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# Youth IDD/Mental Health Summit

For people who support Oregon youth who experience IDD and mental health challenges

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://iddmhsummit.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Pages

- [2026 Pre-Conference](https://iddmhsummit.com/) - Join us in Corvallis at the Summit Days Hours Wednesday, August 5, 2026 CH2M Alumni Center in Corvallis Register now Sign up for an Exhibitor table What is the Summit? The Youth IDD & Mental Health Summit brings Oregonians together to strengthen how we support youth who experience both intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and

## Sessions

- [Why Leadership Matters: The Ripple Effect](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-04-leadership/) - In the work of supporting youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs, the demands are high and so are the emotional weight and responsibility that come with it. Many teams are doing their best, yet still feel stretched, exhausted, and unsure how to sustain themselves in the work. We often focus
- [BREAK](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-break-1415/) - Morning snack break
- [BREAK](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-break-1030/) - Afternoon snack break
- [SUMMIT ENDS](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-end/) - Closing remarks
- [LUNCH](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-lunch-1200/) - Meal provided for all registered attendees. Please include dietary preference on your registration.
- [Opening Remarks: Finding Our "Why"](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-01-opening/) - The Youth IDD/Mental Health Summit kicks off with opening remarks from three different speakers, who each bring their unique advocacy experience to the table. Em Braman, Executive Director of The Arc Oregon, reminds us why the Summit matters and calls on us to connect to our personal "why." Joe James, family advocate and recent DRO
- [Closing Conversations: Our Commitment to Change](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-11-closing-conversations/) - We opened the day by connecting to our "why" — our individual reasons for doing this work. We close the day with World Cafe-style conversations to share what we've learned with each other and identify what we can each do to make change. Em Braman, Executive Director of The Arc Oregon, invites us to transform
- [Plot Twist: Rethinking Family Support Through Sibling Connection](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-10-sibling-connection/) - Let's shift and shake up the traditional family narrative. This session is led by two loving (and unrelated) siblings who have spent a lifetime navigating what it means to support a family member with an intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) and neurodivergent experience, and who continue to evolve those roles in adulthood. Spoiler alert: the typical story
- [Addressing Puberty and Emerging Sexuality in Youth](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-02-emerging/) - This session will help participants recognize challenges families face regarding their children's sexual development, especially when their child experiences cognitive impairments, mental health challenges and/or complex needs. We will describe how social services and the need for direct care intersect with sexual development, often leading to rights violations and dangerous behaviors. We will identify up
- [Beyond Compliance: A Neurobehavioral Approach to Mental Health for Youth with IDD](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-06-neurobehavioral/) - For youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD), mental health care is often replaced by behavioral management. This session challenges the assumption that neurodivergent individuals cannot benefit from therapy, offering a paradigm shift through the FASCETS neurobehavioral lens. Led by a trained facilitator, we will explore how shifting from a "compliance" model to a "brain-based"
- [Supporting Youth Labeled as "Oppositional"](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-09-oppositional/) - Neurodivergent individuals are more likely to be given diagnoses or labels such as oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) or pervasive demand avoidance (PDA - aka persistent drive for autonomy). Learn more about why this co-occurrence is so common, as well as potential strategies to engage positively with individuals who are labeled as oppositional through the use
- [Independence Throughout a Lifetime of Transitions](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-03-transitions/) - This session will discuss helping IDD youth through transitions and how to ensure independence through the life span. Many individuals with IDD have services and supports through childhood, but after they transition to adulthood, most of those services go away. How can we ensure that individuals, families, and other caregivers have the skills they need
- [The Ladder of Participation: Two leaders' journeys from family advocacy to system change.](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-05-participation/) - This session explores the ladder of participation, with presenters sharing personal examples, insights, practical tips, and frustrations encountered at each stage. Participants are invited to deepen their understanding of how advocacy can evolve --from a single voice to driving large-scale systemic chang -- through the power of personal storytelling. The session will be interactive, offering
- [TO BE A SELF-ADVOCATE](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-08-to-be-a-self-advocate/) - In my session, I share my life story being diagnosed with autism at the age of five years old, and how it has shaped me into the strong, passionate autistic self-advocate I am today. I also discuss the impact I leave on young kids and adults on social media, and how being an influencer across
- [Bridging the Gap: Improving Mental Health Supports for Youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Oregon](https://iddmhsummit.com/session/26-07-bridging/) - Youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who also experience mental health conditions often face significant barriers to receiving effective, coordinated care. In Oregon, services are delivered across multiple systems, including the Oregon Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority, each with distinct funding structures, regulations, and priorities. These system-level complexities can make

## Presenters

- [Arden Bryce](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/arden-bryce/) - Arden is a mental health clinician at a specialized Oregon clinic dedicated to high-acuity, culturally specific care. As a trained FASCETS facilitator, they specialize in the intersection of neurodiversity, trauma, and mental health. Her work focuses on the neurobehavioral approach moving beyond behavioral compliance to address the underlying physiological needs of youth with IDD. Arden
- [Jennifer Cork](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/jennifer-cork/) - Dr. Jennifer Cork is a doctor of social work (DSW) and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), specializing in the treatment of neurodivergent individuals with co-occurring mental health diagnoses. Jennifer is a late-diagnosed autistic adult and has 20 years' experience working with individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She has worked in the education, disability, and mental health
- [Hilary Harrison](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/hilary-harrison/) - Hilary Harrison, M.A. Oxon, works for the Oregon Health Authority's Child and Family Lifespan Behavioral Health team as the children's behavioral health policy strategist. Hilary has diverse professional experience in the state government, non-profit and business worlds and lived expertise parenting three complex adoptive children, one of whom is a part of the IDD community.
- [Shanya Luther](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/shanya-luther/) - Shanya Luther is the founder and director of Among Friends, LLC. For over 25 years she has specialized in healthy relationships and sexual development and has over 15 years of expertise as a Behavior Professional. She spends her time creating and providing trainings for families and teams that support individuals with disabilities and disorders, focusing
- [Tammi Paul](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/tammi-paul/) - Tammi Paul (she/her), MAIR, is the parent of 3 young adults all who navigate the behavioral health system. She is a dedicated leader in the mental and behavioral health space, currently serving as Executive Director of the Oregon Family Support Network, following six transformative years as Deputy Director at the organization and five years earlier
- [Linda Schmidt](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/linda-schmidt/) - Linda Schmidt, MD has practiced in a wide variety of treatment settings including outpatient, inpatient, residential, group home, and day treatment. She has a special interest in working with children and adolescents with developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health problems. Dr. Schmidt serves as consultant psychiatrist to Samaritan Ministries in Ukraine, an international non-profit organization
- [Melissa Williams](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/melissa-williams/) - The presenter holds a Master's degree in Professional Counseling and brings over 13 years of experience in the intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) field. With extensive experience leading large, multidisciplinary teams of over 700 staff across the state, they specialize in building strong leadership practices that improve staff retention, engagement, and service quality. Their work
- [Gillis Williams](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/gillis-williams/) - I am a 25-year-old autistic self-advocate, originally from Chandler, Arizona, and currently living in Eugene, Oregon, whose mission is to empower, educate, and entertain the masses on my lived experience with autism spectrum disorder, and my personal journey and growth from my childhood to adulthood. I also discuss my initiatives on social media, and what
- [Em Braman](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/em-braman/) - I am a passionate advocate who likes to empower others to use their voice to create change in our world. Supporting people to have their rights honored and their voice heard is motivating to me. I enjoy fiber arts, exploring the outdoors, and reading. I am currently raising two young adults with IDD and mental
- [Sara Gelser Blouin](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/sara-gelser-blouin/) - Senator Sara Gelser Blouin chairs the Senate Committee on Human Services and also serves as the National Co-Chair for the National Council on State Legislatures’ “Children, Family and Human Services Committee.” In 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Sara to the National Council on Disability. Her nomination was unanimously confirmed by the US Senate and she
- [Joe James](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/joe-james/)
- [Allison Stark](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/allison-stark/) - Allison Stark is President and CEO of Albertina Kerr, a nonprofit organization supporting youth and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and mental health challenges. With more than two decades of experience in disability services, nonprofit leadership, and public policy, Allison brings a systems-level perspective to advancing person-centered supports and innovative service models for
- [Emily Harris](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/emily-harris/) - Emily Harris has had the good fortune of a lifelong personal connection to the disability community, which has profoundly shaped both her career and her unwavering passion for equitable employment. With over 18 years of professional experience, Emily has worn many hats - from Employment Consultant to Positive Behavior Support Consultant and Trainer. She has
- [Beth McKenney](https://iddmhsummit.com/presenter/beth-mckenney/) - Beth McKenney supports Wise's communication efforts from her home in Portland, Oregon. She coordinates the Marketing team and collaborates closely with project managers to promote and elevate all Wise initiatives. Beth plays a key role in producing Wise's Annual Report, developing engaging promotional content, and coordinating both virtual and in-person events. She is passionate about

## Rooms

- [Cascade Ballroom](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/cascade-ballroom/) - The primary conference space for plenary sessions and main-stage programming. Accommodates the full attendee group with space for presentation setup, A/V, and circulation.
- [Cascade Ballroom A/B](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/cascade-ab/) - The rear half of Cascade Ballroom, created by closing the airwall divider. Used for concurrent sessions or breakout programming when the full ballroom is split.
- [Cascade Ballroom C](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/cascade-c/) - The front half of Cascade Ballroom, created by closing the airwall divider. Used for concurrent sessions or breakout programming when the full ballroom is split.
- [Elle/Burlingham 111 A/B](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/elle-burlingham/) - A breakout room available in combined (A/B) or divided configuration. Suited for smaller concurrent sessions, workshops, or facilitated small-group work.
- [Giustina Living Room / Johnson Lounge and Library](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/giustina-living/) - A collection of lounge and library spaces suited for quiet work, informal conversation, or stepping away from the main event. A place to decompress, connect one-on-one, or find a quiet corner during the Summit day.
- [Trysting Tree Room 114 A/B](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/trysting-tree/) - A smaller breakout room in combined or divided configuration. Well-suited for intimate sessions, small working groups, or facilitated discussions.
- [Willamette Room](https://iddmhsummit.com/room/willamette/) - A mid-sized breakout space for concurrent sessions or workshops. Flexible setup to accommodate a range of session formats.

## Categories

- [Resources](https://iddmhsummit.com/category/resources/)