Day 1 of the Informational Sessions for the Disability & Mental Health Summit 2022 was held on April 28, 2022, at the Beth El Synagogue. Thank you to everyone who came! It was recorded and the videos will be available to watch soon. Subscribe to my newsletter (and check the box for “mental health”) if you’d like to be notified by email when the recordings are published.
Keynote: Federal Disability Policy Update
Speaker(s): Michael Gamel-McCormick, Disability Policy Directory for Senator Bob Casey
Time: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Sessions
Children’s Mental Health from a General Pediatrics Perspective
Time: 9:10 am – 10:10 am
Have you ever wondered how to facilitate and enhance mental health care when interacting with a child’s primary care physician? This presentation is designed to provide an overview to parents, teachers, and other branches of the mental health care team and provide a general understanding of children’s mental health care as it traverses the medical system. A variety of topics will be discussed: evolution in detection and referral patterns, mental illness masquerading as medical illness, environmental issues causing escalated mental health problems, ways to assist and interact with physicians, detecting and removing barriers to care, learning disabilities overlooked resulting in mood disorder, and more.
About the Speaker(s)
Dr. Edwin King is currently in full-time practice at AHN Pediatrics Clinic, formally Pediatric Alliance. He obtained his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He also holds a graduate certificate in Biomedical Informatics. He has been very active in promoting mental health care for children, and he sees a disproportionate number of patients with mental illness and learning disabilities. He practices the biopsychosocial model of medicine and focuses on integrative care. Dr. King has spoken previously to mental health providers and clinicians about increasing involvement in mental health care in primary care medicine, recognizing and reporting child abuse, and has given a TEDx presentation on mental health and stigma. Dr. King has a significant background as an artist, and he is currently involved in video game design in the “metaverse” with the eventual goal of designing neuropsychological experiential education.
Introduction to Supporting Those at Risk
Time: 10:20 am – 11:20 am
When someone in your life attempts suicide or experiences suicidal thoughts, it can be difficult to know how to best support them in their recovery. Introduction to Supporting Those At Risk is designed to provide you with information and resources on how to support someone in your life with lived experience, someone’s experience with suicidal thoughts, and/or a past suicide attempt. Attendees will gain a better understanding of behaviors and experiences related to suicide, learn about the recovery process, and learn about the importance of self-care.
About the Speaker(s)
Jesse Putkoski has been the Area Director for the Western PA Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention since October of 2019, having been involved as a volunteer since 2016 and then as a board member. During her time with the organization, she has delivered a number of suicide prevention presentations, as well as held the position of coordinator for Healing Conversations, a program that offers support to those who have suffered a suicide loss. She is certified in SafeTALK suicide intervention and ASIST. Her professional background also includes ten years in the legal industry, as well as four years as a high school educator in the Richmond, Virginia area. She holds a Bachelor of Art’s degree in English Writing and a Master of Science degree in Secondary English Education, both from Duquesne University.
#NotAshamed: Mental Wellness and Advocacy for Youth with Disabilities
Time: 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
Join Joyce Bender, international disability advocate, entrepreneur, and host of the podcast Disability Matters, as she discusses the importance of changing the dialogue about mental health for youth with disabilities to one that promotes mental wellness, pride in one’s journey, and advocacy skills.
This session will explore the need for mental fitness programming for youth with disabilities and help attendees gain insight into some of the stigma and barriers that youth with disabilities face. Attendees will learn about the Mary Brougher Mental Health Initiative, a unique program offered through the Bender Leadership Academy for youth with disabilities, and the national civil rights campaign being led by this group promoting the message that we are #NotAshamed.
Joyce will also share some of the steps that she has taken in her personal journey to become a leader in the disability community and what you can do to end stigma and support disabled youth in being proud of who they are.
About the Speaker(s)
Joyce Bender is the Founder and CEO of Bender Leadership Academy, and Bender Consulting Services, Inc. A woman living with epilepsy and hard of hearing, she is on a crusade for youth and adults to gain the dream of competitive employment. She works tirelessly to break down barriers and stigma that exist for people with disabilities.
She serves the American Association of People with Disabilities (Vice-Chair), The Bazelon Center on Mental Health Law (Trustee), World Institute on Disability (WID), National Technical Institute for the Deaf (National Advisory Group), Homeless Children Education Fund, Variety the Children’s Charity, Civic Light Opera, Disability Rights of PA, the FDR Memorial Committee, and Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA (Chair).
Joyce hosts the podcast Disability Matters with Joyce Bender.
Joyce has served as a disability employment expert for the U.S. State Department in Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Panama, Kazakhstan, Libya, Nigeria, and Tunisia. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Geneva College. Her recognitions include Disability:IN, Supplier of the Year Award (2016), Volunteers of America Lifetime Achievement Award (2015), AAPD Justice for All Corporate Award (2013), Bush Administration’s New Freedom Initiative Award (2003), and President’s Award (1999 – Clinton Administration).
Constructing Normalcy: A Discussion on Being an Ally and Advocate
Time: 1:25pm – 2:25pm
The session title, Constructing Normalcy, comes from an important article by disability studies scholar Lennard Davis. In this session, a panel of undergraduate students and university faculty from Robert Morris University will discuss their experiences learning to be disability allies and advocates. They will share what they learned in their study of the social construct of disability and describe how their learning led them to create a university advocacy project that was submitted to the university provost and president.
About the Speaker(s)
Dr. Susan Parker received her B.A. from Penn State in 1985 in communication studies and her M.Ed. in special education with a concentration in early intervention in 1992. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 in Instruction and Learning. She was the recipient of a fellowship through the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, where she advocated for students with disabilities in the educational system. Prior to moving to higher education, she was a classroom teacher, home visitor, and service coordinator. Her higher education experience includes Point Park University and Westminster College before moving to Robert Morris University in 2010. In 2018 she accompanied RMU undergraduate students on a two-week service-learning trip that focused on disability services in the Balkans, specifically Montenegro and Serbia. A highlight while there was having tea with the Prince and Princess of Serbia. In 2021, she published a book chapter, Complex Trauma: A Professional and Personal Account, in Strategies and Methods for Implementing Trauma-informed Pedagogy (C. Bernadowski, Editor) that focused on public school and higher education strategies for children who have been exposed to complex trauma. She is married with two adult children and lives in Pittsburgh, PA.
Elena Hall is currently a sophomore at Robert Morris University majoring in Early Childhood and Special Education.
Zoe Kubitz is currently a sophomore at Robert Morris University majoring in Early Childhood and Special Education and is the recipient of a Trees Scholarship.
Erin Kuehn is a recent graduate of Robert Morris University. She majored in Psychology and was also a member of the honors program. She is currently working as therapeutic support staff.
Mallory Snyder is currently a senior at Robert Morris University majoring in special education and minoring in psychology. She has personal experience with special education, as connective tissue disorder, joint disorder, and Autism all run in her family and have been prevalent in her life.
Planning for College: An Overview of Inclusive College Programs
Time: 2:35 pm – 3:35 pm
This session provides an overview of inclusive college programs serving students with intellectual disabilities. Attendees will gain an understanding of what an inclusive college program is, why it can be beneficial to attend college, what students gain from an on-campus experience and participation in student life, and how completion of a college program ultimately improves employment prospects. The session will also include information on finding the best fit, application, admission, and enrollment processes, paying for college, and navigating campus life.
About the Speaker(s)
Karen Oosterhous, MA, directs Achieva Planning for College, providing college counseling services to students with intellectual disabilities and their families. Beginning with comprehensive transition planning services in the middle grades, Karen helps families chart a path toward inclusive college admission and enrollment. She consults with colleges and universities to promote the design, development, sustainability, and ultimate success of inclusive college programs. A member of the advisory board for the Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium, Karen also is outreach specialist for the Trees Network in the Education Department at Robert Morris University and has more than ten years of experience in college marketing, admissions, enrollment, and academic affairs.
Amy Guthrie, MS Ed, has taught for over 20 years at Penn State Greater Allegheny and has been a Disability Advocate with Achieva for more than 15. Having the opportunity to pursue parallel careers has afforded cross-disciplinary perspectives, enhancing both her teaching and her advocacy work. As an advocate, she works in realms both individual and systemic. To that end, she supports people with disabilities and their families, while also collaborating with groups such as the Local Task Force on the Right to Education to address issues involving multiple agencies.
Ben Guthrie is a self-advocate who graduated from Pittsburgh Public Schools in 2019. He attends the Duquesne University Compass program, where he is pursuing his interests in environmental science and liberal arts, working towards his goal of competitive employment. Ben enjoys many pastimes, including taking bagpipe lessons, traveling, and hanging out with friends on campus and at Friendship Circle.
Tessa Watkins, the autistic self-advocate that owns this website, is on the planning committee for this event and will be speaking in on day 2 of the informational sessions scheduled for May 26, 2022.
