Events for Hawaii Waiver Providers
Billing Group Discussion
HWPA’s internal standing meeting for members to share on medicaid billing best practices, problems, tips, tricks, and more.
Zoom link is provided to HWPA members.
DSP Insights on Well-Being, Support and Success
Direct support professionals (DSPs) play a vital role in the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; providing care, connection, and advocacy every day. The emotional demands of this work can take a toll.
In recognition of DSP Appreciation Week next month, join us for a candid roundtable conversation featuring three DSPs with ANCOR membership, and moderated by Arlene Bridges from Relias. Together, they’ll explore what well-being really looks like for DSPs by sharing insights, personal experiences, and practical ways organizations can better support their workforce.
Have a question you'd like our panelists to answer? Share it on the registration form when you sign up, and it may be featured during the live discussion!
HWPA Membership Meeting
Every fourth Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to hear from a featured speaker as well as updates from the Developmental Disabilities Division, DD Council, SAAC, and more on Zoom.
August’s featured speaker is TBA
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
Using Data to Drive Decision Making
The Developmental Disabilities Division, in partnership with The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), will be having free virtual trainings for waiver providers between March and November 2026. Please click here for brief descriptions of the trainings. If you or your staff are interested in attending, the registration links for each training session are included on the flyer and below.
AI for Strategic Visioning in a Day
This one-day, executive-level experience is designed for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to align their personal leadership brand with their company’s strategic vision — and use AI to rapidly plan what comes next.
Inclusion Practices: From Onboarding To Boards
The Developmental Disabilities Division, in partnership with The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), will be having free virtual trainings for waiver providers between March and November 2026. Please click here for brief descriptions of the trainings. If you or your staff are interested in attending, the registration links for each training session are included on the flyer and below.
AI for Strategic Visioning in a Day
This one-day, executive-level experience is designed for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to align their personal leadership brand with their company’s strategic vision — and use AI to rapidly plan what comes next.
The “Right” To An Effective Human Rights Committee
The Developmental Disabilities Division, in partnership with The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), will be having free virtual trainings for waiver providers between March and November 2026. Please click here for brief descriptions of the trainings. If you or your staff are interested in attending, the registration links for each training session are included on the flyer and below.
Provider Monitoring Tool Training
The Developmental Disabilities Division will be hosting virtual trainings in June and July 2026 for waiver provider staff (Service Supervisors and Direct Support Professionals). Registration information will be forthcoming.
HWPA Membership Meeting
Every fourth Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to hear from a featured speaker as well as updates from the Developmental Disabilities Division, DD Council, SAAC, and more on Zoom.
July’s featured speaker is TBA
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
Creating AI Policy
This session positions SETWorks as a leader in responsible AI adoption. Participants will learn how to build practical policies that address ethics, compliance, and staff training—ensuring safe, mission-aligned AI use across their organizations. AI is powerful—but without clear policies, it can also create risk. This session walks participants through the essentials of building an organizational AI policy, including data privacy, ethical use, compliance, and staff training. With practical tips and templates, attendees will leave with a roadmap to draft or refine their own AI policies.
Learning Objectives:
Identify the critical components of a strong AI policy in disability services.
Apply best practices to ensure compliance, ethics, and data security in AI use.
Draft a tailored AI policy outline that can be adapted to your organization.
Community Engagement in Action
Beth Wike, Training Associate at the Institute for Community Inclusion, will discuss the vital role Direct Support Professionals (DSP) play in helping people access and engage in their communities in meaningful ways. With a focus on person-centered thinking and planning, participants will be introduced to practical strategies and tools that support identifying individual interests, strengths, and goals, and translate them into real opportunities for connection, belonging, and participation.
Billing Group Discussion
HWPA’s internal standing meeting for members to share on medicaid billing best practices, problems, tips, tricks, and more.
Zoom link is provided to HWPA members.
AI AND HAWAI'I's WORKFORCE: OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS
Please join the Hawai‘i Workforce Development Council, in collaboration with Imua Onipa’a, for a dialogue on how AI is transforming Hawaii’s key economic sectors. The sessions will also explore workforce risks, emerging skill needs, and the protections required to support workers as AI adoption expands.
HWPA Membership Meeting
Every fourth Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to hear from a featured speaker as well as updates from the Developmental Disabilities Division, DD Council, SAAC, and more on Zoom.
In June, representatives from DD Council will join HWPA to share tips for the upcoming hurricane season and disaster preparedness.
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
Using Appreciative Inquiry to Shift Culture and Spark Transformation
The Developmental Disabilities Division, in partnership with The Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL), will be having free virtual trainings for waiver providers between March and November 2026. Please click here for brief descriptions of the trainings. If you or your staff are interested in attending, the registration links for each training session are included on the flyer and below.
HWPA Membership Meeting
Every fourth Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to hear from a featured speaker as well as updates from the Developmental Disabilities Division, DD Council, SAAC, and more on Zoom.
For May’s meeting, the featured speaker is Jodi and Jason from People First Communities, who works alongside providers as a real estate partner to help them grow, improve homes and expand into new areas without taking on the real estate themselves.
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
Billing Issues Talk Story
Every second Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to join collaborative ‘talk story’ sessions on Zoom to share concerns, tips, and more about all things Billing.
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
Dementia in Adults with I/DD and Down Syndrome: What to Look for at the Primary Care Visit (3/3)
Join the NTG for a free, three-part webinar series designed for primary care clinicians and allied health professionals supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
This series offers practical, I/DD-informed guidance on recognizing dementia, navigating diagnosis and medical management, and supporting function and safety after diagnosis.
Register for the third and final session using the link below.
Developmental Disabilities & Aging: Planning for Care from Diagnosis to Late-Stage Dementia
Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi is announcing a Zoom webinar to aid staff at Hawaii agencies and organizations as well as family caregivers to learn more about the risk, assessment and care of persons aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who may experience cognitive decline or dementia as they age. Registrants will receive the Zoom link to attend after registering on Eventbrite by clicking here. A link to the handouts and email confirmation and reminders will be sent prior to May 7. Presenters include:
Kathryn Pears, MPPM is Chief Operating Officer of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG), a national nonprofit advancing dementia-capable care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A recognized leader in the field, she co-chaired the development of NTG’s evidence-informed national curriculum and has led more than 85 trainings across 35 states. With over 40 years of experience, her expertise spans early detection, differential diagnosis, and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. She previously served as Director of Policy and Programs for the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter. Prior to joining NTG, she served on its Board of Directors and was principal of her consulting firm, Dementia Care Strategies.
Kathleen M. Bishop, PhD brings over 50 years of experience in the IDD field and more than 30 years of specialization in aging with intellectual disability. She holds a B.S. from SUNY Geneseo, an M.S. in Special Education, and a Ph.D. from Syracuse University in Aging and Disabilities. Dr. Bishop is retired from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). She is a former Vice President of the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (NTG) Board of Directors and co-chaired the committee that developed the NTG’s national model training curriculum on intellectual disabilities and dementia. In her personal writing, under the pen name Mary Kathleen McKenna, she is the author of the Women with Wisdom and Pets of Wisdom series. She is currently developing a guidebook on healthy aging for adults with intellectual disabilities
By the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:
Describe early signs, risk factors, and unique presentations of dementia in adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD)
Demonstrate application of appropriate screening and assessment strategies, including use of the NTG-EDSD, to support differential diagnosis and early detection
Identify and implement person-centered care approaches across the dementia trajectory, from diagnosis through advanced stages
Through an example of a specific activity of daily living, participants will be able identify how support changes over time to meet the changing needs
DSP Alliance Focus Group
Th Hawaii DSP Alliance is excited to announce its first focus group session.
This initial session will be a chance to connect, share experiences, and help shape the direction of the Alliance moving forward.
Click here for more information
To register: https://tinyurl.com/HawaiiDSPAlliance
Busting Bureaucratic Writing (Copy)
Melanie Sampson from the Clear Language Lab is leading an upcoming training on plain language titled “Busting Bureaucratic Writing.” This workshop is designed to support clearer, more effective communication with our communities.
We encourage participants to first view the on-demand training, “Introduction to Plain Language: Writing Clearly and Effectively to Our Communities,” available through the DHRD Adobe Learning platform, as this live workshop builds on that content.
This live session will be offered via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nx5eYAzNRh-mLBy9Sdmx3w
Please note: These sessions will not be recorded. An on-demand version of the training will be available by June through the DHRD ALM platform.
Feel free to share this opportunity with your networks.
If you have any questions, please contact Wei Geng Lum at WeiGeng.Lum@doh.hawaii.gov.
Busting Bureaucratic Writing
Melanie Sampson from the Clear Language Lab is leading an upcoming training on plain language titled “Busting Bureaucratic Writing.” This workshop is designed to support clearer, more effective communication with our communities.
We encourage participants to first view the on-demand training, “Introduction to Plain Language: Writing Clearly and Effectively to Our Communities,” available through the DHRD Adobe Learning platform, as this live workshop builds on that content.
This live session will be offered via Zoom at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uUYevHt1SvmBc5e3bMJfnA
Please note: These sessions will not be recorded. An on-demand version of the training will be available by June through the DHRD ALM platform.
Feel free to share this opportunity with your networks.
If you have any questions, please contact Wei Geng Lum at WeiGeng.Lum@doh.hawaii.gov.
HWPA Membership Meeting
Every fourth Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to hear from a featured speaker as well as updates from the Developmental Disabilities Division, DD Council, SAAC, and more on Zoom.
For April’s meeting, the featured speaker is Meredith Nichols from Medicaid/Med-Quest.
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
Dementia in Adults with I/DD and Down Syndrome: What to Look for at the Primary Care Visit (2/3)
Join the NTG for a free, three-part webinar series designed for primary care clinicians and allied health professionals supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
This series offers practical, I/DD-informed guidance on recognizing dementia, navigating diagnosis and medical management, and supporting function and safety after diagnosis.
Register for the second session using the link below.
Billing Issues Talk Story
Every second Wednesday at noon, HWPA members are invited to join collaborative ‘talk story’ sessions on Zoom to share concerns, tips, and more about all things Billing.
HWPA Administrator Kendra will host and record notes. Zoom link will be provided via email to HWPA members.
AI for Strategic Visioning in a Day
This one-day, executive-level experience is designed for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to align their personal leadership brand with their company’s strategic vision — and use AI to rapidly plan what comes next.
HWPA Membership Meeting
Kim Golis-Robello and Allison Finn from Hawaii Employer Resource Network will join HWPA to share how their new organization can support your employees with a diverse toolkit of trainings, assistance, resources, and more. Inspired by an organization focused on employee retention, Hawaii’s ERN helps with anything from SNAP applications to travel arrangements to budget management and beyond. See what kind of benefits your organization can glean from this amazing new resource.
HWPA members will receive an email reminder with the Zoom link to attend this virtual meeting.
Dementia in Adults with I/DD and Down Syndrome: What to Look for at the Primary Care Visit (1/3)
Join the NTG for a free, three-part webinar series designed for primary care clinicians and allied health professionals supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
This series offers practical, I/DD-informed guidance on recognizing dementia, navigating diagnosis and medical management, and supporting function and safety after diagnosis.
Register for the first session using the link below.
A Day at the Capitol 2026
Overview: Join us at the Capitol for an opportunity to speak directly with your legislators. Discuss disabiliy priorities and connect with others! Meet your legislators! A Great opportunity to meet your legislators to discuss disability-related issues/concerns and network with other concerned citizens.
ISSUES: Advocacy, Early Intervention, Access and Functional Needs/Emergency Preparedness, Employment, Health Care, Housing, Self-Determination, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
ACTIVITIES: Welcome & Orientation, Meet with Legislators, Attend Hearings, Participate in a Mock Hearing, Learn about the Public Access room
Ha’i Mo’olelo Event
HWPA has partnered with Catholic Charities Hawaii to host an all-day event on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026, at Queen’s Conference Center on Oahu.
The morning session (8 a.m. - 12 p.m.) will include coffee, lunch, and training on the NTG-EDSD screening tool for early detection of dementia. Click here for more information and to register for the morning session.
The afternoon session (1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) includes presentations from the HWPA Board, DD Council, and DDD on waiver provider updates and legislative news. The day will wrap up with keynote speaker Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu sharing how ha’i mo’olelo (storytelling) can be an effective tool for advocacy work, especially from a Hawaiian perspective. Bring your questions for interactive engagement from all speakers!
To register for the afternoon session, please click below and note that non-HWPA member organizations require a $50 registration fee. The fee covers attendance for all attendees from your organization.
Training Workshop for the National Task Group-Early Detection Screen for Dementia (NTG-EDSD)
HWPA has partnered with Catholic Charities Hawaii to host an all-day event on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026, at Queen’s Conference Center on Oahu.
The morning session (8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.) will include coffee, lunch, and training on the NTG-EDSD screening tool for early detection of dementia. Click here for more information or click here to register for the morning training.
The afternoon session (1 p.m. - 3 p.m.) includes presentations from the HWPA Board, DD Council, and DDD on waiver provider updates and legislative news. The day will wrap up with keynote speaker Kumu Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu sharing how ha’i mo’olelo (storytelling) can be an effective tool for advocacy work, especially from a Hawaiian perspective. Bring your questions for interactive engagement from all speakers! Click here for more information or click here to register for the afternoon session.
HWPA Membership Meeting
Meredith Nichols from Med-QUEST will join HWPA to share the basics of Medicaid in Hawaii and how the numbers have changed over time. She’ll also present on the Affordable Care Act marketplace changes and anticipated impacts of H.R.1 or “OBBBA,” including changes to retroactive coverage, immigrant eligibility, and long-term care eligibility, among other changes like work/community engagement requirements.
HWPA members will receive an email reminder with the Zoom link to attend this virtual meeting.
AI for Strategic Visioning in a Day
This one-day, executive-level experience is designed for CEOs, founders, and senior leaders who want to align their personal leadership brand with their company’s strategic vision — and use AI to rapidly plan what comes next.
Waiver Renewal Public Information Session
The Hawaii State Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Division is hosting a webinar on Zoom for the Waiver Renewal Public Information Session, for waiver providers and DDD staff, participants/families, and stakeholders. Renewal Highlights include:
Strengthened some Service Definitions
New Service - Personal Care Assistance
Updated some service limits
Added three supplemental payments
Updated provider monitoring process.
Waiver Renewal Public Information Session
The Hawaii State Department of Health - Developmental Disabilities Division is hosting a webinar on Zoom for the Waiver Renewal Public Information Session, for waiver providers and DDD staff, participants/families, and stakeholders. Renewal Highlights include:
Strengthened some Service Definitions
New Service - Personal Care Assistance
Updated some service limits
Added three supplemental payments
Updated provider monitoring process.
Legislative Advocacy in 2026
The Pacific Law Institute is hosting a webinar on the 2026 Legislative Session on to discuss:
House and Senate Leadership and Committee Chairs
Senate & House Policy Focus
House Finance – Update
Economic Concerns – Budget and Fiscal Issues
Impact of Federal Policies
Health Care Issues
In attendance will be:
Sen. Karl Rhoads, Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee
Sen. Brandon Elefante, Member, Senate Ways and Means Committee
Rep. Linda Ichiyama, Vice Speaker of the House
Rep. Chris Todd, Chair, House Finance Committee
Bob Toyofuku, Pacific Law Institute President – Moderator