
February, 2013
Convention Report
Jermaine East, MHMRA of Brazos Valley
AAIDD Texas Chapter's Convention Committee Chair
We’re headed to the global city of Houston! That’s right, “The Space City”, “The Bayou City”, or “H-Town” (to name a few of its many nicknames) is the fourth-largest city in the United States of America and the largest city in Texas and will play host to the 38th Annual Convention of the AAIDD Texas Chapter on July 23-26, 2013. The convention will take place at the magnificent Westin Galleria, an area of urban development, entertainment, shopping, and culture. Our Convention Planning Committee has begun work in planning to develop a conference that will be full of pertinent and inspiring information, fun activities, and resources to support persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), their families, advocates, direct support staff and other professionals working in the IDD field, and all who attend. This year’s theme is “Connecting Communities… Improving Lives”, which truly describes a state of linking and integrating systems and communities that results in continuous improvement and meaningful outcomes in a person’s life. This goes beyond simply providing a service. So, get your plans ready and stay connected, because there is more to come!
The Call for Papers has been released and I encourage you to support AAIDD Texas Chapter by preparing presentations and/or recommending to your colleagues and friends in the IDD field to share their research, best practices, expertise, and leadership by preparing presentations for our Convention. Also, sponsorship gives you and/or your organization the opportunity to support AAIDD Texas Chapter’s Convention to enhance the quality of services and provide meaningful opportunities and choices for people with IDD and their families. Contact members of our Exhibitors/Sponsors sub-committee or any member of the Planning Committee to learn more about sponsorship. You may also contact us for more information.
38th Annual Convention Committee
Jermaine East,
Chair/Program/Awards/Nominations
MHMRA of Brazos Valley
jeast@mhmrabv.org
Margo Childs
Chair/Local Arrangements
MHMRA of Harris County
margo.childs@mhmraharris.org
Connie Cisneros
Silent Auction
Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
ccisnero@ttbh.org
Pat Craig, Ph.D.
Chair/Consumer Stipends
ecraig1@austin.rr.com
Michelle Garcia, Psy.D.
Michelle Garcia, Psy.D. & Associates
michelle@drmgarcia.com
Andy Griffin, Ph.D.
Program
Mexia State School
andrew.griffin@dads.state.tx.us
Shelly Heck
Chair/Awards/Nominations
Daybreak Community Services
shellyh@daybreakcommunity.com
Charlotte Kimmel
Ph.D., Local Arrangements
Mexia State School
charlotte.kimmel@dads.state.tx.us
Jake Pinner
jakechoir@yahoo.com
Maria Quintero, Ph.D.
Local Arrangements
MHMRA of Harris County
maria.quintero@mhmraharris.org
Melissa Rasco
Chair/Silent Auction
CALAB, Inc.
mrasco@calabinc.com
Ollie, Seay, Ph.D.
Program
Texas State University – San Marcos
ollieseayphd@austin.rr.com
Lisa Shelby
Consumer Stipends
Austin Travis County Integral Care
lisa.shelby@atcic.org
Claudia Southern
Exhibitors/Sponsors
Southern Concepts, Inc.
claudia@scitx.net
Maya Vega
Silent Auction
Austin Travis County Integral Care
maya.vega@atcic.org
Dion White
Awards/Nominations
Center for Life Resources
dion@cflr.us
Debbie Youngblood
Chair/Exhibitors/Sponsors
Daybreak Community Services
debbiey@daybreakcommunity.com