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2026 Virtual Family Connect Summit

  • Thursday 11/05/2026
  • 10:00AM - 3:00PM
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AGenda

Welcome (10:00AM - 10:05AM)

Welcome to ADAPT’s 2026 Virtual Family Connect Summit.

Opening Session (10:05AM - 10:25AM)

Welcome remarks and opening statement with a focus on new initiatives.

Speakers: 
Jenna Mandel-Ricci – Chief Executive Officer, ADAPT Community Network

Five-Minute Break (10:25AM - 10:30AM)

Five-Minute Break

Making Meaningful Progress: Know Your Child’s Educational Rights and How to Use them (10:30AM - 11:45AM)

When a child with an IEP isn’t making progress, parents often don’t know where to start or when to push harder. This workshop equips families of NYC-DOE students with the knowledge and tools to evaluate whether their child’s current placement is working, understand what meaningful and measurable progress looks like under FAPE, and take strategic steps before pursuing legal action. Participants will learn how to read progress data, request critical evaluations and IEP changes, and understand the impartial hearing process. Presented by Manhattan Psychology Group, an independent behavioral health practice with over a decade of experience supporting DOE families, this session is designed to empower parents to advocate confidently and effectively for their child’s educational future.

Speakers: 
Ariel Kornblum – Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Behavioral & Educational Services, Manhattan Psychology Group, PC

Dr. Josh Rosenthal –Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Manhattan Psychology Group, PC

Five-Minute Break (11:45AM - 11:50AM)

Five-Minute Break

Building Community Through Support Groups: The Patient Experience (11:50AM - 1:05PM)

This workshop will explore the mental health impact of isolation and depression within the disability community, with a focus on the importance of support groups as a source of connection, coping, and emotional well-being. Individuals with disabilities experience significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress compared to non-disabled individuals, particularly those with greater functional limitations. The presentation will highlight how accessible support models, including telehealth-based group interventions, can reduce barriers for individuals with mobility or disability-related challenges while promoting peer connection, shared coping strategies, and mutual support.

During the second half of the workshop, patients will share their personal experiences participating in support groups, including how these communities have helped them manage isolation, chronic pain, mental health challenges, and the day-to-day realities of living with disability.

Speaker:
Minnelly Vasquez – Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center

Five-Minute Break (1:05PM - 1:10PM)

Five-Minute Break

NY ABLE Account (1:10PM - 2:25PM)

NY ABLE allows individuals with disabilities and their families to save for qualified disability related expenses, without limiting their ability to benefit from federal benefit programs such as SS/, SSDI and Medicaid. NY ABLE offers multiple investment options including a checking account and debit card option allowing individuals with disabilities to maintain their independence and have quick and easy access to their own money. Earnings on investments can grow tax­ deferred and are tax-free if withdrawals are used for qualified disability expenses. 

Speaker:
Jenna McClosky – Associate Administrative Analyst, NY ABLE Program at the NY State Comptroller’s Office

Five-Minute Break (2:25PM - 2:30PM)

Five-Minute Break

Open Forum (2:30PM - 3:00PM)

Q&A Session with Project Connect and panel from ADAPT Community Network leadership. 

Closing Remarks (3:00PM - 3:05PM)

2026 Virtual Family Connect Summit Closing.

Speakers: 
Dahlian Porter – Chief Operating Officer, ADAPT Community Network

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Speakers

Jenna Mandel-Ricci

Chief Executive Officer, ADAPT Community Network
Opening Session (10:05AM - 10:25AM)
Read Bio
Opening Session

Minnelly Vasquez

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center
Building Community Through Support Groups (11:50AM - 1:05PM)
Read Bio
session two

Ariel Kornblum

Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Behavioral & Educational Services, Manhattan Psychology Group, PC 
Making Meaningful Progress (10:30AM - 11:45AM)
Read Bio
Session one

Jenna McClosky

Associate Administrative Analyst, NY ABLE Program at the NY State Comptroller’s Office
NY Able (1:10 PM – 2:25 PM)
Read Bio
session three

Dr. Josh Rosenthal

Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Manhattan Psychology Group, PC 
Making Meaningful Progress (10:30AM - 11:45AM)
Read Bio
Session one

Dahlian Porter

Chief Operating Officer, ADAPT Community Network
Closing Remarks (3:00PM - 3:05PM)
Read Bio
closing remarks
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Disclaimer: Workshops are intended for educational and informational purposes only. The views and information expressed by the presenters are their views and does not reflect the position or policy of ADAPT Community Network. Information included in presentations may not be suitable for all families. The content is not to be considered medical, therapeutic, or legal advice and the information provided is not a substitute for a professional opinion. ADAPT strongly suggests that you consult your doctor, social worker, and/or therapist regarding specific questions and for further information. In no event shall ADAPT be liable for any type of loss or damage that could be construed as arising from these presentations.

jenna Mandel-Ricci

Chief Executive Officer

Jenna Mandel-Ricci is a seasoned public health administrator and visionary leader with experience leading long-term change to drive impact and results. She is driven by a commitment to improve the health and wellbeing of her fellow New Yorkers.

Jenna is known as a leader who listens, builds strong teams, and creates cultures where people feel valued and motivated. The health and wellbeing of her colleagues and the broader workforce has been a major area of focus for Jenna across leadership roles. Leading collaborations across departments, organizations and systems to achieve common goals that have real-world impact on people’s lives is another hallmark of Jenna’s career.

Jenna holds a Masters of Public Health from Hunter College and a Masters of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University.

Minelly Vasquez

Minnelly Vasquez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut and her Master of Social Work from Fordham University. Minnelly takes a collaborative, person-centered, and relational approach to mental health care, partnering with patients to develop individualized treatment plans that reflect their unique needs, strengths, relationships, and goals. She provides compassionate, evidence-based care using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), relational therapy, and family therapy across individual, family, and group settings. Her work also includes facilitating therapeutic support groups that foster connection, resilience, and emotional well-being. Recognizing the important role of family systems, relationships, and community in promoting meaningful and lasting change, Minnelly also collaborates with community organizations to strengthen referral networks, expand access to behavioral health services, and connect individuals and families with supportive resources.

Dr. Ariel Kornblum

Dr. Ariel Kornblum is a licensed psychologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA/LBA) in New York State. She earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from The George Washington University and completed her graduate studies at St. John’s University, with additional specialized training in supporting Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) through the UK PDA Society and PDANA.

As Senior Director of Clinical Operations, Behavioral & Educational Services, Dr. Kornblum leads a multidisciplinary team serving learners ages 2–21+ across the NYC metro area. She specializes in CBT, ACT, parent management training, SPACE, and ABA, with particular expertise in anxiety, school refusal, ADHD, ASD, and PDA — all grounded in a neurodiversity-affirming approach. She is a regular presenter to parents and professionals on these topics.

Jenna McClosky

Jenna McClosky is the Outreach Coordinator for the NY ABLE Program.  She has been working with the NY ABLE and NY 529 Programs out of the NYS Comptroller’s Office since 2018.  Prior to her work at NY ABLE, Jenna worked elsewhere at the Comptroller’s since 2015 and other various Albany non profits previously.

Dr. Joshua Rosenthal, PsyD

Dr. Joshua Rosenthal, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist (NY/NJ/FL) specializing in treating children and families. He founded Manhattan Psychology Group (MPG) in 2008 and grew it from a solo practice into a multidisciplinary organization of over 250 clinicians. He serves as CEO of MPG, focusing on growth, leadership, and company culture—overseeing clinical operations, service expansion, referral pathways, and team performance across mental health, testing, ABA, and special education services. He also founded Big Apple Day Program, a Manhattan social skills summer treatment program that served over 400 children from 2011 to 2019, and the Electronic Daily Report Card, a behavioral progress monitoring tool. He holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Delaware and a doctorate in Psychology from LIU–CW Post.

Dahlian Porter

Chief Operating Officer

Dahlian Porter has worked in the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities field for 26 years. His first job in the field was a Direct Care Worker and currently serves as Chief Program Officer. Porter joined ADAPT 19 years ago. During his tenure at the agency, he has held several key positions as a member of the senior management and executive leadership team.  

As part of his advocacy efforts in 2019, Porter joined the Executive Board of the InterAgency Council of Developmental Disabilities Agencies, INC. IAC serves over 150 Agency Members and provide services to children and adults in NY State.  In addition, Porter sits on several committees hosted by the Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State.  

He received his Bachelor’s from Dowling College and is a graduate of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities.