Annual Conference

VFN Annual Conference – April 28, 2026

Registration is open!

Our 2026 Annual Conference “Pathways Through Change – Empowering Families at Every Stage” will be held in person* on Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at the University of Vermont – Dudley H. Davis Center from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This conference is a collaborative event that brings together families, educators, and professionals who support children with disabilities and special health needs. Workshop sessions provide practical tools and information as well as the lived experience of families and youth. The conference is also an opportunity for families to connect with one another in-person and to build community. 

We welcome author Jeneva Burroughs Stone (she/her) as our keynote speaker this year. While Jeneva has been a writer her entire life, she became a public advocate for health care and disability rights only after her son Rob Stone chose that path in 2018 when he transitioned from high school to adult disability services. That is, Rob took the lead and still does. Rob was inspired to become an advocate when he finally received a diagnosis for his ultra-rare disease (DYT-PRKRA) with the help of the Rare Genomics Institute.

Since 2019, Jeneva and Rob have advocated at both the state and federal levels. They are members of several state and national advocacy and lobbying organizations, including Little Lobbyists, the Rare Action Network, Maryland’s Self-Directed Advocacy Network (SDAN) and the Caring Across Maryland coalition. In these capacities, Jeneva and Rob have delivered remarks at congressional press conferences and health care rallies, and have testified before the Maryland General Assembly. Rob has also recently been quoted in The New York Times.

Born in Burlington, Vermont, Jeneva graduated from CVU and received a BA in English and Creative Writing from Middlebury College. She holds an MFA in Poetry from Warren Wilson and a PhD in English Renaissance Literature from Columbia University. She currently resides with her family in Bethesda, Maryland.

Participants in this year’s conference will have the opportunity to dive into a variety of enriching topics, including:

• Understanding the ‘Why’ Behind Absenteeism: Family-Centered Approaches to School Attendance
• Shared Health Care Decision Making: When Families and Care Teams Decide Together
• Executive Functioning: Common Challenges and Effective Support
• Beyond High School: Resources and Supports to Help Students with Disabilities Live Their Best Lives
• A Seat at the Table: What Youth Want You to Know
• Useful Strategies Navigating Complex Systems: drawn from the experiences of our keynote speaker, Jeneva and her son Rob. 

AGENDA

8:00-8:30      Breakfast and visit exhibitors

8:30-9:15      Welcome and Keynote

9:15-9:35      Break and visit exhibitors

9:35-10:45    Concurrent Session 1 and 2

10:45-11:05  Break and visit exhibitors

11:05-12:15  Concurrent Session 3 and 4

12:15-1:15    Lunch and visit exhibitors 

1:15-2:25      Concurrent Session 5 and 6

2:25-2:40      Break and visit exhibitors

2:40-3:25      Closing Session Panel 7

3:25-3:30      Closing remarks

REGISTRATION FEES

These fees will cover conference costs including breakfast, lunch and parking. Early Bird (EB) rates will run through February 28th. This year’s rates are:

• Parent/Guardian/Individual with a disability $55(EB)/$65
• Youth with a disability $25(EB)/$35
• Professionals $70(EB)/$80

*Please note: Because of the interactive nature of the sessions this year, our conference will be offered in-person only. We will not be offering a livestream option nor recording these workshops. Please let us know if you need any support to attend in-person.

Limited partial scholarships are available for parents/guardians/youth on a first-come, first-served basis. Send an email to [email protected] to make a request.

CONFERENCE NOTES

• The conference programming runs between 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., with registration, breakfast and exhibits opening at 8:00 a.m. Continental Plus breakfast with coffee and tea will be available in the morning, and lunch will be served during the 12:15-1:15 p.m. break.

• Participants can visit with exhibitors between 8:00-8:30 a.m., during breaks, and through the lunch hour.

• Parking will be available for VFN conference attendees on the UVM campus, and vouchers and parking lot location information will be sent closer to the date of the event.

• Refund policy: Full ticket refunds are available through March 31, 2026. After this date, we are not able to provide a refund. Substitution of attendees is encouraged.

• Do you need an interpreter or any other accommodations? Please submit a request by March 15, 2026 on the participant registration form.

• Please remain at home if you are experiencing any symptoms of illness.

• Registration will close end of day on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Register today!

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for our 2026 annual conference, please contact [email protected].

If you interested in being an exhibitor or purchasing an ad for our 2026 annual conference, please contact [email protected].

Our sponsors and exhibitors provide invaluable financial aid and informational resources for families. Thank you to all for your consideration!