OPEN MINDS Announces 2026 Autism & I/DD Executive Summit To Address Integrated Care Strategies For Co-Occurring Conditions
GETTYSBURG, PA. (April 4, 2026) — OPEN MINDS announced the 2026 OPEN MINDS Autism & I/DD Executive Summit, a full-day program focused on integrated care strategies for individuals with co-occurring intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), mental health conditions, and substance use disorders. The Summit, sponsored by Monarch, will take place June 10, 2026, during The 2026 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Institute in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The needs of individuals with I/DD and autism are becoming increasingly complex, as co-occurring mental health conditions and substance use disorders become more prevalent. At the same time, provider organizations face workforce shortages, reimbursement constraints, and regulatory changes that are reshaping service delivery nationwide.
The Summit focuses on three areas shaping the future of services for this population: the evolving clinical landscape, integrated care delivery models, and emerging approaches to financing and governance.
Sessions will highlight how leading organizations are delivering integrated I/DD, mental health, and substance use services within a single clinical and operational framework, Integrated Care In Action: Lessons From Multi-Service I/DD, MH & SUD Providers, presented by Kelley Krueger, Ph.D., BCBA, Senior Clinical Director of Neurodevelopmental Services at Pacific Clinics and Afm Z. Haque, M.D., MPH, Chief Medical Officer at Legacy Treatment Centers. Speakers will share real-world case studies from organizations already delivering integrated I/DD, mental health, and substance use services within a single clinical and operational framework.
The program also examines emerging care models and funding strategies, including: Accountable Care For Autism & I/DD: Inside The ACO Model, presented by Pam Matuszewski, Deputy Executive Director of The Alliance For Integrated Care Of New York, will examine how ACO models can improve care coordination and financial alignment for individuals with I/DD, while Medicaid Innovation For Autism & I/DD: 1115 Waivers, Emerging Models & Funding-Driven Change, presented by Janet Butler, President & Chief Executive Officer of Community Systems, Inc. and Stacey Dixon, Ph.D., MHA, President of Project Transition, will examine how experimental Medicaid waivers are reshaping funding structures and creating new strategic opportunities.
The program will include a Lunch & Learn session, sponsored by Monarch, providing attendees with an opportunity for peer dialogue and expert discussion.
Breakout discussion groups following lunch will focus on Treatment Considerations For Co-Occurring Disorders, moderated by Joseph P. Naughton Travers, EdM, Senior Associate, OPEN MINDS, and Making The Funding Work For Integrated Care, moderated by Paul Duck, Chief Strategy Officer, OPEN MINDS.
The Summit concludes with an executive roundtable on the future of services for individuals with I/DD and autism in the session, The Road Ahead For Autism & I/DD Organizations: A Payer & Provider Executive Roundtable. Panelists, Rita Wiersma, President & Chief Executive Officer of Accord, Rebecca Richwine, Senior Vice President of Children’s Services at Merakey, and Dean Pastras, Chief Executive Officer of Bergen’s Promise, will discuss shared challenges, evolving expectations, and opportunities for collaboration across care delivery, reimbursement, and innovation.
“Keeping pace with Medicaid reform and designing integrated care models are not theoretical challenges for I/DD organizations—they are operational realities executive teams must navigate today,” said Monica E. Oss, Chief Executive Officer of OPEN MINDS. “This summit brings together payer perspectives, provider case studies, and strategic frameworks that help leaders build organizations that are both clinically effective and financially resilient.”
Access to the Summit is included with registration for The 2026 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Institute, taking place June 9–11, 2026, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Registration is open. OPEN MINDS Circle Market Intelligence Service members receive complimentary registration to this and all OPEN MINDS institutes. If you are a member, your registration code has been sent to your email.
For more information on any of OPEN MINDS’ educational programs, upcoming sponsorship opportunities, or media inquiries, contact the Executive Education Events team at events@openminds.com or 717-334-1329.
Premier Partners & Exhibitors
OPEN MINDS institutes are made possible by OPEN MINDS premier partners, Alera Health, Cantata, Core Solutions, Netsmart, Otsuka, Qualifacts, Spectrum Healthcare, and Trillium Health Resources.
Featured exhibitors for the 2026 Strategy & Innovation Institute include Alera Health, Cantata Health Solutions, CapGrow Partners, Continuum Cloud, Core Solutions, Genoa Healthcare, Grafton Integrated Health Network | Ukeru, mdhub, Medicus IT, Qualifacts, Radicle Health, Scioto, Simple Fractal, Streamline Healthcare, and Tarrrytown Expocare.
About OPEN MINDS
OPEN MINDS is a national market intelligence, management consulting, and marketing services firm specializing exclusively in the high-needs consumer market – mental health, addiction treatment, cognitive disabilities, chronic health conditions, elder services, health-related social needs, and adjacent markets within the health and human service field. The OPEN MINDS mission is to provide payers, service provider organizations, pharmaceutical, technology, and scientific firms that serve these consumers with the market and management knowledge needed to improve their organizational efficiency and effectiveness. Learn more at openminds.com.