2026 CP State Annual Conference: 80th Anniversary
About this Event
80 Years of Impact: CP State Annual Conference 2026
In 1946, a movement began. This October, we return to Saratoga Springs to celebrate 80 years of driving the disability movement.
The CP State Annual Conference remains the premier statewide gathering for gaining vital insights, exploring innovations in the I/DD field, and connecting with peers. This historic milestone is more than our regular conference—it’s an anniversary celebration honoring eight decades of advocacy, leadership, and frontline dedication while boldly shaping our next chapter.
What to Expect:
- High-Impact, Inspirational Sessions & Keynote: Gain actionable strategies, field innovations, and high-impact educational and advocacy insights led by experts across the I/DD field.
- 80th Anniversary Celebrations and Honoring History: Reflect on our rich legacy and celebrate eight decades of unity, leadership, and collective progress as we boldly shape our next chapter together.
- Art Exhibition & Award: Experience extraordinary artwork created by individuals in our agencies’ programs, culminating in a special award presentation to the winning artist during lunch on October 28.
- CP State Marketplace: Explore our exhibit hall and meet dedicated sponsors who bring innovative solutions to our field while helping keep conference costs accessible for our Affiliates.
- Annual & Staff Recognition Awards: Evening celebrations dedicated to the visionaries, advocates, and frontline staff who drive our mission forward.
- CP State(d) Podcast Booth: Stop by our live podcast booth where we’ll be recording short-form interviews and conversations for a special two-part 80th Anniversary Annual Conference episode!
Full agenda, session announcements, art show details, and other highlights will be updated regularly.
We look forward to celebrating 80 years of service with you in Saratoga Springs!
Keep an eye on your email and this page for updates!
**Session information and scheduling is subject to change. Please check back often for updates.**
Final scheduling will be provided on site during the conference.
Day 1 - Wed, Oct 28
🕑: 10:00 AM - 03:15 PM
Registration Table Open
Info: Stop by the Registration Table to check in and receive your name badge & at-a-glance schedule.
🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Coffee & Tea Served
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Session Topic: For the Win
Info: Session Title TBD - Check back soon for more information on this session.
🕑: 12:15 PM - 12:30 PM
Break
Info: Take a quick break and check out the CP State Marketplace!
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Lunch & Art Show Award Presentation
🕑: 01:45 PM - 02:00 PM
Break
Info: Take a quick break and check out the CP State Marketplace!
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Beyond the Buzz: What AI and Virtual Support Really Mean for Provider Staffing
Host: Nicolas Caridi
Info: Cut through the AI noise and get practical. We'll walk through the tools reducing frontline workload today, what to be skeptical of, and the questions to ask before you invest, plus a short look at Kibu's work with providers nationwide.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 03:15 PM
Optimizing the Potential of Home Enabling Support Policy
Host: Dr. Matt Kaufman
Info: Home Enabling Supports is an exciting new policy in New York State. This new access to exciting technologies will enable people enjoy access to telemedicine and other supports to sustain independent living. Learn about the potential of this policy, and a discussion of the challenges of its rollout.
🕑: 03:15 PM - 04:00 PM
CP State Marketplace
Info: Take some time to relax, network, and mingle in the Marketplace!
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Cocktail Reception
🕑: 05:00 PM - 07:30 PM
Annual Awards Dinner
Day 2 - Thurs, Oct 29
🕑: 08:00 AM - 04:45 PM
Registration Opens
Info: Stop by the Registration Table to check in and receive your name badge & at-a-glance schedule.
🕑: 07:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Breakfast
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
OPWDD on CAS, CRO, and More
Host: Abiba Kindo
Info: Session Description TBD - Check back soon for more information on this session.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Start Where You Are: Bridging the Retirement Wealth Gap
Host: Charles Yarnold
Info: Too many employees believe that saving for retirement is out of reach, especially when every paycheck is already stretched thin. This session breaks down the basics of financial planning in a way that meets people where they are, offering practical, judgment-free strategies to help your team and participants bridge the retirement wealth gap, no matter where they're starting from.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Elks/Home Service Directors' Meeting
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Break
Info: Take a quick break and check out the CP State Marketplace!
🕑: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Decoding Complex Behavior: From Understanding to Intervention
Host: Johanna Lantz, Ph.D., BCBA
Info: High-risk behaviors such as aggression, self-injury, and elopement are often complex and multifaceted, particularly for people with profound autism and other complex disabilities. Understanding these behaviors requires looking beyond the behavior itself to identify the environmental, biological, medical, and psychological factors that may contribute to their occurrence. This presentation will explore current research on the factors associated with high-risk behaviors and highlight emerging technological advances that offer new opportunities to better understand and predict behavior, identify patterns and potential precursors, and develop more individualized supports. The presentation will also describe how co-occurring medical conditions, which are common in those with autism, influence behaviors. Finally, a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to assessment and care that considers the whole person and prioritizes health, wellness, dignity, and quality of life will be shared.
🕑: 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM
Building Lifelong Advocates: Engagement Across Staff, Families, and Time
Host: Cat Proulx
Info: Advocacy is more than participating in a single campaign or a comment period, it's how the disability community protects what it has won and pushes for what's next. This session will dive into why sustained advocacy matters, how to build grassroots communities invested in the work, and share key insights from our Future of Advocacy report on what grows engagement and trust with advocate audiences.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 12:15 PM
Break
Info: Take a quick break and check out the CP State Marketplace!
🕑: 12:15 PM - 02:00 PM
Lunch 'n Learn with ANCOR: Federal Lanscape
Host: Noah Block
Info: Lunch will be served from 12:15-1:00pm, ANCOR's presentation will be from 1:00-2:00pm. Session: Washington at a Crossroads: What the Midterms Mean for Disability Providers. Description: With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, ANCOR will examine the political landscape in Washington and what different election outcomes could mean for federal policymaking and New York’s disability service system.
The discussion will explore how shifts—or continued control—in Congress could impact major priorities affecting people with disabilities and provider organizations. Key topics include home- and community-based services (HCBS) policy and standards, H.R. 1 implementation, ADA enforcement, the federal regulatory environment, and potential departmental reorganizations, such as at the U.S. Department of Education. ANCOR will connect these federal changes directly to New York’s operational landscape, followed by an attendee Q&A.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Free Time
Info: Explore the CP State Marketplace & Saratoga, but make sure to leave enough time to get ready for a night of festivities!
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Pre-Keynote Networking
Info: Before heading in for the Keynote Session with Derrick Tennant, kick off the festivities by grabbing a quick drink and mingling first!
🕑: 04:30 PM - 05:30 PM
Keynote Session with Derrick Tennant
🕑: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Cocktail Reception
🕑: 06:30 PM - 08:30 PM
Staff Recognition Awards Celebration & Dinner
Fri, Oct 30
🕑: 07:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Breakfast To-Go
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 412.50 to USD 764.50
