5th Annual Caregiver's Symposium 2025:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential to bridge digital divides, fostering accessibility and efficiency. This session demystifies AI's role in creating a more inclusive digital landscape while addressing its inherent challenges. Participants will learn practical applications of AI, including crafting effective prompts and identifying safe, reliable strategies for assistive technologies. We will explore the dualities of AI—the advantages of automation and inclusivity, alongside risks such as misinformation, biases, and privacy concerns. By the end of this session, attendees will confidently navigate AI's benefits and pitfalls, equipped to empower their communities. Join us to discover how AI can amplify opportunities and foster a more equitable digital ecosystem for all.

Presenter: Dr. Lauren Tucker
Associate Professor, Special Education, Southern Connecticut State University

Dr. Lauren Tucker has a dual certification in special and regular education with expertise in assistive technology, universal design for learning, online learning, and technology implementation. She conducts assistive technology evaluations, consultations, and trainings around the state of Connecticut. Dr. Tucker passionately promotes universal design to enhance learning and accessibility for all individuals. Her research focuses on universal design, assistive/instructional technology, implementing communication and visual supports in community experiences, specifically the theater.

Caring for the Care Partner: A Roadmap to Resilience
‍To quote Roslyn Carter: “There are only four kids of people in this world. Those who have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who need caregivers.” This quote speaks to how it is a part of human nature care for and be cared for by others.   But we know this is not a simple task.  Care partners are often so focused on the needs of those they care for, that they neglect their own health and well-being in the process.  To be a resilient care partner, one must be able to find their sense of self, purpose, belonging and peace. More importantly, they need to know where to turn for support. The Caring for the Care Partner presentation highlights the many facets of what it means to be a care partner, first with sharing statistics and figures that represent the current trends to show what a common occurrence this is. We will review how to care for the care partner by first acknowledging the challenges, as well as prioritizing self-care, wellness and purpose amidst this role.  We will share tips and strategies that could help to reduce stress, encourage wellness, and provide validation. Lastly, we will share some available resources including technological innovations that can help to support a care partner, so they do not have to be on this journey alone. The overall goal of this presentation is to educate, empower, and support those who are providing care to others, whether it be in a formal or informal capacity.
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Melissa Garthwait, BSW,CDP
‍Resource Coordinator, Hartford Healthcare Center for Healthy Aging Melissa Garthwait, BSW, is a Resource Coordinator with the Hartford Healthcare Center for Healthy Aging in Torrington, CT. Melissa has worked in both long-term care and community-based settings in Connecticut. She always had a passion for working with older adults and their families, by helping them navigate the often-daunting sea of resources that may be available to them. Melissa is a certified CHOICES counselor, helping individuals explore their Medicare options. She is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner and assists care partners as they navigate the journey of caring for loved ones with Dementia. Melissa has experience not only professionally, but personally, by being a care partner for her 93-year-old father. Melissa is always seeking opportunities for continued learning and education in the field of Geriatrics, with the goal of sharing this knowledge with those she serves.

Communication skills for professional and family member caregivers of those with special needs, as well as understanding and responding to the individual means a more meaningful environment and experience for both the caregiver and person living with special needs. This session will offer skills for the caregiver and the reasons behind those skills.

Presenter: Chris Abilgaard, Ed.D., N.C.S.P., N.C.C.,
Director, Social Learning Center, Department of Psychology, The University of Hartford

Chris earned his Doctor of Education in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist and a Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialization in Autism Spectrum Disorders and Neurodiverse Learners. Chris also holds a Graduate Certificate from the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Behavioral Interventions in Autism. Along with being a Visiting Assistant Professor & Jackie McLean Fellow in the Department of Psychology Chris is the owner and director of the Social Learning Center (SLC), LLC. located in Cheshire, CT. The SLC offers a range of therapeutic services including mental health counseling, educational consultation, professional development, executive function coaching and parent advocacy. While still maintaining a clinical case load, numerous school consultations and national speaking engagements, Chris brings his 20-year background and expertise in neurodevelopmental disabilities, mental health counseling and school psychology to both undergraduate and graduate students.

In addition to his clinical, consultation and supervision duties at the SLC and teaching at the University of Hartford, Chris is publishing a book with Routledge Publishing in 2025 entitled “Effective Counseling Techniques When Working with People with ASD & Their Families”.

Lunch Panel Member: Caitlin Blake
Director of Community Relations at Oxford Home Care

Caitlin Blake has more than 25 years of extensive experience in the healthcare and home care industries.  As the Director of Community Relations at Oxford Home Care, she thrives on building connections and collaborating with community resources to create meaningful relationships with clients. Caitlin has degrees in Business and Holistic Health and Nutrition, and shares her knowledge as an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford. As a certified Zumba instructor, she embraces wellness and movement daily. She is passionate about the power of collaboration and innovation to achieve success and looks forward to collaborating to make a positive impact!

Lunch Panel Member: Hospital for Special Care (Representative TBD)
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Lunch Panel Member: Natalie Shurtleff, AARP

Communicating Effectively and Understanding Dementia-Related Behaviors
‍Communication, understanding and responding to dementia-related behaviors are important parts of caregiving. Learning these skills can create positive emotions and experiences for both the caregiver and person living with dementia.

Presenter: Carolyn DeRocco
‍Vice President of Programs and Education at the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter

Carolyn DeRocco has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Relations from St. Joseph’s College, Long Island NY with a Certificate in Counseling and a Certificate in Human Services. She has been employed at the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter for more than 18 years. Prior to her work at the Alzheimer’s Association, she served for more than 20 years as a Therapeutic Recreation Director working with individuals with dementia in a skilled nursing facility and for more than 25 years as a support group leader for individuals diagnosed with dementia and their caregivers. She is a member of the Western Connecticut Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council and a former board member of the Connecticut Geriatric Society.

Less Emojis, More Emotions: Transitions from Technology Time to Social Time
‍In this training, participants will learn effective strategies for setting boundaries around technology use. Participants will learn everything from how to use parental controls to their advantage, to how to make technology more social in nature, and how to harness the power of technology to increase interest and engagement in non-technological play and games.

Presenter: Edward Sweeney, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA (CT)
‍Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst, The Hangout Spot LLC

Edward (“Teddy”) is a Senior Board Certified Behavior Analyst who loves coming to work every day and is passionate about providing effective and ethical treatment for all of his clients. He enjoys making meaningful connections and skill building with clients through play-based teaching. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree from Drew University, Edward was unsure of his next step. He had always envisioned working in a laboratory setting, but that all changed when he was introduced to UNIFIED sports. This opened the possibilities of building skills through sports and other games. To that end, Edward began his career as a Therapeutic Support Staff at SPIN Inc. in Philadelphia. While at SPIN, Edward found that he enjoyed working with clients, but he was also interested in all of the work that goes on behind the scenes like conducting assessments, developing plans, and training staff and families. This led to him pursuing his Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis. Upon graduation from his Master’s program at Arcadia University, Edward completed his BCBA requirements while working as a Lead ABA Instructor at EASTCONN’s Bridges Community School. After completing his supervision hours and passing his certification exam, Edward has spent the last year as a BCBA at Hubbard Day School in Stamford, CT.

Presenter: Seila Mosquera-Bruno
Connecticut Commissioner of Housing

Seila Mosquera-Bruno was appointed the Commissioner of Housing by Governor Ned Lamont in 2019 and re-appointed for his second term in 2023. As Commissioner, Seila leads the state agency responsible for all affordable housing matters including new construction, preservation, homelessness support for the State of Connecticut.

Under Seila’s tenure, the Dept. of Housing has completed construction on 14,000 housing units - and counting - since 2019 with over 6,400 currently under construction.

The Department of Housing administers $200 million for homeless support services annually and more than $800 million for development and preservation.

The Department also administered $600MM in COVID emergency relief funds; created a COVID emergency rent relief program; redesigned congregate emergency shelters with the use of hotels and the creation of micro units; reimagined the homeless shelter experience by adding on-site wrap around services and recently created regional “HUBS” across the state to serve as walk-in access points for residents needing emergency support services.

In 2024, Governor Lamont Appointed the Commissioner as Chair of the newly established Connecticut Interagency Council on Homelessness, a panel of agency leaders tasked with strengthening the state’s homelessness prevention and response efforts.

In the last three years, Seila has been responsible for creating two signature programs to accelerate development and homeownership: Time To Own, the state’s first down payment assistance loan program for first time homebuyers. Since its launch in late 2022 over 6,000 Connecticut residents have become homeowners with an average age of 34 and annual income of $70,000.

The second, Build for CT a workforce specific, gap financing program for developers building market-rate housing, launched as a direct response to rising costs from supply chains and inflation. The state’s investment secures a minimum of 20% high-quality affordable units within the existing development plans. Since late 2023, the program has generated more than 1,900 new units with over 500 set aside for middle-income residents.

Seila is the Board Chair for the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), the state’s quasi-public organization dedicated to financing the production and preservation of affordable housing.

Her participation in community service is extensive. She currently serves as Vice President of the CT Municipal Development Authority, a board member for the Capital Region Development Authority, and a board member of the Council of State Community Development Agencies (COSCDA).

Previously she served on the board for Connecticut Legal Rights, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston, Santander Bank, Connecticut Housing Coalition, the National NeighborWorks Association and the National Real Estate Development Advisory Council of NeighborWorks America and a member of the Home Connecticut Steering Committee.

As an affordable housing developer herself for more than 20 years in Connecticut, Seila has developed partnerships with financial institutions, service providers, advocates, and nonprofits, municipal leaders, government officials, private developers, architects, and thought leaders in the housing space.

Prior to her appointment, Seila was the President and Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks New Horizons (NWNH) a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing opportunities and neighborhood revitalization. After joining NWNH in 1994, Seila served in many different capacities and became the Executive Director in 2003. Under her leadership, the organization expanded operations beyond New Haven County to New London and Fairfield Counties, managed 38 employees and $100 million in Assets.

Seila holds a master’s degree in urban studies from Southern Connecticut State University, a B.A. in Business Administration from Charter Oak College, and a fellow of Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. She is also a frequent guest lecturer on housing policy at Yale and NYU.