2025 I'm Determined Youth and Family Summit Application

Youth & Family Summit Application

The Youth & Family Summit is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education. Parent(s)/guardian(s) must attend with student(s) under age 18. All costs associated with lodging and meals are covered, as well as reimbursement for mileage to and from the event. Application must be completed by the student requesting to attend. Only completed applications will be accepted for review. All applications are due by January 12, 2025 by midnight.
Youth & Parent Summit Details

When: June 10-12, 2025 (Tuesday-Thursday)

Where: James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA

Who: Virginia youth with disabilities ages 14-18 (as of June 10, 2025) and accompanying parent(s)/guardian(s). There are no exceptions to the age requirement.

What: We will be beginning a 3-year series on the 3 elements of I'm Determined - Competence, Autonomy and Relatedness (CAR). This year's theme and focus will be Relatedness.

Application Due Date: Sunday, January 12, 2025 by midnight

Applications will be reviewed and acceptance letters will be emailed on or before January 31, 2025.

For more information or questions, please visit the 2025 Youth & Family Summit event page or contact us at event@imdetermined.org.
Please review these instructions before filling out an application.

This application contains questions at the end that must be filled out by the youth. Please answer the questions as detailed as possible so that we can get to know you a bit more. Including examples to help explain answers is recommended. These questions are used to evaluate applications and decide on participant acceptance.

All questions should be answered by the youth who is applying. Having your answers ready ahead of time will allow you to apply much faster. While preparing ahead of time is optional, we recommend that you prepare your answers in one of two ways:
1. If you are going to write your answers: Type your answers in a word processing document, save it, and then copy and paste your answers into the form so that you have a back-up copy available. Each question has a 150-word limit, so think carefully about how you want to answer the question!
2. If you are going to record your answers: Record video or audio of yourself answering the questions. Save the recording, and upload it to an online storage folder (such as Google Drive or Dropbox). Copy the sharing link, and paste that link into the answer box on this form. You can use 1 recording for all of your answers, or you can do separate recordings for each question. Each question has a 2-minute limit, so think carefully about how you want to answer the question! Anything beyond the 2-minute mark will not be scored as part of your application.
Application Questions:

If this will be your first Summit at JMU, you will answer these questions:
1. What do you hope to learn or gain from attending the Youth Summit? Tell us about it briefly.
2. This year's theme focuses on Relatedness and belonging. Our youth leaders define relatedness as: Feeling at home in your community while building supportive relationships to share your strengths and needs. What does this theme mean to you?
3. How do your family and educators help you express your voice in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process?
4. What are some examples of relationships that have helped you accomplish and attain your goals?
5. Share a moment when you felt truly connected to a team or group you were a part of. What made that experience special?
If you came to last year's Summit at JMU, you will answer these questions:
1. Tell us one thing you learned at last year's Summit and how you practiced it in 2024.
2. Over the past year, how have you increased your sense of Relatedness? Tell us how it increased and why that is important to you.
3. How do your family and educators help you express your voice in your Individualized Education Program (IEP) process? How did your involvement change since last year?
4. Think of a moment when you felt left out. What actions could others have taken to help you feel like you belonged?
5. Share a moment when you showed up for someone else in a team or group you were a part of. What specific actions did you take to help increase their sense of belonging?
If you are ready to begin the application, click the "next" button below.

Applicant Information

*Note - Below is YOUTH INFORMATION ONLY. Please DO NOT use a school email address for this application - often school email filters will block our acceptance emails. However, it is highly preferred if youth have their own email, rather than using a parent's email. Parent information is requested on the next page of this form.
Youth's Full Legal Name*

First NameLast Name
Youth's Preferred Name (if different from Full Name above)
Preferred First Name
Youth's Home Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code
Youth's Phone Number*
Please include area code
Youth's E-mail*
Best if you DO NOT use a school email address or parent's email.
Name of Youth's School*
Please enter the full name. Do not use abbreviations.
School Division*
Please enter the full name. Do not use abbreviations.
Youth's Date of Birth*
MM/DD/YYYY
Youth's Gender*

Parent/Guardian Information

We send confirmation emails to both the applicant and the parent listed below.
Parent/Guardian Full Legal Name*

First NameLast Name
Parent/Guardian's Preferred Name (if different from Full Name above)
Preferred First Name
Parent/Guardian Cell Phone*
Please include area code
Parent/Guardian E-mail*
example@example.com

Did you (youth) attend last year's in-person Summit at JMU?*

YesNo

Application Questions

Please answer the following questions as detailed as possible so that we can get to know you a bit more. Including examples in to help explain your answers is recommended. These questions are used to evaluate applications and decide on participant acceptance. All questions should be answered by the youth who is applying. If you prepared your answers ahead of time, this is the section where you will insert the text or links.
Question 1: What do you hope to learn or gain from attending the Youth Summit? Tell us about it briefly.*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Question 2: This year's theme focuses on Relatedness and belonging. Our youth leaders define relatedness as: Feeling at home in your community while building supportive relationships to share your strengths and needs. What does this theme mean to you? Feel free to use the image below to help you answer. *

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Question 3: How do your family and educators help you express your voice in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process?*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Question 4: Think of a moment when you felt left out. What actions could others have taken to help you feel like you belonged?*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Question 5: Share a moment when you felt truly connected to a team or group you were a part of. What made that experience special?*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150

Application Questions

Please answer the following questions so that we can get to know you a bit more. Including examples to help explain your answers is highly recommended! All questions should be answered by the youth who is applying. If you prepared your answers ahead of time, this is the section where you will insert the text or links.
Question 1: Tell us one thing you learned at last year's Summit and how you practiced it in 2024.*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Question 2: Over the past year, how have you increased your sense of Relatedness? Tell us how it increased and why that is important to you.*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Question 3: How do your family and educators help you express your voice in your Individualized Education Program (IEP) process? How did your involvement change since last year?*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Questions 4: Think of a moment when you felt left out. What actions could others have taken to help you feel like you belonged?*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150
Questions 5: Share a moment when you showed up for someone else in a team or group you were a part of. What specific actions did you take to help increase their sense of belonging?*

150 word limit if typed. 2 minute limit if recorded.0/150

Notice of Commitment
I understand that, if accepted, I must commit to being an active and engaged participant in the Youth & Parent Summit for the duration of the 3-day program. This includes attendance and participation in all activities.

I must make the most of the program by giving my best effort to all requested assignments, getting along with my peers, and making the most from guest speakers, youth leaders, and staff.

I also agree to represent I'm Determined to the best of my ability, displaying my talent, drive, persistence, and determination at all times, and to all guests.
Do you agree to the above statement? (Please note that while we appreciate your application, we can not accept anyone who cannot agree to this statement)*

I AgreeI Disagree
Should be Empty:

Youth & Family Summit Application

Please review these instructions before filling out an application.

Application Questions:

Applicant Information

Parent/Guardian Information

Application Questions

Application Questions

Notice of Commitment