Conference Details

Registration closes on February 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Our Speakers

Rose Reif, MS, LCMHC, CRC, BC-TMH

Lauren Wang, MD, FAADM

For 10 years, Rose Reif supported people with Down syndrome and other disabilities as a Case Manager and Group Home Supervisor. During that time, she became frustrated by the lack of mental health services for adults with IDD, and decided to do something about it. After earning a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from the Medical School at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2013, Rose started a private counseling practice in Cary, North Carolina. As a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, she focuses on meeting the mental health needs of disabled adults and parents raising kids with disabilities. Rose is the author of "Helping Your Child with Down Syndrome to Understand Death and Cope with Grief". You can learn more about Rose at rosereif.com.

Dr. Wang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Cincinnati and a Fellow of the American Academy of Developmental Medicine who is the Director of UC Health’s Timothy Freeman, MD, Center for Developmental Disabilities. Dr Wang spearheaded the creation of the Freeman Center in January 2022 in response to the significant health inequity both locally and nationally for adults with DD who have aged out of the pediatric health system.



Dr. Wang is on the Board of Directors for the National Down Syndrome Society. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati for three years and has been a member of their Health Advisory Board. She has presented locally and nationally on topics of transition from the pediatric to adult healthcare system, collaborative care models, and care of adults with DD. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband and three children.

Representatives from Metrocare Services and MHMR Tarrant County will speak about services that they provide in the DFW area and how to access them.

This conference is not intended for self-advocates. We realize, however, that many families have no options for respite care so that they may attend. If that applies to your family, MHMR Tarrant County and Green Oaks Education and Support, Inc. will have staff on hand to provide activites for self-advocates. Space is limited and an RSVP is required. Cost is $12 and includes lunch and materials. Self advocates who attend must be able to manage restroom needs and may not exhibit behaviors which could be harmful to themselves or others.

Thank you to our Sponsors!