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LSA-DN Winter Meeting 2026

October 27, 2025

The Lutheran Services in America Disability Network (DN) Winter Meeting will take place February 4–6, 2026, at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club near Jacksonville, Florida. This meeting will take place immediately after The Summit 2026.

The DN meets together three times a year to harness the collective power and wisdom of its nationwide network of Lutheran social ministry organizations to amplify our voice through advocacy and champion services and supports that enable individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize their dreams, achieve their potential and lead their best lives.

If you are interested in learning more about the DN Winter meeting or joining us to further your work in the field of disabilities, please contact Bill Kallestad, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Disability Network.

Hotel Reservations

We secured a group rate for the nights of January 29 and 30.

Ponte Vedra Inn & Club
200 Ponte Vedra Blvd.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Check back again soon to book your room with our discounted rate!

Standard room single or double occupancy: $289 per night (plus a $20 resort fee)
Check-in: 4 p.m.
Check-out: 11 a.m.

NOTE: You must reserve your room through this link or by calling the hotel directly at (800) 234-7842 and letting them know you are part of the Lutheran Services in America Disability Network group. You cannot use third-party sites (e.g., Expedia, Trip Advisor, etc.) to book your rooms.

If you want to reserve your hotel room before or after the Winter Meeting dates (January 29–31) or extend your reservation to attend The Summit 2026 (February 1–4) beforehand, call (800) 234-7842.

Special room rates will be guaranteed until January 3, 2026, or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first.

Cancellations

To cancel or change your reservation, you must contact the hotel directly at (800) 234-7842. The first night’s room revenue will be charged at the time of the reservation and any modifications to a reservation including arrival date, departure date, and cancellation must be completed three days prior to the day of arrival or a charge equal to one night’s room and tax will be applied. 

If you have any questions, please call (703) 966-7540 or email Kimberly Roque.

Transportation

The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club is easily accessible via Jacksonville International Airport (JAX).

Jacksonville International Airport

Distance: 29 miles (about 35 minutes)

Browse  ground transportation options at JAX.

Directions to the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club

From Jacksonville International Airport:

  • Take 95S to I-295S and FL-202E/Butler Boulevard to 3rd Street South in Jacksonville Beach. 
  • Take the A1AN exit to Ponte Vedra Beach, then follow the signs to Ponte Vedra Inn & Club on Ponte Vedra Boulevard.  

Activities

Jacksonville is home to 22 miles of relaxing beaches, eco-adventures, world-class art museums, sports arenas, shopping, exciting attractions  and the best dining scene in the region. Orlando is just two hours from Ponte Vedra Beach for attractions including Disney World, Universal Studios, and many other local attractions! 

Capitol Conversations: Spotlight on Workforce

October 27, 2025

Join us for our next Capitol Conversations webinar where we will cover workforce-related issues. Check back soon for details!

REGISTER

Housing Solutions Collaborative In-Person Meeting

September 30, 2025

Join us as we bring together members and key collaborators around our Housing Solutions initiative. Meet with your peers in a trusted and safe environment to explore pipeline readiness for the predevelopment loan fund, partnership assessment and opportunities, and strategies for engaging with congregations on new affordable housing development. A highlight of our meeting will be a social gathering and dinner on Wednesday evening, in partnership with the Housing Leadership Circle.

The convening will bring together members to work on solutions and implementation strategies and provide an opportunity for a deep dive that is difficult to achieve in our bi-monthly Zoom meetings. Agenda topics will include:

  • Predevelopment Loan Fund: Getting the fund off the ground, including a deep dive into “Readiness Factors” with an eye towards prioritizing 3–4 areas we can tackle first to increase LSA members’ ability to kick-off the predevelopment phase of a project
  • Picking the Right Partners in Your Journey: From developers to Churches to other community service organizations
  • Peer to Peer Networking: How we are utilizing the Community Hub to increase your access to other members and information across the network
  • Shared Services: 2–3 members present ideas on how they do something really well and would love to see it expand across the network

Registration is free and you can register today to secure your place! As part of your registration, join us for a networking reception and dinner, in partnership with the Housing Leadership Circle. Mingle with fellow LSA members, corporate partners, and the LSA team at Founding Farmers on Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

Capitol Conversations: October 2025 Session

September 25, 2025

Join this session of Capitol Conversations to hear what our members are seeing at the state level as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is implemented. Find out what you need to know and what to look out for.

Our speakers include:

 

Stronger Together: How Senior Living Communities Thrive Through Community Partnerships

September 25, 2025

Strong community partnerships are essential for senior living organizations looking to enhance resident well-being, strengthen their reputation, and stay competitive. This webinar spotlights how collaborations with universities create unique opportunities for intergenerational connection, learning, and innovation that benefit both residents and students.

Industry leaders Brett Anderson of Ebenezer Senior Living, Dr. Luanne Fisher of Liberty Lutheran, and Andrew Carle of University Retirement Communities will share real-world strategies and outcomes you can adapt to your own community. Join us to explore actionable ways to build powerful local partnerships that enrich lives and position your organization for long-term success.

Presentations

View a recording of this webinar.

The Power of Community: Advancing Family Stability and Collective Well-being

September 25, 2025

The well-being of children and families depends on strong, connected communities working together. Yet many families continue to face barriers, such as limited access to child care, mental health services, food, and parenting supports, that make stability difficult to achieve.

Since 2021, the Lutheran Services in America Family Stabilization Initiative (FSI) has partnered with communities across four states to break down these barriers through evidence-based, wraparound programs that put family well-being first.

In this webinar, participants will explore a practical framework developed by Lutheran Services in America and Chapin Hall for community building and mobilization rooted in five principles: people-driven collaboration, asset-based partnerships, capacity building, shared leadership, and collaborative evaluation.

Practitioners and nonprofit leaders will gain actionable strategies through real-life examples for authentically engaging families, strengthening support networks, and fostering long-term community resilience.

Join us to learn how communities are turning vision into practice—and how you can apply these strategies to help families thrive.

Speakers

What’s Ahead for Medicaid and Housing

August 25, 2025

Join us on September 25 for our next Capitol Conversations webinar where we’ll explore the shifting Medicaid landscape, including state-level impacts, as the budget reconciliation bill (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) moves towards implementation. We will also explore changes in housing policy related to budget reconciliation, including changes to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and what it means for our network.

Speakers

  • Cory Caldwell from the National Association of Medicaid Directors who will share insights on what is on the mind of state Medicaid directors, along with guidance on how to strengthen relationships with state Medicaid offices.
  • Althea Arnold from the Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future (SAHF), a collaborative of 13 nonprofits advancing the creation and preservation of affordable homes, who will offer insights on housing-related policy shifts.
  • Linda Timmons from Mosaic who will discuss what implementation of the reconciliation bill looks like on the ground.

Our advocacy team will also provide updates on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and what to expect in the months ahead from Capitol Hill, including a potential second budget reconciliation bill and the status of the appropriations process for fiscal year 2026.

Resources

Bridging Perception and Practice to Strengthen Medicaid Support

July 22, 2025

In this Capitol Conversations session, our partners at 4media Group will share takeaways from our public opinion survey conducted as part of our Here We Stand campaign to understand what was learned and to inform future positioning for our network.

Our partners at George Washington University Milken Institute School for Public Health will also present findings from our latest Strengthening Families Initiative issue brief about aligning social services with Medicaid Managed Care Organizations, with a focus on opportunities to influence policy through CMS waivers and managed care contracts at the state level.

We’ll also provide updates on Congressional action, as well as new resources as part of the Strengthening Families Initiative. Connect the dots between messaging, system alignment, and stronger outcomes for families.

Lean and Strategic: Using GenAI (ChatGPT) to Empower your Finance Team

June 12, 2025

Join us to discover how GenAI tools like ChatGPT can streamline your workflows and eliminate waste—freeing your team for higher-value work. From budgeting to board reports, see how AI fits perfectly under Lean principles to elevate your mission. Explore real nonprofit examples in AP, AR, document summaries, and strategic planning. Whether you’re tech-savvy or just curious, this session will equip you to lead smarter and serve better.

About Our Presenter:

Jim Lindell is President of Thorsten Consulting, a strategic and financial consulting firm that offers professional speaking, training, and executive coaching. Over the past two decades, Jim has delivered over 5,000 hours of C-suite executive coaching. His professional experience includes Chief Financial Officer, VP-Finance, Corporate Controller, and Corporate Assistant Controller. Jim is a CPA and has received the Certified Speaking Professional designation, the highest earned designation from the National Speakers Association.

What Is LFMA?

The LFMA mission is to support the continuing improvement of fiscal management services in Lutheran Services in America member organizations by providing a forum where people in the industry can join together for sharing and educational experiences. Plan to join us for our 2026 conference next spring – stay tuned for more information! To learn more, please contact Kim Roque.

Capitol Conversations: June Session

May 19, 2025

Learn more about how to engage in effective advocacy with members of Congress, while being better equipped to improve outreach to the media through improved communication strategies, including:

  • Building and strengthening relationships with lawmakers and their staff
  • Engaging effectively with the media and on social media
  • Using our new “Here We Stand” Medicaid messaging tools

Don’t miss this opportunity to strengthen your voice and help shape the future of Medicaid.

Resources

Supporting
Our Neighbors,

TOGETHER.

Our shared Lutheran tradition of service to our neighbor is more vital than ever.

Join us as we work to ensure our network continues delivering essential services to all in need.

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