2025 IP2P Annual Meeting Schedule of Events

Thursday, July 24

8:30 – 9 :00 a.m. Check-in 
Coffee, tea and pastries provided.

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcome 
Rahnee Patrick, M.S., Director, Division of Rehabilitation Services
Illinois Department of Human Services 

9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Year in Review
David Kuriniec, J.D., Chief, Bureau of Home and Community-Based Supports, Illinois Department of Human Services and Director, Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Project

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. | “Progress in Provider and Family Training: An Update from Illinois Tech”
Nicole Ditchman, Ph.D., CRC, LCPC, CVE
Professor of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology 

Eun-Jeong Lee, Ph.D., CRC, LCPC, APA Fellow
Professor of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology

Lindsay Sheehan, Ph.D., CRC, LCPC
Assistant Professor of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology

10:45 – 11:00 a.m. | Break

11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. “Pathways to Partnerships Data Review: Performance for the Pilot Year, Accomplishments and Progress, and Next Steps for Assessing Key Outcomes” 
Illinois Institute for Rehabilitation and Employment Research Evaluation Team
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Bryan Austin, Ph.D., LPC, CRC, CVE, Director of Evaluation
John Kosciulek, Ph.D., Senior Research Evaluator
Chun-Lung Lee, Ph.D., Research Evaluation Specialist and Biostatistician
Stuart Rumrill, Ph.D., LPC, CRC, Research Evaluation Specialist
David G. Strauser, Ph.D., Research Evaluation Specialist

12 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break

1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Breakout Sessions

  • School Breakout Session: Transfr  | Honors Room
    Mitch Dicky, State Workforce Manager, Transfr
    Gracie Sanchez, M.Ed., Customer Success Manager, Transfr
  • Centers for Independent Living (CIL) Breakout Session: Curriculum Review |  Heritage Hall 1 + 4
    Illinois Institute for Rehabilitation and Employment Research
    Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Team, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
    Michele Schutz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Special Education
    Christina Muri Irland, M.A., Community Support Specialist

2:30 – 2:40 p.m. Break
Refreshments provided.

2:40 – 3:40 p.m. “Know More, Connect Better: Discovery and Business Relationships that Work”
Virginia Commonwealth University Rehabilitation Research and Training Center

Crystal L.C. Hence, M.Ed., Training and Technical Assistance Associate
Austin Miller, M.S.W., Supported Employment Specialist

3:40 – 4:00 Wrap up + Reminders
Jim Knauf, Director of Field Operations, Illinois Institute for Rehabilitation andEmployment Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Friday, July 25

8:30 – 9:00 a.m. Check-in 
Coffee, tea and pastries provided.

9:00 – 9:15 a.m. Welcome
LaMetrice Lane, Ed.S., NCSP, Special Education Programmatic Support, Principal Consultant,
Illinois State Board of Education

9:15 – 9:30 a.m. Advisory Board Update
Aimee Julian, Ph.D., Director, Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support,
Illinois State University

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Postsecondary Panel

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break  |  Refreshments provided.

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Moving Forward: Strategic Planning for School Year 25-26
Jim Knauf, Director of Field Operations, Illinois Institute for Rehabilitation and
Employment Research, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Wrap Up + Adjournment
David Kuriniec, J.D., Chief, Bureau of Home and Community-Based Supports, Illinois Department of Human Services and Director, Illinois Pathways to Partnerships Project

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Illinois Institute for Rehabilitation and Employment Research
261 Freer Hall | M/C 052
906 S. Goodwin Ave.
Urbana, IL 61801-3841
217.244.6022