Hopes & Dreams 2024 Schedule
Thursday, March 21
8:30 a.m.
Registration and Check-in
9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Welcome & Remarks - Amy Holbert, Family Connection CEO and Elizabeth Kinney, Board President
Dove Dupree
Poet, Music Artist
Opening Session - 9:30 - 10:15 a.m.
Dove Dupree is a poet, music artist, actor, youth advocate, business owner and much more. He started writing raps at the early age of 7.
Just like in his life, his goal in his music and poetry is to impact, inspire and all the good things in between. He is a teaching artist; where he goes into schools as an artist in residency, and teaches students educational content through arts integration workshops. He incorporates music, rap and media into the subjects his students are learning to help them creatively retain information and have fun while doing it.
Dove Dupree also leads workshops across the country’s colleges, conferences and churches and more, while managing to blend spoken word and audience dialogue together on topics such as faith, mental health, and social justice issues.
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Break to visit exhibitors
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Break-Out Session 1
Piedmont Room - 10:30 a.m.
Parent Participation in the IEP Process
Dr. Susan Thomas and Sally Baker
of Family Connection of South Carolina
Amanda Hess of Disability Rights of South Carolina
It’s a fact: when parents are involved and engaged in their child’s education, students demonstrate higher academic achievement, engagement in learning, and motivation. It is so important that parents are the first members listed in the requirements for individual education program (IEP) teams under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In this session, participants will gain insights into how school team members and parents can work collaboratively to gain meaningful input during the IEP process. This presentation will also cover informal ideas and options that parent or guardians can try to pursue in the event that they disagree with a school district proposal or a school district denies their request during an IEP meeting.
Sandhilll Room - 10:30 a.m.
Dispelling Common Myths of Working While Receiving SSI
Amber Lydford, South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department
Pee Dee Room - 10:30 a.m.
Pyramid Model for Early Learning, Development and Behavior
Kerri Wikel, Center for Disability Resources
University of South Carolina School of Medicine
Carrie Trivedi, Pyramid PIECES
This session will introduce participants to the Pyramid Model and its tiered framework approach to understanding the foundations of social and emotional development and its connection to overall development and challenging behavior. Throughout the session, participants will hear and be able to identify the research that provides an evidence base for the use of the Pyramid Model. The participants will also be introduced to the South Carolina State Leadership Team for Pyramid Model, Pyramid Pieces, and learn how our state agencies are working cross-sector to collaborate on how to implement these Pyramid Model strategies throughout our early childhood entities, which is composed of our childcare facilities, school districts, our Part C early intervention system, and others.
Palmetto Room - 10:30 a.m.
Stinky armpits, hair and periods: surviving puberty with your daughter with special needs
Kristl Tomlin, MD
Prisma Health
Low Country Room - 10:30 a.m.
Parenting techniques for youth on the spectrum perspectives from Knowledge and experience
Cheryl A Wissick, PhD
Retired Professor, UofSC
| Youth with autism, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, attention hyperactivity disorder, developmental disabilities or those affected by prenatal alcohol all exhibit behaviors and symptoms on a spectrum. Invisible disabilities of these neurodivergent youth require parenting skills based on the science of the brain. Obviously as there is a spectrum, not all techniques work with all youth; however, they can be adapted to provide appropriate accommodations. This session will focus on evidence based parenting skills based on positive brain-based parenting. |
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.
Afternoon Opening Remarks
Director Peter Keup, Office of Special Education Services, SC Department of Education
John Badalament,
The Fatherhood Project at Massachusetts General Hospital
General Session • 12:45-1:45 p.m.
While perspectives and styles may differ, it’s critical for children’s well being that parents (married, single, divorced, cohabitating) model healthy relationships and reduce parental conflict. This is especially challenging when parenting a child with a disability — where a great deal of stress can be thrust upon people both as partners and as parents. Based on the belief that a relationship isn’t something you have, it’s something you do, this workshop equips parents with practical information and powerful skills to build healthy relationships with each other, their children and with the providers in their lives.
Specifically, participants will learn five key practices:
• Creating a Parents Vision Statement
• Understanding the Power of Family Legacies on the Past, Present and Future.
• Finding Balance Through Ritual
• Connecting Emotionally: Knowing and Being Known
• Conflict and the Art of Repair
1:45 - 2:00 p.m.
Break to visit exhibitors
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Break-Out Session 2
Piedmont Room - 2:00 p.m.
The Two-Way Street of Dad* Engagement in Education, Social Services and Healthcare
John Badalament,
The Fatherhood Project at Massachusetts General Hospital
Findings from the rapidly growing science of early childhood and brain development show that a father’s active participation and emotional engagement with his children leads to improved social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes. Providers today are increasingly aware of the importance of engaging dads to be active in their children’s lives. Similarly, many dads are looking to providers for guidance on how to understand and support their children. This workshop helps providers and parents think strategically about creating more father-inclusive environments, as well as provides practical resources to engage your dad community.
* The word ‘DAD’ and ‘Father’ are meant to be inclusive of any adult primary or significant caregiver, inluding but not limited to stepfathers, uncles, mentors, grandfathers, etc.
Sandhilll Room - 2:00 p.m.
Learning SC Law: What Do I Need to Know?
Kirby Mitchell, SC Legal Services
From education to public benefits to family law – there’s a lot to learn when it comes to navigating the law for those with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs. Kirby Mitchell, Legal Director of the Upstate Medical Legal Partnership (MLP), will take session participants through some of the biggest topics – including a recent change regarding filing for guardianship – and cover frequently asked questions from parents and caregivers. Attendees will leave this fast-paced session equipped with the latest information on where to access legal services and legal information to best support their family.
Pee Dee Room - 2:00 p.m.
Parent Partnerships for Preschool Inclusion
Dana M Bennett, SC Partnership for Inclusion
This interactive presentation is for family members, early interventionists, and related service providers to build partnerships critical to the growth and education of the children in their care. Defining inclusion and the importance of forming partnerships to support inclusive practices are key elements of this session.
Palmetto Room - 2:00 p.m.
From Pediatric to Adult Care: Navigating Health Care Transition
Elizabeth MacInnis, MD, Prisma Health
Starting early and engaging parents, youth and providers are key components of a successful transition from the world of pediatrics to adult health care for young adults with disabilities and complex health care needs. This session will cover important steps in preparing for transition, identify barriers and challenges that can occur when transitioning to an adult medical home and recognize key strategies to make transition successful.
Low Country Room - 2:00 p.m.
Families Have Rights: Support for Students Experiencing Homelessness
Birley Wright, SC Department of Education
Kimberly Humphrey, SC Department of Education
3:00 - 3:15 p.m.
Break to Visit Exhibitors
3:15 - 4:15 p.m.
Break-Out Session 3
Piedmont Room - 3:15 p.m.
Empowering Independence: Special Needs Financial Planning for a Life of Fulfillment
David Palkovitz, CFP, Apollon Wealth Management
Andrew Jaffee, CFP, RICP, ChSNC, Appollon Wealth Management
With this presentation, we hope to provide foundational knowledge about the core strategies and tools that are often used to help a build a financial plan for a special needs family. Additionally, our goal is to provide context to parents about the appropriate timeline and/or sense of urgency surrounding certain elements of planning. Not all children require the same level of plan intensity or planning urgency. Like anything in finance, the earlier you start, the more positive the outcomes tend to be and having a guide for how to start can make the difference between a successful financial plan and one that is always playing catch up.
Sandhilll Room - 3:15 p.m.
Demystifying Special Education in Charter School
Wendy Ward, SC Public Charter School District
Have you heard myths about charter schools? For example, charter schools charge for attendance, choose who enrolls, don’t teach state standards, don’t have certified teachers, and don’t serve exceptional learners. Navigating the educational system for a child with special needs is often a daunting process that leads to dissatisfaction. Consequently, families are turning to school choice. This session will be led by the Special Education Director of the longest standing charter school district in South Carolina, who will provide information about special education programming for the district’s portfolio of 39 (and growing) schools across the entire state.
Pee Dee Room - 3:15 p.m.
The Marshmallow Challenge
Bonnie Shaw, Bright Start
Linda Kuntz, Bright Start
Come join the Regional Directors of Bright Start as they take you down the road to building relationships between Case Managers, Service Provider agencies and caregivers. Experience hands on activities that will be fun, uplifting and help you understand that partnership is key in creating solid relationships. We will dive into the leadership principles that will assist you in developing your confidence so that you can be open to what a great relationship looks like.
Palmetto Room - 3:15 p.m.
Beyond Temper Tantrums
Karen van Bakergem, LISW-CP,
Medical University of South Carolina
Low Country Room - 3:15 p.m.
Advocating for Children: United to Build Their Future
Deborah DePaoli, Institute for Child Success
Citlaly Rojo, Institute for Child Success
Your lived experience and professional expertise are what make you such a powerful advocate for children. You are already advocating for children and families ALL THE TIME! Join this session to find out how to amplify your voice, partner with other advocates, and sharpen your skills to bring about real change for children. You will learn about state and federal avenues for advocacy and how you can be a part of them. There is so much that unites us! Let us capitalize on that to bring home big wins for kids!