Fees
Add-onsICASE Special Education Best Practices for Building Level Administrators (All Day WED) $99 or included with a regular conference registration. REGISTER |
Horizon Convention Center, 401 South High Street, Muncie IN 47305
Courtyard Muncie at Horizon Convention Center, 601 South High Street, Muncie IN 47305
$129 a night | Expires August 25
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8:30 AM | Registration |
9:00 AM | Options to Due Process - Alternative Dispute ResolutionEarly dispute resolution is not simply about providing what the parent is seeking because all too often such discussions lack complete communication about what the problem is and ensuring the options that are discussed actually address that underlying issue; thus, when the underlying problem reoccurs, then trust is broken, and conflict erupts. Conflicts also emerge when either party does not fully communicate their rational for why certain positions are being taken which also fuels the conflict. Presenters will address what components of a facilitated IEP process that need to be included in order to promote early resolution of issues and reestablish trust. Too often the strategies employed by school teams is focused on fixing the relationship rather than ensuring full and completion communication about underlying concerns. The presentation will address how to identify common scenarios where earlier identification could have avoided dispute or escalating the parents' concerns had facilitated IEP or mediation been requested. The presenters will also address how participants can best prepare for medication, what to expect and what the parameters are. |
10:30 AM | Using 90 Day Plans and AI to Drive Measure |
11:30 AM | Lunch |
12:30 PM | Stirring Up Success: Coffee Chats on Accessibility and OpportunityCome chat with and learn from your peers about a wide-range of topics impacting schools and students. We will be engaging in coffee chats and learning from one another to expand our thinking.Susan Mahoney, Opportunity and Accessibility Conference Jennifer Scott Lyndy Szmara |
1:30 PM | Break |
1:40 PM | TNP |
2:40 PM | Break |
2:50 PM | Erskine Green? |
Tours? |
7:30 AM | Breakfast and Registration |
8:30 AM | Welcome |
8:45 AM | Keynote: Be a Coffee BeanHear the message that groups all over the country are implementing as their motto: Be A Coffee Bean! This presentation is designed for groups wanting to both motivate their attendees, as well as implement the vitally important message of the coffee bean, that the power to change any situation is within you, not in the outside forces around you. The culture of your group can be positively changed in one hour! Damon’s message not only addresses the physical and mental well-being of the attendees but provides real, lived experience on growth through adversity. The leadership aspects of the coffee bean message provide the audience with much needed skills and tips for living and leading a positive life. |
Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is an internationally known keynote speaker, 3 x Wall Street Journal bestselling author and former crime boss in Dallas, who was sentenced to Life in prison for Organized Crime.
USA Today calls him the “modern day Shawshank Redemption and the most in-demand speaker in America.” At 20 years old, he was a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, when he suffered a career ending injury and turned to hardcore drugs to cope with disappointments of life.
After graduation, he worked in the United States Congress and trained to be a stockbroker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS).
One day at UBS, he was introduced to methamphetamines; he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.
After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man.
On parole in Texas until 2073, his story is one of hope, redemption, grit and the resilience of the Human spirit.
9:45 AM | Break |
10:00 AM | Breakout Sessions |
Compliance and Legal Updates | Student support and well-being | administrative and leadershIP skills | Specific Educational PRactices |
Espresso Shots & Legal Hot Takes: Section 504, ADA, and the New Litigation Landscape Since Perez v. Sturgis, ADA and Section 504 claims have become a common companion to special education due process cases. In this fast-paced session, we’ll serve up the latest legal developments—highlighting key case law, including the anticipated June 2025 Supreme Court decision in A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools —and break down what amounts to disability discrimination under federal law. Designed for special education leaders, this session offers practical insights and legal “shots” to help you stay sharp in an increasingly complex compliance environment. Jessica Billingsley, Church Church Hittle &Antrim Caroline Wood, Church Church Hittle &Antrim | The Power of Perspective: Leading Staff to Understand Behavior Differently This session is intended to help school and district leaders learn strategies to help staff and faculty develop the mindset essential to helping them see all behavior through a different lens. This session will cover the root causes of challenging behavior and provide an understanding of what staff in various roles can do to help students return to and maintain a regulated state. Participants will obtain ideas on how to support the kind of environment that helps students feel safe and supported. Emily Dykstra, Mitchell Community Schools Ashlee Jamison | Changing Behavior Starts with Changing Systems: A Leadership Approach Behavioral challenges in schools are often addressed at the student level, but sustainable success requires systemic leadership. This session will explore how special education administrators can create, refine, and lead behavior support systems that proactively meet the needs of students and staff. Participants will examine how leadership decisions shape the effectiveness of behavioral supports, and how systems-level thinking can improve student outcomes, staff capacity, and compliance with IDEA. Kris Baker, Shelbyville Central Schools Christina Bradburn, Shelbyville Central Schools | Rethinking Behavior Programs Attendees will be provided information on successful models, flexibility, data collection, and behavior supports. Attendees will be given information on the research behind more inclusive practices and longterm outcomes. During this presentation you will hear about resources needed to successfully integrate students with behavioral and emotional needs in the general education environment as well as important steps in the planning process of moving towards a more inclusive behavioral support program. Nikki Saulters, Duneland School Corporation Jennifer Bognar, Duneland School Corporation |
11:00 AM | Break |
11:10 PM | Breakout Sessions |
Compliance and Legal Updates | Student support and well-being | Specific Educational PRactices |
Latte Legal Talk: The Top 10 Calls that Keep Pouring In Grab your coffee and join Andrew Manna and Chandler Lawson Flynn for a freshly brewed look at the top legal issues percolating in special education today. This session will explore the most frequent calls attorneys receive from school clients, offering practical tips, timely insights, and strategies to help administrators stay ahead of potential legal spills. Whether you're steeped in experience or just getting started, this session will energize your legal awareness and help you serve students with confidence--no espresso shot required. Chandler Lawson Flynn, Church Church Hittle & Antrim Andrew Manna, Church Church Hittle & Antrim | Everyone is a Miller: Transitioning to Combined Applied Program Focused on Inclusion In this presentation, the high school Special Education team will share the success of combining the typical FAP and Life Skills programs into one, Applied Programming. The team will discuss how we aligned students’ schedules with the typical high school bell schedule, enabling them to transition between classes just like their peers. This session will outline the steps taken to create a more inclusive program, discuss the benefits for students with special needs, and provide practical strategies for supporting smooth transitions. Attendees will learn how this approach fosters student engagement, independence, and social integration, while also promoting a sense of belonging within the school community. Amy Roberts, Noblesville Schools Barb Olszewski, Noblesville Schools Beth Kizer, Noblesville Schools Amy Ruschak, Noblesville Schools | Brewing Top 5 Evidence Based Practices a Director Should Observe in Classrooms to Support Students with ASD
In this session, directors and administrators will gain a practical checklist to help identify and evaluate the use of the top 5 evidence-based practices for supporting students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) including visual supports, prompting, reinforcement, sensory integration, and social skills instruction. Participants will learn how to recognize effective implementation in the classroom and understand the importance of each strategy in promoting student success, as recommended by the National Professional Development Center on ASD. Melissa Dubie, Melissa Dubie Consulting LLC | The Dos and Don'ts of Dealing with Chronic Disruptive Behavior in Your Classroom This is a simulation training which is highly interactive and engaging with attendees. It is not a sit and get. Attendees will actively participate in the training through simulation by role playing approaches, strategies, and techniques so they can experience first-hand how to implement the most effective teacher approach for disruptive behaviors, how to use the 4-D strategy to deal with behavioral tactics and traps, techniques that nudge and shape the behavior of students to be more cooperative and less defiant, how to use the technique of a limit ladder, and setting effective limits using a specific evidenced based approach called "Choice Language". Kevin Dill, SNT Ed. Consulting, LLC |
12:10 PM | Lunch |
1:30 PM | Breakout Sessions |
Compliance and Legal Updates | Student support and well-being | topic | Specific Educational PRactices |
There's a Storm Brewing: Dealing with the Difficult Parents Best ways to manage multiple forms of litigation or repetitive litigation by difficult parents. Karen Glasser Sharp, Lewis & Kappes Grace Lundy, Lewis & Kappes | Finding the Common Ground: How to Collaborate Effectively with Different Personalities Presentation outlining successful collaboration strategies we've used as a team to find the common ground and keep students first. Rachel Wietbrock, School City of Hammond Erika Wills | You Survived “GO LIVE”, Now What? Attend this session for an overview of some of the features of the new IIEP system. Learn how to use the new system to work smarter, not harder to complete monitoring and to stay compliant with the requirements of the law. Abi West, Director, Adams Wells Special Services Cooperative Drew Markley, Assistive Technology Coordinator, Adams Wells Special Services Cooperative | ALL means ALL: 6 Foundational Principles that Support All Children to be Successful Make Introductions, Share learning objectives, Provide research on why this topic is relevant, Share 6 foundational principles, Unpack each principle using best adult-learning strategies, Answer questions, Call to action activity, Evaluation, Closing Lynne Hall, Early Childhood Center at IU IIDC Katie Herron, Early Childhood Center, IIDC |
2:30 PM | Break |
2:45 PM | Breakout Sessions |
Teacher Preparation | Student support and well-being | AI | Specific Educational Practices |
Bridging the Gap: Strengthening Special Education Teacher Preparation through Collaborative Insights Join us for an engaging session where we will collaborate with participants to identify key areas for strengthening teacher preparation. Through dynamic large and small group sessions, participants will help us pinpoint the top 5 needs for new teachers, ensuring they are well-equipped to support diverse learners effectively. This interactive session promises valuable insights and actionable strategies for enhancing special education teacher training. Susan Klinker, Indiana University Bloomington Richard Carter Jr. PhD, Indiana University Bloomington | Greater Together: Leveraging Family Engagement Practices to Support Student Well-Being The Indiana Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities awarded four competitive Strengthening Families grants last May to communities with well-designed proposals to support whole family well-being and advocacy. One of these grants was awarded to the Greater Gary area in a collaboration between IN*SOURCE and Office of Constituent Services at the Mayor’s Office. Additionally, IN*SOURCE is completing its second year as the Statewide Family Engagement Center for Indiana, working closely with 5 school corporations representing all regions and demographics across the state. Come learn about successful models of family engagement and gain access to innovative tools to support your collaboration with families in support of improved student outcomes. Natalie Hicks, IN*SOURCE Tiara Williams, IN*SOURCE | Building Local Capacity: Developing Internal Coaches to Strengthen System and Team Needs in Behavioral Health & Education This session will explore the Internal Coaching Provider Model, sharing insights on its successful implementation in provider training and introducing the upcoming pilot for educators and school teams. Participants will walk through each phase of the coaching process, gaining tools for applying structured training models, providing feedback, and ensuring implementation fidelity. Through interactive discussion and real-world exemplars, attendees will also learn how micro-credentialing and badging support measurable improvements in training quality, skill development, and professional recognition, reinforcing elevated standards of care across behavioral health and education systems. Tiffany Neal, HANDS in Autism Kristan Sievers Coffer, HANDS in Autism Mounika Gottipati, HANDS in Autism |
3:45 PM | Speed Dating with Partners in PracticeAn hour of fast paced speed dating. Meet a new Partner in Practice every five minutes! You'll have the chance to win fun prizes! |
4:45 PM | Break |
8:00 PM | ICASE Social |
7:15 AM | Mindfulness Walk |
8:00 AM | Breakfast & Roundtables |
9:30 AM | Breakout Sessions |
topic | Student Support and Well Being | Adonistrative and Leadership skills | Legal |
Sips of Success: Starting Strong as a New Director We will focus on new directors and giving some initial building blocks to get their year going, and strategies. Jessica Vogel, Local Directors Jill Lambert, IEDA | MTSS and Student Support: Building Systems That Are Accessible, Inclusive, and Impactful This presentation explores how schools can build a culture of shared responsibility to support student mental health and academic success. Using a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, participants will learn practical strategies to help school staff identify students in need of additional support, implement effective interventions, and actively engage families as key partners. The session emphasizes a collaborative, system-wide approach that empowers educators, strengthens school-family connections, and creates a more responsive and supportive environment for all students. Jillian Kelton, Cartwheel Care | Playful Leadership: Sustaining Change through Authenticity and Engagement Facilitative leadership is one of the pillars of implementation science -- a collection of research-based strategies for sustaining initiatives. Play-based facilitation methods offer proven ways to sustain participant engagement in complex tasks. Join me for an interactive and experiential workshop focused on group facilitation techniques drawn from the field of applied improvisation. Participants will gain access to an online starter curriculum of group facilitation exercises. Jim Ansaldo, Center on Education and Lifelong Learning, Indiana Institue on Disability and Community, Indiana University | I've Looked at Sped From Both Sides Now: What Schools Can Learn From Parents & What Parents Can Learn From Schools |
10:30 AM | Break |
10:40 AM | Mini Sessions |
specific educational practices | student support and well-being |
Inclusion in PreK: Best Practices for Reaching All Learners In this presentation we will outline curricular best practices in inclusive early childhood settings for educators to use as a guidepost when working with our youngest learners. We will focus on the importance of play based learning, social and emotional development, communication and language development, and emerging academic skills. We will also discuss the importance of collecting and analyzing data within early childhood settings. We will tie this together by briefly introducing our new comprehensive, inclusive early childhood special education curriculum, Launch for PreK. Nancy Farr, Teach Town Inc. Scott Wyzgoski Allison Pollock | Phonics Instruction that Aligns with Standards, IEP Goals, and Science of Reading Join this session to discuss and role-play strategies to implement IEP goals, standards, and research-based practices into the classroom. This session will involve exploring ways to teach the pronunciation of different consonants and vowel sounds using a sound wall and vowel valley, then explore different practices for teaching syllable types. Dr. Jessica Redcay-Shoff, RoboKind Cari Neal, HCCSC | New FINDER AI-assisted Features & Supports Discover how FINDER simplifies the search for local services, programs, training, and equipment to support students with disabilities and their families. Now featuring AI-assisted searches and auto link sharing, FINDER makes locating accurate, vetted information faster and easier. FINDER ensures dependable listings—many of which are free or covered by Medicaid or waivers. Learn how this accessible, web-based tool supports family engagement, IEP needs, and professional training statewide. Vicki Lee Johnson, AWS Foundation | Using a Proactive Sensory Approach to Improve Behavior in the Classroom In this workshop, educators will gain insights into the strategic use of sensory items to enhance learning experiences and foster inclusive environments. We will explore the importance of sensory materials in catering to diverse learning needs and discuss when and how to integrate them seamlessly into lesson plans Micheal Soria, Playlearn |
11:25 AM | Break |
11:35 AM | Wrap-Up SessionPrizes will be announced and can be retrieved at the registration table. |
12:15 PM | Adjourn |