Hopes & Dreams
Conference 2026

Hopes & Dreams
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
R2i2 Conference Center
763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC 29229

Registration Now Open!

Family Connection’s annual Hopes & Dreams Conference brings together parents, students, professionals, exhibitors, and sponsors for a day of learning and collaboration!

Continuing Education Credits for counselors and therapists, nursing and social workers have been applied for through Mid-Carolina AHEC. CEUs also available for BabyNet personnel, Community Health Workers and foster parents!

Parent and Guardian Scholarship Applications are now open!

Morning Keynote: Dr. Meghan Burke

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.

In addition, Dr. Burke has a child with autism and a brother with Down syndrome. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Burke worked at a Parent Training and Information Center and she was a special education teacher in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Schedule

8:30 – 9:00 Registration / Check In

9:00 – 10:15 Welcome & Opening Keynote

10:15 – 10:30 Break / Exhibitor Visit

10:30 – 11:15 Breakout Session 1

11:15 – 11:30 Break / Exhibitor Visit

11:30 – 12:15 Breakout Session 2

12:15 – 1:15 Break for Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 Afternoon Keynote

2:15 – 2:30 Break / Exhibitor Visit

2:30 – 3:15 Breakout Session 3

3:15 – 3:30 Break / Exhibitor Visit

3:30 – 4:15 Breakout Session 4

Afternoon Keynote: Steve Turner, Giving Tree Music

Steve Turner is the Founder and Lead Drum Circle Facilitator of Giving Tree Music, which he started in 1999. 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

Steve has been performing, making drums, and making music with everyone across the United States with Giving Tree Music for over 25 years.

He uses his drums as the vehicle to transport a group to a place of stronger community and deeper connections.

2026 Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Our Hopes & Dreams Conference offers professionals,
family members and self-advocates an opportunity to
network and attend workshops and trainings. Family
members can connect with professionals, and this
increased communication sets the stage for children
and individuals with disabilities to reach their full
potential.

Sponsorship packages now available.

Your contributions will help connect more families with resources and services to help their children thrive! For exhibitor and sponsor information, contact: [email protected]