The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities
The Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities (The Institute) promotes policy and practice that supports all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to access services and resources to pursue valued and meaningful lives. The Institute agenda promotes a strong, stable, and innovative system of provider organizations to assure that people with I/DD and their families have access to a broad array of community supports and services. Our legislative, budgetary, and policy priorities advance and enhance the Illinois community services landscape. For nearly 3 decades, the Institute has focused exclusively on I/DD policy issues impacting community organizations in Illinois. Our national perspective and statewide experience and exposure position the Institute as an insightful, innovative, and respected voice in the Illinois disability policy arena.
Kathy Carmody
Kathy Carmody serves as CEO of the Institute on Public Policy for People with Disabilities, whose members provide direct services and support to over 35,000 people with IDD and Autism across Illinois. Kathy’s experience includes leading research, demonstration and training projects which helped to develop the Illinois community system, including directing the SPICE Project, which served as the model for the HCBS residential system. Kathy has held direct support, clinical, and executive management roles within community agencies and was elected to the ANCOR national board of directors in 2023.
The Institute Events
The Institute News
This year's theme, Unshakable: Thriving When the Future Is Unclear, is a call to lead with clarity and courage no matter what's ahead. And these speakers are here to show you how:
🔹What You Can't See Can Hurt You: Building a Market Intelligence Strategy for Behavioral Health Growth – Stacy Olsen DiStefano | CEO, Consulting For Human Services (CFHS) & Ashleigh Delaney, PMP | Director of Market Intel, Consulting For Human Services (CFHS)
🔹Pressure and Possibility: What's Reshaping I/DD Services — and How State Agencies Are Responding – Kim Opsahl | COO, NASDDDS
🔹Beyond the Demo: Best Practices for Selecting an EHR – Tim Carpenter | Managing Principal, Consulting For Human Services (CFHS)
Watch this page for the last group of speaker announcements and the full agenda, coming soon!
This year's theme — Unshakable: Thriving When the Future Is Unclear — sets the stage for bold conversations about leading with confidence in uncertain times. And our first two speakers are ready to deliver just that:
🔹 Session 1: Two Systems, One Person: The Future of Integrated IDD and Mental Health Care – Nicholas Burton | Co-Executive Director, NextGen Synergy Inc.
🔹 Session 2: Beyond Training: Building a Sustainable Talent Strategy for Nonprofit Leaders – Shawn Jeffers | Business Consultant, S&B Professional Services LLC
Watch this page in the next few weeks for additional speaker announcements and the full agenda, coming soon!
You have 10 days left to register at the early bird rate! Save $50 per registration when you sign up by May 15. Prices increase May 16, so acting sooner means more savings.
This July, the Summit will bring together executive leaders for high-level conversations, connection, and insight. And there's more to look forward to — agenda and speaker announcements are on their way. Watch for the first set of exciting reveals before early bird pricing ends.
Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/gBz9D37W
#ExecutiveSummit2026 #IDDLeadership #BehavioralHealthLeadership
