JOIN US FOR THE 6TH ANNUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Saturday, November 2, 2024
ENJOY SOME MUCH-NEEDED RESPITE AND LEARN HOW TO HELP YOUR CHILD MAKE PROGRESS.
SPECIAL NEEDS IN MY CITY’S Annual Health and Wellness Conference offers parents and caregivers much-needed respite from the constant demands of caring for their children and adults with special needs. SNIMC recognizes how challenging it is to be a special needs parent and caregiver while simultaneously advocating for their children to ensure quality education, appropriate healthcare, and meaningful employment on a daily basis. For these reasons, SNIMC is hosting the 6th Annual Health and Wellness Conference on Saturday, November 2, 2024 to provide parents with a break from caregiving, while giving them the opportunity to learn from experts and network with other families over a delicious catered breakfast and lunch.
Venue Details:
Location:
Double Tree Hotel (Downtown Modesto)
1150 9th Street, Modesto, CA 95354
Hotel Telephone: (209) 526-6000
Parking
Public garage parking lot on 9th street Opposite the Hotel is FREE.
Any other parking garage in the vicinity will charge.
Valet option in front of hotel entrance is available for a fee.
Date:
Saturday, November 2, 2024
Time:
9am-3:15 PM (Pacific Time)
Gourmet Meals:
Continental Breakfast (8:45 am-9:45 am)
Lunch Buffet Served (12-1pm)
Childcare
Childcare is not available (Adults Only)
Cancellation
Please note that completing registration is a formal commitment to attend. Registrations are non-refundable after 48 hours, as your gourmet meals will be ordered upon registration.
Who is the Conference for?
- Parents and Caregivers to children and adults with special needs.
- Educators and Paraprofessionals.
- Professionals (in legal and healthcare) working directly with people with special needs.
- Special needs companies and organizations.
- Service providers with self-determination clients.
- Direct family members caring for their loved ones with special needs.
- Adults with special needs.
Why attend the Conference on Special Needs?
- Take time for self-care.
- Network with other special needs families.
- Learn about conservatorships, pooled trusts, and special needs planning.
- Listen to SNIMC’s exclusive interview with Dr. Temple Grandin on the importance of listening to children with special needs, particularly those with Autism, and how different ways of thinking for individuals on the Autism spectrum can lead to extraordinary achievements.
- Hear from our top educator and SELPA Director, Matt Devins, Ph.D.
Conference Materials:
Event Flyer
Conference Agenda
Vendor Flyer
2024 SPONSORS
WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS:
Dr. Temple Grandin
SNIMC will broadcast its recent one-on-one virtual interview with Dr. Temple Grandin at the Conference. Dr. Grandin is an autism icon, animal scientist, and innovator. Diagnosed with autism as a child, she overcame significant challenges to become a world-renowned autism advocate and animal science pioneer. Her groundbreaking work in livestock handling and her powerful insights into the autistic mind have revolutionized our understanding of neurodiversity. A best-selling author and TED Talk sensation, Dr. Grandin continues to champion the unique strengths of individuals on the spectrum, proving that different ways of thinking can lead to extraordinary achievements.
Stephen W. Dale
Stephen W. Dale received his J.D. from Armstrong Law School and his LL.M. in Taxation from Golden Gate University in 2001. The Dale Law Firm was established in 1992 to provide quality estate planning by working collaboratively with clients’ tax, financial, and insurance professionals.
Dr. Matthew Devins
Dr. Matthew Devins serves as the Executive Director of the Stanislaus County Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA). In this role, he oversees special education services and resources for students, parents, and school staff across the region. His responsibilities include managing special education programs, coordinating services, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.
Dr. Matthew Blakeley
Dr. Blakeley is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist committed to lifelong learning. His areas of focus include depression, anxiety, grief, relapse prevention, relationship skill-building, and working with transitional-age youth.
When asked why he chose this profession, Dr. Blakeley states that it allows him to support individuals, families, and children in making positive changes in their lives. His career has given him the opportunity to work with children, adults, and families in various settings. At Sierra Vista Child and Family Services, he worked with parents and children to help manage ADHD. While employed with Stanislaus County, he worked within the school system to assist students of all ages in adjusting emotionally. Before transitioning to child psychiatry with Kaiser Permanente, he was part of the adult psychiatry team, empowering adults in both group and individual settings.
Dr. Jaspreet Rai, PsyD
When asked why she chose to become a mental health therapist, Dr. Rai explains that she believes it is important for everyone to have a positive support system—one that allows individuals to express their thoughts and emotions while also providing skills and techniques to cope with daily life stressors and triggers. Dr. Rai earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from the University of California, Davis, in 2008. She then completed her Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy at Fresno State in 2010.
She has been licensed as a Mental Health Therapist through the California Board of Behavioral Sciences since 2014. Her professional experience includes working as a clinician serving youth, adults, and families in both outpatient and inpatient therapy settings. She has worked at Juvenile Hall, with the Community Emergency Response Team, and on the Integrated Forensics Team for Stanislaus County. She is also a designated 5150 Evaluator for Stanislaus County and has had the opportunity to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, spiritual philosophies, and cultures.
Thank you to our 6th Annual Health and Wellness Sponsors!
With your generous gift, we can continue building stronger special needs communities for families, children, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across Northern California.
Platinum Sponsors:
Valley Mountain Regional Center
Gold Sponsors:
Mistlin Honda
Narayan and Meena Tadimeti
Silver Sponsors:
Family Resource Network (Stockton)
Ram and Amy Jandhyala
Bronze Sponsors:
Modesto Irrigation District
United Cerebral Palsy-Stanislaus
Wellness Sponsors:
West Orthodontics
Loves Air
Thomas Hogan, Esq.
Linda West
Vendors:
Stanislaus Regional Transit Authority
Valley Mountain Regional Center
United Cerebral Palsy-Stanislaus
VIPS (Visually Impaired Persons Support)
In-Kind Donations:
Glow Skin and Beauty
Texas Roadhouse
O’Briens Supermarket
6th Annual Health and Wellness Team
Jenna S., Jordan L., Raquel M., Divya T., Zeke D.,
Erica L., Claudia V., Susan T., Brenda B., Kathleen D., Rhiannon N., Victoria V.,
Lani G., Irma B., Barbara N., Jay F., George G., Lori A., Renee L., Andrea C., & Meena T.
If you are unable to attend the Conference, you may still show your support through a donation here in the mission to improve the lives of people with special needs.