Saturday, March 21st 2026

8:00am - 4:00pm

999 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY, 11714

Join the ELIJA Foundation for Pathway to Adulthood: Using Self-Direction: Transitioning for Independence in 2026, a powerful conference focused on supporting individuals with autism as they move toward meaningful, independent adult lives.

This conference serves as an informational hub for families and professionals alike. Attendees will hear directly from expert presenters covering the wide range of services and supports individuals may need throughout adulthood, and have the opportunity to connect with real vendors and service providers on-site who are available to answer questions, share resources, and help families navigate next steps with confidence. This is a meaningful opportunity to connect with families, professionals, and community partners while supporting critical transition services!

Attendee Pricing

Parent/Guardian/Self Advocate - $55

1 Admission to Conference

Professionals - $75

1 Admission to Conference

ELIJA Foundation Members - $20

Conference is $20 with ELIJA Foundation membership. Click here to become a member.

Self - Direction / IDGS funding and OTPS Respite may be applicable, E-mail: deb@elija.org

Conference Presenters:

Patricia Calandra

Region 5 Master Housing Navigator, Start up & Support Broker

Trish joined AIM Services as the Director of Innovation in January 2025. Trish and AIM are working on succession planning and sustainability in Self-Direction, including developing more integrated non-certified housing options. Trish provides Housing Navigation Services that assist people with Developmental Disabilities to develop a sustainable Housing Plan, a Circle of Support to ensure the persons Self-Direction Budget and other related supports and services are fully accessed.

Prior to joining AIM, Trish worked as the Master Housing Navigator in the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities’ Long Island Region 5 under the New York Housing Resource Center (NYHRC). The NYHRC is a central depository for housing-related services and resources for housing professionals across the state to foster collaboration among the housing industry and related professions, service provider agencies and people with I/DD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.) This included working with developers to create more Affordable Housing and with policy makers to address inequalities and injustices that prevent people with disabilities from accessing safe, and affordable housing. The NYHRC works in partnership with the New York Alliance for Inclusion and Innovation (NY Alliance) which was awarded the DDPC New York Alliance Statewide and Regional Housing Collaboratives 2019-2023 grant. The goal and scope of this project was to facilitate and continue to build learning on a statewide basis. The work helped to develop, create and implement individualized housing options with and for people with I/DD, building upon community housing options that go beyond the OPWDD service delivery system. Trish also worked as a Support Broker for people in Self-Direction

Trish is an advocate for her children with Autism, son Joey and daughter Jenna and for all people with IDD/DD by serving on local boards, the DDAC and many advocacy groups.

Melissa Negrin-Wiener, ESQ.

Senior Partner at Cona Elder Law

Melissa Negrin-Wiener is a senior partner at Cona Elder Law. Ms. Negrin-Wiener manages the Government Benefits Department, concentrating her practice in the areas of asset protection, Medicaid eligibility planning, estate planning, special needs planning, mediation, guardianships and Veteran’s benefits. She supervises the preparation of Medicaid Applications for nursing home care, home health care and community benefits, resolves complex Medicaid issues and represents families facing a reduction in Medicaid home care hours and services.

Barbara Morell

Benefits Consultant and Director of a benefits consulting organization

Barbara Morell, M.Ed., is a Benefits Consultant and the Director of a benefits consulting organization, Benefits Plus+. She provides families with information and insight into the Worlds of Public Benefits, Benefits and Paid Employment, and Adult Service Systems. She is the parent of a young man with an Autism Spectrum Disorder who is living a Self-Directed Life.

Debora Thivierge, BCaBA, CBAA

Debora received her BA in Sociology from Hofstra University and is a Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst. She serves as the Founder and CEO of The ELIJA School, Founder of The ELIJA Foundation, the ELIJA Farm, and ELIJA’s Transition Program and Services (TPS). Debora has volunteered her time to numerous Autism groups such as Nassau County’s Department of Health Early Intervention Coordinating Council, New York State Association of Behavior Analysis, Nassau County Autism Coalition run by the County Executive and served as a board member of The Behavior Analyst Certification Board® (BACB®) for 5 years. She was appointed to the New York State Licensure Board for Applied Behavior Analysis in 2014 and served until 2018, when she stepped down to advocate for the advancement of the field in ABA. She has been providing advocacy to families and conducted training workshops to promote evidence based instruction for families and educators who have been touched by Autism. Her most recent projects include inclusive housing initiatives and expanding work opportunities for people living with autism. She has a 26 year old son with Autism.

Sponsorships, ads, and table registrations are available through March 6th!

Pathway to Adulthood Conference Co-Sponsor - $3,000
Premier Signage at Conference and Inclusion in all Signage and Print/Digital Materials, including Logo/Link on ELIJA Website, Verbal Recognition During Conference, Logo included on the Promotional Giveaway, Full Screen Digital Program Ad (Premier Placement), Vendor Table and Conference Registration for 10

Conference Lunch Sponsor - $1,500
Signage at Conference, Logo/Link on ELIJA Website, Verbal Recognition During Conference, Full Screen Digital Program Ad, Vendor Table and Conference Registration for 5

Conference Breakfast Sponsor - $1,000
Signage at Conference, Logo/Link on ELIJA Website, Verbal Recognition During Conference, Half Screen Digital Program Ad, Vendor Table and Conference Registration for 2

Digital Program Ad

Full Screen - $400

Half Screen - $200

Tables

Vendor Table - $400

Non Profit Vendor Table - $200

For Need Based Scholarships to the Conference, please fill out the form below