Family Links Conferences

Every year the Utah Parent Center hosts the Family Links Conferences in partnership with various other disability organizations and state agencies.  These conferences have been created to help parents of children and youth with disabilities.

Annually, three conferences are held across the state: North – typically held along the Wasatch Front; South – hosted in southwestern Utah – location rotates between St. George and Cedar City; and Four Corners – hosted in southeastern Utah.

Northern Conference

2008 Family Links North Conference a HUGE Success

Thank you to all of the co-sponsors, supporters, presenters, exhibitors and attendees of the 2008 Family Links North conference! It was a fantastic event! We all learned a lot, made connections, linked with organizations, and talked and cried with other parents!! Michael Ballam was one of the highlights of the conference. By sharing his message through words and music, we were all uplifted and given renewed strength to carry on. If anyone missed the opportunity to talk with Michael or to purchase any of his music, you still can! He would love to hear from you! He can be reached through his website at www.michaelballam.com. Congratulations to all of our award winners (who were nominated by individuals in the Utah's disability community. The winners included:

• Marisa Velez - Special Needs Adult of the Year
• Tawnie Larkin - Special Needs Child of the Year
• Vicki Clayson - Mother of the Year
• Tim Smith - Brother of the Year
• Kaitlyn Cooper - Sister of the Year
• Justin Olson - Self-Advocate of the Year
• Vickie Radl - Advocate of the Year
• Ron Huber - Professional of the Year
• Becky Rambo - Special Education Teacher of the Year
• Robin Wood - Regular Education Teacher of the Year
• Kristin Hughes - Friend of the Year

Mark your calendars and save the dates -2009 Family Links North: March 13, - 14; Location to be determined.

South Conference
Tentative Date: November 2008
Location: St. George, Utah

Four Corners Conference
Tentative Date: October 2008
Tentative Location: Blanding, Utah (southeastern Utah)

Co-Sponsoring Agencies
Utah Parent Center
Division of Services for People with Disabilities
Utah Family Voices - Family to Family Health Information Center
Southwest Educational Development Center
Utah Assistive Technology Program
Utah Down Syndrome Foundation
Family to Family Network
Allies with Families
CHADD of Utah
Learning Disabilities Association of Utah
Jordan School District
San Juan School District
The Arc of Utah
Baby Watch Early Intervention

Planning Committee
Aimee O'Brien; Utah Parent Center - Family to Family Network
Angie Pinna; Division of Services for People with Disabilities
Bob Wasden; Southwest Educational Development Center
Cassandra Shaw-Myers; Utah Parent Center
Chris Kupfer; Southwest Educational Development Center
Connee Schoon; Parent
Deborah Bowman; The Arc of Utah
Gaylia Tanner; Learning Disabilities Association of Utah
Gina Pola-Money; Utah Family Voices - Family to Family Health Information Center
Karen Davies; Utah Down Syndrome Foundation
Kate Andersen; Autism Journeys Counsulting
Katie Rowley; Utah Parent Center
Krissie Summerhays; Division of Services for People with Disabilities
LuWenn Jones; Family to Family Network
Marsha Honore-Jones; Utah Developmental Disability Council
Melanie Hatch; CHADD of Utah
Nancy Pare; Baby Watch Early Intervention
Sachin Pavithran; Utah Assistive Technology Program
Suzie Smith; Utah Down Syndrome Foundation
Tina Dunyon; Allies with Families