Annual conference highlights resources for families and professionals caring for individuals who have a disability 

Family Connection of South Carolina will be hosting its annual Hopes and Dreams Conference on Wednesday, March 25th at the R2i2 Conference Center in Columbia. This event brings together professionals and families who care for children and young adults who have a disability as well as self-advocates for a day of learning and collaboration.  

Keynote Presenters include: 

Dr. Meghan Burke, is a professor of special education at Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. Her research interests include family-professional partnerships, families of individuals with disabilities, and disability policy. Her research examines how families advocate for services for their family members with disabilities. She also conducts research examining how siblings of individuals with disabilities transition to caregiving roles.  

Dr. Burke has developed and tested several advocacy programs, including the Volunteer Advocacy Project (VAP) to educate and empower parents of individuals with disabilities to access services, not only for their own offspring but also for other families and for systemic change. To date, the project has been replicated in seven states and has been offered in English, Korean, and Spanish to families of individuals with disabilities.  

Dr. Burke has a child with autism and a brother with Down syndrome. 

Steve Turner, the Founder and Lead Drum Circle Facilitator of Giving Tree Music. Giving Tree Music’s mission is to facilitate teamwork, respect, and the understanding that when we play together, we accomplish more than we ever could with just ourselves.  

“We are delighted to welcome these exciting keynote presenters to our annual conference. They will enhance this day of learning and collaboration which highlights resources and best practices for families navigating the journey of parenting a child with a disability or chronic health condition” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina.  

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and opening remarks begin at 9:00 a.m.  

Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities are still available. Continuing education credits will be provided by the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) and the South Carolina Community Health Worker Association (CHW). 
 
Registration and conference details are available at: www.familyconnectionsc.org/training/conferences  

This event is supported in partnership with BlueCross BlueShield, the South Carolina Developmental Disabilities Council, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Connections BabyNet, South Carolina Department of Public Health, South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Healthy Connections Medicaid, Hidden Talents ABA, Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina, ABS Kids, Bright Light Autism Services, Little Johnny—a Stepping Stones Company, PRC-Saltillo, Shiloh Communities, and HealthLinks magazine.