FOCUS 2022
Wednesday-Thursday | November 16-17, 2022
Kalahari Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Health and Human Services, See Stevens Point Offerings

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Kalahari Resort and Convention Center
Wisconsin Dells, WI

Wednesday-Thursday | November 16-17, 2022

Details


The FOCUS conference brings together provider associations, health care providers, and Division of Quality Assurance staff annually to help provide better care and service for Wisconsin elders and those with disabilities. FOCUS, which stands for Forging Our Commitment to Ultimate Service, is a unique opportunity to teach, learn, and collaborate.

The FOCUS conference addresses a wide variety of healthcare-related topics. The theme of the FOCUS 2022 Conference is, "Teach, Learn, Collaborate."  The conference will address a wide variety of health care related topics. This year we have an excellent line up of presenters!

November 16: Keynote: "Do Good and Juggle" with Jacob Weiss
November 17: Keynote: "Creating A Culture Where Everyone Feels They Belong" with Alonzo Kelly
November 17: Plenary: "Attracting Tomorrow's Talent with Today's Leaders" with Steve Bench

The conference serves:

  • Aging and Disability Resource Centers
  • Adult Family Homes
  • Community-Based Residential Facilities
  • Division of Quality Assurance
  • Facilities Serving Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Home Health Agencies
  • Hospices
  • Life Safety Industry
  • Nursing Homes
  • Residential Care Apartment Complexes

​Registration Information

Registration is now CLOSED.


Feel free to review the agenda and session descriptions to get an idea of the session you will be joining. 

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least four weeks in advance. Please contact UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education at uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu.  

​Whova Conference App


For the fourth year, the Whova conference management app will be running the digital show for the FOCUS conference. Whova is a free app for your Android or iOS mobile device. Shortly after you sign up for the FOCUS 2022 conference and receive a confirmation, you’ll be able to access the conference on the app. That’s where the fun starts!

Whova not only allows you to view the agenda and room locations, but also allows you to communicate with speakers, exhibitors, and other attendees using personal messaging, the community forums, and the exhibitor area. All of the content will be accessible in Whova, including downloads of slide decks and other handouts.


​Continuing Education Hours (CEHs)


The FOCUS conference has been approved for 13.0 Continuing Education Participant Hours from the National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) of the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB).  Program Approval Code: 20231115-73.50-A88857-IN

The FOCUS conference has been approved for 12.5 Continuing Education Hours from the National Association of Social Workers, Wisconsin Chapter. Continuing Education Hours are a measure of participation in continuing education programs. A link will be provided after the conference for registrants to receive a printable, personalized NASW, WI Chapter CEH Certificate of Completion.

Conference Lodging 

 State Employee Rates


A block of rooms is available at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center. Reservations should be made online to avoid excessive wait times and resort fees. Rooms are only available at the reduced rate through October 15, 2022. The room block may sell out before October 15, 2022! Please reserve your room as soon as possible. UWSP Continuing Education, the Conference Planning Team, and WI DHS DQA do not have control over Kalahari policies or room rates once the room block expires or fills to capacity.  

State Employees: $90/night for single occupancy or $129/night for double-quad occupancy 

Important Information from the Kalahari

Per their policy, the Kalahari does not accept completed Credit Card Letter of Authorization forms, Tax Exemption forms, nor Purchase Orders at hotel check-in. They have a dedicated team that pre-approves these forms to ensure validity prior to check-in.  These forms should be submitted no later than 7 days prior to check-in via email or fax 608-254-6116.The Kalahari highly suggests attendees submit these forms at least two weeks in advance of check-in so their team can process them in a timely manner. Failure to follow this procedure may result in full room and tax charges to your personal card, since their Front Desk will not accept these forms at check-in. The Kalahari General Policy Page explains their policies in full detail. 

Kalahari FAQ

Additional Information about Staying at the Kalahari 

 Non-State Employee Rates



A block of rooms is available at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center. Reservations should be made online to avoid excessive wait times and resort fees. Rooms are only available at the reduced rate through October 15, 2022. The room block may sell out before October 15, 2022! Please reserve your room as soon as possible. UWSP Continuing Education, the Conference Planning Team, and WI DHS DQA do not have control over Kalahari policies or room rates once the room block expires or fills to capacity.  

Non-State Employees: $129/night

Important Information from the Kalahari

Per their policy, the Kalahari does not accept completed Credit Card Letter of Authorization forms, Tax Exemption forms, nor Purchase Orders at hotel check-in. They have a dedicated team that pre-approves these forms to ensure validity prior to check-in.  These forms should be submitted no later than 7 days prior to check-in via email or fax 608-254-6116.The Kalahari highly suggests attendees submit these forms at least two weeks in advance of check-in so their team can process them in a timely manner. Failure to follow this procedure may result in full room and tax charges to your personal card, since their Front Desk will not accept these forms at check-in. The Kalahari General Policy Page explains their policies in full detail.  

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Special Dietary Requests


UWSP Continuing Education works hard to communicate all special meal requests and allergies to the conference venue. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we cannot guarantee all special dietary needs can be met. If you have dietary needs (i.e., kosher, low salt, low carb, keto, etc.), you may wish to make alternative meal arrangements.

Conference fees cannot be adjusted due to special dietary needs. 

Covid Policy

KALAHARI COVID POLICY

At this point, to attend the conference, there is not an official mandate on masking or attendee vaccination status/proof of negative test. The situation remains very fluid and, as such, if protocols should change, we will be certain to inform all conference registrants.Please direct questions or concerns to uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu.


Contact Information


For questions regarding registration, contact UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education at uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu.

For questions regarding the FOCUS 2022 Conference, contact Leann Graffin at leann.graffin@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Cancellation Policy


Cancellation requests must be received by Wednesday, November 2, 2022 to grant full refunds. Refund requests must be submitted in writing to uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu. Requests received between Thursday, November 3, 2022-Wednesday, November 9, 2022 will be charged a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be given on or after Thursday, November 10, 2022. Substitutions can be made at any time, but no shows will be responsible for the full conference fee. On-site registration will not be permitted.

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Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least four weeks in advance. Please contact UW-Stevens Point Continuing Education at uwspce-conf@uwsp.edu. 

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​Call for Presenters!

Call for Presenters! 

2022 FOCUS Conference 
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells
November 16 and 17, 2022

 We're now accepting online proposals for 90-minute breakout or keynote sessions.

The FOCUS conference brings together provider associations, health care providers, and Division of Quality Assurance staff annually to help provide better care and service for Wisconsin elders and those with disabilities. FOCUS, which stands for "Forging Our Commitment to Ultimate Service," is a unique opportunity to teach, learn, and collaborate. 

The conference serves:

  • Aging and Disability Resource Centers
  • Assisted Living Facilities
  • Division of Quality Assurance
  • Facilities Serving Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Life Safety Industry
  • Nursing Homes

As such, we look for proposals that apply to a variety of provider types. Proposals that apply to a specific provider type will also be considered, but you should note in your proposal which provider type(s) is your primary intended audience. 

The conference is intended to be applicable to administrators, architects, case/discharge managers, caregivers, dietitians/dietetic technicians, engineers, medical directors, nurses, pharmacists, quality improvement managers, risk managers, social workers, therapists.

Online Proposal Form
Proposal Deadline: Friday, March 18, 2022

Please complete one online proposal form for each breakout or keynote session idea. Breakout or keynote session title, description, and learning objectives are required at time of submission.

When determining your preferred fee for speaking at the conference, please provide an all-inclusive fee that includes potential travel and meal costs. All speakers receive a complimentary registration to the conference and a hotel room.

The FOCUS 2022 planning committees will review all proposals and selected presenters will be notified by Friday, April 22, 2022. All proposals are selected through a collaborative review process completed by the conference planning committee. The planning committee is made up of staff of the Division of Quality Assurance and members of the provider community.

Need more information? Please email Leann Graffin or call (608) 438-1012.

To read session descriptions from the 2021 conference, please click on the grey drop-down boxes below.


Provider Types

  • Aging and Disability Resource Centers
  • Adult Family Homes
  • Care and Treatment Services
  • Community-Based Residential Facilities
  • Division of Quality Assurance
  • Facilities Serving Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
  • Home Health Agencies
  • Hospices
  • Nursing homes
  • Residential Care Apartment Complexes

Who Should Attend

  • Administrators
  • Architects
  • Case/Discharge Managers
  • Caregivers
  • Dietitians/Dietetic Technicians
  • Engineers
  • Infection Preventionist
  • Maintenance Directors
  • Medical Directors
  • Nurses
  • Nursing Assistants
  • Pharmacists
  • Physical Plant Managers
  • Quality Improvement Managers
  • Risk Managers
  • Social Workers
  • Therapists