Conference

SAVE THE DATE!

September 29-October 1 2021

Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, Deerwood, MN

MRA Annual Conference

For more than 50 years, MRA has held at least one conference per year to train professionals in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Whether it’s having thought leaders in the industry speak during keynotes, or sharing trending best practices in breakout sessions, MRA has the history and expertise to drive your career forward.

MRA Annual Conference is decorated with a new theme each year. In 2020, the conference was in celebration of the Rehabilitation Act’s 100 year anniversary.

When there isn’t a Pandemic going on, MRA Annual Conference is split across a 3 day period (2 half days and 1 full day). During these 3 days, there are opportunities to connect with other professionals in the field as well as vendors who are looking to conduct business with you.

MRA Annual Conference also has tracks that one could follow. For example, there may be a track for MASPRR, Pre-ETS, or Placement. Each track offers a unique recommended set of breakout sessions that will tailor to what you’re looking for in your professional development endeavors.

MRA Annual Conference has something for everyone! Whether you’ve been in the business for 40 years or just 4 months, you are bound to walk away with learning something valuable.

Stay tuned as the MRA Conference Team plans the next MRA Annual Conference for 2021!

Invitation to Present

The Minnesota Rehabilitation Association (MRA) invites your participation in the 2021 Annual Conference, to be held at Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge in Deerwood, MN. 

The theme of the 2021 MRA Annual Conference is “History in the Making” Honoring our Past, Embracing the Future 2.1. All interested individuals, facilities, agencies and organizations, including MRA members and non-members, are invited to submit proposals for concurrent session presentations. 

Due to COVID-19 concerns and uncertainty, we are looking for ways in which we can still plan for a meaningful and inclusive conference. As part of the planning, we are soliciting proposals which can be delivered in-person or virtually.

The MRA Program Committee will review and select submissions that consider the proposals’ contributions to a well-balanced program of interest for the members of MRA, who represent public and private rehabilitation agencies, community rehabilitation programs, hospitals, schools, employers and other organizations serving the employment needs of individuals with disabilities.

Examples of proposal topics include (but are not limited to):

  • Leadership Development
  • Career Development
  • Assessment / Vocational Evaluation
  • Rehabilitation Partnerships / Collaborations
  • Policies / Legislative Updates
  • Pre-Employment Training Services
  • Diversity and Cultural Considerations
  • Workforce Investment Opportunities Act (WIOA)
  • Assistive Technology
  • Employment Strategies / Return to Work
  • Counseling Techniques/Theories
  • School to Work Transition Services
  • Evidence-Based Practices
  • Emerging Trends in Rehabilitation
  • Veterans/Wounded Warriors
  • Forensic Rehabilitation / Expert Witness
  • Services for Disability Specific Populations (SA, SMI, ID/DD, for example)
  • Ethics**          
  • CARF Standards
  • Addictions

**Ethics presentations based on the CRC Code of Ethics should reflect the Code by giving the specific area of Code being addressed and must include discussion of the Code in the presentation.

Concurrent breakout sessions will be offered in 1.25 hour increments and keynote sessions will be offered in 1.5-hour increments. All concurrent sessions will be set up theater or classroom style with a podium, LCD and a screen. Any other individual AV needs are the responsibility of the presenter. Please be sure to accurately complete the AV Request included in the Call for Proposals.

Review Criteria for Proposals:

  • Overall quality;
  • Relevance to the field of rehabilitation;
  • Well-defined focus that can be presented in 1.25 hours for a breakout session or 1.5 hours for keynote;
  • Practical application of idea presented;
  • Originality and timeliness of idea;
  • Ethics presentations based on the CRC Code of Ethics should so indicated.

Notification:

  • Notification will be provided to the primary presenter by June 15, 2021.

Instructions for Proposal Submission:

  • Please use the Call for Proposals form (attached) or an exact duplicate;
  • Please assure all information is clearly legible;
  • Submit your proposal by email: mraconferences@gmail.com by June 1, 2021.
  • Application must be complete; do not exceed the space provided;
  • Include a one-page resume or vita for each presenter.

Contact:

Audio Visual Needs:

MRA will evaluate the needs of our presenters and make every attempt to secure necessary audio-visual equipment for both in-person and virtual presentation.  MRA will provide a screen package with an LCD and microphone. Presenters are responsible for bringing their own laptop or tablet device with the presentation.  Please identify A/V Needs.

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