The warm and inviting hospitality and partnership of the Adult Day Care Association of Texas (ADCAT) proved San Antonio, TX, as a superb setting for the national conference in November. 

About 180 professionals from the United States (and one from Canada) converged to exchange ideas, forge new relationships, learn from very informative sessions and savor the character of the city.  We appreciate the generous support of all our sponsors and vendors who invested in making this important educational event possible. 

The NADSA Board of Directors, representing adult day services providers from across the country, met the day prior to the conference. They shared reports on numerous work areas in which NADSA is involved, including LCAO, public policy, the conference and publications. Holly Dabelko-Schoney presented a proposal to perform a comprehensive study of adult day services across the United States through a national census.  The findings from the proposed study will provide essential current information for researchers, providers, policy makers, and industry as we work to meet the demands and challenges of providing economically feasible long-term care options.

Networking among state association leaders was an outcome repeatedly mentioned as a benefit of attending the national conference.  Roundtable discussions among state association leaders on the first day of the conference provided an excellent catalyst for subsequent discussions for idea exchanges, accolades, sharing resources and problem solving. Findings from the recent survey of state associations were released at the conference, as well as mailed to all survey respondents. The survey was intended to gather information that helps NADSA get to know state associations better and gather input on what state associations need from the national association. Thirty-six respondents answered 29 questions online using Survey Monkey. The respondents represented four states without associations (40% of states without associations) and 31 states with associations (78% of states with associations; includes both New York associations).  Results from the surveys will be used in evaluating and creating member benefits, products and services.

Congratulations to the outstanding supporters of adult day services who were recognized with awards at the conference and are featured in this issue of the newsletter, as well as on our website. 

Conference highlights, pictures and session handouts and/or presentations have been posted for our members to enjoy, in case you didn't get them or could not attend. The username for accessing this special section is sanantonio and the password is buffalo.  A full list of conference attendees is also included on the site so you can continue networking.

NADSA extends a special word of thanks to Conference Chair Linda Alexander-Lieblang, NADSA Development Chair Kathleen Kolenda and ADCAT representatives Blanca Laborde and Troy Carter for their leadership in planning and pulling off such a successful event.