Laura Mitchell, CEO of GrandCare Systems, joined Gilda Evans, host of Autism Resource Podcast, to discuss the transformative role of technology in the I/DD community. In this interview, Laura explores how remote support solutions and real-time care coordination can address the unprecedented staffing shortages facing provider organizations today.
The discussion highlights practical strategies for using innovative health and activity monitoring to power remote supports. These technologies allow providers to bridge staffing gaps while simultaneously improving client independence, dignity, and human connection. By shifting the staff role from “caregiver” to “coach,” organizations can help individuals build self-direction and essential life skills without sacrificing safety.
Listen to the full episode of the Autism Resource Podcast featuring Laura Mitchell
You can listen to the full episode of the Autism Resource Podcast featuring Laura Mitchell below:
About Autism Resource Project
The Autism Resource Project grew out of the Autism Resource Podcast, which Gilda Evans has hosted and produced since 2021. With over 20 years of research and personal life experience as an advocate for her son with autism, Gilda created the platform to help other families navigate overwhelming or incomplete autism support systems. The Autism Resource Podcast helps parents, educators, support staff, and those with different needs become advocates in their community.
https://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/mitchell-autism-resource-podcast-header.jpg4841200info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/grandcare-systems.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2026-06-19 15:10:452026-06-25 16:03:24Innovation in Autism Support: How Technology is Transforming the I/DD Community
Disability support agencies across the country are experiencing a staffing shortage with no end in sight. Meanwhile, not everyone who needs services is receiving them. GrandCare is proven to help agencies serve more people without adding more staff. Many states are already reimbursing for remote support services and the GrandCare equipment required to deliver these services.
Experience GrandCare in the Exhibit Hall
Visit the GrandCare exhibit booth at the 2026 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Conference to meet CEO Laura Mitchell and VP of Sales Joseph Donnelly and experience firsthand how remote support technology is transforming service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, and aging populations.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
Explore GrandCare’s touchscreen-based remote support platform
Discover how activity sensors, health monitoring devices, and optional cameras can help identify when additional support is needed
See how the staff dashboard can be used to communicate and provide remote supports to clients
Learn how automated prompts, reminders, and instructional videos promote client independence
See how two-way video, messaging, and support requests keep individuals connected
Discuss reimbursement opportunities and remote support service models emerging across the country
When: Tuesday June 9, 4:30pm – 6:00pm CT Grand Opening – Exhibit Hall Where: Hilton New Orleans Riverside Booth 11
Exhibit hall open Tuesday evening, all day Wednesday and Thursday until 2pm
Enter to Win a Complimentary 90-Day GrandCare Trial
As a special conference giveaway, one lucky booth attendee will win a complimentary 90-day trial of a GrandCare Touchscreen and ADL Sensor Package.
The trial includes:
GrandCare touchscreen technology
Activity of Daily Living (ADL) sensor package
Access to the GrandCare platform and staff portal
The opportunity to experience firsthand how remote supports can improve service delivery and independence
Stop by the GrandCare booth during the exhibit hall hours to enter.
Request Private Consultation
If you or anyone from your agency is planning to attend Open Minds in New Orleans this June, please visit the GrandCare booth for a hands-on experience of our technology.
Can’t attend but want to learn more about remote supports? Schedule a consultation with GrandCare. We’d love to show you our platform, devices, staff portal, and answer your questions.
https://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/open-minds-strategy-2026-GrandCare.jpg7501800info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/grandcare-systems.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2026-06-03 11:10:112026-06-03 11:10:11How Providers Are Expanding Independence with Remote Supports: GrandCare to Exhibit at OPEN MINDS in the Big Easy
GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell testified before the US Senate Special Committee on Aging May 20, 2026 as an expert witness on aging and technology. Mitchell argued that healthcare should move from reacting after a fall to preventing falls before they happen. Her central quote: “Why are we still waiting for the fall? Why should technology activate only after something goes wrong?”
Technology for Senior Safety & Remote Disability Support – GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell
Key points about Laura Mitchell and her testimony:
Mitchell positioned technology as a proactive and preventative tool rather than just emergency response or crisis management monitoring.
Mitchell highlighted broadband and internet access as one of the biggest barriers to scaling remote supports and fall-prevention technology, especially in rural communities: “You need Internet for it to function.”
GrandCare Systems advocated for broader Medicare reimbursement for remote monitoring and assistive technologies. Mitchell noted Medicaid currently reimburses these technologies more readily than Medicare, calling the disparity problematic.
Her testimony aligned with bipartisan concern over the massive financial and human cost of falls among older adults:
More than 14 million older Americans fall each year
Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death for adults over 65
Nonfatal fall-related medical costs reached roughly $80 billion in 2020
Senator Rick Scott was receptive to innovation-based reimbursement models and even offered to help GrandCare and the other witnesses to facilitate a CMS pilot proposal related to fall prevention technology.
Witnesses also included Christine Didion, MSW, Director of Programs, Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas; and Martha Petteys, Director of Grant Management and Health Strategies, Alliance of New York State YMCAs; and Senator Angus King. Senate committee members included Chairman Rick Scott (R-Florida), Ranking Member, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Senator Andy Kim, Senator Jim Justice.
Since 2005, GrandCare’s touchscreen and sensor-based technology has supported older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the country to live more independently, while helping providers address workforce shortages and extend remote supports more efficiently. Clients can support themselves with prompts, medication reminders, tasks and one touch video chat. GrandCare alerts remote staff or family if something requires attention such as no motion, missed medications or if vitals are out of range.
Read more GrandCare in the News about the US Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing from May 20, 2026.
https://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/US-hearing-witnesses-at-table.jpg9062000info@lmcllc.ushttps://www.grandcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/grandcare-systems.pnginfo@lmcllc.us2026-05-23 12:11:162026-05-23 12:12:46Why are we waiting for the fall? GrandCare CEO testifies for US Senate Hearing
Innovation in Autism Support: How Technology is Transforming the I/DD Community
Laura Mitchell, CEO of GrandCare Systems, joined Gilda Evans, host of Autism Resource Podcast, to discuss the transformative role of technology in the I/DD community. In this interview, Laura explores how remote support solutions and real-time care coordination can address the unprecedented staffing shortages facing provider organizations today.
The discussion highlights practical strategies for using innovative health and activity monitoring to power remote supports. These technologies allow providers to bridge staffing gaps while simultaneously improving client independence, dignity, and human connection. By shifting the staff role from “caregiver” to “coach,” organizations can help individuals build self-direction and essential life skills without sacrificing safety.
Listen to the full episode of the Autism Resource Podcast featuring Laura Mitchell
You can listen to the full episode of the Autism Resource Podcast featuring Laura Mitchell below:
About Autism Resource Project
The Autism Resource Project grew out of the Autism Resource Podcast, which Gilda Evans has hosted and produced since 2021. With over 20 years of research and personal life experience as an advocate for her son with autism, Gilda created the platform to help other families navigate overwhelming or incomplete autism support systems. The Autism Resource Podcast helps parents, educators, support staff, and those with different needs become advocates in their community.
How Providers Are Expanding Independence with Remote Supports: GrandCare to Exhibit at OPEN MINDS in the Big Easy
Disability support agencies across the country are experiencing a staffing shortage with no end in sight. Meanwhile, not everyone who needs services is receiving them. GrandCare is proven to help agencies serve more people without adding more staff. Many states are already reimbursing for remote support services and the GrandCare equipment required to deliver these services.
Experience GrandCare in the Exhibit Hall
Visit the GrandCare exhibit booth at the 2026 OPEN MINDS Strategy & Innovation Conference to meet CEO Laura Mitchell and VP of Sales Joseph Donnelly and experience firsthand how remote support technology is transforming service delivery for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs, and aging populations.
Attendees will have the opportunity to:
When: Tuesday June 9, 4:30pm – 6:00pm CT Grand Opening – Exhibit Hall
Where: Hilton New Orleans Riverside Booth 11
Exhibit hall open Tuesday evening, all day Wednesday and Thursday until 2pm
Enter to Win a Complimentary 90-Day GrandCare Trial
As a special conference giveaway, one lucky booth attendee will win a complimentary 90-day trial of a GrandCare Touchscreen and ADL Sensor Package.
The trial includes:
Stop by the GrandCare booth during the exhibit hall hours to enter.
Request Private Consultation
If you or anyone from your agency is planning to attend Open Minds in New Orleans this June, please visit the GrandCare booth for a hands-on experience of our technology.
Can’t attend but want to learn more about remote supports? Schedule a consultation with GrandCare. We’d love to show you our platform, devices, staff portal, and answer your questions.
Why are we waiting for the fall? GrandCare CEO testifies for US Senate Hearing
GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell testified before the US Senate Special Committee on Aging May 20, 2026 as an expert witness on aging and technology. Mitchell argued that healthcare should move from reacting after a fall to preventing falls before they happen. Her central quote: “Why are we still waiting for the fall? Why should technology activate only after something goes wrong?”
Technology for Senior Safety & Remote Disability Support – GrandCare CEO Laura Mitchell
Key points about Laura Mitchell and her testimony:
“You need Internet for it to function.”
Witnesses also included Christine Didion, MSW, Director of Programs, Area Agency on Aging Pasco-Pinellas; and Martha Petteys, Director of Grant Management and Health Strategies, Alliance of New York State YMCAs; and Senator Angus King. Senate committee members included Chairman Rick Scott (R-Florida), Ranking Member, Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), Senator Andy Kim, Senator Jim Justice.
Watch the full hearing: U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging website.
Since 2005, GrandCare’s touchscreen and sensor-based technology has supported older adults and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout the country to live more independently, while helping providers address workforce shortages and extend remote supports more efficiently. Clients can support themselves with prompts, medication reminders, tasks and one touch video chat. GrandCare alerts remote staff or family if something requires attention such as no motion, missed medications or if vitals are out of range.
Read more GrandCare in the News about the US Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing from May 20, 2026.