2024 Transition Conference: The Transition Journeys

Event Details

Saturday, April 27
Worcester State University

The Arc of Massachusetts’s biennial Transition Conference is back and better than ever!

The Transition Journeys will feature timely and relevant information about the transition from school programs to adult services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or autism when they turn 22 years old.

Attendees will learn about transition from experts in Massachusetts services and supports, as well as family members who already have traveled the path. Attendees can choose from a wide variety of panels and breakout sessions, visit resource tables in the exhibit area, and hear a keynote from speaker Cheryl Ryan Chan.

Questions? Please contact Dianne Huggon at huggon@arcmass.org.

Registration

Tickets are $79 per person.

Space is limited for this conference. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.

Don’t miss out – this conference won’t be offered again until 2026!

Financial Aid Options

  • The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council provides empowerment funds which can be used for scholarships: https://www.mass.gov/guide/grants-and-funding-opportunities
  • Family support centers may be a possibility for assistance through flex funds. You can ask your local family support center if you are already connected with them. You can contact your center or find the family support centers’ directory on this page – scroll down to download the list: https://www.mass.gov/dds-family-support
  • Additionally, some chapters of The Arc are supporting constituents they serve with scholarships.

Refund Policy

  • If you are unable to attend the Conference, please email Kalea at kamundson@arcmass.org to request a refund in writing.
  • Your refund amount will be $75. The $4 credit card processing fee is nonrefundable.
  • Registrants requesting refunds received before 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 16 will receive $75.
  • Any requests on or after April 17 will be refunded $40 since The Arc has to provide the facility with a guaranteed number.

Workshops

Attendees will be able to attend a total of three workshops – two 75 minute sessions and one 45 minute session. The workshops cover a wide range of topics and feature presenters from varied fields of expertise. There are also different language tracks for attendees whose first language is Spanish, Portuguese, or Mandarin.

Spanish Track

  • Session One: Navigating Transitions to Adult Healthcare 
  • Session Two: An Overview of the Department of Developmental Services’ Transition Supports and Services
  • Session Three: The New IEP and How to Make the IEP Visions a Reality

Portuguese Track

  • Session One: Navigating Transitions to Adult Healthcare 
  • Session Two: An Overview of MRC Services and New Initiatives to Support Families in Transition
  • Session Three: The New IEP and How to Make the IEP Visions a Reality

Mandarin Track

  • Session One: Supported Decision-Making: Making It Work!
  • Session Two: An Overview of MRC Services and New Initiatives to Support Families in Transition
  • Session Three: The New IEP and How to Make the IEP Visions a Reality

Schedule

8:30AM Early Bird Arrival Begins
Check-in opens. Exhibitor tables are available to visit. Continental breakfast is open.
9:30 – 10:00AM Introduction
10:00 – 10:20AM  Keynote: Getting out of Our Kids’ Way by Cheryl Ryan Chan
10:30 – 11:45AM Session One
11:45AM – 12:00PM Break
12:00 – 1:00PM Lunch
     Lunch Speaker: Korbin Johnson
1:00 – 1:45PM Session Two
1:45 – 2:15PM Break
2:15 – 3:30PM Session Three
3:30 – 3:45PM Break
3:45 – 4:00PM Closing Remarks

Due to the layout of the conference venues, attendees should
allot five minutes to move to their next session.

Sponsorship

Being a conference sponsor is a great opportunity to market your products and services to the parents, family members, and human service professionals who attend. In addition, because the conference will be heavily promoted to our constituency via email and social media, your organization or business will reach The Arc’s ever-growing online community.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Interested in combining a conference sponsorship with other events or advertising?

Contact Katrin at aback@arcmass.org to start the conversation about a custom sponsorship package tailored to meet your specific interests and budget.

Exhibitor Tables

The 2024 Transition Conference will have an area for interested for profit and non profit organizations to advertise through exhibitor tables. Rates for full tables and half tables are available below.

Each exhibitor table includes breakfast and lunch for one person. Breakfast and lunch per additional staff member is $50 per person.

For Profit

Full Table: $500
Half Table: $275

Non Profit

Full Table: $350
Half Table: $200

Any questions about exhibitor tables?

Contact Kalea at kamundson@arcmass.org.

Sponsors

Platinum Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Friend Sponsor

The Arc of Bristol County

The Arc of Opportunity

Berkshire County Arc

Incompass Human Services

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council

NESCA

Northeast Arc

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Contact Katrin Aback for more information.