August 17-19, 2009
Mayo Civic Center
Rochester, MN

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View the highlight video of the 2009 Odyssey

Click here to view workshop descriptions, poster sessions and roundtable discussions

Imagine spending a few summer days with fascinating, fun, friendly folks from all over Minnesota, united by their passion and commitment to aging and disabilities services. You might meet some of the movers and shakers, make new friends, share successes and challenges, learn from the experiences of others, brainstorm new ideas, and be part of shaping the strong foundation we are building on. You can experience all this – and more!

The Department of Human Services, its Aging and Adult Services and Disability Services divisions, and the Minnesota Board on Aging invite you to join us for the 2009 Minnesota Age and Disabilities Odyssey (Odyssey) conference “Building on a Strong Foundation.” This year we will offer a program of pre-conference intensives, workshops, open forums, plenary sessions, posters, roundtables, awards and exhibits.

The 2009 Odyssey will focus on dynamic, practical strategies to address CHOICES:

Community connections
Health, wellness and long-term support
Own place to live
Important long-term relationships
Control over supports
Employment earnings and stable income
Safety

The planning team is excited to be exploring the conference theme “Building on a Strong Foundation,” and we’re looking for folks who have talents, experiences and skills to share. Have you implemented a particularly successful program, policy or project? Do you offer a specialized skill, knowledge or service? Have you done some interesting research? Have you learned something profound that would be useful for others to know about? Do you want to learn more and get continuing education credits too? If so, consider presenting a conference workshop, open forum, poster session, roundtable discussion - or - maybe you have workshops you’d like to attend, or a particular speaker you’d like to hear. There will be plenty to do, see and learn!

The main conference is August 17-19, and includes breakout sessions, poster sessions or roundtable discussions of 75 minutes. These are all included in the conference registration. Pre-conference workshops will be held Monday morning, August 17. These are longer, more in-depth presentations by DHS staff on specific topics for training purposes. They are usually by invitation only

This statewide conference is designed for a broad range of professionals who administer and operate programs at the state and local levels.

This annual event attracts more than 1,000 attendees from among:

County public health, social and tribal service agencies
Disability and aging service providers
Caregiver support organizations
Health care providers, long-term providers
Parish nurses
Home and community-based service providers
Policy makers

Housing providers
Informal and quasi-formal service providers
Program participants and family members
Advocacy and ombudsman organizations
Academics and researchers
And others in the fields of aging and disabilities
Volunteers and students

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of State Units on Aging (NASUA) nearly 70 percent of America’s states are anticipating cuts in programs for older adults and individuals with disabilities in 2009 even as the demand for services explodes in the face of a weakened economy. The short-term problem for older adults and individuals with disabilities is the need for food, shelter and health care. Meeting these basic needs are the critical lifeline that keeps many older Americans and individuals with disabilities in their homes and communities, rather than in institutional settings, where the costs are significantly higher.

During the three days of the Odyssey, we host dynamic keynote sessions, discipline-specific and general breakout sessions, an awards presentation, and an exhibit hall with more than 80 vendors, and several special events.

Please guide yourself through our Web site for opportunities to present, attend, exhibit, sponsor, nominate — and to take your next step to “Building on a Strong Foundation.”

CONFERENCE FEATURES

Exhibit hours
8 am – 5 pm Monday and Tuesday, August 17-18

Participant prize drawing
Special prize drawings will be held each day of the Exhibit Hall and at Wednesday’s final lunch, for participants. You must be present in order to win!

Opportunities to purchase
The conference is offering an assortment of books, gifts, chair massage and more. You will have an opportunity to purchase items throughout the conference. Bring your checkbook, extra cash or a credit card . . . a wide variety of items will be available!

Networking opportunities
The Age and Disabilities Odyssey is a prime opportunity for networking with other professionals. Meet your colleagues at:

A pre-conference get-together at the Kahler Grand Hotel, Elizabethan Room, with light hors d’eouvres, Sunday, August 16 at 6:30 pm.
A “Dine around town” experience on Monday, August 17 from 5 – 7:30 pm – pick a restaurant of your choice!
A dessert extravaganza, Monday, August 17 from 6:45-8:15 pm in the Elizabethan Room of the Kahler Grand Hotel.
The Odyssey Awards breakfast from 8 – 10 am on Tuesday, August 18
An informal networking reception from 5 – 6:30 pm on Tuesday August 18
A “Dine around town” experience on Tuesday, August 18 – pick a restaurant of your choice!

Special topics: roundtable discussions and poster sessions
Are you looking for resources for caregivers, information on tele-health or current practices in home and community-based services? On Tuesday, August 18, from 11:45 – 1:45 pm roundtable discussions and poster sessions will be showcased in the Exhibit Hall. Enjoy this box lunch session with your colleagues on a topic of mutual interest!

Continuing education
Continuing education units for social workers and nursing home administrators are offered. Nurses and individuals of other disciplines may self-submit to their professional boards. Certificates of attendance will be provided at the conclusion of each day.

This information is available in other forms to people with disabilities by contacting us at 651-431-2500 or 1-800-882-6262 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 711 or 1-800-627-3529 (TDD), 1-877-627-3848 (speech-to-speech relay service).