Moving Mountains and Community

In-person at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC!
Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences
Appalachian State University
1179 State Farm Road, Boone NC

Moving Mountains and Community is a two-day, interdisciplinary conference taking place on October 13–14, with a preconference day on October 12. The preconference day has a separate registration link. Designed to advance care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), this event addresses educational gaps in knowledge, competence, and performance across developmental, behavioral, and advocacy domains. Participants will engage through lectures, expert panels, case-based discussions, workshops, and simulations focused on early identification, trauma-informed care, communication supports, and care transitions. The conference promotes the application of evidence-based practices and fosters interprofessional collaboration to improve outcomes for CYSHCN and their families through equitable, coordinated, and family-centered approaches.

Recommended Hotel Information:

Rhode's Motor Lodge
1377 Blowing Rock Rd., Boone, NC 28607
$125/night + taxes - Last Day to Book September 11, 2025
Click Here to Book Now
Holiday Inn Express in Boone
1943 Blowing Rock Rd, Boone, NC 28607
$120/night + taxes - Last day to book is September 12, 2025.
To reserve, guests should call 828-264-2451 and let the front desk know they're booking under the App State Pediatric Conference 2025 Block for October 12th.

Call for Poster Abstracts - Return by September 1, 2025

The 2025 Growing Well Conference, hosted by the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness, invites submissions for poster presentations showcasing work that supports children and youth with special healthcare needs. Read full details here.

To submit your abstract, please complete the online submission form.

Objectives

Describe the impact of health disparities on access to diagnosis, care coordination, and outcomes for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).
Implement strategies that address social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, housing instability, and access to education, when developing care plans for CYSHCN.
Apply evidence-based practices to support early identification of developmental delays and promote physical health in children with complex needs.
Demonstrate evidence-based communication techniques and caregiver engagement strategies to support mental wellbeing and family resilience.
Integrate evidence-based behavioral communication tools, including parent coaching, into practice to support CYSHCN with complex communication needs.
Develop and apply transition planning strategies to empower families and youth during shifts between early intervention, school-based services, and adult care systems.

Target Audience

Physicians, nurses, speech language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavioral health professionals, public health professionals and all other health care professionals interested in children and youth with special health care needs. In addition to healthcare professionals, community members, caregivers and parents are welcome.

In partnership with:

Appalachian State University, Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness and Northwest Area Health Education Center (AHEC), a program of Wake Forest University School of Medicine and part of the NC AHEC System.

Registration Fees

Preconference only: October 12 - $100
Main Conference: October 13 - October 14 - $250
One-Day Only Rate: $150

Note: Registration fees cover only one person; it does not include or extend to multiple participants/entire families.

Credit

Northwest AHEC/Wake Forest University School of Medicine OCME will offer up to 17.25 hours of credit for the full conference. The amount of credit varies by day and is subject to change.

Accreditation

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Wake Forest University School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
17.25 Contact Hours from Northwest AHEC
17.25 Nursing Contact Hours
Northwest Area Health Education Center (NWAHEC) is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the North Carolina Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
* Criteria for successful completion requires attendance for at least 90% of the activity and submission of the evaluation.
Northwest AHEC is recognized by the North Carolina Psychology Board as an approved provider of (Category A) Continuing Education for North Carolina Licensed Psychologists. This program will provide 17.25 contact hours of (Category A) continuing education for North Carolina psychologists. No partial credit will be given.
Application for CHES® (entry-level) / MCHES® (advanced-level) Category I continuing education contact hours (CECH) has been made to the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).
This course is approved for physical therapy licensees by virtue of NCBPTE Rule 21 NCAC 48G .0108(c)(8) for 9.0 contact hours.
Speech-Language Pathologists: Northwest AHEC will issue Certificates of Completion only; the participant must self-track and record the certificate for ASHA Certification documentation.
Occupational Therapists/Assistants: As of July 1, 2018, the NCBOT no longer accepts applications for pre-approval of CCAs. OT practitioners need to make sure they are completing activities that comply with Section .0800 of the NCBOT Rules. 14.25 CCAs.