Description: Description: Description: Description: http://www.opra.org/clientuploads/images/email%20templates/email%20header%20-%20blank.jpg OPRA 2015 Fall Conference: November 3 – 4, 2015
Online Attendee registration is open, through Wednesday, October 28.

Mingle with OPRA’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers
At OPRA’s Conferences, you’ll find the event’s Sponsors, Exhibitors, and Advertisers teaching and training inside the session rooms, not just on the Exhibit Floor. On Day 1, we’re pleased to present –

· Philadelphia Insurance Companies, a returning Platinum Sponsor, presents “Creating a Safety-Conscious Workplace.” There is a 5% credit on property and casualty insurance premium for 2015 OPRA Members who attend this session, effective on the policy renewal date (for current policy holders) or the effective date (for new policy holders – who can sign up at Phly’s exhibit!).

· Plante Moran, a long-time Silver Sponsor, returns to the Exhibit Floor and the session room with Denise Gadomski’s “ICF/IID Reimbursement Update.”

· Bethany Toledo, members of the DSP Council, and other professionals dedicated to the training and support of Ohio’s DSPs will be running the entire 2-day DSP Track, AND acquainting exhibit visitors with OADSP’s mission. Don’t miss Bethany’s Day-1 “Leadership Quest,” or Deedra Olney’s Day-2 “P.A.S.S.I.O.N.!”

· Brittco, LLC, a 2015 Associate Member and an Exhibitor, teams up with 2015 Provider Member Capabilities, Inc., to bring you the 2-part series on VR business models – “How to Identify Weaknesses and What to Do About It.”

· Another new-in-2014 Exhibitor, The Impact Group, brings Tom Speaks in for the HR Track, with “Time to ‘Get Onboard!’”

· Search Beyond Adventures, which began exhibiting with OPRA in 2014, presents “Change through Travel” as part of Day 1’s Program Directors Track.

· Lisa Simioni, from Arthur J. Gallagher Benefits – a regular Exhibitor – leads “6055/6056 Reporting: The Rubber Meets the Road.”

· Last but certainly not least, CompManagement Health Systems will welcome you to its exhibit, and to Dr. David Kessler’s session, “Coordinating Care: Is There a Medical Model for Workers’ Compensation?”

Review all of the sessions!

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

OPRA is pleased to be able to offer Continuing Education Units through the 2015 Fall Conference. To receive CEUs, you must attend the entire session, sign in and/or complete an attendance record, and submit an evaluation. You must also currently hold a license or certificate for the CEU being issued. Below is the status for each of the CEU categories OPRA offers –

· Accountancy Board – Approved; Day 1 – 4/Day 2 – 8/Both Days – 12

· BELTSS (formerly BENHA)/Nursing – Approved; it is not yet known which sessions have been approved

· Counseling/Social Work – pending

· DODD – pending

· HRCI – Approved. Before you register for the Conference, review the approved sessions here.

· SHRM – Approved

Please keep checking the webpage for the Conference for CEU updates!

Building Provider Capacity in Southwest Ohio: a special Day-1 gathering

The County Board Superintendents from Butler, Clermont, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Warren Counties invite you to join an informational session on Tuesday, November 3, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Embassy Suites. The Southwestern Ohio Council of Governments (SWOCOG) is comprised of those 5 member counties, delivering services to those and surrounding counties. The geographic area served comprises 20% of Ohio’s population, and 20% of the state’s IO waivers. At this session, the Superintendents share the demographics of their counties, including how many individuals are currently served, and how many more may be served in the future, as well as information about their plans for the transition out of direct service in adult centers, and – most important – how your organization could potentially expand into the SWOCOG region to help meet needs. As well, the Superintendents want to learn from you how they can help make expansion possible. For more information, please contact Wendy K. Planicka, Community Relations Coordinator for the Butler County Board of DD the SWOCOG at 513-785-2814. OPRA is pleased to sponsor this meeting, taking place immediately following the conclusion of Day 1’s Conference sessions. You do NOT have to be registered for the Conference to attend this meeting, but please do stop by the Check-In Table for directions to the space.

PAC-Your-Bags Bean Bag Toss Tournament
This Fall, the OPRA Party on the evening of Tuesday, November 3, once again features all the elements you’ve come to expect - dancing, karaoke, Wii, euchre, hors d’ouevres, etc. - but there will be a few surprises, AND the first PAC-Your-Bags Tournament! Registered teams of two face-off across the beanbag-toss field and vie for a 50/50 jackpot, shared with the OPRA Political Action Committee (PAC). Registration and additional details are coming soon!

Your Vote Matters!
Throughout the Conference, there will be several opportunities for all present to participate in “real time” polls, sponsored by OPRA’s IT Workgroup, these polls will ask participants basic questions, and help the Workgroup determine the value of such an application in other settings. Your involvement is highly appreciated! Additionally, as you are aware, Day 1 of the Conference – Tuesday, November 3 – is Election Day. No matter what day or time you plan on arriving at the Conference, don’t let it interfere with your right to vote! For early voting, contact your Ohio County Board of Elections for polling locations and times.

Accommodations
Accommodations are almost sold out at the Conference site - Embassy Suites Hotel. The room rate for Conference participants is $128.00 plus tax for single or double occupancy, and includes a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast. Reserve your room online, or call Embassy Suites Hotel directly at 614-790-9000 or 1-800-EMBASSY. When you call, be sure to ask for the Ohio Provider Resource Association Conference group rate. Other accommodations are available at the Hilton Garden Inn (614-766-9900), and the Courtyard by Marriott Dublin (800-228-9290). Again, when you call, be sure to ask for the Ohio Provider Resource Association Conference group rate.

CONSTRUCTION!
The roadways around Embassy Suites Hotel are under heavy construction. Please plan your travel and time accordingly, and check Paving the Way’s website for any updates. Be safe out there! – and we’ll see you in November!