Keynote Speaker: David & Jon Alexander

“Patient to Professional, Provider to Parent”

David Alexander is a 28-year-old professional in the social services field. After experiencing two years of repeated hospital trips, David Alexander entered recovery from his mental illness which he now manages through medication and peer supports. David currently works as a direct support specialist. In addition, he shares his story of mental wellness every chance he gets.

Jon Alexander is the Chief Executive Officer of Kaposia, inc. in St. Paul, MN. Kaposia was one of the first organizations in the country to convert its services from center-based to community based. Under Jon’s direction, Kaposia has seen significant growth in new employment for job seekers as well as new customers for Kaposia. Jon is one of the founding members of the MN Employment First Coalition. He is a former President of the national Board of Directors of APSE: The Network on Employment and currently serves on the Board of the MN Chapter of APSE

Tentative Schedule

8:30-9:00 a.m.                 Registration

9:00-9:30 a.m.                 Welcome from MN APSE

9:30-10:30 a.m.               Keynote Address: David and Jon Alexander: “Patient to Professional, Provider to Parent”

10:45-11:45 a.m.             Session 1

11:45-12:45 p.m.             Lunch

12:45-1:45 p.m.               Session 2

2:00-3:00 p.m.                 Session 3

3:15-4:15 p.m.                 Closing Keynote: MN APSE’s Self-Advocate Panel

Listen to self-advocates who have appeared on our podcast in the last year talk about challenges they’ve faced, barriers they’ve overcome, system shortcomings and the successes they have had in going to work.

4:15-4:30 p.m.                  MN APSE Membership Meeting

 

Presentations:

Track 1: Organization Transformation

1. “Organizational Transformation: Lessons Learned in Creating a Community-Based Organization” Brian Benshoof (MRCI)

2. “Organizational Transformation Success: Key Lessons Learned” Don Lavin (Strengths@Work)

3. “Sharing and Learning: Networking Session for Organizations in Transformation”

 

Track 2: Capacity Building & Workforce Retention

1. “Retention Techniques in a Time of Crisis”, Megan Sanders (ICI)

2. “Assistive Technology in the Workplace: How Minnesota’s Assistive Technology Program Can Help”, Jamis Wehrenburg (MN STAR Program)

3. “A DEI Story: The Viral Pest”, Zoe Benston (Lifeworks Services, Inc)

 

Track 3: Mental Health and Wellness

1. “Wellness at Work: Planning for Success”, Liz Gronert (Kaposia)

2. “Minding Your Mental Health in the Workplace, COVID-19 and Beyond”, Catharine Christiansen (NAMI)

3. “Best Practices for Supporting and Retaining Employees” provider panel

Conference Rates

Member Rate: $125

Non-Member Rate- (New to APSE) includes 1 individual membership: $150

Self-advocates & family members of people with disabilities- Includes 1 individual membership: $125

Student- PT or FT student includes 1 individual membership: $100

Discounted Rate (pre-apprpoved): $30

Sponsorship Opportunities! 

Want to be an event Sponsor? Contact Amber Eisfeld @  mnapse@gmail.com