THE 6TH ANNUAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE
Held Saturday, November 2, 2024
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, Special Needs In My City (SNIMC) proudly hosted its 6th Annual Health and Wellness Conference, giving parents and caregivers a valuable opportunity to recharge and connect with others who understand the unique demands of supporting children and adults with special needs.
Thank you for coming to this year’s conference!
Check out the highlights below and we’ll see you next year!
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
June and Russ Newman
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
Cornucopia Health Food Store
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’d like to support our mission at Special Needs In My City with a gift, your contribution will directly help improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
You may give by using the DONATE button or
Mail a check payable to:
Special Needs In My City
2300 Sylvan Avenue
#578275
Modesto, CA 95355
Thank you!