Conference Schedule

Wendy Herbers, RN, CDDN, QRRP

Contact Hours: 2

Course Description

Providing quality nursing support to persons with I/DD requires the nurse to identify the health needs of the individual and to develop an effective intervention plan. As in all healthcare settings, nursing care for persons with I/DD must be provided in accordance with the Nursing Process and the established standards of nursing care. This session will discuss the nurse’s role in the support plan and as a member of the IDT, and will review the Nursing Process and the Standards of DD Nursing Practice. This session will focus on common health issues faced by persons with I/DD and explore methods to determine health needs of the individual. Also discussed will be nursing concerns surrounding the use of unlicensed direct support personnel and barriers to positive health outcomes, with a focus on identifying effective strategies to address these challenges.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1.  Recognize common health issues among persons with I/DD and identify three factors to consider when identifying
     health needs of the person with I/DD.
2.  Identify three barriers to quality health support and identify at least one strategy to employ for each.

Speaker bio

Wendy Herbers started in the DD field in 1981 as a direct support staff in the ICF-MR setting. She continued in the field as an RN, working in an ICF-MF, DD Crisis Admission Program and is presently the Director of Nursing for Capstone Services, LLC in St. Paul, Minnesota. Besides serving DD homes, she oversees residential homes for persons with brain injury, mental illness and co-morbid diagnosis. She served as President for the Minnesota Chapter of DDNA from 2008 until 2012 and was fundamental in the group's network to chapter formation. Wendy is a trusted resource and familiar presence with DD providers in the Minnesota area. She is active with staff training and development, has presented at local conferences and works with other nurse's to improve staff training and standards for DD individuals. 

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Kathleen Keating, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 2

Course Description

This full-day session provides a comprehensive overview of telephone triage for nurses who care for persons with IDD. This topic is of utmost importance to each and every nurse who supervises, provides, or engages in the process of telephone triage. Increased numbers of individuals with IDD who have complex healthcare needs now live in community settings in which there is no licensed nurse physically present to directly and immediately assess and intervene in situations in which illness or injury occur. It is therefore critical that nurses who are responsible for telephone triage have the skills and knowledge to do so safely and correctly. If you are triaging health care problems over the phone and are not knowledgeable about each and every topic being discussed in this presentation, you owe it to yourself and to the individuals for whom you provide care and services to become knowledgeable.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Define telephone triage (TT)
   • Generic definition of TT
   • Essential component parts of the definition
   • Purpose of TT in general
   • Purpose/role of TT in IDD settings
   • Research supporting the role of TT
2. Define the requirements for staff who perform TT
   • URAC requirements for staff
   • Difference between national "standards" vs. legal requirements
3. Discuss the role of protocols in TT
   • TT protocols
   • Role of protocols in the TT process
   • Value of protocols in the process of TT
   • Various TT protocols/formats available
4. Explain decision making in the TT arena
   • Process of decision making in conditions of uncertainty
   • How to collect pertinent information
   • Types of decision making in TT
   • How to use information to select appropriate protocols
5. Categorize the types of telephone triage
   • TT categories (emergent, urgent, non-urgent)
6. Explain a systemic approach to assessment over the phone
   • Information needed for a rapid basic assessment (airway, breathing, circulation, neuro deficits)
   • Elements of general information to be collected
   • Elements of information needed to evaluate the chief complaint
   • What "red flags" to be aware of
7. Conduct an interview over the phone
   • Basics of interviewing
   • How to isolate essential information and focus the interview
   • Interviewing pitfalls
   • How to close the call
   • Collaborative planning
8. Document TT calls
   • Principles of documentation
   • Essential elements of TT documentation
   • Standardization of documentation within an agency
9. Discuss the legal implications of TT
   • Risk management as it relates to TT
   • Liability related to TT
   • Common causes of lawsuits
   • Risk management strategies

Speaker bio

Kathleen Keating is the former Director of Nursing and Health Services for the New York State Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities). She has practiced in the field of developmental disabilities nursing for more than 30 years. During that time, telephone triage has emerged as a critical task for registered professional nurses who work in the field. However, registered nurses are not taught this skill as part of their professional education. In some areas, LVNs/LPNs are now being used to do independent healthcare-related telephone triage for individuals who have developmental disabilities. This has implications for both the LVN/LPN and the RN who may be working in a supervisory capacity. Working with an expert in telephone triage, Ms. Keating has developed a workshop specifically tailored to the needs of nurses in the field of IDD nursing. She has presented this curriculum numerous times both in her home state of New York, as well as in other states and at national conferences.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Nanette Wrobel, BS, RPh

Contact Hours: 2

Course Description

This session gives an overview of medications commonly prescribed to individuals with I/DD. It serves as a guide and review for the nurse or clinician practicing in this field, and covers the following topics: seizure disorder, behavioral issues, anxiety, depression, psychosis, insomnia, dementia, GERD, osteoporosis, arthritis, spasticity, urinary incontinence and constipation. Typical treatment with medications is discussed, along with drug interactions and potential side effects and how to more effectively manage them.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe the pharmacological treatment of conditions common in persons with I/DD, including GERD, osteoporosis, arthritis, spasticity, urinary incontinence and constipation.
2. Describe typical treatment of seizure disorders focusing on the use of antiseizure medications.
3. Review the pharmacological treatment of depression and psychosis in individuals with I/DD.

Speaker bio

Nanette Wrobel, BS, RPh has been a pharmacist specializing in the field of developmental disabilities for 35 years, and has consulted to many facilities on drug-related topics. Additionally, she has been an educator and speaker for the past ten years, and an active member of the national and local DDNA for the past fourteen years.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Kathleen Keating, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 2

Course Description

This full-day session provides a comprehensive overview of telephone triage for nurses who care for persons with IDD. This topic is of utmost importance to each and every nurse who supervises, provides, or engages in the process of telephone triage. Increased numbers of individuals with IDD who have complex healthcare needs now live in community settings in which there is no licensed nurse physically present to directly and immediately assess and intervene in situations in which illness or injury occur. It is therefore critical that nurses who are responsible for telephone triage have the skills and knowledge to do so safely and correctly. If you are triaging health care problems over the phone and are not knowledgeable about each and every topic being discussed in this presentation, you owe it to yourself and to the individuals for whom you provide care and services to become knowledgeable.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Define telephone triage (TT)
   • Generic definition of TT
   • Essential component parts of the definition
   • Purpose of TT in general
   • Purpose/role of TT in IDD settings
   • Research supporting the role of TT
2. Define the requirements for staff who perform TT
   • URAC requirements for staff
   • Difference between national "standards" vs. legal requirements
3. Discuss the role of protocols in TT
   • TT protocols
   • Role of protocols in the TT process
   • Value of protocols in the process of TT
   • Various TT protocols/formats available
4. Explain decision making in the TT arena
   • Process of decision making in conditions of uncertainty
   • How to collect pertinent information
   • Types of decision making in TT
   • How to use information to select appropriate protocols
5. Categorize the types of telephone triage
   • TT categories (emergent, urgent, non-urgent)
6. Explain a systemic approach to assessment over the phone
   • Information needed for a rapid basic assessment (airway, breathing, circulation, neuro deficits)
   • Elements of general information to be collected
   • Elements of information needed to evaluate the chief complaint
   • What "red flags" to be aware of
7. Conduct an interview over the phone
   • Basics of interviewing
   • How to isolate essential information and focus the interview
   • Interviewing pitfalls
   • How to close the call
   • Collaborative planning
8. Document TT calls
   • Principles of documentation
   • Essential elements of TT documentation
   • Standardization of documentation within an agency
9. Discuss the legal implications of TT
   • Risk management as it relates to TT
   • Liability related to TT
   • Common causes of lawsuits
   • Risk management strategies

Speaker bio

Kathleen Keating is the former Director of Nursing and Health Services for the New York State Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities). She has practiced in the field of developmental disabilities nursing for more than 30 years. During that time, telephone triage has emerged as a critical task for registered professional nurses who work in the field. However, registered nurses are not taught this skill as part of their professional education. In some areas, LVNs/LPNs are now being used to do independent healthcare-related telephone triage for individuals who have developmental disabilities. This has implications for both the LVN/LPN and the RN who may be working in a supervisory capacity. Working with an expert in telephone triage, Ms. Keating has developed a workshop specifically tailored to the needs of nurses in the field of IDD nursing. She has presented this curriculum numerous times both in her home state of New York, as well as in other states and at national conferences.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Karen Green McGowan, RN, CDDN

Contact Hours: 2

Course Description

There are more than 400 syndromes identified in persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, some commonly experienced and others very rarely and seldom seen. This session will include an overview of these developmental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism and Asperger syndrome, ADHD, Cornelia De Lang, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome, Fragile X, Prader-Willi, tuberous sclerosis, Turner syndrome, and Williams syndrome. Characteristics of these syndromes and their implications for nursing practice will be discussed. This session will assist RNs and LPNs/LVNs to prepare for the CDDN and DDC certification exams and give direction to their study process.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify and recognize the features of the most common clinical syndromes seen in I/DD.
2. Discuss the most important nursing implications for each of the syndromes presented.
3. Identify at least two factors to consider when providing clinical services for a person with each specific syndrome.

Speaker bio

Karen Green McGowan, RN, CDDN, has worked as nurse for nearly 50 years and in the field of IDD since 1965. She is a charter member of DDNA and participated in the initial development of the CDDN examination process. She has served as an expert witness since 1976 in many class actions, right to treatment court cases in Federal courts across the United States. She has been a court monitor for consent agreements in Illinois, Tennessee and Oklahoma. She has authored a number of training manuals for clinicians and direct care professionals concerning the management of individuals with complex physical and health care management issues. She was involved in the development of the process of Physical and Nutritional Management for the state of Florida in the Sunland Orlando litigation in 1984, and provided training in that process throughout the United States and Canada. She is on the Advisory Board of Mental Disability Rights International and has provided expert consultation for that organization in Bosnia, Serbia, The Republic of Georgia and Mexico.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Kathleen Keating, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 2

Course Description

This full-day session provides a comprehensive overview of telephone triage for nurses who care for persons with IDD. This topic is of utmost importance to each and every nurse who supervises, provides, or engages in the process of telephone triage. Increased numbers of individuals with IDD who have complex healthcare needs now live in community settings in which there is no licensed nurse physically present to directly and immediately assess and intervene in situations in which illness or injury occur. It is therefore critical that nurses who are responsible for telephone triage have the skills and knowledge to do so safely and correctly. If you are triaging health care problems over the phone and are not knowledgeable about each and every topic being discussed in this presentation, you owe it to yourself and to the individuals for whom you provide care and services to become knowledgeable.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Define telephone triage (TT)
   • Generic definition of TT
   • Essential component parts of the definition
   • Purpose of TT in general
   • Purpose/role of TT in IDD settings
   • Research supporting the role of TT
2. Define the requirements for staff who perform TT
   • URAC requirements for staff
   • Difference between national "standards" vs. legal requirements
3. Discuss the role of protocols in TT
   • TT protocols
   • Role of protocols in the TT process
   • Value of protocols in the process of TT
   • Various TT protocols/formats available
4. Explain decision making in the TT arena
   • Process of decision making in conditions of uncertainty
   • How to collect pertinent information
   • Types of decision making in TT
   • How to use information to select appropriate protocols
5. Categorize the types of telephone triage
   • TT categories (emergent, urgent, non-urgent)
6. Explain a systemic approach to assessment over the phone
   • Information needed for a rapid basic assessment (airway, breathing, circulation, neuro deficits)
   • Elements of general information to be collected
   • Elements of information needed to evaluate the chief complaint
   • What "red flags" to be aware of
7. Conduct an interview over the phone
   • Basics of interviewing
   • How to isolate essential information and focus the interview
   • Interviewing pitfalls
   • How to close the call
   • Collaborative planning
8. Document TT calls
   • Principles of documentation
   • Essential elements of TT documentation
   • Standardization of documentation within an agency
9. Discuss the legal implications of TT
   • Risk management as it relates to TT
   • Liability related to TT
   • Common causes of lawsuits
   • Risk management strategies

Speaker bio

Kathleen Keating is the former Director of Nursing and Health Services for the New York State Office for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities). She has practiced in the field of developmental disabilities nursing for more than 30 years. During that time, telephone triage has emerged as a critical task for registered professional nurses who work in the field. However, registered nurses are not taught this skill as part of their professional education. In some areas, LVNs/LPNs are now being used to do independent healthcare-related telephone triage for individuals who have developmental disabilities. This has implications for both the LVN/LPN and the RN who may be working in a supervisory capacity. Working with an expert in telephone triage, Ms. Keating has developed a workshop specifically tailored to the needs of nurses in the field of IDD nursing. She has presented this curriculum numerous times both in her home state of New York, as well as in other states and at national conferences.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Sharon Lewis, DHHS, Administration for Community Living

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

Introduction to the Affordable Care Act and how it impacts a person with Intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Affordable Care Act opens new doors to promote community living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify one intervention that describes how the Affordable Care Act will benefit a person with intellectual and developmental  disabilities.
2. Describe two ways in which the Affordable Care Act promotes community living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
   

Speaker bio

Sharon Lewis was appointed Commissioner of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities in March 2010. Prior to her appointment as Commissioner, she served as the Senior Disability Policy Advisor to the U.S. House Committee on Education & Labor and as a Kennedy Public Policy Fellow for the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Children & Families. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the 2010 Distinguished Leadership in National Disability Policy Award and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Chairman’s Award.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Jack Toomey, RN-BC NADD-CC, CDDN

Contact Hours: .75

Course Description

A regular risk management system can be used to identify persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities that are at risk for illness and injury. The Personal Support Team (PST) reviews and discusses discipline-specific assessments, services, and supports for individuals identified as "at risk" and in response to changes in an at-risk individual's condition as measured by established risk guidelines. The PST develops plans to address individual risk factors so the effect of those risks may be reduced in severity and the quality of the individual's life improved. The presentation provides an overview of the health risk determination process, risk guidelines, and tools that can be used to determine level of risk. Audience member will be able to identify key aspects of determining level of risk in multiple categories to guide development of interventions to achieve optimal outcomes.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Facilitate the sharing of appropriate health information regarding the individual with I/DD between hospital staff and the individual's caregivers.
2. Describe the importance of good health care coordination in achieving optimal health care outcomes for people with I/DD.
3. Base staff teaching techniques on the fact that the person who accompanies a person with I/DD. The purpose of this presentation is examine ways in which to improve the interface between care in the community and care in an emergency department, urgent care center, or physician office for persons with I/DD.

Speaker bio

Jack Toomey has worked in various capacities as an RN for Philadelphia Coordinated Health Care (PCHC). PCHC is a small public health agency dedicated to enhancing the access and quality of health care for people with IDD. It serves as the Health Care Quality Unit (HCQU) for the Office of Developmental Programs in the SE region of Pennsylvania and has served as the model for the establishment of seven other HCQUs across Pennsylvania. Mr. Toomey was instrumental in the development of the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Nurses Network (PADDNN), which was honored twice by DDNA with the Network Achievement Award. Mr. Toomey has also worked in psychiatric nursing for 15 years. He is certified in Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, is Clinically Certified in Dual Diagnosis by the National Association for Dual Diagnoses, and is a Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse through DDNA. Mr. Toomey has extensive experience in working with teams to improve the health care and quality of life of people with IDD and mental health problems.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Denise Micheletti, MS, RN and Jeanne Lavelle, BSN

Contact Hours: .75

Course Description

The purpose of this presentation is to share Matheny's Transition Nurse Project with other nurses in the field. The experience of acute care hospitalization for children and adults with I/DD can be devastating and dangerous. A transition care nurse in this scenario can make a significant difference that helps to promote shorter hospital stays and fewer frequent repeat admissions for individuals with I/DD.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe how to foster institutional relationships that support the concepts of transition care nursing.
2. Discuss how a health care transition services system may benefit any setting serving people with I/DD.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the partnership steps involved in the progression of the implementation of Matheny's Transition Care Nurse project.

Speaker bios

Denise Micheletti has been in the field of I/DD since 1983. She has directed nursing departments, as well as large state facilities for people with DD, and consulted in a number of states assisting with improving the quality of care for child and adults with developmental disabilities. She has worked to implementing clinical pathways, standardized nursing care plans, and improved standardized nursing documentation.

Jeanne Lavelle has worked in I/DD nursing since 2010. She became the Transition Care Nurse for Matheny in September 2011. Her key role is to be an advocate, educator, and collaborator with the acute care professionals who care for the Matheny patients in the acute care setting. She worked for Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NY in from 1981 to 1988, coordinating for home care needs, providing patient and family teaching, and developing a self-directed learning module for nursing orientation.

These speakers have no vested interest to declare

Shannon Benaitis, MS, PHR and Christine Ziemba, BA

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

On a daily basis, organizations that support adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities (IDD) are facing the "graying" of participants in their programs and in their residences. The GRACE (Generating Resources on Aging through Collaborative Energies) Manual for Aging Adults with Developmental Disabilities, developed by a collaborative of six organizations from the Intersect for Ability Network, is a service provider response to later life transitions. Along with numerous other topics, the GRACE Manual teaches I/DD agency staff about the physical changes that adults with I/DD experience as they age, including changes to their sensory systems. This interactive, experiential workshop allows participants to experience firsthand the effects of age-related changes to visual and tactile senses, as well as what it is like to develop various diseases of the eye. Additionally, participants will be provided with the resources and instructions to facilitate these same sensory activities in their workplaces, with the aim of increasing both understanding and empathy for aging individuals with IDD. Intervention strategies will also be discussed.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Discuss the reasons for the growing problem of aging individuals with IDD and the specific challenges they present to service providers.
   
2. Discuss aging-related changes to sensory systems (visual and tactile) that all individuals experience, as well as age-related eye diseases, identifying specific changes or diseases to which individuals with IDD are more susceptible.
3. Experience first-hand the effects of changes to sensory systems as a result of the aging process, as well as the effects of various age-related eye diseases - developing understanding and empathy through experiential activity.

Speaker bios

Shannon Benaitis, PHR, is the Director of Training for Clearbrook and was the Chair of the GRACE Project Training Committee. Shannon has been working in social services for over 15 years in positions ranging from case management to counseling to supervision/administration, and in varied settings including residential facilities, day treatment/program, sheltered workshop, and community mental health. Shannon has worked as a counselor, program/facility director, and trainer for staff who support people with IDD. In her role as Clearbrook's Director of Staff Training, she is responsible for the development and implementation of training for staff at all levels in day programs, intermediate care facilities, group homes, and home-based services. She has undergraduate degrees in Psychology and English, and a Masters Degree in Criminal and Social Justice, and is also PHR (Professional in Human Resources) certified.

Christine Ziemba is a Training Specialist for Clearbrook. Christine has been working in social services for over 15 years in positions ranging from house manager to DSP/Job Coach to case management to supervision/administration, and in varied settings including a residential home for the State of Illinois, Supported Employment Services, sheltered workshop, home-based services and training. Christine has worked as a QIDP, Site Supervisor, Coordinator for home-based services, and trainer for staff who support people with IDD. In her role as Clearbrook's Training Specialist, she is responsible for assisting with the development as well as implementation of training for staff at all levels in day programs, intermediate care facilities, group homes, clinical services and home-based services. While at Clearbrook, Christine earned “Employee of the Month” for exceptional customer service to staff, clients and families.

These speakers have no vested interest to declare

Panel Speakers: Shannon Benaitis, MS, PHR; Christine Ziemba, BA; Denise Micheletti, MS, RN; Jeanne Lavelle, BSN; Jack Toomey, RN-BC NADD-CC, CDDN; Sharon Lewis, DHHS, Administration for Community Living

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

This session is a question and answer session that brings together all speakers from this conference day for a consideration of the possible impact of the Affordable Care Act on the health care of persons with I/DD. Meaningful self-determination, independence, productivity, integration, and inclusion are essential components of advocacy for persons with I/DD. But, as the saying goes, "If you don’t have your health, you have nothing." The panel will answer attendees' questions regarding health care services for individuals with IDD in various care settings, which is especially important as the population with I/DD ages.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Create an open discussion re: possible outcomes from the Affordable Care Act.
2. Discuss the nurse's role in advocating for the rights of persons with I/DD.
3. Discuss the impact of an aging population of individuals with I/DD to service providers.

Speaker bios

Please see speaker information for this day above.

These speakers have no vested interest to declare

Kurt A. Kondrich, M.Ed., and Chloe Kondrich

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

This presentation will focus on the incredible journey my family has taken since before and after the birth of our beautiful daughter Chloe in 2003. Chloe has a diagnosis of Down syndrome. After her birth, I realized that children like Chloe need a voice, and I decided to become a strong advocate for early intervention. Leaving my career as a Police Officer, I returned to college and earned a Masters Degree in Early Intervention, becoming a strong advocate for Early Intervention services, which provide a solid foundation for a lifetime of success. This session will discuss how I, as a parent, have worked with policymakers to show how critical it is to invest in quality services/supports for our most vulnerable children and families, and how the return on investment is always positive. At age 9, Chloe shows how the smallest voice can make the largest impact. My mission and the focus of this education session is to share information about what Chloe and I are doing to make sure policymakers and the community see what a priceless blessing children with Down syndrome are.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Share the background of the Kondrich's family journey to Chloe’s birth in 2003.
2. Describe how Chloe's birth realigned my career priorities and inspired me to become an advocate.
3. Show the incredible results Early Intervention has had on Chloe and our family.

Speaker bios

Kurt and his wife Margie have a handsome son, Nolan, and beautiful daughter, Chloe. Chloe's birth in 2003 with a diagnosis of Down syndrome placed Kurt and his family on an incredible journey. Kurt served as a Police Officer for 20 years and received many awards/citations for community service. He left this career and pursued a Master's Degree in Early Intervention from the University of Pittsburgh. He serves as Director of Community and Family Outreach for Early Intervention Specialists, and on several boards and councils representing individuals with disabilities. In 2008, he was appointed Chair of the Governor's Advisory Council for Early Intervention. Since then his mission is to be a strong voice for children with disabilities and their families across PA. Frequently visiting the PA Capitol, he meets with Legislators and staff to show how critical it is to invest in Early Intervention. He has conducted Early Intervention forums at the PA Capitol and University of Pittsburgh, and he has spoken at the Capitol Rotunda about these priceless programs. He has contacted every PA legislator and distributed photos, videos clips, positive articles, and information packets that emphasize the ABILITIES and not disabilities of children. When Kurt and Chloe visit legislators, Chloe shows that the smallest voice can make a large impact. Kurt speaks frequently to large groups of university students, professionals, and families about the importance of Early Intervention. Chloe has appeared twice on a national TV program, been in a sports commercial, in magazine and newspaper articles, on the cover of a book and two magazines. Her picture was featured twice on the big screen in Times Square, NYC! Kurt received the Ron Cowell Award in 2009 for exceptional Early Intervention Leadership in PA, and also the Infant Toddler Coordinators Association National Parent Leadership award in 2009 for outstanding leadership and advocacy. In 2010, he received the Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award at PNC Park, and the St. Anthony's Opportunity Award at Heinz Field in November 2011 for advocacy. Kurt and his family were also honored with the PA Pro-Life Federation Leadership Award in October 2011 for showing people the ABILITIES of children with Down syndrome. Kurt considers himself an example of God not calling the qualified, but qualifying the called.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Ann Pooler, RN, PhD

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

A key point of trauma theory is that we heal in relationship. I/DD nurses have unique positions and skills to assess relationships at every level of service system in order to ask, "Is this interaction helpful, respectful, healing?" This workshop presents key points to help nurses create trauma-informed supports that promote healing and flourishing.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Explain trauma theory
2. Apply trauma theory to systems change.
3. Assess interactions using trauma theory.

Speaker bio

Ann Pooler is a nurse with a PhD in ethics. She has developed guidelines in person-centered consumer empowerment in community-based long-term supports and mental health services, on topics such as risk, resource allocation decisions, informed choice, ethics and boundaries, and integrated employment. She was the lead RN in developing Wisconsin's managed LTS system, and is a member of the WI Trauma Awareness Committee.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Janice Lanier, JD, RN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

"If you're not at the table, you're on the menu," (Susan Clark, Illinois nurse lobbyist). For too long nurses' voices have been missing when important issues are decided. As implementation of health care reform begins in earnest, nurses must gain their seats at policy tables everywhere. This program offers insights about how to be more effective advocates for your issues and your clients.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Explain the environmental factors affecting policy making.
2. Identify provisions in the Affordable Care Act with implications for nurses in the developmental disabilities community.
3. Describe the basic components of policy making.

Speaker bio

Jan Lanier has worked in the area of health policy advocacy since 1983 following a year-long internship with the Ohio General Assembly. During that time, she worked as the Director of Health Policy/legislative liaison for numerous nursing/healthcare-related interests and also ran unsuccessfully for the Ohio House of Representatives in 2008. Currently, she teaches health policy to graduate nursing students at The Ohio State University. She has been a contributing author to several policy textbooks, and authored and presented numerous continuing education offerings.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Elaine Flynn, RN, MSN, CRRN, CIC

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

Measures need to be taken to protect both individuals with I/DD and staff from acquired infections. Serious and hard to treat infectious diseases can spread within settings where people share eating and living arrangements. We now also have to be concerned with healthcare-associated infections that are resistant to antibiotics. In addition, some people with I/DD are more susceptible to infections. Infection is a major cause of illness in this population and may result in avoidable hospital admissions. Proper infection control can minimize the spread of infection and decrease health care costs, as well as serious and life-threatening health problems.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Describe the chain of infection and two risk factors associated with an increased risk of infection among persons with I/DD living in the community.
2. Identify multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) frequently seen in persons with I/DD who live in the community, including MRSA, VRE, C-diff, and norovirus.
3. Describe two infection control behaviors identified in evidenced-based practice that prevent/control the spread of MDRO among persons with I/DD living in the community setting.

Speaker bio

Elaine Flynn has 37 years of nursing experience. She has been practicing rehabilitation nursing in the primary role of Infection Prevention and Control at MossRehab since 1987. MossRehab provides services for persons with traumatic brain injuries and with I/DD. Ms. Flynn is an active member of Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and the Association for Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology, and is certified by both of these organizations.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

James Coplan, MD

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

Medical quackery is widespread, particularly for conditions that are chronic and/or for which traditional medicine offers no cure. New quack "cures" appear regularly, and it would be impossible to list them all. Fortunately, however, most quack therapies share specific attributes that permit the critical observer to distinguish them from legitimate medical therapy. In this presentation, we will trace the history of medical quackery in the United States over the past 150 years, from which we will derive the identifying features that have remained constant over time. We will apply these criteria to present-day therapies for persons with I/DD, thereby enabling nurses to draw their own conclusions about which therapies are worth advocating for, and which can safely be avoided.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Define medical "quackery".
2. Describe and trace the history of quackery in America, comparing and contrasting "Back to Nature" vs. new "High Tech" approaches.
3. Analyze current therapies for persons with I/DD within this frame of reference.

Speaker bio

James Coplan, MD, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of developmental disabilities, with a special interest in early language development, and autism spectrum disorders. He is the creator of "The Early Language Milestone Scale" (a language screening test for children birth to 3), and author of "Making Sense of Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Create the brightest future for your child with the best treatment options," a book for parents, healthcare providers, therapists, and others concerned with the welfare of persons on the autism spectrum. Dr. Coplan is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Child Neurology Society, as well as Clinical Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Coplan is in private practice in Rosemont, PA.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Terry Broda, NP-PHC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

As advocates for persons with I/DD, we need to become more familiar with the various complex medical issues that can occur in these individuals. This session will sensitize the learner to various comorbid medical issues that arise in persons with specific genetic syndromes and intellectual disabilities and the often-subtle presentation of these illnesses, which frequently include challenging behaviors. Short case examples for six different syndromes will be provided to illustrate these points: Down syndrome, Fragile X, Cornelia de Lange, Prader-Willi, Angelman and 22q- syndrome.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the characteristic features of Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Cornelia de Lange and 22q syndromes, Prader-Willi, and Angelman syndromes.
2. Match potential comorbid medical conditions of the above syndromes to their respective symptoms.
3. Identify various strategies that may be helpful in supporting persons with specific genetic syndromes and their families.

Speaker bio

Terry Broda is a Nurse Practitioner with almost 20 years of experience working with adults who have I/DD. She is one of the first few nurses in Canada to obtain certification from DDNA and is a past President of DDNA. Terry currently works as a consultant with Solution-s, in Ottawa, and shares a collaborative clinic with a psychiatrist, supporting persons with I/DD and a dual diagnosis. Since 2010, Terry has been appointed to the Faculty of the School of Nursing at McGill University in Montreal. She is also one of the contributors to the recent 2011 publications: The Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Tools for the Primary Care of People with Developmental Disabilities.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Dr. Carl Tyler

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

As individuals with I/DD achieve greater life expectancies, they are subject to greater risk for enhance the learner's ability to recognize, diagnose, and treat common cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The session will focus on hypertensive cardiovascular disease, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and valvular heart conditions common in persons with I/DD.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Summarize key components of a focused history and physical examination targeting cardiovascular health and disease.
2. Outline key components of a program for cardiovascular health, including tailored prevention strategies for persons with I/DD.
3. Outline principle diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to common CVDs.

Speaker bio

Carl Tyler MD, MSc, is a clinician-researcher-medical educator in the Medicine Institute of the Cleveland Clinic. His passion for over 20 years is improving the health and health care of adults with I/DD through clinical research, health professional education, and training. He is co-author of "Intellectual Disabilities at Your Fingertips: A Health Care Resource," a pocket clinical manual targeting both health professionals and direct care providers.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Dr. James Coplan

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

Up until recently, the major focus of care for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been on childhood. Non-institutionalized adults with ASD have not figured largely in service delivery planning, health care provision, or healthcare education. This presentation will take a look at what comes after childhood. We will discuss transition issues as these pertain to the parents as well as the young adult with ASD, as well as reviewing what is known about the fate of adults living independently in the community with ASD, and their service needs.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. List the developmental tasks of transition to adulthood (TTA) for any adolescent.
2. Describe the ways in which the needs and abilities of adolescents with ASD differ from or are the same as those of typical teens as they transition into adulthood.
3. Describe what is known about long-term outcomes for adults with ASD.

Speaker bio

James Coplan, MD, is an internationally recognized expert in the field of developmental disabilities, with a special interest in early language development, and autism spectrum disorders. He is the creator of "The Early Language Milestone Scale" (a language screening test for children birth to 3), and author of "Making Sense of Autistic Spectrum Disorders: Create the brightest future for your child with the best treatment options," a book for parents, healthcare providers, therapists, and others concerned with the welfare of persons on the autism spectrum. Dr. Coplan is a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Child Neurology Society, as well as Clinical Associate Professor of Child Psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Dr. Coplan is in private practice in Rosemont, PA.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Terry Broda, NP-PHC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

As advocates for persons with I/DD, we need to become more familiar with the various complex medical issues that can occur in these individuals. This session will sensitize the learner to various comorbid medical issues that arise in persons with specific genetic syndromes and intellectual disabilities and the often-subtle presentation of these illnesses, which frequently include challenging behaviors. Short case examples for six different syndromes will be provided to illustrate these points: Down syndrome, Fragile X, Cornelia de Lange, Prader-Willi, Angelman and 22q- syndrome.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the characteristic features of Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Cornelia de Lange and 22q syndromes, Prader-Willi, and Angelman syndromes.
2. Match potential comorbid medical conditions of the above syndromes to their respective symptoms.
3. Identify various strategies that may be helpful in supporting persons with specific genetic syndromes and their families.

Speaker bio

Terry Broda is a Nurse Practitioner with almost 20 years of experience working with adults who have I/DD. She is one of the first few nurses in Canada to obtain certification from DDNA and is a past President of DDNA. Terry currently works as a consultant with Solution-s, in Ottawa, and shares a collaborative clinic with a psychiatrist, supporting persons with I/DD and a dual diagnosis. Since 2010, Terry has been appointed to the Faculty of the School of Nursing at McGill University in Montreal. She is also one of the contributors to the recent 2011 publications: The Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Tools for the Primary Care of People with Developmental Disabilities.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Nanette Wrobel, BS, RPh

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

This session defines the major types of dementia, highlighting dementia of the Alzheimer's type, specifically as it presents in individuals with I/DD.  Discussed will be the course of the disease, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, and the nonpharmacologic as well as pharmacologic treatments available today for this disease.  Medications, potential side effects, appropriate dosages, potential drug interactions and new medications possibly on the horizon will also be discussed.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. define the different types of dementia.
2. describe the pharmacological approach to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
   
3. describe the characteristics of Alzheimer's type demential in the individual with I/DD
   

Speaker bio

Nanette R Wrobel, BS, RPh, has been a consulting pharmacist specializing in I/DD for more than 30 years. In addition to consulting to I/DD agencies, she is President of The Pharmaceutical Advisor, a company that provides materials and education on a variety of healthcare topics. She has served on many committees that advocate for the best healthcare possible for individuals with I/DD and has been a member of the local and National Developmental Disabilities Nursing Association for many years.  In addition to her work on a local level, Ms Wrobel has been a national and international speaker for over 10 years, providing education on disease state and medication-related topics to a variety of organizations.  She is also the Director of Education/Clinical Director for a national pharmacy, Pharmacy Alternatives, which provides vendor and consulting services exclusively to the I/DD population. In that role, she writes a monthly educational newsletter, hosts several monthly webinars, and produces educational materials and live trainings. 

This speaker has no vested interest to declare.

DDNA is pleased to invite our current chapter leaders to be our guests at a special recognition and networking luncheon. As a chapter leader, you have taken on the challenge of connecting with and providing support to IDD nurses in your chapter area. You want to find ways to contribute to your chapter's success, which can include developing and maintaining an informative website, locating and recruiting new members, providing quality education programs for IDD nurses and the community, encouraging existing members to serve in leadership roles, and nurturing the spirit of providing mutual support. When you arm yourself with new ideas and support, finding ways to grow and vitalize your chapter can be identified and developed. During this luncheon, chapter leaders will have an opportunity to network with one another, share strategies to address common challenges, and identify solutions that will help to strengthen and improve their chapters. DDNA's Board of Directors will share their experiences with their chapters and other information of importance to chapter leaders. Each chapter can send up to two representatives, each of whom must be an elected officer of the chapter.

Anne Halligan-Luca, BSN, RN, CDDN and Kathryn Butvick, RN, PhD

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

Routine medical and dental visits can be extremely stressful, particularly for persons with IDD. This population because of their communication, social, and sensory processing deficits can have difficulty tolerating the demands and stimuli of a heath care visit. Noncompliance with treatment can have serious repercussions on general health, as well as preclude options for participation in many programs. This presentation describes a desensitization program that combines techniques from occupational therapy, behavioral health, nursing, dentistry, and medicine that assists both the patients and providers in the completion of successful health care visits. The presenters will provide an overview of this program, including a description of the elements used to produce very positive outcomes, videos used to illustrate the techniques used in the routine healthcare visits, clinical findings, and future directions. This session will be beneficial for nurses who deliver primary healthcare, as well as for the IDD nurses who coordinate the health care of people with ID/DD.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1.  Provide an overview of the desensitization program, including physical and dental desensitization.

2.  Describe outcomes to date from the program and plans for future directions and further development of the program.

3.  Describe the techniques and unique collaborative design of desensitization program.

Speaker bios

Anne Halligan-Luca has been working with people with developmental disabilities for over twenty years. She was one of the first 100 nurses to become a CDDN. She has worked in day programs, schools and has been a Nurse Manager for Premier Healthcare for ten years. Premier Healthcare is part of the YAI Network, which serves more than 10,000 individuals with IDD in their many programs. She has lectured on various IDD healthcare topics and was instrumental in developing this unique and effective program desensitization program.

Kathryn Butvick has been the nurse administrator for Premier Healthcare for more than ten years. She has worked to develop and support the physical and desensitization program since its inception. She also is a frequent lecturer on topics related to the healthcare of persons with IDD.

These speakers have no vested interest to declare

Terry Broda, NP-PHC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

This session continues our familiarization with various complex medical issues in persons with I/DD, as well as comorbid conditions and the presentation of illnesses, including challenging behaviors. Short case examples for four different syndromes will be provided to illustrate these points: Smith Magenis, Williams, Phenylketonuria and Tuberous Sclerosis. This session will also review epilepsy: one of the most common chronic health concerns experienced by people with I/DD. The prevalence can be as high as 50% in those with severe and profound disabilities, requiring nurses and DSP to have adequate knowledge in the recognition and management of this disorder. Accurate documentation for the primary care provider can lead to appropriate diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, thus improving quality of life. This session will provide a brief overview of various types of epilepsy and review useful tools for observation and documentation of seizures. Anti-epileptic medications, their side effects, and other management strategies will also be presented.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the characteristic features and co-morbid medical issues associated with Williams syndrome, Smith Magenis syndromes, phenylketonuria, and tuberous sclerosis complex.
2. Identify various strategies that may be helpful in supporting persons with specific genetic syndromes and their families.
3. Describe epilepsy-related behaviors, diagnostic testing for epilepsy, and the management and treatment of seizures and epilepsy in persons with developmental disabilities.

Speaker bio

Terry Broda is a Nurse Practitioner with almost 20 years of experience working with adults who have I/DD. She is one of the first few nurses in Canada to obtain certification from DDNA and is a past President of DDNA. Terry currently works as a consultant with Solution-s, in Ottawa, and shares a collaborative clinic with a psychiatrist, supporting persons with I/DD and a dual diagnosis. Since 2010, Terry has been appointed to the Faculty of the School of Nursing at McGill University in Montreal. She is also one of the contributors to the recent 2011 publications: The Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Tools for the Primary Care of People with Developmental Disabilities.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Terry Lykins, RD, LMNT and Marcia Regier, BSN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

A 2001 Institute of Medicine report stresses inter-professionalism in optimizing delivery of health service, which is particularly relevant to individuals with I/DD who have complex medical needs, including physical and nutritional challenges. Accordingly, we have developed a physical and nutritional support (PNS) program aimed at providing inter-professionalism and comprehensive assessments and support for individuals with I/DD. At this session, attendees will learn about identifying physical nutritional challenges for individuals with I/DD, recognizing the value of an interdisciplinary team approach to providing supports, and will be able to give examples that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of these supports.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify common physical nutritional challenges for individuals with I/DD.
2. Explain the development of a risk screening tool and interdisciplinary team to address the physical and nutritional needs of individuals with I/DD.
3. Describe methods to evaluate the effectiveness of a Physical Nutritional Support program.

Speaker bios

Marcia Regier has been employed as a clinical nurse trainer with Department of Health and Human Services at the Beatrice State Developmental Center since 2002. In that position she has collaborated with clinicians in other disciplines to assess staff educational needs and to plan, develop, and present educational activities. Since 2010 Marcia has been a part of the Physical Nutritional Support team and has assisted in the development and implementation of that program.

Terri Lykins is a registered dietitian with 23 years' experience in acute care and long-term care settings, food service and clinical practitioner management, specialization in enteral and parenteral feeding, physical and nutritional support/management, and survey preparation. She has coordinated family style dining, foodservice operations and nutritional assessment for two state ICF/MR facilities. She has been working with Beatrice State Developmental Center since March 2009, and has provided clinical oversight and program development for physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, registered dietitians, respiratory therapy, and PNM team in a State-operated Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) for intellectual and developmental disabilities under a Department of Justice settlement agreement. As the Director of Physical and Nutritional Support (PNS) Services, she has assisted in the development and implementation of the PNS program, including the development of risk screening, establishing procedures, team composition, and ongoing auditing of the program.

These speakers have no vested interest to declare

Regina Linehan, RN, MS, CDE

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

This presentation will discuss new trends in diabetes management for persons with I/DD. These include the use of basal bolus insulin and new oral medications, new technologies in blood glucose monitoring and pattern management, and nutrition management in the face of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Discuss the benefits of basal bolus insulin regimens for insulin users and advantages and disadvantages of newer oral agents GLP-1 receptor agonists and DPP-4 inhibitors.
2. Explore ways to translate recommendations regarding carbohydrates, fat, and sodium into practical meal planning for individuals with I/DD and diabetes, hypertension, and/or hyperlipidemia.
3. Examine use of new technologies in blood glucose monitoring to achieve target blood glucose levels.

Speaker bio

Ms. Linehan is the Director of the Diabetes Education Center at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. The Center conducts an American Diabetes Association-recognized outpatient diabetes education program that serves approximately 1,000 people each year. Ms. Linehan works with individuals with I/DD and diabetes and their caregivers to provide one-to-one education to meet specific needs in diabetes skills training and management education. In this effort and working closely with area agencies and care providers, the Center designed a publication entitled: “Meeting the Challenge of Diabetes and Developmental Disabilities: A Manual for Caregivers.”

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Terry Broda, NP-PHC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

This session continues our familiarization with various complex medical issues in persons with I/DD, as well as comorbid conditions and the presentation of illnesses, including challenging behaviors. Short case examples for four different syndromes will be provided to illustrate these points: Smith Magenis, Williams, Phenylketonuria and Tuberous Sclerosis. This session will also review epilepsy: one of the most common chronic health concerns experienced by people with I/DD. The prevalence can be as high as 50% in those with severe and profound disabilities, requiring nurses and DSP to have adequate knowledge in the recognition and management of this disorder. Accurate documentation for the primary care provider can lead to appropriate diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, thus improving quality of life. This session will provide a brief overview of various types of epilepsy and review useful tools for observation and documentation of seizures. Anti-epileptic medications, their side effects, and other management strategies will also be presented.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the characteristic features and co-morbid medical issues associated with Williams syndrome, Smith Magenis syndromes, phenylketonuria, and tuberous sclerosis complex.
2. Identify various strategies that may be helpful in supporting persons with specific genetic syndromes and their families.
3. Describe epilepsy-related behaviors, diagnostic testing for epilepsy, and the management and treatment of seizures and epilepsy in persons with developmental disabilities.

Speaker bio

Terry Broda is a Nurse Practitioner with almost 20 years of experience working with adults who have I/DD. She is one of the first few nurses in Canada to obtain certification from DDNA and is a past President of DDNA. Terry currently works as a consultant with Solution-s, in Ottawa, and shares a collaborative clinic with a psychiatrist, supporting persons with I/DD and a dual diagnosis. Since 2010, Terry has been appointed to the Faculty of the School of Nursing at McGill University in Montreal. She is also one of the contributors to the recent 2011 publications: The Canadian Consensus Guidelines for Primary Care of Adults with Developmental Disabilities and Tools for the Primary Care of People with Developmental Disabilities.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Carol Everhart, MSN, FNP-BC, CDDN

Contact Hours: 1.5

Course Description

There are five major health issues that most commonly impact clients with ID/DD: dehydration, constipation, pressure sores, aspiration, and falls. This session will identify these five health issues, including their signs and symptoms. It will also help you to identify possible causes and risk factors. Most importantly, it will help you to identify methods of preventing each of the Fatal Five.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Identify the five major health issues (Fatal Five) that more commonly impact clients with I/DD.
2. Describe three possible causes/risk factors for each of the Fatal Five.
3. Describe three methods of prevention each of the Fatal Five.

Speaker bio

Carole Everhart is currently the Nurse Practitioner at Southwestern Virginia Training Center in Hillsville, VA. She has been in this position for the past 11 years. She has been a Certified Developmental Disabilities Nurse for the past nine years. She is also board certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner and is currently seeking her doctorate in nursing practice. She has held a certification as a pediatric nurse and has more than 20 years of experience in primary health care.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare

Barbara Bancroft

Contact Hours: 3

Course Description

The purpose of this session is to enhance nurses’ knowledge regarding the corresponding lab tests and values that are associated with medications that are commonly administered to individuals with I/DD. This information will enhance the ability of the nurse to monitor lab values and medications that could impact an individual’s medication regimen.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:

1. Discuss the most common classes of drugs administered to individuals with I/DD.
2. Correlate specific lab tests used to monitor side effects of the drugs.
3. Discuss common drug-drug interactions and drug-food interactions.

Speaker bio

Barb Bancroft has presented over 2,200 continuing education seminars to health professionals throughout the United States and Canada. She has been the keynote speaker for numerous conferences, including DDNA. She is the author of four books, including her latest--Kiss My Asparagus.

This speaker has no vested interest to declare