Youth Conference Agenda
Saturday, March 11th
8:30-9:00 Registration
9:00-10:30 Welcome/Keynote
10:30 -12:30 Breakout
12:30-1:15 Lunch
1:15-3:45 Breakout
3:45-4:00 Wrap-Up and Prizes
Partnering for Strength 2017
Youth Conference
Access Your Voice ~ Connect with Yourself on the Road to Self Advocacy
The Parent Information Center, NH Family Voices and the YEAH Council invite you to the Access your Voice~ Connect with Yourself on the Road to Self Advocacy, Youth Conference as part of the Partnering for Strength Conference at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH on March 11, 2017. Spend the day with us to:
- Hear keynote speaker Randy Pierce of 2020 Vision Quest. At the age of 22, Randy unexpectedly lost his vision over the course of a short two weeks due to a devastating neurological disease yet that didn't stop him from being the first blind hiker to summit all 48 of the NH 4000-footers. Listen to Randy in "Reaching Your Peak Potential".
- Attend youth sessions planned by youth for youth! If you are between ages 14-26 and have a disability/special health care need, please join us to learn more about taking charge of your life including sessions on home, doctors, and school.
- Come meet other young adults in NH! There will be good food and time to socialize.
Registration is required. The fee is $20 for youth with a disability/special health care need which includes all breakout sessions, a full lunch buffet and refreshments throughout the day.
**PLEASE NOTE**
- The Parent Information Center, NH Family Voices and the YEAH Council are not responsible if a youth chooses to leave the conference or not attend a scheduled session.
- We cannot provide assistance with daily living needs. However, a Personal Care Assistant (PCA) can attend to assist a youth free of charge. Please register them as a guest when registering.
- Prior to the event, a staff member may contact the youth or their parent/guardian to help ensure presentations are meeting the needs of all attendees.
- If accommodations are needed for communication access such as interpreters, CART (captioning), assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids and/or services, please contact us no later than February 17th.
Overnight accomodations are available at the Courtyard Marriott. Please call the hotel at 603-225-0303 for more information.
Additional questions about the conference? Call the PIC office at 603-224-7005 x111.
In addition to the Youth Conference, we are hosting a conference for parents/guardians and professionals who support children and youth with a disability/special health care need at the same time at the Grappone Center. For more information on the Partnering for Strength Conference for families and professionals, please click here.
Keynote Speaker - Randy Pierce, President 2020 Vision Quest
Reaching your Peak Potential Randy Pierce is a captivating motivational speaker who draws upon his life experiences to inspire, entertain, and teach. Randy creates a powerful connection to his audience through unique viewpoints on the adventures and challenges of a man who chose a life filled with incredible adventure-laden experiences despite his being suddenly stricken with a neurological disease rendering him blind at age 22. Participants experience the highs, lows, and problem-solving techniques used to convert adversity into methods of achieving our peak potential.
Sessions (The In High School sessions are geared for youth still in high school. The Out of High School sessions are geared for youth who have already finished high school. However, youth should register for the sessions that best meets their needs.)
10:00 - 10:30 You Caring for You (All) Being a youth with a special healthcare need or a disability involves a lot. People are always talking to you about managing your condition, your medications, your doctor's appointments. But what about you? What do you need to do to take care of you? What does healthy mean to you? - Dr. Lisa Plotnik
10:45 - 11:35 Healthy Relationships Begin with You (In high school) This is a powerful presentation for teens with disabilities. In order for people to have rich and full lives, a healthy relationships has to be part of it. In this discussion teens and young adults will learn about: How to counter the societal myths about disability to develop fun and fulfilling relationships; How to create a positive self-esteem that leads to healthy relationships; Ways to maintain healthy, loving relationships in your life. - Kathy O'Connell
10:45 - 11:35 Real Life Mindfulness (Out of high school) Non-stop distractions, multiplying worries and the pressure to balance school, work and home life magnify our tension and take away from our quality of life. Learn what is really underneath all that stress we feel along with proven and practical ways to shift into the more focused and relaxed state of mindfulness. - Deb LeClair
11:40 - 12:30 Healthy Relationships Begin with You (Out of high school) This is a powerful presentation for youth out of high school with disabilities. In order for people to have rich and full lives, a healthy relationships has to be part of it. In this discussion teens and young adults will learn about: How to counter the societal myths about disability to develop fun and fulfilling relationships; How to create a positive self-esteem that leads to healthy relationships; Ways to maintain healthy, loving relationships in your life. - Kathy O'Connell
11:40 - 12:30 Real Life Mindfulness (In high school) Non-stop distractions, multiplying worries and the pressure to balance school, work and home life magnify our tension and take away from our quality of life. Learn what is really underneath all that stress we feel along with proven and practical ways to shift into the more focused and relaxed state of mindfulness. - Deb LeClair
1:15 - 2:00 Access YOUR Voice; It's All About You! (In high school) Self-advocacy can change your life! Come learn why it’s important to sharpen your own self-awareness (what you like, don’t like, prefer and need) so you can advocate for the life you want after high school. In this session you will learn about self-advocacy and the parts of the IEP that help you to plan for your future. - Mary Grillo
1:15 - 2:00 Disclosing Your Disability After High School (Out of high school) You have a disability or special healthcare need. Do you disclose this to your new employer or to your college? The ultimate goal of this session is to help you to make an informed choice about disclosing your disability. - Kimm Phillips
2:15 - 3:45 Access Your Community ~ Speed Dating Style (All) This session will enable you to explore resources that may be available to you. The set-up will be similar to “speed dating” -- without the “dates”! Tables will be set up for each organization/agency/school, etc. Participants will visit each table for 5-10 minutes to learn about NH services. Many organizations will be bringing a youth representative who has utilized their services. - Yeah Council, Area Agency, GSIL, VR, NHTI