High School Dare to Dream 2017

Attend the 9th annual Dare to Dream Student Leadership Conference (D2D 2017)! This year, we have a new location: Rhode Island College in Providence. D2D 2017 features national motivational speakers Eric Rowles and Jamal Tate and more than 16 workshops created and led by youth.

Dare to Dream Student Leadership Initiative encourages schools and groups to foster peer mentoring. Mentoring can keep students from special populations in school, contribute to positive self-esteem, and mutually benefits the entire community.

There are two registration options:

• Half-day registration: 8:30 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. (No lunch is provided)

• Full-day registration: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Lunch is provided.) Full-day registration includes the statewide Youth Leadership Summit, facilitated by conference keynote speaker Eric Rowles - considered to be one of the country's leading experts on youth culture, substance abuse and workforce development.

Before you register, if you haven't read the information packet, copy link to your browser to see the information packet with agenda and workshop descriptions:

PLEASE NOTE! Dare to Dream 2017 is full ! If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please send an e-mail to Deb.Golding@health.ri.gov with the name of the school and main contact, number of students and support staff and if you are able to stay until 2:30 p.m. or if you need the 1/2 day option. Thank you. http://health.ri.gov/specialneeds/about/daretodream/index.php

D2D 2017 brings 8th graders and high school students who have diverse learning and special needs together with their peers, mentors, and allies. This event gives them the opportunity to examine concepts of transition from adolescence to adulthood. The primary goal of D2D 2017 is to help students gain self-determination and leadership skills. Participants learn valuable skills such as advocacy, teamwork, community engagement, relationship building, and work readiness in a fully inclusive environment.

FAQs

Who should attend?

Students with IEP's and 504's, peer mentors, students interested in a career in education, college bound and career/tech and life skills-there is something for everybody.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Rhode Island College is on the RIPTA bus line and there is a bus stop located near Roberts Hall. RIPTA buses travel to/from Kennedy Plaza every 20 minutes. School buses bringing groups of students can drop participants off in front of Roberts Hall and will be directed where to park. Parking for cars will be available and announced prior to the event.

Why should we stay the whole day?

D2D 2017 is an amazing event. This year, the afternoon will feature a Youth Leadership Summit entitled Pay it Forward. It Continues with Me. Full-day participants will have a chance to meet and work with their peers from around the state on issues that they feel are important. Each leadership team will have a chance to brainstorm and strategize how they can have a positive impact in their community. The culmination of D2D 2017 will be in Roberts Hall Auditorium where young people will take to the stage to present their Pay it Forward strategy in front of their peers.

I want to register for the full-day but cannot stay until 2:30 p.m. Can I leave early?

No. We are offering both a half-day and full-day option because attendees from previous years told us that it was very disruptive to have groups leaving at different times. So, if you cannot stay until 2:30 p.m. please register for the half-day option.

I want to stay the whole day, but the school buses need to return before 2:30 p.m. What can I do?

Talk to your Special Education Director about the problem. Some teachers and parents have used this event as an opportunity to work on travel training by having students use RIPTA buses. Other schools have worked with parents/caregivers/relatives/mentors/PASS workers to provide transportation.

My son/daughter's school is not attending but I would like my son/daughter to participate. What can I do?

Many students participate without going with their school. Please call or email Deb Golding for information. (401-222-5954 or Deb.Golding@health.ri.gov).

Who has access to registration information?

D2D 2017 partner agencies (Department of Health, Department of Education, Rhode Island Office of Rehabilitation Services, and Rhode Island Parent Information Network) are the only entities that have access to registration information.

Do I need to sign up for workshops even if I am a teacher or support staff?

Yes, each workshop room has a maximum number for capacity. It is very important that we count everyone who will be in the room.