Schedule of Events

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

DPI Special Education and Pupil Services Pre-Conference

7:30 am - 8:30am | Registration & Breakfast

8:30 am - 8:40 am | Welcome, Dr. Jill Underly, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

8:40 am - 9:15 am | DPI Updates

Daniel Parker, Student Engagement Section Leader & Crystal Holmes, Student Services Section Leader | WI Department of Public Instruction

DPI Staff will provide updates on the latest important information from the Department.

9:30 am - 10:30 am | Concurrent Sessions

1. Moving from FBA Training to Implementation

Katherine Smith, FBA Statewide Coordinator & Amy Steiner, Executive Director of Special Education | Appleton Area School District

 2. DPI Customer Service Family Calls: Strategies for Parent Collaboration and Successful Dispute Resolution

 Carrie Wilson-Smith, Information & Support Specialist & Eva Kubinski, Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

 The DPI Customer Service team receives all phone calls from families in Wisconsin with special education concerns or questions.  In this session, the Customer Serivce Team will share concerns from parents by reviewing Statewide data and trends.  The team will also share  strategies for successful collaboration with families to resolve concerns at the district level.  Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions of the Customer Service Team members presenting. 

 Julie Incitti, School Work Consultant & Eva Shaw, Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction, Theresa Stolpa, Director of Student Services | Portage Community School District

4. SEL & IEP's

Katie Berg, Statewide Coordinator & Resa Hawes, District Coordinator | Supporting Neurodiverse Students, Missy Lesik, Director of Student Services & Special Education | School District of Altoona, Leo Eckman, Director of Student Services | Franklin Public Schools, Julie Weller, Director of Special Education | DC Everest Area School District

The goal for this panel presentation is a better understanding of social and emotional learning (SEL) as skill sets to be taught and monitored through the IEP process using the SEL Competencies from the WI DPI.  This panel discussion will focus on specially designed instruction and other special education services when supporting SEL disability related needs. Join Altoona, Franklin, DC Everest, Chippewa Falls and project staff for this engaging conversation.

5. Integrating Related Service Providers at the Universal Level

Dawn Merth-Johnson, Speech-Language and Assistive Technology Consultant & Tim Peerenboom, School Psychology Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction, Katie Tennessen, WiMLSS Coach | CESA 7

Supporting all learners requires intentional integration of philosophies, strategies, and systems across educational teams. Related service providers play an essential role in creating inclusive learning environments that support success for all students. This session explores how speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists and other specialized instructional support personnel can contribute at the universal level within a Multi-Level System of Supports (MLSS) framework. Participants will examine how collaborative approaches, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), data-based decision making, and inclusive service delivery models can improve access, agency, participation, and student outcomes. Attendees will apply concepts to real-world examples through scenarios that highlight how related service providers can integrate expertise across classroom, behavioral, communication, and learning supports.

10:45 am - 11:45 am | Concurrent Sessions

1. Trauma Sensitive Response to Student Discipline

Julie Incitti, School Social Work Consultant, Andrea Donegan, School Counseling Consultant, Tim Peerenboom, School Psychology Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction, Chris Hahn, Principal & Cindy Bourget, School Counselor | Elkmound School District

Creating trauma-sensitive approaches to discipline requires intentional systems, reflective practice, and collaborative leadership. In this interactive session, participants will explore strategies for building and sustaining trauma-sensitive systems and discipline practices, examine real-world examples to consider how they can be adapted to their own local contexts, and reflect on practical implementation. Attendees will also engage in meaningful discussions with fellow system leaders to identify barriers, uncover opportunities, and develop ideas for lasting, positive change

2. Navigating Parental Options for Students with Disabilities

Cassi Benedict, Director of Bureau of Education Options & Marge Resan, Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

Providing an overview of education options for students in Wisconsin. This includes Private School Choice Program, Special Needs Scholarship Program, Charter Schools, Homeschooling, and Open Enrollment. Providing specific requirements and issues that are applicable to students with disabilities wishing to access these programs.

3. Utilizing Dynamic Learning Maps to Guide Instruction for Alternate Academic Achievement Standards 

Iris Jacobson, Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

This session will explore how administrators can support high-quality instruction for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Participants will examine how the Dynamic Learning Maps can be used to guide standards-aligned instruction, promote meaningful access to grade-level content aligned to alternate academic achievement standards, and inform instructional planning throughout the school year. Discussion will also highlight the administrator's role in ensuring instructional practices are implemented within the least restrictive environment (LRE) and supported through appropriate systems, resources, and professional learning.

4. Mental Health Literacy: A Universal Wellness Strategy

Liz Krubsack, School Mental Health Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction, Jen Rohrbaugh, Comprehensive School Mental Health Statewide Coordinator | CESA 1

In this session, participants will learn about DPI’s mental health literacy framework with a deep dive into the four components of mental health literacy. Participants will have the opportunity to explore tools and resources related to increasing student and staff knowledge and skill in each component of mental health literacy. Participants will leave the session with practical ways to promote mental health literacy as a key strategy for building healthy school-communities.

 5. NOT Another Mandate! Creating the Conditions for a Thriving District

Stacy Broach, Director of Office of Family Engagement, Ronett Jacobs, Education Consultant, Rita Fuller, Education Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

What if improving outcomes doesn’t require another initiative, but a deeper understanding of the problem and the conditions that contribute to progress? In this interactive session, special education and student services leaders will examine real challenges through the lens of their own district context. Through conversation, shared experiences, and reflection, participants will practice getting underneath the problem, identifying barriers and facilitators, and considering how trust, family and community engagement, shared decision-making, and continuous improvement can strengthen, not add to, the work already underway. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of their own system and one or two context-specific next steps they can test, learn from, and adapt.

11:45 am - 12:45 pm | Lunch

12:45 pm - 1:45 pm | General Session: Wisconsin Legal Updates

Marge Resan, Consultant & Sara Totten, School Administration Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

DPI Staff will provide relevant legal updates.

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Concurrent Sessions

1. Artificial Intelligence and Special Education  

Dawn Merth-Johnson, Speech-Language and Assistive Technology Consultant & Amanda Albrecht, Digital Learning Education Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

During this problem of practice session, links and resources available in the Wisconsin's DPI AI Guidance Hub will be shared. Participants will learn about data collected from a survey of WI school districts related to online safety around use of generative AI, opportunities to strengthen accessibility and equitable access for all students, and professional development for staff. Participants will be introduced to a new AI readiness toolkit for districts. Districts will be encouraged to ask questions and share out information related to AI and special education.

2. Pupil Services Professionals as IEP Related Service Providers

Julie Incitti, School Social Work Consultant, Andrea Donegan, School Counseling Consultant, Tim Peerenboom, School Psychology Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

This session will help Special Education and Pupil Services Administrators understand the roles that School Counselors, School Psychologists, and School Social Workers can and should play in providing related services to students with IEPs. The session will begin by briefly discussing DPI's "Related Services in the IEP" resource, discussing the similarities and differences between the pupil services training, skills, licensure, and roles. The majority of this Problem of Practice session will then be spent discussing practical challenges and solutions to meeting students related services needs through counseling, psychological, and social work services.

3. Conversations on Preparing for a New Cycle of PCSA

Paul Sherman, Consultant & Sarah Okonkwor, Section Leader Dispute Resolution and Compliance Monitoring | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

The 2027-28 school years marks the beginning of a new cycle for the procedural compliance self-assessment.  Participants in this session will have the opportunity to hear about the compliance items in the new cycle.

4. Making Gains in Inclusion Toward Rightful Presence:  A Panel Discussion

Iris Jacobson, Consultant | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Amy Jablonski, Director of Curriculum and Instruction & Missy Lesik, Director of Student Services and Special Education | School District of Altoona, Kate Harder, Director of Special Education and Pupil Services | Shorewood School District

Join a panel of Wisconsin school and district leaders as they reflect on another year of implementing systems that create Rightful Presence for all students, especially those with the most diverse learning needs. In partnership with the SWIFT Education Center, panelists will share lessons learned, successes, and challenges as they continue to move from inclusive intentions to instructional excellence and meaningful participation for every learner. Participants will gain practical strategies for strengthening school systems, fostering collaborative leadership, and creating learning environments where each and every student experiences true belonging.

5. From Voice to Action: District Strategies for Reducing Disciplinary Disparities

Kel Hughes Jones, Consultant for Racial Equity & Jeremiah Jackson, Consultant for Disproportionality | WI Department of Public Instruction

3:15 pm - 4:15 pm | Concurrent Sessions

1. Special Education Disciplinary Requirements and Considerations

Ryan McNamara, Consultant & Patti Williams, Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

Participants will learn about the special education disciplinary requirements, including manifestation determinations, counting disciplinary removals, alternate settings, and provision of services. Topics will also include considerations of addressing behavioral needs, the use of use of shortened days, and pre-expulsion agreements. We will use case law and IDEA complaints to highlight examples and definitions.

2. Moving from FBA Training to Implementation

Katherine Smith, FBA Statewide Coordinator, Amy Steiner, Executive Director of Special Education | Appleton Area School District

Moving from FBA Training to Implementation is designed to support school systems in bridging the gap between learning how to conduct Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and implementing them effectively in real-world settings. While many districts invest in professional development, translating that knowledge into consistent, high-quality practice can be challenging. This session focuses on practical strategies, systems, and tools that move FBA work from theory to action. Participants will explore how to establish structures that ensure FBAs are implemented with fidelity, driven by data, and grounded in equitable, student-centered practices.

3. Medicaid School-Based Services Billing for Nursing and Attendant Care Services

Louise Wilson, State School Nursing/Health Services Consultant | Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

With recent changes to Medicaid School-Based  Services (SBS) billing, schools have the potential to greatly expand the number of students for which, and thus the amount of services, that they can bill for SBS. This can bring added funds into schools. School nursing and attendant care services are two SBS where potential exists to expand billing. In order to bill Medicaid for SBS, certain documentation requirements must be met. Besides establishing medical necessity, school districts are required to document the referral for service  and keep a service record. Additionally, certain SBS must be referred by providers who have  a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number.  These providers must also register with Wisconsin’s Medicaid program - ForwardHealth. This presentation explains these requirements for school nursing and attendant care services.

4. Strategies to Build Emotional Resilience and Problem Solving with Special Educators

Deb Wall, Program Coordinator for Educator Induction | CESA 8, Joseph Kanke, Statewide Coaching Coordinate, CESA 2

Amidst the backdrop of nationwide staffing dilemmas, Wisconsin is grappling with its biggest challenge in retaining educators, as highlighted by DPI’s 2024 Education Preparation Program and Workforce Analysis Report. The stress associated with beginning a new profession can often lead to burnout if support is not provided. This session will highlight a framework used by the Wisconsin Special Educator Induction Program, which combines social and emotional learning for adults, networking, problem of practice protocols, and coaching.

5. Making and Documenting Placement Determination in the Least Restrictive Environment

Paul Sherman, Consultant | WI Department of Public Instruction

Participants in this sectional will learn the ins and outs of placement determinations including IEP team discussion, documentation of the placement, and providing appropriate notice.

4:15 pm | Conclusion of Pre Conference