Catholic Charities Disabilities Services Presents

2026 Clinical Training Series

May 07, 2026

St. Joseph’s Provincial House/Carondelet Hospitality Center
385 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, New York 12110 Come immerse yourself in learning about Whole Person Care!

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Join us for a dynamic one-day clinical training focused on delivering whole person care across diverse populations, including intellectual and developmental disabilities.

(ID/DD), mental health, and addiction recovery. This interactive experience brings together professionals and advocates to explore practical strategies, real-world challenges, and innovative approaches to care.

Through engaging panel discussions, expert-led lectures, and collaborative think tank sessions, participants will gain insight into critical topics such as trauma-informed care, effective organizational communication, supportive decision-making, and the “Fatal Five.” Attendees will also hear directly from seasoned professionals delivering high-quality services with limited resources, as well as powerful stories from advocates in the ID/DD and recovery communities.

Whether you’re a clinician, provider, or support professional, this training offers meaningful opportunities to learn, connect, and strengthen your impact.

Agenda:

8:00 am – 9:00 am: Check In

9:00 am – 9:45 am – Key Note Speaker: Karleen Haines, MPS, Chief Operating Officer of Community Mainstreaming Associates

10:00 am – 12:15 pm: Presentations, Panel Discussion, Advocate’s Room

12:15 am – 1:00 pm: Complimentary Lunch

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm: Presentations, Panel Discussion, Think Tank Discussion, Advocate’s Room

4:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Tours of St. Joseph’s Hospitality House

Topics:

Key Note Speaker: Karleen Haines, Community Mainstreaming Associates

Karleen is a non-profit executive with 25 years of experience in the field of human services. Prior to joining Community Mainstreaming Associates as Chief Operating Officer, she was with Partners Health Plan/Care Design NY as the Chief of Advocacy & Member Engagement, specializing in whole-person care models and championing advocacy efforts for the IDD community alongside members and families, seeking to raise a collective voice for a better future. There, she also held the positions of Chief of Outreach, Chief of Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, and Chief of Care Management.

Ms. Haines has worked at other non-profit providers in the NYC/Long Island area serving individuals with IDD, with oversight of various programs such as day habilitation, supported employment, pre-vocational, training, and staff development. She was instrumental in developing and growing affirmative business models that support gainful work for adults with disabilities. Karleen serves on the state’s Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council and the Institute for Exceptional Care’s national IDD Advocacy Corps, in addition to being a former adjunct faculty at Nassau Community College – teaching an IDD studies course. She has a ‘DEI in the Workplace Certificate’ from the University of South Florida and holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and a master’s in management from the State University of NY at Stonybrook.

Medical Track: Understanding the Fatal Five +2

Silent Risks: Recognizing and Preventing the Fatal Five +2

Presenter: Peggy Maliski, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services/Associate Executive Director

This session focuses on the “Fatal Five +2,” a group of critical health conditions that significantly impact individuals across the populations we serve, including those in the ID/DD, mental health, and addiction recovery fields. Participants will gain a clear understanding of what these conditions are, why they are so prevalent, and how they often go unrecognized until they become life-threatening.

Through a practical, whole person care lens, this training will explore strategies for early identification, prevention, and intervention. Attendees will also examine common mistakes in care—such as missed warning signs, gaps in communication, and fragmented treatment approaches—and learn how to avoid them. By integrating medical knowledge with person-centered practices, this session equips providers with the tools needed to improve outcomes and deliver more comprehensive, coordinated care.

Behavioral Health Track: Trauma-Informed Care & Vicarious Trauma

When Helping Hurts: Understanding Vicarious Trauma in Caregiving

Presenter: Bridget Murphy, BA, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services/ Senior Quality Assurance & Training Specialist

This session explores the principles of trauma-informed care with a focused lens on vicarious traumatization—an often overlooked impact affecting both the individuals we support and the professionals who serve them. Participants will examine how trauma presents across diverse populations, including those in the ID/DD, mental health, and addiction recovery fields, and how it influences behavior, communication, and engagement in services.

In addition to understanding trauma in those we support, this training highlights the emotional and psychological toll experienced by staff. Attendees will learn to recognize the signs of vicarious trauma and burnout, while gaining practical strategies to build resilience, maintain professional boundaries, and foster a supportive organizational culture. Grounded in whole person care, this session emphasizes creating environments that promote safety, trust, and long-term sustainability for both individuals and the workforce.

Policy Track: The Power of Clear Communication in Service Delivery

Say It Right: How Communication Shapes Care and Outcomes

Presenter: Sarah James, MA, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services/Director of Quality Assurance

Effective communication is the foundation of quality care. This session explores the critical role clear, consistent communication plays within organizations serving individuals across the ID/DD, mental health, and addiction recovery fields. Participants will examine how communication breakdowns can impact outcomes, leading to gaps in care, increased risk, and missed opportunities to support the whole person.

Through a practical and organizational lens, this training highlights strategies to strengthen communication across teams, roles, and systems. Attendees will learn how improved communication not only enhances the quality and continuity of care for the people supported, but also contributes to stronger team cohesion, increased staff satisfaction, and improved employee retention. By fostering clarity, accountability, and shared understanding, organizations can build a more unified culture that supports both individuals receiving services and the professionals delivering them.

Experiential Track: Delivering Quality Care with Limited Resources

Doing the Most Without More: Creative Strategies for Quality Care

Panelists: Karleen Haines, MPS, Chief Operating Officer, Community Mainstreaming Associates, Beth Cassidy, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services/FSS Coordinator, Vickie Dean, Catholic Charities Disabilities Services/Residential Program Manager, Rita Bravo, LETTERS AND TITLE, Tabitha Vooris, LETTERS AND TITLE, Renee Wendover, LETTERS AND TITLE

This interactive panel brings together experienced professionals from across the ID/DD, mental health, and addiction recovery fields to share how they continue to deliver high-quality services in the face of limited resources. Moderated to encourage honest dialogue and practical insight, this session focuses on real-world strategies that are working right now.

Grounded in a solution-focused approach, panelists with years of experience will discuss how they navigate staffing challenges, system limitations, and increasing demands—while still maintaining strong, person-centered care. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas, renewed perspective, and a deeper understanding of how creativity, collaboration, and commitment can drive meaningful outcomes, even in the most challenging environments.

Aging Track: Supportive Decision-Making & Planning for the Future

Honoring Choice: Supporting Dignity in Aging and Care

Presenter: Brittany Miske, Vice President of Management & Clinical Support, MBA, RN, AGNP-BC, LSSGB

This session explores whole person care through the lens of aging, with a focus on supportive decision-making and essential planning tools such as MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) and Health Care Proxies. Led by an expert in the field, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how to support individuals in making informed, person-centered decisions about their care, while respecting autonomy, preferences, and dignity.

In addition to its application for the people we support across the ID/DD, mental health, and addiction recovery fields, this training also offers valuable insight for staff in their own lives. Attendees will leave with practical knowledge to navigate important healthcare decisions, improve communication around planning, and promote a more thoughtful, proactive approach to care and aging.