnoha from Omicelo