The Autism & I/DD service landscape is changing, and these changes are bringing new opportunities for providers to enhance existing services, develop new services, and improve the overall quality of care to meet the new and shifting needs of this complex population.
The OPEN MINDS Autism & I/DD Learning Path is designed to help executive leaders examine industry trends, understand emerging funding models, demystify technology innovations, and share opportunities for improved care and new service line development.
View featured courses and sessions below to get started!
Improving Consumer Experience: The 2026Â OPEN MINDSÂ Executive Seminar On Creating Better Engagement & Increasing Revenue
Sponsored By: 
Much focus has been on digital strategies for health and human service organizations. A post-pandemic strategy involves a multi-pronged technology-driven approach that leads to streamlining processes and higher performance. While the pandemic has accelerated the use of technology to support consumer access, using a technology strategy to assure business success goes beyond a consumer digital interface. This seminar will focus on the eight dimensions of digital transformation and provide a road map for executive teams to integrate and incorporate their entire organization. Attendees will gain insights into a digital-first approach focused on consumer experience, organizational efficiency, resiliency, growth, and sustainability. Key objectives include:
- A road map for digital-first evolution and what it means to be a digital-first organization
- The eight dimensions of a digital-first framework for quality and performance
- Critical organizational competencies needed for leading-edge technology transformation
Rick Gutierrez, Ph.D., BCBA
Dr. Gutierrez brings over 20 years of clinical and operational experience to the OPEN MINDS team. His unique blend of experience has allowed him to drive impactful outcomes in the developmental disability and behavioral health fields. ​
Dr. Gutierrez is a certified Emotional Intelligence (EQ) trainer, licensed psychologist in California, and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). He has overseen a variety of service settings, including adult day programs, residential programs, and intensive therapy programs like Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and has worked with individuals across the lifespan who have developmental disabilities and co-occurring mental health conditions. He has experience managing projects aimed at enhancing service delivery, ensuring that strategic initiatives align with budgeted funding and contribute to sustainable growth. He has worked across diverse funding models, including those from the Department of Developmental Services, insurance companies, and school districts, while ensuring programs meet accreditation standards. Additionally, he has shared his expertise globally, giving numerous talks on program development, leadership, and employee retention. These combined clinical and operational skills make him a versatile leader capable of improving both care delivery and organizational performance.​
Prior to joining OPEN MINDS, Dr. Gutierrez served as Vice President, Clinical Strategy & Operations at Easterseals Southern California. In this role he oversaw the outpatient Applied Behavior Analysis provider network and Enhanced Care Management in partnership with Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Gutierrez also oversaw START Crisis services, behavioral services for all residential services, negotiation and management of contracts with network providers and payers, and intake and customer service functions including revenue cycle management, benefits and eligibility, and authorization teams. In addition, he developed and monitored the implementation of a strategic plan in collaboration with the Chief Clinical Officer. ​
Prior to this, Dr. Gutierrez served as Regional Vice President and Director of Subcontracting also at Easterseals Southern California. ​
Previously, Dr. Gutierrez served as Clinical Administrator at Applied Behavioral Consultants, Inc. where he oversaw all clinical aspects of community-based behavioral health treatment for consumers in Southern California. He also monitored compliance across multiple areas of the organization, negotiated contracts with most major health plans, and led new program development. Before this role, Dr. Gutierrez served as Regional Director and Program Manager at Applied Behavioral Consultants, Inc. ​
Before this, Dr. Gutierrez has also served as Program Director, Behavior Consultant, and Case Manager at various organizations. Dr. Gutierrez is an active member of multiple professional organizations.​
Dr. Gutierrez earned his Doctorate of Philosophy from Capella University, his Masters of Science from California State University, and his Bachelors of Art from University of California.
The I/DD & Autism Landscape: Population Trends, Co-Occurring Needs & Market Pressures
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the current I/DD & Autism markets, with a focus on population growth, increasing clinical complexity, and the prevalence of co-occurring mental health, chronic conditions, and substance use disorders. Executives will gain insight into workforce shortages, reimbursement constraints, regulatory pressures, and access challenges shaping service delivery nationwide. Speakers will highlight key data trends and emerging risks to help leaders better anticipate demand, align resources, and position their organizations for sustainability in a rapidly evolving environment.
Integrated Care In Action: Lessons From Multi-Service I/DD, MH & SUD Providers
As individuals with I/DD present with increasingly complex behavioral and substance use needs, integrated service models are becoming essential. This session features real-world case studies from organizations delivering both I/DD, MH or SUD services under one operational and clinical framework. Presenters will discuss lessons learned, barriers to integration, regulatory considerations, and measurable outcomes, offering executives practical insights into scaling integrated care while maintaining quality, compliance and financial viability.
Kelley Krueger, Ph.D., BCBA
Afm Z. Haque, M.D., MPH
Leaving The Emergency Room Behind: Innovative Programs For Youth
Emergency departments are seeing record numbers of children and adolescents in behavioral health crisis—often waiting hours or even days for appropriate care. Yet many of these youth could be safely and effectively treated in less restrictive, more therapeutic environments.
This session explores how health care organizations and community partners are building behavioral health crisis diversion programs that reroute young people from hospital emergency rooms to the right level of care at the right time. Case studies will showcase successful models for creating a continuum of care designed specifically for children and youth.
During this session, attendees will:
- Discover key components of an effective crisis service continuum for young people.
- Evaluate operational and staffing considerations unique to youth crisis services
- Identify partnership and funding strategies to support community-based crisis alternatives to ED care.
Jennifer Craig, MA, MS, LPC, LCPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Jennifer Craig, MA, MS, LPC, LCPC, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, serves as President and CEO of ReDiscover, an innovative Certified Community Behavioral Health Organization dedicated to serving individuals and families throughout Jackson County, Missouri, in the Kansas City metropolitan region.
With more than 30 years of leadership and clinical experience in behavioral health, Jennifer has worked in community-based, residential, and outpatient settings as both a therapist and senior administrator. Her career reflects a deep commitment to expanding access to high-quality mental health services while strengthening organizational excellence.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science from Northwestern University, her Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and her Master of Science in Organization and Management with a specialization in Human Resource Management from Capella University. She is licensed as a Professional Counselor (LPC) in Missouri and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Illinois. In addition, she holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and the Society for Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) credentials, reflecting her dual expertise in clinical leadership and organizational strategy.
A dedicated community leader, Jennifer serves on numerous boards and commissions. She is Chair of the Lee’s Summit Wellness Commission, Chair of CommCARE, and Secretary/Treasurer of the Metro Council of Community Behavioral Health Centers. She also serves on the following boards: Missouri Behavioral Health Council, the Greater Lee’s Summit Healthcare Foundation, the Lee’s Summit Civic Roundtable, Pro Deo Youth Center, and St. Luke’s Hospital Crittenton Children’s Center.
Previously, Jennifer served on the board of the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health and the Lee’s Summit Chamber of Commerce. She is a former member of the Illinois Counseling Association’s Governing Council and Past President of its Lewis and Clark Chapter. Her professional affiliations include Mental Health Corporations of America, OPEN MINDS, the Society for Human Resource Management, and Rotary International.
Through her integrated expertise in clinical care, executive leadership, and human capital strategy, Jennifer is recognized for advancing sustainable behavioral health systems and fostering strong community partnerships.
Accountable Care For Autism & I/DD: Inside The ACO Model
What does accountable care look like for individuals with I/DD? This session explores ACO models designed to improve care coordination, outcomes and cost management for this population. Hear directly from ACO leaders and participating providers about governance, data sharing, quality metrics, and financial alignment. Attendees will gain a balanced view of the opportunities and challenges of ACO participation, along with actionable considerations for organizations evaluating or operating within these models.
Medicaid Innovation For Autism & I/DD: 1115 Waivers, Emerging Models & Funding-Driven Change
Medicaid policy continues to be a primary driver of innovation in I/DD services. This session examines new and experimental Medicaid waivers, with a particular focus on Section 1115 demonstrations and their impact on care models, funding structures, and service integration. Presenters will review current waiver activity, early results, and state-level trends, helping executives understand how funding mechanisms are shaping the future of I/DD services and where strategic opportunities may exist.
Janet Butler
Janet Butler has developed and led residential and individualized support programs for over 35 years, primarily with Community Systems, where she is the CEO and President. Her innovative thinking and dedication to the discovery of each person’s definition of their own happiness have led to scores of remarkable success stories, most notably with persons considered too challenging to ever enjoy community success or live independently.
Ms. Butler received her degree in nursing and later a BS in Nonprofit Management from Skidmore College. She was the Executive Director of Community Systems, Inc. in Massachusetts for more than 20 years, starting the operations and growing the organization to support 250 individuals with more than 350 staff.
Janet assumed the role of CEO upon the retirement of the founders at CSI, who had filled their roles for more than 30 years. Prior to this role, she worked as a nurse in acute care and helped develop one of the first hospice services in southeastern Massachusetts when it was strictly charity responsibility.
Community Systems, Inc. is a group of nonprofit organizations providing support to persons with disabilities in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Virginia, and Delaware. The organization operates primarily in the ID/DD but also provides brain injury services, including to disabled veterans. For the last 15 years, the primary focus of her role has been to help build leaders.
The Road Ahead For Autism & I/DD Organizations: A Payer & Provider Executive Roundtable
This closing panel brings together senior leaders from Autism & I/DD provider organizations and payer partners for a candid discussion on the future of the field. Panelists will address shared challenges, evolving expectations, and opportunities for collaboration across care delivery, reimbursement, and innovation. Designed as an interactive executive dialogue, this session will leave attendees with forward-looking perspectives and practical takeaways to guide strategic planning in an increasingly complex I/DD landscape.
Closing Keynote
Monica E. Oss
Monica E. Oss, M.S. is the founder of OPEN MINDS and serves as its chief executive officer, executive editor of its publications and websites, and executive lead of its consulting engagements. For the past three decades, Ms. Oss has led the OPEN MINDS team and its research on health and human service market trends and its national consulting practice. She is well known for her numerous books and articles focused on the strategic and marketing implications of the evolving health and human service field – and its focus on the verticals of the field serving consumers with chronic conditions and complex support needs.
Ms. Oss has extensive experience in developing and implementing growth strategies for a wide array of organizations in the field. She has expertise in industry trend analysis, reimbursement and rate setting, and creating actionable plans for market success. In her role, she has led numerous engagements with state Medicaid plans, county governments, private insurers, and health plans, service provider organizations, technology vendors, neurotechnology and pharmaceutical organizations, and investment banking firms – with a focus on the implications of financing changes on delivery system design.
Prior to founding OPEN MINDS, Ms. Oss served as an executive with a nationally managed behavioral health organization, responsible for market development, actuarial analysis, and capitation-based rate setting. She also held a position as vice president of the U.S. risk management and underwriting division of an international insurance company.
Ms. Oss has been the keynote speaker at the conferences of dozens of national associations and has been published in a wide range of professional journals and trade publications. She has provided Congressional and state legislative testimony on issues as diverse as the financial impact of parity and payer medication access policies.
Ms. Oss has led a range of industry research and consultation initiatives, serving as principal investigator on research projects that include the examination of national managed care enrollment and service patterns, development of provider rate structures for government entities, creation of return-on-investment models for technology investments; design of performance-based compensation models within public and private health plans; and analysis of the economic impact of changes in benefit design, adoption of evidence-based practices, and new technologies.