#STAR26
Tuesday, October 6
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Hollywood Ballroom
Hard Rock Hotel
General Membership Session
(ACCSES NJ Members/Invitees only)
5:30 - 9:00 PM
Atlantic Ballroom
Resorts Hotel
Mission & Impact Banquet
(Separate Ticketed Attendees only)
More information here: Mission & Impact Banquet | The STAR Conference
Wednesday, October 7
Morning
7:00 AM
Lobby
Registration open in Lobby - Open until 4:30 PM
7:00 - 8:45 AM
Hollywood Ballroom
Visit with Exhibitors
7:00 - 8:20 AM
Hollywood Ballroom
Breakfast is Served
8:15 - 8:35 AM
Hollywood Ballroom
Welcome Remarks - CEO Mohsen Badran & Board Chair Alvin Cox
Session 1 - Keynote
8:45 - 9:45
Hollywood Ballroom
Transformational or Artificial Leadership
Presenter:
Tanner Gers, CEO, AccessAbility Officer
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Disabled individuals too want to live the American Dream, which starts with going to work. As leaders in vocational rehabilitation, we have one of the toughest jobs in the world. Prove to employers the value disabled candidates deliver in the workplace and help them get hired.
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While technology enables people with disabilities to be more independent and employable, the changes driven by automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence have made achieving competitive integrated employment feel nearly impossible. This keynote presentation addresses the opportunities and threats today driving fear, uncertainty, and doubts around employment for people with disabilities, encouraging leaders, educators, and advocates to make an important decision. Will we pretend the new threats are artificial and let the rug get pulled out from under us, or will we transform and capture the new opportunities right around the corner?
Session 2
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Fort Pierce A
Government
Cooperative and Alternative Purchasing Workshop: New Jersey State Agencies Offering Compliant Purchasing Alternatives: DeptCor, DSS and DPP
Presenters:
Brian Gallagher, Deputy Director, DeptCor
Joseph Signoretta, Supervisor, DSS,
Allan Sydlo, Cooperative Outreach Lead, DPP
Good decision making in public purchasing requires knowledge of all available, compliant sources, which makes good fiscal sense for the New Jersey taxpayer.
This program is presented by 3 State agencies, and is designed to engage and educate local government agencies on purchasing compliant products and services available from the State of New Jersey. Offering a variety of products, from green cleaning products to sheds, from food products to regulatory signs and printing, DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP are the go to sources for many State and local government agencies.
This presentation and subsequent Question and Answer period is designed to:
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Familiarize local agencies with the products available, and use, of DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP State Cooperative Contracts.
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Engage using agencies directly and provide them with a better knowledge of compliance.
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Improve knowledge of the products available with DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP.
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Gain knowledge from using agencies and understand their needs for existing and future products.
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Elevate the overall level of “customer service” that DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP provides.
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Present an opportunity to establish contact points with DEPTCOR, DSS, and DPP.
10:00 - 11:00
Fort Pierce B
Set-Aside Development
How to Develop and Sell Your Brand
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Fort Pierce C
Voc/Rehab
Components of Supported Employment: Workplace "Musts"
Presenter:
Samantha Goldfarb, Director of Training and Consultation Services, The Arc of New Jersey
Employment services are good at teaching people how to complete specific job tasks, but how do you teach someone a skill that they're "just supposed to know" without being taught? Some of the most important standards of a workplace, like good hygiene and social skills, have very few clear guidelines to follow and a social stigma that makes them hard to talk about at work. This training is designed to address both problems at their core in order to make it easier to approach and teach difficult skills. You'll receive step-by-step methods and problem-solving strategies to help you teach your clients how to meet their workplaces' standards -- no matter how challenging they may be!
10:00 - 11:00 AM
Fort Pierce D
CRP Advocacy & Policy
Navigating the Federal Legislative Landscape
Presenter:
Kate McSweeny, President and CEO, ACCSES
ACCSES President and CEO, Kate McSweeny will provide a lively session of discussion and Q and A about pending legislation in the U.S. House and Senate that may prove important to people with disabilities and the organizations that serve them, and recent legislation, regulations, and executive orders that could have an impact on your organization.  She also will give an overview of what ACCSES anticipates the key issues to be for its members in the coming year.  
12:15 - 1:45 PM
Hollywood Ballroom
Lunch, Awards & Visit with Exhibitors
Session 3
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Fort Pierce A
Government
Records Management and Information Technology: Navigating the Cross-roads
Presenters:
Leon Cammarano, Director of Records and Information Management, New Jersey Transit
Christopher Medina, Records and Information Management Coordinator, New Jersey Transit
Across today’s information‑driven workplaces, Records Management (RM) and Information Technology (IT) must work together to keep organizational information reliable, accessible, and well‑protected. This presentation highlights how RM focuses on organizing and governing information throughout its lifecycle, while IT provides the systems and tools that store and secure it. Although the two groups sometimes approach information differently, collaboration is essential. By communicating early, forming cross‑functional teams, and following consistent policies, organizations can reduce risk, meet compliance requirements, and operate more efficiently. The presentations collectively emphasize that successful information management isn’t just about technology or policy alone—it’s about coordinated teamwork that ensures information is managed responsibly and effectively.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Fort Pierce B
Set-Aside Development
Commercial Growth Playbook
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Fort Pierce C
Voc/Rehab
Prove It or Lose It: The Technology You Choose Today Protects the Future of Your Data, Your People, and Your Mission
Presenter:
Heather Janci, VP Compliance & Best Practice, Kibu
The core idea is simple. The technology your members use to document their work isn't just an operations decision, it's a financial and advocacy one. We'll walk through where the real exposure lives across all seven ACCSES policy areas, backed by federal data, and make the case for why getting this right matters more now than ever.
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Fort Pierce D
CRP Advocacy & Policy
NJ Legislative and Advocacy Update
Presenters:
Richard Wright, Partner, MBI
Jacob Caplan, Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs, ACCSES NJ
This session will cover legislative issues in New Jersey that affect people with disabilities at work and in their lives and the services that organizations provide to them. We will also review ACCSES NJ and MBI activities at the NJ Statehouse, our partners in state government, and in Washington.
Session 4
1:45 - 2:45 PM
Fort Pierce A
Government
Overview of New Laws and Local Finance Notices in Local Public Contracts Law
Presenters:
Nicola Reid, MPA, QPA, RPPO, PACO, Township of Stafford
Gordon Ball, Executive Director South Jersey NIGP; Retired from Division of Local Government Services
An overview of the policy changes and new laws that apply to local public contracts law. Ms. Reid and Mr. Ball will speak on the changes to the law and the practical use of the law changes on a day-to-day basis.
1:45 - 2:45 PM
Fort Pierce B
Set-Aside Development
ISSA - Future of the Industry
1:45 - 2:45 PM
Fort Pierce C
​Voc/Rehab
CARF 2026 Standards Changes & Updates
Presenter:
Chasity Chamberlin, Managing Director, CARF, International
This session will review the changes and updates to the CARF ECS 2026 standards manual and hear practical ways to implement within your organization.
1:45 - 2:45 PM
Fort Pierce D
Set-Aside Development
Continuing to Advance the Understanding of Disability Employment under FSLA Section 14c: How the Adaptive Wage Benefit Survey and GAO Data Collection Clarify the Need and Value of Certificates
Presenters:
Kit Brewer, Executive Director of Project CU, Inc., President of The Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice; and Craig Leen , Partner at K&L Gates, Counsel for the Coalition for the Preservation of Employment Choice.
The presentation will highlight key findings from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) data related to Section 14(c) and examine the broader implications of these findings for individuals with disabilities, service providers, policymakers, and employers. Particular attention will be given to the GAO’s newest survey initiative, which tracks the transitional success of individuals moving through IDEA and Vocational Rehabilitation pathways into competitive, integrated employment. The presentation will explore why this new data collection effort is significant, how it fills critical gaps in existing research, and how the resulting information can help inform future policy decisions and workforce development strategies.
In addition, the presentation will compare and contrast the GAO findings with data from other national, state, and disability employment sources to provide a more comprehensive understanding of current trends, outcomes, and opportunities. By examining multiple data sets, attendees will gain a clearer perspective on the factors that contribute to successful employment outcomes and the challenges that continue to impact individuals seeking meaningful career opportunities.
The Coalition continues its efforts to collect and analyze Adaptive Wage Benefit information in order to better understand the relationship between wages, benefits, and long-term employment success for individuals with disabilities. The Coalition has shared its findings, research, and the broader Adaptive Wage concept with the U.S. Department of Labor, the GAO, and numerous Members of Congress. These outreach efforts are intended to build awareness, encourage collaboration, and generate support for expanding data collection and research initiatives in this area.
Through these discussions, the Coalition hopes to secure additional assistance in gathering survey results, strengthening the evidence base surrounding disability employment, and promoting the use of reliable data in policy development, strategic planning, and program design. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that decision-makers at all levels have access to meaningful information that can improve employment services, support informed public policy, and create greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to achieve successful and sustainable employment outcomes.
Session 5 - Plenary
3:00 - 4:30 PM
Hollywood Ballroom
AI Career Training Support: Preparing Interns and Staff for the Jobs of Tomorrow
Presenter:
Burt Brooks, Founder and CEO, PathAble AI
The future of work is changing fast, and the young people in your internship and staff training programs deserve to be ready for it. This interactive session explores how AI-powered tools can strengthen career readiness training for interns with disabilities and all abilities, with a focus on building real, transferable workplace skills. Drawing on PathAble AI's work at the intersection of human services and technology, presenters will walk attendees through a practical framework for weaving AI career tools into existing internship structures. Attendees will leave with hands-on experience from engaging group activities and training exercises, a clearer picture of the work skills employers are looking for now, and actionable strategies they can bring back to their programs right away.
Learning Objectives (as submitted):
1. Identify at least three AI-supported tools and strategies that can be integrated into internship programs to strengthen employment readiness outcomes for individuals with disabilities.
2. Describe how emerging workplace skills, including digital literacy, communication, and adaptability, align with the expectations of today's employers and how to teach them in an internship context.
3. Apply a group-based, interactive training exercise to practice career readiness concepts that can be replicated within their own organizational settings.
Thursday, October 8
Morning
7:00 AM
Lobby
Registration open in Lobby - Open until 11:00 AM
7:00 - 8:20 AM
Hollywood Ballroom
Visit with Exhibitors
7:00 - 8:20 AM
Hollywood Ballroom
Breakfast is Served
Session 1
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Fort Pierce A
Fundraising: Overview and Resources
Presenter:
Debbie Duncan, Director of Education Services at the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits
Fundraising is a critical element of nonprofit existence. There is no magic wand and no perfect answer for all charities. Each organization has advantages and challenges, strengths and weaknesses, as well as undiscovered opportunities and unanticipated pitfalls. And it goes beyond asking for money (shudder!). Starting with NJ state laws, let's take a 30,000 ft. view of keeping your nonprofit solvent and healthy through "resource development" of a variety of strategies. Bring your experience and imagination!
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Fort Pierce B
Mid-Level Leaders Training Program (2nd Cohort) Invitation Only
8:30 - 9:30 AM
Fort Pierce C
Planning and Executing a Needs Assessment Initiative for a Non-Profit Organization
Presenter:
Michael Willmann, Esq., Trustee/Governance Committee Chair/NPO Summit Chair/Former Board Chair, Nonprofit Development Center of Southern New Jersey
A needs assessment for a nonprofit organization is a strategic process to determine the necessity and feasibility of new programs or initiatives by understanding the problem, location, beneficiaries, competition, and trends.
It involves assembling a cross-functional team with diverse expertise and clearly defined roles to design and implement the assessment effectively.
Data collection uses both primary methods (interviews, surveys, focus groups) and secondary sources (census data, foundation reports, academic studies) to gather comprehensive community insights.
Needs are prioritized based on severity, impact, urgency, feasibility, and alignment with the nonprofit's mission using a prioritization matrix to guide decision-making.
Results are communicated to stakeholders and funders through reports or presentations, and the assessment process is monitored and adapted post-implementation to ensure ongoing effectiveness and improvements.
8:30 - 10:00 AM
Fort Pierce D
Extended Employment (EE) Work Program Referral Process and MEER Reporting
Presenters:
Deborah Vaughn, Assistant Director of Administrative Services and Acting CRP Unit Chief: Kathleen Kindya, Program Planning Development Specialist: Susan Polansky, Program Planning Development Specialist: Tiffany Hood Program Planning Development Specialist: Adekoya Brown, Program Planning Development Specialist: Rachael Wilson, Program Planning Development Specialist: Pauline Ezen, Program Planning Development Specialist: Cynthia Rincon, Program Planning Development Specialist: Samia Haridi, Program Planning Development Specialist; Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
The session will begin by explaining the purpose of an Extended Employment (EE) Work Program Referral and the application process for consumers interested in attending an Extended Employment Work Program. This opening section will also cover the procedures for when a consumer requests EE services after receiving Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) authorized services, including a walkthrough of completing the DVRS/Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired Referral for the Extended Employment Program form. The presentation will then address the services that must be provided before a youth (24 and under) can be referred to an Extended Employment Work Program. Following this, we will review the DVRS process once youth are referred, along with the responsibilities of the EE provider. This section will include instruction on completing both the Subminimum Wage-Youth Extended Employment Referral/Review form and the Final Determination Form. The session will incorporate an overview of the Monthly Extended Employment Report (MEER), including its purpose and reviewing the sections. Participants will then work in small groups to review sample MEERs and identify errors and areas of concern in the reports.
Session 2
9:45 - 10:45 AM
Fort Pierce A
More Mission, Less Money: Maximizing Mission Impact on a Limited Budget
Presenter:
Enrico Smith, CPA, Chief Financial Officer New Jersey Business & Industry Association
This session explores practical strategies for maximizing limited nonprofit resources. Attendees will learn quick-win tactics such as rebidding vendor contracts, auditing software subscriptions, and reducing banking and processing fees, along with structural approaches including outsourcing non-core functions, optimizing space utilization, and remarketing insurance and benefits. The session also covers revenue-adjacent techniques — leveraging in-kind sponsorships, volunteer labor, and program-specific grants — to offset operating costs. Finally, participants will examine discipline mechanisms like zero-based budgeting and quarterly forecast-to-actual reviews that build lasting accountability into the budget process. Attendees will leave with an actionable framework for identifying savings, controlling costs, and freeing up dollars to advance their mission.
9:45 - 10:45 AM
Fort Pierce B
Mid-Level Leaders Training Program (2nd Cohort) Invitation Only
9:45 - 10:45 AM
Fort Pierce C
I/DD Aging
10:15 - 11:45 AM
Fort Pierce D
Building Strong Pre-ETS Programs: Provider Strategies for Schools, Families, and DVRS
Presenters:
Toni Scott, Program Planning and Development Specialist- Youth Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services Salvatore Abela from Waters & Sims, Emily Crosby and Michelle Papa from MOCEANS Center for Independent Living
This session will feature a dynamic panel discussion with Lead Pre-ETS staff from MOCEANS CIL and Waters & Sims, offering an in-depth look at the provider perspective in delivering high-quality Pre-Employment Transition Services. Panelists will share practical insights on the benefits and challenges of implementing Pre-ETS, effective collaboration and coordination with local high schools, and proven strategies for building relationships with underserved schools that would greatly benefit from these services. The discussion will also highlight real-world experiences navigating family engagement, securing local businesses to provide meaningful internship opportunities, and establishing best practices for working collaboratively with DVRS field staff. Attendees will gain actionable tips, lessons learned, and a clearer understanding of what supports strong, sustainable Pre-ETS programming from the provider point of view.
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Session 3
11:00 - 12:00 AM
Fort Pierce A
The Nonprofit Governing Board
Presenter:
Debbie Duncan, Director of Education Services at the New Jersey Center for Nonprofits
A charitable organization is governed by a board of trustees. What are the roles of board members? What does New Jersey require of nonprofit boards? What commitment is expected to serve on a board? Learn the basics that board members need to know to be effective and responsible. Whether you currently serve on a board or wonder about serving on a board (Yes, YOU can!) come learn, share and discuss the purpose, function and best practices of board service.
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fort Pierce B
STATE-USE CONTRACTS:
SUSTAINING COMPLIANCE
& REDUCING RISK EVERY
DAY
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Fort Pierce C
HOW DISABILITY SERVICE
PROVIDERS USE
MARKETING AND
COMMUNICATIONS TO
STRENGTHEN THEIR
MISSION, BUILD
PARTNERSHIPS, AND
ADVANCE ADVOCACY
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Hollywood Ballroom
Lunch, Awards & Visit with Exhibitors
Session 4 - Plenary
1:30 - 3:00 PM
Hollywood Ballroom