The 12th Annual WALA Spring Conference
Resident Directed Care: Independence with Dignity and Respect

Pre-Event: Tuesday, March 27
Conference: Wednesday and Thursday, March 28-29
Alliant Energy Center, Madison

Conference information:

Join us for WALA's 2007 Spring Conference! Last year our conference attracted more than 550 providers, suppliers, exhibitors and top-notch speakers, and at this year's 12th annual event members and non-members alike can expect more of what has made our conferences great. We have a fantastic array of topics and speakers, including new tracks for specific career paths.

The conference begins on Tuesday, March 27. WALA, in conjunction with the Division of Disability and Elder Services and the Office of Quality Assurance, is honored to present an optional train-the-trainer workshop, "Training the Non-Nurse to Identify and Respond." This session will be a hands-on, interactive program designed to provide tools for assisted living owners, operators, managers and team leaders to train their caregivers on their role in prompt and adequate treatment. The clinical issues we will discuss have been taken directly from the OQA list of top forfeitures. Find out how to head off these citations before they happen and continue your quest for better care at this valuable pre-event session!

Afterwards, get to know the movers and shakers in Wisconsin assisted living at our optional networking dinner. You will get a national perspective on the assisted living industry with Maribeth Bersani, ALFA's Senior Vice President & Director of Public Policy, as she shows you the latest trends and hot topics from across the country. She will also show us how Wisconsin regulations compare with the rest of the nation. It might surprise you to learn what is happening nationally that might impact you and your operations!

The conference gets into full swing on Wednesday, March 28, with an opportunity to compare services and prices at our all-day tradeshow. Then, kick off the morning with a riveting session on ways to empower your staff, presented by Bob Van Dyk, a former student of the Disney school of management and a nationally renowned speaker. Afterwards, pick your favorites from among fifteen breakout sessions on the most important topics in assisted living.

Check in with our exhibitors Wednesday night for prize drawings, cocktails and a brief awards reception. Follow it up with all Madison has to offer for drinks, dinner and excitement with friends old and new!

On Thursday, March 30 join us for a keynote on the movement for Resident Directed Care. We will address each regulatory category separately and hold interactive sessions on ways to implement this philosophy in your building. Caregivers can attend their own keynote -- a jealously guarded encore performance by Professor and Storyteller Bob Kann on Creative Problem Solving Techniques! Another day of breakout sessions will give attendees ten more presentations to choose from. Help us close the conference with a session on ways to stay engaged and create a culture of personal responsibility in your workplace.

Our new tracks let you fill your day with the breakout sessions that apply to you:

Clinical Track:
The new Clinical Track runs both Wednesday and Thursday and features opportunities to network with your peers as well as sessions on falls prevention and assessments, infection control, empowering your caregivers to identify and respond to changes in condition, wound/skin care and assessments.

Leadership Track:
The Leadership Track is Wednesday only and will focus on leading with passion, whether for your staff, your residents or even just yourself!

AFH Track:
The AFH Track is Wednesday only and focuses on networking opportunities with your peers, open forum networking with the OQA and a specific session on medications.

Caregiver Track:
The Caregiver Track is Thursday only, with a special registration fee and a private invitation to an exclusive keynote presentation. Sessions include "Changes in Condition: Working with Your Nurse" and "Activities: Making Your Life (and Theirs) Easier." Caregivers are also invited to join the closing keynote presentation.

Agendas with detailed information and registration forms will be mailed in early January. Take advantage of our early-bird registration discount by signing up before February 23.

Come to learn, network and enjoy as WALA presents its 2007 Spring Conference