April 16 & 17, 2026

25th Full Lives Conference

Honor | Celebrate | Advocate

Honor the past, celebrate the present, advocate for the future

The UAA Center for Human Development's Alaska Training Cooperative, in collaboration with the State of Alaska Senior and Disability Services, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and the Stone Soup Group, is pleased to present the 25th annual Full Lives Conference for direct services professionals and care coordinators.

Conference Sponsors

• Registration

  CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

• Training Access Funds

  If you are a direct support professional, care coordinator or a direct service provider working with people with developmental disabilities, mental illness, physical or sensory impairments, substance abuse & prevention, traumatic brain injuries, or seniors confronting age-related disabilities, and need financial assistance in order to attend, you may be eligible to receive Training Access Funds.

  Application deadline extended to Monday, March 9 by 5 p.m. CLICK HERE TO APPLY

  Training Access Funds are sponsored by the UAA Center for Human Development's Alaska Training Cooperative and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, with donated assistance from the Stone Soup Group.

• Award Nominations

  Recognize the great work being done around Alaska by nominating a deserving peer! Winners will receive $1,500 and free registration to the 2026 and 2027 conferences!

  Direct Support Professionals (DSP) and Direct Service Career Professionals (DSCP) provide support to a wide range of individuals in a variety of settings including homes, workplaces, residential centers, day centers, and the community.

  We are pleased to open nominations for the Outstanding Professional of the Year award for those who work to support people in the following categories:

  • Developmental Disabilities: DSP
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: DSCP
  • Severe Mental Illness: DSCP
  • Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Age-Related Dementia/Elder Care: DSCP
  • Chronic Alcoholism/Substance Abuse: DSCP
  • Care Coordinator Professional
  • Spirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievement Award

  To be eligible for an outstanding professional award, a person must work at least 75% of their time in direct care activities. Positions include but are not limited to: DSPs, DSCPs, care coordinators, PCAs, CNAs, home care providers, recreation staff, clinicians, job coaches, counselors, early intervention associates, and anyone who works directly with an infant, child, adolescent, adult or senior who depends on support to be more self-sufficient.

  The Spirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievement Award is in recognition of the many years of phenomenal service that encompasses the spirit and soul of the Direct Service Career role, not just as a profession, but truly as a way of life.

  The 2026 nomination period is closed. 

• Call for Proposals

  We are now accepting breakout session proposals for the 2026 conference.
  The 2026 proposal period is closed.

• Agenda

  Check back soon!

• Hotel Accommodations and Parking

  If you are attending Full Lives from outside the Anchorage area and need accommodations, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of the room block available at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel. We have a negotiated rate of $179 plus tax per night for a room with one king size bed or a room with two double beds. Reservations can be made online at the group rate through the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel website until Tuesday, March 17, 2026. CLICK HERE TO BOOK YOUR ROOM