CentralReach’s Autism and IDD Care Conference, CR Unite 2024, has come to a close, and what an unforgettable event it was! Held from September 16th to 18th in Los Angeles, this year’s conference gathered hundreds of passionate therapy providers, special educators, and supported employment agencies for three days of learning, networking, and inspiration focused on the future of autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) care.
Connecting Leaders in the Field
The energy in the room was buzzing as attendees—from executives at customer organizations to CentralReach power users—came together to share insights and experiences. This event was not just about learning; it was about building a community dedicated to improving care for individuals with autism and IDD.
Inspiring Keynotes and Sessions
The conference kicked off with a thought-provoking welcome from CEO, Chris Sullens, who provided an overview of CentralReach’s strategic direction and the exciting developments on the horizon. He emphasized the importance of creating an AI-boosted workforce, where technology acts as a tireless assistant rather than a replacement. The introduction of CR NoteGuardAI and other AI solutions set an exciting tone for the future.
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Lonne Jaffe, a leading AI futurist from Insight Partners, delivered a standout keynote. He shared valuable lessons on the evolution of AI in healthcare and how autism and IDD care providers can prepare for the shifts ahead. Lonne’s insights were a reminder of the rapid pace of change in our industry and how we must prepare for it.
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Learning from Experts
With 45 speakers in attendance, including the CentralReach Scientific Advisory Board, the conference offered rich content that earned attendees nearly 500 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Topics like AI solutions, interoperability, payor relations, and caregiver engagement sparked meaningful discussions among participants. Sessions like Sara Gershfeld’s talk on value-based reimbursement structures and Darren Sush, Psy.D., BCBA-D, Head of Autism and Psychology at Evernorth, a Cigna Corporation, insights on unlocking payer potential were particularly well-received.
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Celebrating Excellence
One of the highlights of CR Unite was the 3rd Annual Autism and IDD Care Awards, a program launched three years ago to celebrate individuals and organizations making extraordinary contributions to the field. This year, we introduced new award categories, including Innovator of the Year, Exceptional Leadership Award, Rising Star, Clinical Team Excellence, and Operations Team Excellence. With hundreds of submissions and over 115 honorees shortlisted, we honored over 30 individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions. We also celebrated a significant milestone: by the end of 2024, CentralReach customers will have created over 1.2 billion learning opportunities for individuals with autism and IDD. Congratulations to all the award winners!
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Engaging with AI Innovation
Attendees also enjoyed interacting with CentralReach’s AI assistant, cari, at kiosks around the conference. This hands-on experience highlighted how our innovative solutions can support their work and improve service delivery.
Embracing Diversity in Our Community
The conference wrapped up with a powerful panel discussion on "Embracing Diversity in ABA." CentralReach customers, employees, and advisors shared their experiences and explored the opportunities and challenges of fostering diversity in our field. This conversation underscored the importance of inclusion and representation in shaping the future of ABA.
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Looking Forward
CR Unite 2024 was not just a conference; it was a celebration of both CentralReach’s and our customers’ collective commitment to advancing tech-enabled autism and IDD care. We are grateful to everyone who attended, shared their insights, and contributed to the success of this event. Together, we are poised to embrace the future of care with excitement and optimism.
Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from CR Unite on our social media channels and website. Here’s to another year of innovation and collaboration!
Posted in News, Press Release
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