Thursday's Keynote: W.C. Hoecke, M.Ed.

Director of Family Information and Education at Family Connection of South Carolina, Inc. W.C. will present the keynote on Thursday morning: DYNAMICS OF PARENT ENGAGEMENT: For Families of Children with Special Needs. Mr. Hoecke, (“heck-uh”) is the husband of Catherine and father of Karl—a 16-year-old with special needs. Franklin (14) and Anna (11). W.C. is a national trainer in fatherhood, respite, marriage, faith-based initiatives, and the prevention of maltreatment of children with special needs. Besides the Keynote, W.C. will also offer 4 workshops on Thursday.

Friday's Keynote: Tim and Keith Harris

Tim, who lives with Down Syndrome, is the owner of Tim’s Place, a restaurant in Albuquerque, and Keith is his father. They will present the lunchtime keynote on Friday. Tim and Keith will speak on Tim’s journey, including the opening and success of Tim’s restaurant, the importance of advocacy and taking advantage of leadership opportunities as well as the importance of dreaming, setting goals, and reaching one’s potential.

This year's Conference will offer these workshops on Thursday and Friday:

• Positive Parent Engagement via Social Media
• Being a Leader: How to Share Your Leadership Skills
• YES You Can! - Advocating for Your Child
• Couples Communication
• Fathers are Important, Fun, and Educational!
• Supports Intensity Scale/DD Waiver
• Reaching Out with Joy and Happiness: Teaching and Learning Math and Science with Your Children (English & Spanish)
• Seven Essential Skills (Spanish)
• Where Do the Children Play?

• Nature Sparks!
• Strategies for Effective Communication in High Conflict Meetings
• Becoming an Active Participant in Your Child’s IEP
• An Introduction to the Nurtured Heart Approach
• Don’t Forget the Dads: An Introduction to the New Mexico Alliance for Fathers and Families and the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse
• PACE-Prevention of Adolescent and Child Exploitation
• The Navajo Nation Growing in Beauty Program (Navajo)
• Family Engagement Strategies for Your School or Organization
• Early Childhood and Attachment (Spanish)

• The Truth About Mi Via
• Title 1 Parent Involvement – Make it Happen
• Fathering and Advocating for the Child with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
• Having Fun Together – Music and Movement for ALL Children
• Making Respite Work in the Faith Community
• Strategies to Assist Students with Reading Difficulties
• Data and School District Determinations
• Working Togaether for "Kids First" (Spanish)

• Including Dad: A Missing Link to Family Support
• A Community School and Parent Representative Approach to Family Engagement (English & Spanish)
• Hot Topics – Special Education Complaints Handled by Disability Rights New Mexico
• Teaching Children Who Must Move to Learn!
• Break the Silence - Mental Illness
• The Importance of Early Intervention Services (Spanish)
• On-line Resources for Families and Advocates

There will be sessions available in Spanish and Navajo - Keep watching this site for more information!