2016 Nonpublic Conference,

About the event

In November, Proficio Consulting Group will be facilitating the 2016 Nonpublic Conference: Where Compliance Meets Best Practice. This annual conference on best practices in restrictive special education settings will be celebrating its 10^th year in existence. The event was previously hosted by the Illinois State Board of Education (created and facilitated by the partners of this Group when they were Board employees), but was since discontinued. Our organization decided to take on this annual conference last year after constituents were concerned about the loss of the event and their inability to receive equivalent professional development specific to their very unique niche of students. Last year, this conference included over 300 participants from 17 states and D.C. Over the course of two days, the event offered 2 keynote speakers, 30 breakout sessions, a vendor hall, a social hour with wine/appetizers, and 3 plated meals. In order for this event to continue to provide unparalleled information on evidence-based practices, we are seeking support to help pay for speakers, meals, banquet space, etc… Without the support of sponsorship, the conference will again have to be discontinued due to financial constraints as attendees are not able to cover high registration costs due to their state-set per diem rates that do not allow for excess spending.

The majority of attendees at the conference are administrators of nonpublic special education programs. These programs, many of which are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, are privately run yet publicly funded schools that serve students with the most significant and complex special needs. In the state of Illinois, there are over 8,000 students that are served by these distinctive schools after their public school system referred them due to an inability to meet their needs. These restrictive school environments desperately need continuous and up-to-date professional development in order to provide appropriate educational and clinical services to their student populations, often students with emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injuries, multiple disabilities, etc… Students that attend these schools require such an extremely high level of educational and mental health services, that the composition of highly qualified professional personnel, educational resources and other school needs often exceed the scope of services found at their public school settings. Other educational conferences do not offer the same content for the administrators, educators, and clinicians at these schools that this conference provides. We would be grateful if you would consider supporting this year’s event. 

Why should you sponsor?

Heather Zeman

Contact the Organizer Contact the Organizer