IntellectAbility's IDD Perspectives
Webinar Series
A new series of free 45 minute webinars featuring experiences and insights into IDD health and support from national experts.
Upcoming Webinar Schedule
Each 45-minute webinar in this series brings together Dr. Craig Escudé and a featured expert guest to explore key topics related to health and safety, quality of life, and practical insights for those supporting people with IDD.
These webinars are free, non-CEU webinars. You will receive an attendance certificate and a link to the recording.
The Rural Health Transformation Program: Opportunities to Improve Healthcare for People with IDD
- THURSDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2026
- 1:00 - 1:45 PM ET
Presented by Dr. Craig Escude and his guest, Julie Foster-Hagan
Julie Foster Hagan became Executive Director for the LDH Office of Rural Health Transformation and Sustainability in December of 2025. She helped lead the state in completing the grant application for this $50 billion program. This application resulted in a grant award of $208,374,448 for the first year, which will be used to help fund activities related to workforce development, technology innovations, innovative care, sustainable access, and making rural citizens healthy again. This effort will involve building partnerships in rural communities to ensure sustainable healthcare outcomes during and beyond the grant period.
Julie has worked for LDH more than 27 years in several leadership roles, including Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary, Administrator of North Lake Supports and Services Center and Program Manager of the statewide OCDD Resource Centers. She was a recognized honoree by the Louisiana Chapter of AAIDD for the 2000 – 2023 Louisiana Historic Recognition Project as a person who has helped to transform the intellectual / developmental disabilities filed in Louisiana. Julie has served as a Member-At-Large on the Board of Directors for the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities since 2022, and she has been a member of the NASDDDS National Policy Workgroup since 2019. Julie was appointed as a Voting Member to the National Advisory Council for Individuals with Disabilities in Disasters in 2022.
Craig Escudé, MD, is a Board Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), the American Academy of Developmental Medicine (FAADM,) and a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAAIDD). He is the author of “Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare” and “The Curriculum in IDD Healthcare”. Dr. Escude assumed the role as President of IntellectAbility in 2018.
IDD Perspectives: Dental Health and Preventive Skillsets for Supporters and Medical Providers
- THURSDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2026
- 1:00 - 1:45 PM ET
Presented by Dr. Craig Escude and his guest, Dr. Allen Wong
Dental problems can cause people to not eat, suffer needlessly from painful oral conditions, and engage in aggressive behavior. Join Dr. Craig Escude with his guest, Dr. Allen Wong, for a discussion about top dental concerns for people with IDD and what supporters can do to promote optimal dental health.
Craig Escudé, MD, is a Board Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), the American Academy of Developmental Medicine (FAADM,) and a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAAIDD). He is the author of “Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare” and “The Curriculum in IDD Healthcare”. Dr. Escude assumed the role as President of IntellectAbility in 2018.
Dr. Allen Wong is a Professor Emeritus for Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry (Diagnostic Science) and taught postdoctoral general dentistry for over 38 years in AEGD programs (Pacific and University California San Francisco) and was the director of Pacific’s Hospital Dentistry Program. He has lectured nationally and internationally in the areas of special care dentistry and minimally invasive dentistry. He was active with Special Olympics Special Smiles program (ret. Global Clinical Advisor), Past President American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry (AADMD), Past President Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA). Past President CAMBRA Coalition (Caries Management By Risk Assessment).
He has earned many Fellowship distinctions including recognition from his dental school with the “Medallion of Distinction” and the University’s “Order of Pacific”.
Dr. Wong currently is the Adult IDD Dental Director for Renaissance Insurance, Tennessee.
Presented by Dr. Craig Escude and his guest, Dr. Karyn Harvey
This session brings together experts, Dr. Craig Escudé and Dr. Karyn Harvey to unpack the principles of Trauma-Informed Care and Support for people with IDD and share actionable approaches for improving everyday life.
Guest Speaker: Dr. Karyn Harvey
Karyn Harvey has worked as a clinician in the field of intellectual disabilities for over 35 years. She has her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of Maryland. She has written three books: Positive Identity Development, Trauma –Informed Behavioral Interventions and Trauma and Healing, as well as a series of chapters in various publications. She currently has a private practice and does therapy with people with intellectual disabilities. In addition, she regularly conducts trainings on trauma-informed support for people with IDD, trauma-informed leadership, and trauma-informed behavioral interventions for both state and individual organizations throughout the US and Canada
Craig Escudé, MD, is a Board Certified Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP), the American Academy of Developmental Medicine (FAADM,) and a Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (FAAIDD). He is the author of “Clinical Pearls in IDD Healthcare” and “The Curriculum in IDD Healthcare”. Dr. Escude assumed the role as President of IntellectAbility in 2018.
© 2025 Rick Guidotti, Positive Exposure. All Rights Reserved.
Recent Webinars
IDD Perspectives: Tara Wants A Boyfriend
IDD Perspectives: Top Challenges in Supporting People with IDD with Dual Diagnosis
IDD Perspectives: Top Reasons People Don't 'Act Right'
IDD Perspectives:Top Medical Concerns
IDD Perspectives: Addressing Challenges in PCS Delivery
IDD Perspectives: Preparing for a Clinician Visit
IDD Perspectives:Top Dental Concerns
IDD Perspectives: Identifying the Meaning Behind Behaviors
IDD Perspectives: Top Concerns as People with IDD Age
IDD Perspectives: Reproductive Health for Women with IDD
