July 2025 

Dear APSE Missouri Members,

As my time serving as President of the APSE Missouri Board comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude on the people, relationships and shared commitment that have made this experience so meaningful. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated professionals who believe so strongly in employment opportunities, inclusion and meaningful lives for people with disabilities. I am incredibly proud of the work we have accomplished together and grateful for the support, encouragement and collaboration I have received throughout my time as President.

As we look toward the future, I am especially excited to congratulate Anne Hochstien as she prepares to begin her term as President of the APSE Missouri Board in September. Anne brings a tremendous passion for APSE’s mission, a commitment to our members and the leadership and perspective needed to guide our organization forward. I have every confidence that APSE Missouri will continue to grow and make a meaningful difference under her leadership. Please join me in congratulating Anne and offering her your support as she begins this new role.

There is already much to look forward to in the months ahead. The board will come together for our annual strategic planning meeting in late September, providing an important opportunity to reflect on where we have been, identify priorities for the coming year and continue building a strong future for APSE Missouri. And, of course, Pro Day will be coming in October! This is always a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the work being done across our state and to bring our APSE Missouri community together around our shared commitment to employment and inclusion. I encourage everyone to participate and help make this year’s Pro Day another great success.

Thank you to each of you for allowing me the opportunity to serve. Your dedication inspires me and I am grateful to have been part of this chapter in APSE Missouri’s story. I am excited to see what the next chapter brings and look forward to supporting Anne and the board as APSE Missouri continues moving forward.

Amanda Line

President, APSE Missouri

Register Today: APSE MO Professional Development Day!

October 29, 2026, Columbia, MO

Join Missouri APSE for a full-day of Professional Development focused on Motivational Interviewing in Practice with Trevor Manthey. This training will cover the foundations and core strategies of Motivational Interviewing, then explore how those skills can be used not only with the individuals we support, but also in employer engagement, staff supervision, organizational culture change, and systems transformation. Participants will leave with practical communication strategies they can apply across many areas of their work.

APSE Missouri Refund Policy

This policy pertains to all Missouri APSE events that have a registration fee.

Cancellations and Refunds will be granted according to the following schedule:

1. Up to 2 weeks in advance: 100%, less an administrative processing fee;

2. Less than 2 weeks in advance, but up to 1 week prior to the event; 50%, less an administrative processing fee;

3.  No refunds will be made for cancellations within five business days prior to the starting day of the event.

• All refunds will incur a 10% administrative processing fee.
• No refunds will be made for “No Shows”.
• Substitutions are permitted up until the day of the event. Substitutions may be made by emailing the contact on the event registration receipt.

Thank YOU, 2026 Employment Summit Sponsors!

Missouri APSE extends a heartfelt thank you to the sponsors who helped make the 2026 Employment Summit, Innovate. Empower. Employed., possible.

Your support helped bring together professionals, partners, advocates, and leaders from across Missouri to share ideas, strengthen our work, and continue advancing meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Innovation happens when people are willing to think differently. Empowerment happens when we invest in people, partnerships, and possibilities. And employment happens when communities work together to turn those ideas into action.

We are grateful for your investment in Missouri APSE, our Employment Summit, and our shared commitment to Employment First.

Welcome to the Board of Directors, Jada Turley-Winchester!

Missouri APSE is pleased to welcome Jada Turley-Winchester to our Governing Board! (Jada is pictured below in the black and cream dress)

Jada serves as a Program Coordinator with the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council (MODDC), where her work focuses on expanding employment, education, and transportation opportunities for people with developmental disabilities across Missouri. She brings experience in public health, community engagement, statewide collaboration, and systems change, with a strong commitment to competitive integrated employment, self-determination, and elevating the voices of people with lived experience.

Jada is excited to bring her collaborative leadership style, communication skills, and systems-focused perspective to Missouri APSE while helping strengthen our outreach, partnerships, professional development, and statewide impact.

Welcome to the board, Jada! We’re glad to have you with us.

Welcome Our Incoming (2026-2028) Executive Leadership

Congratulations to this Year's Award Winners!

At this year’s Employment Summit, Missouri APSE was proud to recognize three outstanding organizations whose work reflects the spirit of Employment First, inclusion, and community partnership.

Mimi’s Pantry was recognized with the  Show-Me Disability Inclusion Award for creating meaningful opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities to build workplace skills and move toward competitive, integrated employment. Their commitment to inclusion shows the powerful impact even a small organization can have when it recognizes the talents and potential of every person.

Grand View Funeral Home & Burial Park was honored with the Employment First Best Practice Award for its longstanding commitment to disability-inclusive employment. Through individualized supports, strong community partnerships, and a willingness to adapt opportunities around people’s strengths, Grand View has created a workplace culture where employees with disabilities are valued and supported to succeed.

The APSE Missouri President’s Award was presented to Courtyard by Marriott, Columbia in recognition of its exceptional partnership and support of the Missouri APSE Employment Summit. As our conference has grown, the Courtyard team has continued to meet our evolving needs with flexibility, professionalism, and outstanding service, helping us create a welcoming space for learning, connection, and collaboration year after year.

Congratulations to all three of our 2026 award recipients, and thank you for helping advance inclusion, opportunity, and Employment First across Missouri!

NDEAM is Almost Here!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!

Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) recognizes the skills, talents, and contributions of people with disabilities in workplaces across the country. The 2026 theme, “Celebrating Value and Talent,” reminds us that people with disabilities are an essential part of our workforce, communities, and economy.

For Missouri APSE, NDEAM is also an opportunity to recommit to what we advocate for all year long: competitive integrated employment, real choice, meaningful opportunity, and workplaces where people with disabilities are valued for what they bring to the team.

This October, we encourage employers, providers, professionals, advocates, and community partners across Missouri to celebrate the successes happening in their communities, and to keep asking what more we can do to expand opportunity.

Because recognizing talent is important. Creating opportunities for that talent to thrive is even better.

Follow APSE MO to stay up to date!