Our conference will be provided in a virtual format this year. Save the date today and be on the lookout for more information in the coming months!

Join us for insight into important topics such as:
• Sleep Issues in PWS, with Althea Shelton MD,
Sleep Medicine Specialist at the Vanderbilt
University PWS Clinic
• Getting the most out of your state and federal
benefits with Jim Huyck, Public Benefits Advocate
and Consultant
• Learn about the CalABLE program with Dante Allen
and much more!

Meet our speakers:


Althea Shelton –

Dr. Althea Shelton is an Assistant Professor in Neurology at Vanderbilt University. She is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric sleep and epilepsy disorders and the teaching of neurology residents and fellows. Dr. Shelton earned her Medical doctorate in 2004 at Morehouse School of Medicine. She completed her Neurology residency at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed a Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship with an emphasis in epilepsy in 2009 and then continued further training in sleep medicine with an emphasis in pediatrics at Vanderbilt University, Nashville Tennessee in 2011. She earned a Masters of Public Health from Vanderbilt University in 2016. She is board certified in Neurology by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (2008) and board certified in Sleep Medicine (2011).

Dante Allen –

Dante Allen is the executive director for the California Achieving a Better Life Experience (CalABLE) Board. In this capacity, he is overseeing the development and implementation of a savings program that will enable millions of people with disabilities to save up to $100,000 without losing vital state and federal benefits. 

Prior to joining CalABLE, Dante served in a leadership role with the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity (OHE). There, he served as a key advisor to the deputy director of the OHE and developed communications strategy to promote the concepts of health equity. Prior to his role with OHE, Dante served in senior communications roles for organizations large and small, including the Chevron Corporation, Kaiser Permanente, and the St. Joseph Health System. A lifelong Californian, Dante received his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis, and a master’s degree at The University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication.


Jim Huyck –

Jim Huyck has over 40 years of experience working with people with disabilities, primarily those with Developmental Disabilities. 

Mr. Huyck began his career as a Senior Rehabilitation Counselor with the California Department of Rehabilitation, working with Regional Center clients.  After 5 years, he was hired by the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) as a Counselor for “Limited Learners”. He was promoted to Associate Dean of Special Education at the SDCCD where he served until he was recruited by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office where he launched the Statewide Foundation for the California Community Colleges.

In 1995 Mr. Hyuck was hired as the Executive Director of Alta California Regional Center where he served for 10 years. For the past 14 years he has been consulting and advocating for individuals with disabilities and their families to assist in accessing public benefits including Regional Center, SSI, SSDI, MediCal, IHSS, Special Education, CCS etc.  He works closely with attorneys and Trustees as a Consultant regarding Special Needs Trusts. He has also served as an Expert Witness in several civil lawsuits.