The 2025 Bridge Forward Conference

In Washington, more than 1/3 of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities also have behavioral and mental health support needs. Across the state, many people struggle to access quality supports they need because of system issues like complex eligibility criteria, disconnected IDD and BH services, and under-supported service providers.

Bridge Forward was a free, online conference in summer 2025 that was made possible by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council and hosted by the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities. This event was designed to help Washington bridge forward toward coordinated, person-centered supports across developmental disability and behavioral health. Through research spotlights, lived-experience panels, and hands-on Think Labs, participants mapped stakeholders, surfaced gaps, and identified promising practices to move from ideas to action. This archive collects the session recordings and resources so communities can keep bridging forward long after the event.

Bridge Forward One Pager

For a quick overview of the ideas and learning that came from the conference, check out the Bridge Forward Overview. This is a helpful document to review to learn about the conference, or to share with others who want to know more about the challenges and possible solutions for better services for people with IDD and BH support needs.

Bridge Forward Overview

Event Overview

The Bridge Forward Event was co-designed with people across Washington who utilize, work in, and impact the Washington IDD and behavioral support system. The event was designed to help people

Learn about the issues and challenges that people with IDD and BH support needs face in Washington
Learn about promising and innovative practices happening in Washington and around the country to improve IDD and BH supports
Share their experiences and expertise to inform the systems changes needed to improve services for people with IDD and BH support needs in the future

The Bridge Forward event included research spotlights, lived-experience panels, and hands-on Think Labs where participants mapped stakeholders, surfaced gaps, and identified promising practices to move from ideas to action.

To learn more about how the Bridge Forward Event was designed in partnership with WA stakeholders, read the Bridge Forward Logic Model that describes the creation, development, and implementation of the event.

A screenshot of a computer screenDescription automatically generated — Bridge Forward Logic Model

Full Bridge Forward Logic Model Document

Event Resources

The Bridge Forward Event created a collection of tools and materials that you can continue to access and share:

Session Recordings

Revisit keynotes, panels, breakout sessions, and Think Labs from the four-day event. Recordings are available in multiple languages, including ASL and CART transcription.

View Recordings

Speakers

Learn more about the Washington and national leaders, self-advocates, practitioners, and system experts who shared their knowledge and experiences during the conference

Meet the Speakers

Community Resources

Access a downloadable guide with information and resources from event partners to support advocacy, systems change, and promising practices for people with IDD and behavioral health support needs.

Browse Resources

Reports

Several reports and resources from the Bridge Forward Event are available to help people understand the needs of those with IDD and BH support needs and the opportunities to strengthen Washington’s service system. These include the final report (with video and slides), a one-page overview, a logic model, a research report, an infographic, and session recordings—all designed to share key findings and recommendations in different formats.

View the Reports

Bridge Forward