TUFH2026
Abstract Submission
IDD/Autism/Integrated
Behavioral Health Summit
Transforming Care. Empowering Lives. Inspiring Change.
The Woods System of Care, a leading network of healthcare organizations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, USA, dedicated to providing lifelong care and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), autism, and behavioral health challenges, has joined forces with The Network: Towards Unity for Health (TUFH)—an official non-state actor of the WHO—and the Mollie Woods Hare Global Center of Excellence. Together, they are proud to present the IDD, Autism, and Integrated Behavioral Health Summit 2026.
This Summit is a global gathering aimed at advancing innovative, integrated care and improving outcomes for neurodivergent individuals worldwide. It will bring together thought leaders, healthcare professionals, policymakers, families, and advocates to share knowledge, explore bold, forward-thinking approaches, and collaborate on strategies that transform the landscape of care for individuals with IDD, autism, and behavioral health challenges.
✅ What You’ll Gain at the Summit:
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Global insights from leading experts in IDD, autism, and behavioral health.
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Practical strategies to improve outcomes and enhance the quality of life for neurodivergent individuals.
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Connections with a worldwide network of innovators, caregivers, policymakers, and thought leaders.
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Opportunities to influence policy and advance inclusive, lifelong care.
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Exposure to innovative, family-first care models that put the individual at the center.
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Collaborative knowledge-sharing to exchange solutions, best practices, and new ideas.
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Inspiration and tools to drive meaningful change locally, nationally, and globally.
Be inspired. Be the change. Transform healthcare for neurodivergent individuals globally.
Date and Time
Thursday, August 6, 2026
- 09:30 AM – 10:00 AM Keynote Address by Mark Williams, BSN, RN-BC, Board Chair, Woods System of Care
- 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Oral Presentations: IDD/Autism/Integrated Behavioral Health
- 12:30 AM – 13:30 PM Panel Discussion on Early Intervention and Integrated Care: Improving Outcomes for Individuals with IDD,
Autism, and Behavioral Health Needs - 15:00 PM – 17:00 PM Workshop on Empowering Care Professionals: Practical Skills Training for IDD, Autism & Integrated
Behavioral Health Needs
Register and Submit
Register
To attend the Summit, please register for the TUFH 2026 Conference.
Submit Abstract
We invite abstracts for Oral Presentations on IDD, Autism, and Integrated Behavioral Health.
Submission Instructions:
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Select the subtheme “IDD, Autism, or Integrated Behavioral Health”.
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In “Reason for Subtheme,” explain why you want to present at the summit.
DEADLINE – February 28, 2026
Program
Keynote Address
Mark T. Williams, BSN, RN-BC, Woods System of Care Board Chair
Mark T. Williams has more than 40 years of psychiatric nursing experience in various roles and settings. He serves as Board Chair of Wood’s System of Care and Vice Chair of the RL Medical Center at Woods. Mark has been a staunch anti-stigma crusader and advocate for mental health parity since he began his career in nursing as an LPN within the State of New Jersey Psychiatric system.. Mark was featured in a Gannett News Documentary: Ending the Stigma, Mental Health in the Black Community. He is the President of NAMI NJ, serving on NAMI New Jersey’s AACT-NOW advisory Board, an African-American community outreach initiative. Additionally, Mark is certified in Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. He is also certified as a Juvenile Sex Offender Training and Consultation Specialist. He is an Honored Fellow of the Minority Nurse Leadership Institute, Rutgers School of Nursing and has trained at the Multicultural Leadership Academy sponsored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.
Panel Discussion
Early Intervention and Integrated Care: Improving Outcomes for Individuals with IDD, Autism, and Behavioral Health Needs
Join the Summit for a dynamic panel discussion on advancing awareness, early detection, and integrated care for IDD, autism, and behavioral health. Leading experts from around the world will share innovative strategies, practical tools, and best practices to ensure timely support for neurodivergent individuals. This session highlights cutting-edge approaches, cross-system collaboration, and family-centered solutions designed to transform care and improve outcomes globally.
This inspiring session will be guided by Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, FCPP, FAAN, President & CEO of the Woods System of Care, a renowned leader in healthcare innovation.
Workshop
Empowering Care Professionals: Practical Skills Training for IDD, Autism & Integrated Behavioral Health Needs
Join this interactive, hands-on workshop designed for Direct Support Professionals, nurses, and other healthcare providers. Learn how the Woods System of Care evolved its healthcare and support programs into a leading training institute, strengthened workforce capacity, and championed a collaborative, team-based approach to care.
Gain practical, actionable skills, discover best practices, and explore strategies to address staffing challenges while delivering high-quality, person-centered care for individuals with IDD, autism, and behavioral health needs. Leave equipped to make an immediate impact in your workplace and contribute to addressing the global shortage of skilled healthcare professionals and community health workers.
This session is presented by:
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Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA, JD, FCPP, FAAN – President & CEO, Woods System of Care, USA
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Sailaja Musunuri, MD, FCPP – Chief Medical and Clinical Officer, Executive Vice President of Integrative Medicine, Woods System of Care, USA
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Dawn Diamond, MS IO Psychology – Executive Vice President & COO, Woods System of Care, USA
Abstract Guidelines
Oral Presentations
Details
Oral Presentations allow 5 minutes to present your work with a poster for visual effect followed by a facilitated discussion among presenters and conference participants. The moderator will invite participants to ask questions and to share experiences pertinent to themes brought up in the presentations. At the conference, contributors and participants will meet in groups of about 30 persons for two-hour sessions. Use this format when writing about research: Introduction – Methods -Results – Discussion – Conclusion.
TUFH 2026 is very proud to host the 2 hour-long oral presentation and discussion sessions where students and professionals can present their work using a poster for visual effect. Usually, the presenter has worked on this project for one or more years. They will present the timeline, agenda, goals, results, difficulties, implementation possibilities, etc. Oral Presentations are not always research based, but can also be used to describe a project or organization. The discussion is guided by a moderator who will also seek to facilitate future collaborations based on the projects that are presented. The projects are on different topics linked to a theme and can be in different stages (research project, running project, concluded project, or study). The presenters of Oral Presentations are key to the Scientific value of the TUFH 2025 conference. It is their projects that attendees of the TUFH 2025 conference come to learn about.
AVAILABLE for PHYSICAL and VIRTUAL PARTICIPANTS to PRESENT.
Oral Presentation Guidelines: https://tufh2026.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ORAL-SESSION-GUIDELINES-TUFH-2026.pdf
Oral Presentation Simple Template: https://tufh2026.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/TUFH-2026-Oral-Presentation.pptx
Oral Presentation Poster Upload: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBnebtvPU0zSQe5XcY_gUra219oV673JmRuyNaRq92Am-lnQ/viewform
How to Submit Your Abstract
Here is the step by step video for TUFH 2020 that will take you through the abstract submission (it is the same for TUFH 2026).
Public Consent
If you have an accepted abstract, you acknowledge and agree that The Network: TUFH, UP Manila, the organizing committee of this conference, and sponsors of this conference may edit and publish in any of their digital or printed communications or publications, including but not limited to, websites, social media outlets, newsletters, annual reports, and promotional materials; the information provided including but not limited to the full abstract, your name, co-author information, pictures, and institutions.
