NADSP is excited to share our last virtual training of 2025. NADD (National Association for the Dually Diagnosed) and NextGen Synergy have teamed up to create a four-hour virtual training session. As part of this collaboration, NADSP is pleased to offer CEUs (Continuing Education Units) to licensed counselors and social workers.
Training Description:
In this interactive three-hour session, participants will take a deeper look at what it means and looks like to support people who have both intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs. Together, we’ll explore why this combination is so common, how it impacts daily life and relationships, and what it looks like to provide care that is about the person—not just their diagnosis.
The training emphasizes trauma-informed and person-centered approaches, helping direct support professionals (DSPs) recognize that every person’s “behavior” is often shaped by trauma, their lived experience, and how their brain functions. Participants will learn how to observe, listen, and respond in ways that promote safety, dignity, and trust. We’ll also discuss how to work effectively with families, helping them navigate challenges and build resilience together. We are also going to finally talk about what trauma informed and person-centered care actually looks and sounds like! We are going to help unpack the lingo!
Using real-life stories and situations, participants will leave with tips and tools to strengthen communication, encourage self-advocacy, and create supportive environments where both people and families can thrive!
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
12:00pm – 4:00pm ET
$120 per Non-Member Attendee
$100 per NADSP Member Attendee – Use your Member password to receive $20 off registration
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Explain what dual diagnosis means and share why people with IDD are at higher risk for having mental health conditions.
- Recognize how trauma can impact behavior and identify ways to apply trauma-informed and person-centered care that promote safety, healing, and a sese of self worth
- Describe what trauma informed and person-centered care looks and sounds like.
- Demonstrate observation and communication skills that help uncover underlying needs rather than focusing solely on diagnoses or behaviors.
- Support families in understanding and managing challenges related to dual diagnosis by building collaboration, empathy, and consistent care strategies.
- Apply crisis prevention and intervention skills, including how to respond compassionately to mental health crises and connect individuals and families to appropriate supports, such as the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Target Audience
Behavior Specialists, Frontline Supervisors, DSPs,Social Workers, Managers, Supervisors and Administrators
Participate In This Training
Click the link below to register via JotForms. Once completed, a confirmation email will be sent to all attendees.
Presenters
Nick Burton
Founder and Co-Executive Director, NextGen Synergy Inc.
Biography
I am the Co-Executive Director at NextGen Synergy, Inc., where I focus on expanding capacity, fostering partnerships, and advancing best-practice models to support people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and co-occurring mental health conditions. At NextGen Synergy, we are committed to ensuring that every person has access to high-quality, person-driven services that promote autonomy, equity, and inclusion.
My work at NextGen Synergy is rooted in building strong collaborations, developing innovative service models, and driving systemic change to enhance knowledge, skills, and resources in the field of I/DD and mental health. I am particularly focused on workforce development, clinical capacity-building, technology integration, and advocacy to improve service access and quality for people with complex support needs.
With over 25 years of experience in the I/DD field, I have worked as a direct support professional, case manager, agency leader, and Director of Programs for Maryland’s Developmental Disabilities Administration, overseeing statewide services and programmatic supports. As the CEO of N. Burton Consulting LLC, I have partnered with provider agencies, government entities, and advocacy organizations to implement sustainable, person-centered strategies that improve outcomes for people with disabilities.
Melissa Cheplic, MPH, NADD-CC
Senior Training and Consultation Specialist, The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development at Rutgers Medical School
Biography
Melissa is a Senior Training and Consultation Specialist at The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development at Rutgers Medical School. Melissa develops and delivers training and technical assistance to community providers, state agencies, and University students. Melissa holds a master’s degree from the Rutgers School of Public Health.
A NADD-certified clinician, she has developed nationally recognized curricula and presents at numerous conferences on Positive Behavior Support, dual diagnosis, mental health, emergency preparedness, and workforce development. She co-authored the training manual, “Mental Health Approaches to Intellectual/Developmental Disability” and is featured in the book, “The Good Stuff: Practical Positive Supports for People with IDD and Mental Illness.” Melissa is earning a Doctorate at Rutgers School of Public Health (DrPH), concentrating on Leadership, Practice, and Research.
John Raffaele
Director of Educational Services
John Raffaele is the Director of Educational Services for the NADSP. John is a Master Social Worker and a highly experienced professional adult educator and facilitator.
Biography
Dr. Monica McCall is an entrepreneur, leadership coach, business developer, facilitator and a nonprofit leader. Monica is a national industry expert in driving cultural change within organizations. She cares deeply and is committed to the opportunities of businesses and individuals to serve, grow, innovate. Most importantly, Dr. McCall continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership skills and provides her leadership talents to state departments and provider organizations that provide supports and direct care for various communities through state human services systems of care. She demonstrates expertise in working for the support of families, children, young adults, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Most recently she facilitated a state-wide cohort in Maryland that examined the supports needs for people with intellectual and /or developmental disabilities with co-occurring mental health conditions
As the Partner and Co-Founder of Coach Approach Partners she has extended her leadership experiences and first- hand knowledge of capacity building techniques to leaders across the country. Her experiences extend further supporting leaders through modeling, consulting, and teaching coaching mindsets and skillsets to leaders in multiple systems of care. Dr. McCall is a Certified Professional Diversity Coach and certified by the International Coaching Federation. As such, she prides herself in supporting diverse groups of leaders as they discover their “authentic self” and design their person authored plans for cultural change.
Dr. Monica McCall is the Founder and Former Chief Executive Officer of Creative Options, one of Maryland’s premier community -based provider organizations. For over 32 years Dr. McCall has been able to combine her non- profit leadership talents with her executive leadership, business expansions, organizational development, and coaching skills. She has led the nonprofit organizations through start up, survival, and growth modes and has supported the development of many leaders of the organizations.
Dr. McCall serves as a board of Director for the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP)and as a Past President of the Board of Directors of the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS). She has been a keynote speaker and /or presenter at several MACS, NADSP, NADD, NADDDSS conference events and at the National Coaching Conference at UC Davis. She is keenly aware of the needs of executive leaders, directors, supervisors, and direct support professionals as essential frontline workers and aims for their continued leadership development, growth, and success.
Monica holds a bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Coppin State University and a master’s degree in Human Resource Management from the College of Notre Dame University. She is a recipient of the Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services with a specialization in Management of Nonprofit Agencies in the School of Public Service Leadership from Capella University.
Participate In This Training
Click the link below to register via JotForms. Once completed, a confirmation email will be sent to all attendees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this training the same as the full day training?
No. The virtual training is a cost effective alternative for organizations and individuals to experience a new abbreviated version of the full day training. To learn more about the full day training, click here.
Can I purchase multiple registrations at once?
Yes, we have updated our registration to include multiple registrations. You can purchase up to 10 registrations at once.
What do I need for this training?
Will this training be recorded for those who cannot attend?
This training will be conducted completely live. Attendees who have to cancel must do so before the start of the webinar to receive a refund.
Will I receive a certificate for my attendance?
Yes. All registered attendees will receive a certificate at the conclusion of the training.
Will this training count towards my Accredited Training hours?
NADSP trainings like this one can be one source of the accredited education needed for national certification through the NADSP E-Badge Academy. Participants in the E-Badge Academy who wish to submit this training to the E-Badge Academy should document their attendance on the Accredited Education Documentation Form.
Will this webinar be closed captioned?
Yes. All attendees will have the option on their zoom screen to enable live captions. If an attendee requires a reasonable accommodation for this training, please email, Nicole DamaPoleto at ndama@nadsp.org by December 5, 2025.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have any additional questions on the content of the training, you can email NADSP’s Director of Educational Services, John Raffaele at jraffaele@nadsp.org.
If you have questions about registration, please email NADSP’s Chief Operating Officer, Desiree Loucks Baer at dloucksbaer@nadsp.org.