MCSSA/MCSSCET Annual Conference & Business Meeting
2025 ANNUAL CONFERENCE & BUSINESS MEETING ROOTED IN CARE:
Growing support for Vulnerable Adults
MCSSA / MCSSCET SEPTEMBER 15-17
This year’s theme, “Rooted in Care,”highlights the systems, services, and shared values that support vulnerable adults. Like a sunflower draws strength from its roots, we know that sustainable, respectful care begins with strong foundations, policies, partnerships, and people working together.
@ DOHERTY HOTEL in Clare, Michigan 517-371-5303 | mcssa@mcssa.com
We are pleased to invite you to the 2025 MCSSA/MCSSCET Annual Conference and Business Meeting, taking place September 15–17 at the Doherty Hotel in Clare, Michigan.
This year’s conference theme, “Rooted in Care: Growing Support for Vulnerable Adults,” highlights the systems, services, and shared values that uphold our work with Michigan’s most at-risk adult populations. We’ll explore timely issues including guardianship, social isolation, Medicaid access, and the importance of collaborative partnerships in delivering sustainable care.
The agenda features a mix of engaging speakers, in-depth breakout sessions, and plenty of time to connect with peers and partners from across the state. Whether you’re focused on frontline services or board governance, this event is designed to equip you with relevant insights and tools to support vulnerable adults in your community.
- Early Hotel Check-In: Sunday, September 14, at special conference rates
- Welcome Reception: Monday, September 15, 4:30–6:00 PM, sponsored by The Frederick Group
- President’s Banquet: A celebratory evening of recognition and entertainment (Tuesday)
- President’s Challenge: Please join us in donating items for Wellspring Lutheran Services
- Silent Auction: Support our scholarship fund while bidding on donated items
Additional agenda details, speaker announcements, and session previews will be shared soon. We encourage you to register early and take part in this year’s conference as we strengthen our collective commitment to care and advocacy.
We look forward to seeing you in Clare this September.
- Medicaid Spend-Down
- Recipient Rights
- Guardianship/Conservative Guardianship
- Loneliness and Social Isolation
- Safe handling and disposal of medications
- Dementia & Alzheimer detection and care
- Among Others
There will be a welcome reception on Monday evening from 4:30 – 6:00 pm
SPONSORED & HOSTED BY: THE FREDERICK GROUP
PRESIDENT’S CHALLENGE!
Each year, we select a local organization in our host community to support through donations.
This year, we are proud to partner with:
- WELLSPRING LUTHERAN SERVICES (CLARE, MICHIGAN)
We are also continuing our tradition of hosting a Silent Auction to support the MCSSCET Scholarship Fund. Your contributions make this fundraiser a success. Please consider donating an item to be included in this year’s auction. More details are included in the registration packet below.
Requested Donations for Wellspring Lutheran Services
Wellspring Lutheran Services has been serving Michigan communities since 1893. Over generations, they’ve become a trusted presence for people of all ages and backgrounds. Their legacy goes beyond history, it is rooted in compassion, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. As the world has evolved, so has Wellspring, continually reshaping its work to meet changing needs while staying grounded in its mission to offer hope, even in the most difficult moments. Their impact begins with one person, touches families, and ultimately strengthens entire communities.
Items to donate:
- DIAPERS
- BABY WIPES
- SCHOOL SUPPLIES – pens, pencils, notebooks, backpacks etc.
- CLEANING SUPPLIES – ALL KINDS
- GIFT CARDS -any brand-named retailer like Meijer, Target, Kroger etc.
- CASH OR CHECKS
2025 Annual Conference Schedule
Monday, September 15, 2025
- 8:30-9:30 am – Registration
- 9:30-11:00 am – New Member Orientation
- 11:00-11:15 am – Welcome – President Grenae Dudley
- 11:15-12:00 pm – Speaker TBA
- 12:00-1:00 pm – Lunch
- 1:00-3:00 pm – Annual meeting & District meetings
- 3:00-3:15 pm – Refreshment Break
- 3:15-4:00 pm – Speaker TBA
- Closing of 1 st day – Grenae Dudley
- 4:30-6:00 PM – WELCOME RECEPTION – Sponsored & Hosted by The Frederick Group
- Evening – Dinner on your own
- 7:30-8:30 am – Registration and Breakfast
- 8:30-9:15 am – Welcome, Clare officials
- 9:15-10:15 am – Speaker TBA
- 10:15-10:30 am – Refreshment Break
- 10:30-12:30 pm – Speaker TBA
- 12:30-1:30 pm – Lunch
- 1:30-2:30 pm – Speaker TBA
- 2:30-3:30 pm – Speaker TBA
- 3:30-3:45 pm – Refreshment break
- 3:45-4:15 pm – Speaker TBA
- 4:15-5:00 pm – Speaker TBA
- 5:00-6:00 pm – Mix & Mingle – cash bar
- 6:00-9:00 pm – President’s Banquet Wednesday, September 17, 2025
- 7:30-8:30 am – Registration andBreakfast
- 8:30-8:45 am – Welcome
- 8:45-9:30 am – Wellspring Lutheran
- 9:30-10:30 am – Speaker TBA
- 10:30-10:45 am – Refreshment Break
- 10:45-11:45 am – Speaker TBA
- 11:45-12:00 pm – Conference conclusion – Chair Manuel Cordova’s summary & President Grenae Dudley closing remarks
Silent Auction & Scholarship Fundraiser
The silent auction has proven to be a highlight of our annual conference, with members looking forward to it each year. It’s a great opportunity to purchase gifts for someone you love—or for yourself! Thanks to your generosity, we have awarded over $50,000 in scholarships over the years.
The Scholarship Selection Committee is asking each county and/or individual member to bring at least one donated item for the auction to the conference.
Please do not send items to the MCSSA office.
The silent auction will run throughout the entire conference, held within the meeting space.
High bidders must pay for and pick up their items after bidding closes on Wednesday, before leaving the conference.
Donation Instructions
Please notify the MCSSA office of your donation(s) by September 5, 2025:
- Phone: 517-371-5303
- Email: mcssa@mcssa.com
- Include a detailed description of your donated item(s). In past years, we’ve received:
- Weekend stays at local resorts or bed & breakfasts
- Locally or personally handcrafted items
- Gift certificates
Ways to Support the Scholarship Fund
There are two fun ways to support the MCSSA Scholarship Fund during the conference:
- Participate in the 50/50 Raffle
- Bid on Silent Auction Items
- Additionally, you may choose to contribute using the donation section on your conference registration form.
Donations made before June 30 will count toward your county’s goal for Michigan’s 83 County MCSSA Scholarship Fund Challenge. Thank you for your support!
Reservation Instructions for Doherty Hotel
The Doherty Hotel has reserved a block of rooms for MCSSA/MCSSCET conference attendees.
To book your room, please call the hotel directly at 1-877-236-4378.
The conference rate is $106.00 per night, plus applicable taxes and fees.
To receive the tax-exempt rate, please provide the form included at the end of this packet when making your reservation.
- Check-in begins at 4:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
- The room block is available until August 14, 2025.
- Be sure to mention you are reserving for the MCSSA/MCSSCET Conference.
MONDAY
- LUNCH- Three Entrée Buffet: soup, salad, Homemade Three Cheese & Beef Lasagna – Garlic & Herb-baked Chicken – Home style Mac & Cheese, beverages, desserts.
- REFRESHMENT BREAK – Cheese Platter with assorted crackers and vegetable tray. Beverages available all day
- DINNER ON YOUR OWN
- BREAKFAST BUFFET – Farm Fresh Scrambled eggs, sausage links, thick-cut bacon, French Toast w/syrup, Herb Roasted Red Potatoes, Sausage gravy w/biscuits, fresh pastries & muffins, fruit, beverages.
- REFRESHMENT BREAK – Cops & Doughnuts doughnuts.
- LUNCH – Soup – Salad – Sandwich Buffet: Soup of the day, Salad bar, ham, turkey, American & Swiss cheese, bread and condiments, beverages & chef’s choice of dessert.
- REFRESHMENT BREAK – Creamy Spinach & Onion Dip with homemade bread and a fruit platter.
- PRESIDENT’S BANQUET
- DINNER BUFFET – Baked Lemon Pepper Cod, Beef Tips ala Burgundy – Rice, Chicken Marsala-Rice, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sage Dressing, Green Beans, Zucchini & Summer Squash, Doherty’s Famous Salad Bar, breads, muffins and cinnamon rolls, beverages, Apple Pie.
- BREAKFAST BUFFET – Farm Fresh Scrambled eggs, sausage links, thick cut bacon, French Toast w/syrup, Herb Roasted Red Potatoes, Sausage gravy w/biscuits, fresh pastries & muffins, fruit, beverages.
- REFRESHMENT BREAK – Snack Mix.
FULL REGISTRATION FEE
The full conference registration fee includes all sessions, the business meeting, meals on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, the President’s Banquet (includes a guest at no extra cost), and all refreshments.
· Early Bird Rate (June 1 – June 30):
– $270 members
– $295 non-members
· Standard Rate (July 1 – August 15):
– $300 members
– $325 non-members
· Late Rate (August 16 – August 30):
– $330 members
– $355 non-members
· Spouse/guest of a member: $200
· Active Life Members* not serving on a county board: $0
SINGLE-DAY REGISTRATION FEES:
Includes all sessions and meals scheduled for that day.
· Monday, Sept. 15 only (includes lunch and refreshments): $100 members / $120 non-members
· Tuesday, Sept. 16 only (includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and the President’s Banquet with a +1): $190 members / $220 non-members
· Wednesday, Sept. 17 only (includes breakfast and refreshments): $100 members / $120 non-members
· President’s Banquet Only (includes admission for registrant +1): $60
*Active Life Members is defined as: An individual participating in committee work in the last 3 years, life members are those that are not part of the MDHHS County Board or a staff member.