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Hopes & Dreams Conference 2025

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 will be provided by the South Carolina Area Health Education Consortium (AHEC) and the South Carolina Community Health Worker Association (CHW).

Hopes & Dreams
Thursday, March 27, 2025
R2i2 Conference Center
763 Fashion Dr, Columbia, SC 29229

A limited number of parent scholarships to attend this year’s event are now open. Apply today!

For more information, contact [email protected]

Exhibitor and Sponsorship packages available.

Your contributions will help connect more families with resources and services to help their children thrive!

Sessions Include:

• Decoding TEFRA & SSI: The Roadmap to Eligibility

• South Carolina Law for Families

• Empowered Parents, Stronger Schools: Leading Change in Special Education

• Disability Rights SC

• Your Voice Matters: Let’s Advocate for Kids

• Neurodivergent Play! A Different Way

• Hot Topics in Education Policy

• DDSN 101: Overview of Department of Disabilitites and Special Needs

• Bridging Supports: Everything You Need to Know about Transition from Part C to Part B

• Life Care Planning: Making the Future More Secure for your Dependent with Special Needs

• Independent Living: Planning for the Future

• Educational Success for Students Experiencing Homelessness

• Exclusionary Discipline Practices in Early Childhood: Definitions and Resources to

• Prevent These Practices

• Autism & Medical Care
March Into Spring With These School Tips

Morning Keynote

Tanner Smith is a 26-year-old South Carolina native who came into the public eye after appearing on Season 2 of Netflix’s Love on the Spectrum US. Tanner’s joyful spirit and zest for life captured the hearts of thousands, and his story of living and thriving on the Autism Spectrum has been an inspiration and source of hope to many. Tanner was diagnosed with high functioning Autism and Sensory Integration Dysfunction at 4 years old. He is a 2022 graduate of ClemsonLIFE and a proud employee at The Shepherd Hotel in Clemson, SC.

Nicci Smith is a proud mother to 4 children, autism advocate, and fitness enthusiast. Sharing her family’s story of Tanner’s diagnosis, acceptance, and eventual joy in the Autism journey has been a dream come true for her. Nicci’s greatest wish is to spread hope and inspiration to other families who are blessed with a differently abled child.

Afternoon Keynote

Get ready to be inspired and motivated by ‘Quirky Kid’ Amy Nelson, LCSW, LSCSW, RPT-S, an autistic professional and the award-winning author of Every Bunny Can Learn: A Tail of Inclusion, which won first place in Disability Awareness at the prestigious Royal Dragonfly Book Awards. As a Play Therapist, ECSE Clinical Social Worker, and celebrated keynote speaker, Amy champions neurodiversity and inclusion with unmatched expertise and authenticity. Her dynamic presentations inspire educators to create sensory-smart, inclusive spaces where every child can thrive. Join Amy in embracing the power of diverse minds at the 2025 Hopes & Dreams Conference!

2025 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.

Exhibitor and 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]

Hopes & Dreams Conference 2025

Exhibitor and Sponsorship packages available.

Sessions Include:

2025 Event Sponsorship Opportunities

Exhibitor and Sponsorship packages now available.

Made possible by the support of our sponsors

Ongoing Sponsor