LaMarr Shields, PhD, Executive Change Agent, The Cambio Group, Baltimore, MD and Chicago, IL
Educating our youth is a calling that draws some of the most hard-working and dedicated people. Teachers and youth service providers are also prone to burnout–in fact, last year, public school teachers quit their jobs at the highest rate on record. Educators, it’s time to start showing care and compassion. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Shields will provide concrete ideas for incorporating self-care strategies that recharge educators and the students they serve. Join us to discover how awareness of one’s own SEL strengths and needs, purposeful energizers and brain breaks, quiet time, and closing circle can work together to provide critical replenishment throughout the school day  

Kiana Battle, PhD, LMSW, Consultant/ Assistant Professor, Griffin, GA
This presentation will explore the “resiliency myth” in relation to youth impacted by grief, trauma, and other adverse childhood experiences with a focus on youth living in rural communities. The presentation will also highlight the inequities in the availability of comprehensive service delivery networks for this population. Participants will be provided with best-practice interventions through the lens of trauma-informed practice and stakeholder collaboration. 

Keith Brown, BA, Graduate Studies and Certification In Education, Principal Speaker/Lead Consultant, 2020 Enterprises, Fayetteville, GA
In this upbeat, highly engaging session, participants will receive the “ART” formula, which includes tangible tips and tools on how to inspire and effectively engage youth when they “arrive,” operate from a “culture of caring” in an attempt to “revive” our youth on a daily basis as they face trauma for a myriad of reasons, and finally- effectively teaching, coaching and training them on how to “thrive” by utilizing social stamina and relevant content and the creative delivery of content to keep youth engaged. Participants will get a firsthand glimpse into the lives of resilient youth by hearing from resilient youth, as well as professionals who work directly with Keith L. Brown. 

Bea Lewis, MS, Education Leadership, CEO, BEAHIVE Education Consultant, LLC, South Carolina State University, Nova Southeastern University, Jacksonville, FL
If necessity is the mother of invention, it became truly evident during past two years of the pandemic and other turbulent occurrences for students, parents, teachers/staff, and communities. This interactive and engaging presentation will first have attendees to look at things that were challenges before the pandemic that are still challenges now. Then revisit, reflect, and discuss some of the best practices/ time-tested teaching strategies of the pre-pandemic and revamp them for the present post-pandemic school environment. They also will be provided as an added bonus takeaways and resource lists of self-care strategies for themselves, students, and parents that can be implemented immediately into the school environment 

Sam Marion, LCSW, Therapist, Sam Marion Counseling and Consulting, Buford, GA
Elizabeth Marston, LCSW, Owner, Eleos Counseling, Athens, GA
Attachment theory focuses on the ways in which all humans learn to connect with others. This workshop will discuss how understanding this theory provides a foundation for enhancing and implementing affordable activities and interventions that lead to greater social, emotional, and mental health in the classroom. 

Derrick Bailey, EdD, Principal, Lovinggood Middle School, Powder Springs, GA
Julia Bullock, EdD, Principal, Lovinggood Middle School, Powder Springs, GA
The presentation will provide guidance on how to set up and conduct an effective restorative conference. It will reflect ways to customize restorative conferences that include but are not limited to addressing discipline. We will cover fundamental questions to ask prior to deciding if a Restorative Conference is appropriate. We will compare typical conferences and restorative conferences and watch parts of an actual conference. I will demonstrate ways to collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of restorative conferencing. Participants will establish goals based on the presentation. 

Lindsey Kealey, MAT, BS, Professor of Education and Director of PAWsitive Choices Social and Emotional Learning, Oregon State University, Bend, OR
Lindsey Kealey discusses practical ways to apply a trauma-responsive approach to helping children and adults solve problems in the classroom. When you unwrap problems with students in productive rather than punitive ways, you will find that problems are not just fires to put out or issues that weigh us down. Rather, problems can be a gift to ourselves and the students we teach. 

Jessica Stewart, LPC, Prevention Advisory Specialist, Love146, Atlanta, GA
Through experience working with youth in diverse settings, the presenter will provide information on how to effectively reach and empower at-risk youth through prevention education. This session will highlight prevention strategies to protect against child trafficking by utilizing resources to decrease the likelihood of victimization as a result of youth’s vulnerabilities. This session will provide participants with an understanding of the impact of trauma on increasing the youth vulnerabilities for exploitation, trafficking, and unhealthy relationships in order to ensure safety for all children and youth. Through guided discussion, group and individual activities, this interactive learning forum will provide participants with an opportunity to identify characteristics of effective prevention education programming; principles of trauma-informed practice and implementation within community settings; and lessons learned from working with at-risk youth and confirmed survivors of trafficking.  

Eric Landers, PhD, Associate Professor, Special Education, Co-Director, Special Education MAT, Statesboro, GA
Bullying prevention is much more complex than simply hanging “no bullying zone” posters in our hallways. As a school administrator, it is important to (1) understand that the majority of bullying in schools is supported and sustained by a social structure and (2) identify how many of these incidents constitute actual bullying vs. simply conflict or poor social skills. At the end of this session, participants will understand the importance of developing a school-wide plan to identify conflict, identify instances of bullying, and identify higher order social-emotional skills to prevent “conflict” from becoming bullying. Emphasis is placed on the prediction and prevention of conflict rather than the traditional reaction approach to bullying. 

Kristin Kennedy, MS, MPH, CPH, Program Manager, ETR, Jacksonville, FL
Pam Drake, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, ETR, Glendale, CA
The Youth Engagement Network (YEN) is an OPA-funded network of youth and youth-serving adults who work together to add to the knowledge base on how to meaningfully engage youth in programs that seek to improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes of young people. This session will introduce the use of a group concept mapping process to create a conceptual model for engaging youth in sexual and reproductive health programming – particularly BIPOC LGBTQ+ youth and young men of color. We will walk through the G.C.M. process, present the model, and explore ways to apply the model in various situations. 

Jo Crosby, MEd, LPC, Clinical Director, Five Stones Counseling, Savannah, GA
Most people, including the youth in our care, can recall the most positive words spoken of them and the most damaging. Like glitter on a toddler’s fingers, words stick to our sense of self. This workshop is designed to inspire, encourage, and build anew on the valuable basics of positive communication. Join me to discuss and increase understanding of both the influence and reach of positive words and to increase awareness of the opportunities to utilize them. Interactive, insightful, and applicable, this workshop is designed for both professionals and parents. 

Brooke Foley, LPC, Behavioral Health Clinician/Coordinator, Chatham County Juvenile Court, Savannah, GA
Maya Jinks, EDS, Educational Advocate, Chatham County Juvenile Court/ SCCPSS, Savannah, GA
This presentation will outline the program structure and purpose of Georgia’s first juvenile mental health court, known as the Chatham County SPARC Program. This program takes a multi-disciplinary approach to address behavioral health diagnoses of court-involved youth while also engaging the families and identifying additional supports in the community. The program’s over-arching goal is to reduce the recidivism rate for youth whose behavior is driven by untreated mental health disorders. 

TeShaunda Hannor-Walker, PhD, LPC, NCC, CPCS, Assistant Professor/ LPC, Liberty University/ Walker and Hannor-Walker, LLC, Albany, GA
Sarah Kitchens, PhD, LPC, NCC, Associate Professor, Liberty University, Lynchburg, NC
Lacey Ricks, PhD, NCC. NCSC, Associate Professor, Liberty University, Lynchburg, NC
Adults and children alike overuse technology and social media. While technology has many benefits there are also many negative implications. This session will suggest interventions school counselors can implement to help parents, teachers, and students seek to create healthy, sustainable balance between technology and social media. We all need to make sure we aren’t so plugged in to technology that we are checked out of real life. 

9:15 AM-9:45 AM

Check-In

10:00 AM -12:15 PM

Simulation

Jackie Ogden, University of Georgia, Cooperative Extension
Join us for an intimate opportunity to understand what many of our youth living in poverty face on a daily basis. Approximately 32.9 million Americans—11.7 million of whom are children under the age of 18—live in poverty every day. Many more have incomes above the poverty line, but their incomes are still low enough to qualify for programs like Food Stamps and Medicaid. The recent economic downturn has seen unemployment rates rise and the use of emergency food pantries increase. It is difficult for those of us who have enough to understand fully the situations that families living in poverty experience every day; the decisions they have to make; and the fears and frustrations they feel. That is why we are inviting you to walk a mile in the shoes of those facing poverty by participating in the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS).

The CAPS provides participants with the opportunity to assume the role of a low-income family member living on a limited budget. The experience is divided into four 15-minute sessions, each of which represents one week in which you must provide for your family and maintain your home. As one participant commented, “This simulation dramatically demonstrates how much time and energy many families have to give just to survive from day to day.” It quickly dispels the myth “that people would do fine if they would only go out and get a job!” 

Queinnise Miller, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Houston Clearlake, Cypress, TX
“Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” This well-known cliche in education is actually the cornerstone of being an effective educator with diverse scholars. Building strong relationships in classrooms, specifically classrooms of “at-risk” scholars, is the foundation of ensuring an effective. While many educators hear this and theoretically may understand this, some are not sure what it looks like in practice. The Art of Giving a $#!T provides an opportunity for learners to learn strategies and tools for building strong relationships and see how they are executed in a real-world setting, through heartfelt funny and interesting stories of a former teacher and school leader. The Art of Giving a $#iT: A Memoir and Guidebook for Urban Educators. 

Bettye Blaize, Author, Baltimore MD
Terrence White
In this interactive workshop, mother, advocate, and author Ms. Bettye Blaize weaves together her personal experiences with walking alongside her son’s own long journey to greatness with practical and right-on-time strategies that any educator, advocate, or youth service provider can take back to their schools and organizations and begin to implement immediately. Participants will leave the session both inspired and empowered to look at their own classrooms, schools, and community organizations with fresh eyes and a renewed passion for serving youth and their families who have been most disenfranchised from the system. 

Joe Hendershott, EdD, Co-Founder/President, Hope 4 The Wounded, LLC, Gahanna, OH
Understanding trauma and the social-emotional needs of students enables us to better position them for academic success, but what motivates them? How do we integrate the head and the heart in a doable way in our already overcomplicated workload? HOPE is foundational…it’s a belief or trust that something good is possible, which makes everything students do relevant, including showing up for school and learning…or maybe the lack of HOPE is why they’re not. Join Dr. Joe as he discusses practitioner-developed strategies from his books, research, and 30+ years in education to position students for Hope, Outlook, Purpose, and Empathic connections. 

Gina Moore, LMSW, Director of Curriculum and Training, Crosswalk USA and ARTreach 180, McDonough, GA
All the world is indeed a stage, and each of us is profoundly affected by the roles others play in relation to our own.  But when we learn to put ourselves in the roles of others, we will discover common threads among us. This highly interactive session will demonstrate how sociodrama and other applied theatre techniques can be used in group settings with adolescents to facilitate thoughtful discussion and further explore social and relational issues in action. Participants will leave with creative tools for building community within their groups. Come ready to engage and get creative!

Shavon Richardson
“Speak to the Mountain and Walk in Authority” will assist all stakeholders with being able to carefully plow the fields and uproot the cause of every mountain. With proper strategies and training, all stakeholders will build much resilience while re-establishing boundaries and building healthy relationships within their schools, classrooms, and communities. 

Jamie Rosseland, BS, Assistant Executive Director, Hope at Hand, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
Steffani Fletcher, MEd, CAPF, Executive Director, Hope at Hand, Jacksonville, FL
Nile Stanley, PhD, Associate Professor of Literacy and Arts Education, University of North Florida, Middleburg, FL
Hope at Hand, Inc. is a North Florida nonprofit that uses therapeutic poetry lessons to help marginalized youth recognize and overcome circumstances that limit their successful participation in society. Through the Covid-19 Pandemic, many of the facilities we partner with limited visitors which prompted our staff to find new means of reaching isolated youth. The presentation will demonstrate adaptive interventions informed by narrative psychological research to improve resilience through the coping strategies of (1) social competence, (2) problem solving skills, (3) autonomy, (4) sense of purpose, and (5) life story reframing, all through virtual programming. 

Joelle Hood, EdD, Chief Empowerment Officer, Thriving YOUniversity, Murrieta, CA
Janeen Antonelli, MEd, Chief Cultural Coach, Thriving YOUniversity
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in events and stressors outside our students’ control, negatively impacting student well-being and academic performance. Resilience, the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, is a key to helping students flourish. Now more than ever, we must teach students the resilience skills they need to succeed in academics and life. In this interactive and engaging session, participants will learn the role of hope and optimism in resilience and how to teach students how to strengthen these skills in their students. They will leave with tools and strategies to nurture growth and resilience in their classrooms. 

Mandy Perryman, PhD, LPC, NCC, Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Stephanie Lusk Smith, PhD, CRC
As Youth Mental Health First Aid trainers, we would like to share the lessons we have learned from presenting this psychoeducational curriculum across Mississippi. In our workshops with teachers, school counselors, coaches, and so many others, we have learned some valuable lessons about how to listen to young people without judgement, spot the signs of mental health difficulties, and facilitate referrals for additional support. 

Andre Grossberg, President for Georgia FIRST Robotics Career Technical Student Organizations, Georgia FIRST Robotics
Karin Fisher Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University
Kania Greer, Coordinator - i2STEMed, Georgia Southern University
Anish Sankuratri, Vice President of Project Management for Georgia FIRST Robotics Career Technical Student Organizations, Georgia FIRST Robotics
Sophia Caiello, Vice President of Outreach for Georgia FIRST Robotics Career Technical Student Organizations, Georgia FIRST Robotics
Asanshay Gupta, Vice President of Communications for Georgia FIRST Robotics Career Technical Student Organizations, Georgia FIRST Robotics
This presentation will share the research Georgia FIRST officers collected through a study on Georgia FIRST Robotics for their special needs initiative. We will provide a brief overview and examine the benefits of FIRST Robotics for SWD, possible factors that create barriers to SWD involvement, and strategies to mitigate these barriers. Lastly, we will facilitate a hands-on activity to demonstrate involvement in FIRST.  

Ben Parry, PhD, Post-Doctoral Researcher, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
A six-year partnership between Clemson University and Boys and Girls Clubs of America has led to the development of evidence-based guidelines for programming designed to promote resilience, family reintegration following deployment, and skill development using a positive youth development approach targeting militaryconnected teens. This presentation focuses on the youth-led Steering Committee, highlighting components and mechanisms that produced positive resilience and leadership outcomes for teen participants 

Elizabeth Marston, LCSW, Owner, Eleos Counseling, Athens, GA
For many who have experienced a life-altering diagnosis, injury, or medical event, the mental toll is often hidden. While the body heals with the aid of treatment, the social and emotional wounds remain untouched. This presentation will discuss how to identify medical trauma symptoms and interventions that can increase social and emotional health in the wake of medical trauma. 

Laura Ross, EdS, School Counselor, Five Forks Middle School/GCPS, Lawrenceville, GA
Christine Douthart, Bachelors, Masters, Ed. Specialist, Principal, Gwinnett County Public Schools - Five Forks MS, Lawrenceville, GA
If heard and harnessed appropriately, student voice can be a powerful piece of data that informs the academic success, emotional development, social climate and cultural responsiveness in school. In this session, learn how a school administrator and school counselor collaborate to provide space and opportunities for students to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas to enhance school equity, culture, classroom support, and school wide practices. 

Lindsey Kealey, MAT, BS, Professor of Education and Director of PAWsitive Choices Social and Emotional Learning, Oregon State University, Bend, OR
Lindsey Kealey discusses practical ways to apply a trauma-responsive approach to helping children and adults solve problems in the classroom. When you unwrap problems with students in productive rather than punitive ways, you will find that problems are not just fires to put out or issues that weigh us down. Rather, problems can be a gift to ourselves and the students we teach. 

Tracey Keim, MS, Drop-Out Prevention Teacher and Founder, St Pete High Green Devils Closet and Pantry, St Petersburg, FL
Using tactile, auditory, visual, and emotional materials, participants will see how 54 square feet can change a student’s (and family’s) life. With low cost and easy growth and maintenance, participants can mirror the Green Devils Closet mission statement: To provide food, household and school supplies, uniforms and undergarments, and other needed items to any member of the Green Devil family without question or judgment to promote success in school, job placement, and in the community. 

Terry Atteberry, The Walking Classroom
Research indicates there is a clear link between exercise and cognitive function, and The Walking Classroom capitalizes on that link. Participants in this workshop will learn about the podcast content, how to implement the program in various settings, the resources that support the program, and how to apply for a donated class set. We will also discuss the research that has been conducted on The Walking Classroom program, which affirms its effectiveness as an engaging learning tool and a means of improving health literacy. Finally, attendees will have a chance to go for a walk while listening to a podcast!  

Phylicia Anderson, MSW, LCSW, Director of Child and Adolescent Programs, Director of Outreach Gateway Community Service Board, Savannah, GA
According to Harvard University, “Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.” For Black children and families, barriers prevent therapeutic relationships to occur with the very adults intended to support them. First, we will explore how historically, Black people received mental health “support” and the current mistrust of service professionals. Lastly, we will explore how to build trust and serve Black youth and families for the future. 

Joe Johnson, Author, Educator, Peak Performance Coach and Entrepreneur Leader, Detroit, MI
Working with youth can be challenging, frustrating, and very disappointing to professionals who are working outside of their "Sweet Spot." Many professionals fall victim to a belief that "having a heart" for the youth is enough to create impact. This session is designed for professionals that are burnt or burning out, searching for their "Sweet Spot" within the youth career field, or ready to discover and leverage their skills and strengths for traditional or non-traditional opportunities.  

Peter Ferguson, President/CEO, Peter Ferguson BHS, LLC, Lincoln, NE
An engagement for stakeholders whose purpose is to empower, educate, and engage, including but not limited to administrators, certificated, classified, agency, community members, supplemental agencies, etc. How relationships build hope, resiliency, value, respect, love, and positive outcomes, thus creating a platform to elevate our most marginalized scholars’ voices. The session will use large and small group activities to engage participants. Attendees will depart with a shared purpose to empower, educate and engage “at promise youth” and those who advocate for them to be empowered in meaningful decision-making, dialogue, and interrogating spaces that typically limit or exclude them. 

Kiana Battle, PhD, LMSW, Consultant/ Assistant Professor, Griffin, GA
This presentation will explore the “resiliency myth” in relation to youth impacted by grief, trauma, and other adverse childhood experiences with a focus on youth living in rural communities. The presentation will also highlight the inequities in the availability of comprehensive service delivery networks for this population. Participants will be provided with best-practice interventions through the lens of trauma-informed practice and stakeholder collaboration. 

Temerity Ennis-Berry, BA, CPS, Senior Prevention Educator, Cape Assist, Wildwood, NJ
Nikki Nichols, MSW, LSW, CTP, Prevention Program Manager, Cape Assist, Wildwood, NJ
Sarah Lesniewski, Detective, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May Court House, NJ
Mary Rybicki, Detective, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Cape May Court House, NJ
Joseph Landis
This presentation will focus on how communities can implement free, law enforcement-led summer camps for at-risk youth through sustained cross-sector collaboration. Speakers will discuss the unique integration of daily life skill lessons into the social-emotional activities and field trips planned for each summer camp day. To reinforce the relationships built during camp, campers attend booster events throughout the school year.  

Joelle Hood, EdD, Chief Empowerment Officer, Thriving YOUniversity, Murrieta, CA
Janeen Antonelli, MEd, Cheif Culture Coach, Thriving YOUniversity
Research is clear that social and emotional skills are foundational for success in school, college, the workplace, and life. Research also supports that if we want SEL to be successful and sustainable with students, then it must start with the adults. It is NOT something that we just “give” to students. In this highly active and engaging session, participants will explore the research supporting S.E.A.L. (Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning) and take part in self-reflection, discussions, and activities that they can immediately replicate with their students and colleagues. Participants will explore the competencies of S.E.A.L., the teaching practices that strengthen S.E.AL., and how to infuse S.E.A.L. into their daily practices. The experiential learning in this session is designed to help participants have a deeper understanding of S.E.A.L. in order to strengthen their own social-emotional competencies, boost their efficacy to model and teach these skills to students, and build the capacity to infuse this mindset into site and classroom practices. 

Summer Pannell, PhD, Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Juliann McBrayer, EdD, Associate Professor, Georgia Southern University
Brian Uriegas, EdD, Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University
Neuro-Linguistic Programming focuses on how you communicate with yourself and others, and how this communication affects your behaviors and behavior outcomes. This empowering use of language helps change unwanted habits and limiting beliefs, improve relationships, and meet goals. In this session, participants will learn NLP strategies to help improve their confidence, self-awareness, communication skills, and resiliency. 

Dustin Rivenbark, Certified AID, Educator, Author, Youth Speaker, Columbia, AL
In this presentation, educators will be empowered to not only overcome challenges in the classrooms but help their students “find their why.” Through the discovery of our new generation, as well as being inspired to LEAD AGAIN, I am excited for you to journey with me 

Taylor Williams, ACEs Certification, Restorative Justice Certification, Family and Community, Engagement Coordinator, South Bend Community School Corporation, South Bend, IN
Stephanie Stewart-Bridges, MSW, Director, South Bend Community School Corporation, South Bend, IN
Our presentation will provide information on how we were able to create a unique and impactful summer learning experience for our district’s most at-risk students. Our model consists of: Social Emotional Learning curriculum integrated with neuroscience, Literacy Mindfulness, Restorative Justice practices, Outdoor education, and Realworld learning experiences. 

Kaitlyn Eberhardt, Prevention Strategist, Texas Advocacy Project, Austin, TX
This is a scenario-based training designed to help participants talk about what dating is like for today’s teens— from their perspective. Participants will become teen characters, make choices about their relationships, and see what happens. “In Their Shoes” provides a snapshot of unhealthy teen relationships and generates a thoughtful discussion about what happens in unhealthy relationships and what opportunities exist to support those experiencing them. 

Chelsea Pool, School Intervention Resource Coordinator (SIRC), Colorado Youth Detention Continuum (CYDC), Pueblo, CO
Kelsey Moore, MA/L, CYDC Program Coordinator, Colorado Youth Detention Continuum, Pueblo, CO
The Racial and Ethnic Disparities Team has developed an alternative to citations written in schools. The RED Matrix was developed to assist in providing positive, preventative, and proactive support, in lieu of a citation. This program allows youth the time to grow socially, emotionally and stay safe in the school environment; without entering the juvenile justice system through Municipal Court. 

Weston Robins, PhD, LPC, Dr. Weston Robins, President and Founder, University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
The presentation will focus primarily on the methodological aspects of Radical Youth Work, while also diving into working with youth and families struggling with depression, anxiety, suicidality, self-harm, and substance abuse. A core focus will remain on humanistic and person-centered ways to work with youth in a co-collaborative approach to healing and holistic growth. Skott-Myhre’s work on Radical Youth Work, humanistic psychology (Watts, 2017, Rogers, 2015) the radical systems theory of Gregory Bateson (2000), the postmodern thought of Deleuze and Guattari (1988), the nomadic feminism of Rosie Braidotti (2011), and the theoretical work of anti-psychiatrist R.D. Laing (2018) will be explored. 

Neil Duchac, DrPH, EdD, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, HS-BCP, CSC, Associate Professor/ Executive Director, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Jill Minor, EdD, LSC, Assistant Professor/Director of School Counseling, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
Celia Scragg, MEd, Academic Program Specialist, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
This program will examine students transitioning from high school to inclusive post-secondary education programs at universities. All of these students have an intellectual or developmental disability often coupled with mental health concerns. As we understand, COVID was very challenging on the mental health of children, adolescents, and teens from both an educational and social perspective. The same holds true for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition to these challenges educationally and socially, there has been a noted regression in skills related to socializing and being part of a group in a face-to-face format. Students have struggled with the reintegration of activities into their regular daily lives. Through the use of case studies, the presenters will discuss interventions and strategies to make this reintegration smoother. 

Neda Stone, BA, Youth-Family Wellness Specialist, Family Wellness Outreach Center of Georgia, Savannah, GA
Crystal Williams, BS, Youth-Family Wellness Specialist, Family Wellness Outreach Center of Georgia, South Bend, GA
Tykivious Grier, MPA, Youth and Family Wellness Specialist, Family Wellness Outreach Center Of Georgia, Albany, GA
Kiaira Reid, Youth - Family Wellness Specialist, Youth - Family Wellness Specialist, Albany Technical College, Albany, GA
Family Wellness Outreach Center of GA serves Southwest GA youth and their families by providing education, resources, and support to reduce teen pregnancy. We also support increasing their knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in achieving economic stability, education, and overall wellness. As a growing nonprofit in a community that has faced many challenges, such as multiple natural disasters, economic poverty, and now an ongoing pandemic, Family Wellness Outreach Center GA is adamant about being a community staple. This includes being a hub of multiple resources and services to contribute to the continuous progression of Southwest GA. We understand that youth are our future, and as advocates, we must always work towards creating environments that foster growth and well-being. No community is perfect, but the possibilities are endless if we provide the necessary resources coupled with caring professionals. Gather Around The Table will bring forth a 6-course meal for professionals to learn and take away tools from each meal. 

Dr. Bronwyn Ragan-Martin, Deputy Superintendent, Office of Rural Education and Innovation
Dr. Tara Cooper, Jenkins County Superintendent
Mr. John Hill, Union County Superintendent
Dr. Craig Lockhart, Dooly County Superintendent
Dr. Ricky Edmond, Washington County Schools Superintendent
This panel will describe efforts to support students and families in rural communities. Panelists will describe successes and challenges in initiatives to leverage schools as sites to provide support beyond the academic. Panelists have expertise in academic improvement, college and career readiness, building community partnerships, school-based health clinics, school safety, and trauma-informed practices.  

Keith Brown, BA, Graduate Studies and Certification In Education, Principal Speaker/Lead Consultant, 2020 Enterprises, Fayetteville, GA
In this upbeat, highly engaging session, participants will receive the “ART” formula, which includes tangible tips and tools on how to inspire and effectively engage youth when they “arrive,” operate from a “culture of caring” in an attempt to “revive” our youth on a daily basis as they face trauma for a myriad of reasons, and finally- effectively teaching, coaching and training them on how to “thrive” by utilizing social stamina and relevant content, and creative delivery of content to keep youth engaged. Participants will get a firsthand glimpse into the lives of resilient youth by hearing from resilient youth, as well as professionals who work directly with Keith L. Brown. 

Kelvin Walston, MA, Associate Director, Wholistic Stress Control Institute, Atlanta, GA
Tarita Johnson, MSW, CEO/Executive Director, Wholistic Stress Control Institute, Inc., Ellenwood, GA
Calling all health educators interested in utilizing hip-hop and African American history as teaching tools to decrease risky behaviors. The objectives for this educational and engaging workshop will provide innovative ideas to: 1) engage youth utilizing hip-hop music; 2) integrate African American history to enhance positive identity concepts; 3) increase pro-social skills to prevent teenage pregnancy prevention and other negative behaviors. 

Frank Kros, MSW, JD, President, Kros Learning Group, LLC, Fallston, MD
The spoken word is the primary tool adults use to educate, motivate, and positively influence youth’s social and emotional health. In the challenging environments emerging from our pandemic experience, language strategies that provide helpers with the strongest impact on youth learning, behavior, and emotional state have never been more important. Strategies for building emotionally safe learning spaces, boosting motivation, shaping behavior, and promoting resilience will be shared. Participants will leave this learning experience with practices they can apply immediately to respond to all the needs and opportunities youth bring to our ever-changing programs and communities. 

Hotep, BA, MBA, PMI, Educational Success Strategist, Stone Mountain, GA
Today, more than ever, our country’s students need social emotional learning that is meaningful. While most people will agree that SEL is very important, the majority of U.S schools still do not have an SEL program or procedure. For those that do, it is often not implemented well. Teacher buy-in is often a problem. Many SEL curricula are lacking in cultural relevancy and are also taught incorrectly. In this workshop, educators will be provided with evidence-based, practical strategies, procedures and resources for developing the social and emotional competency of all students. Attendees will be able to engage students of all races and socio-economic backgrounds in meaningful activities to share, critically analyze, problem-solve and overcome traumatic experiences, misinformation, negative feelings and beliefs so they can navigate life successfully. 

Queinnise Miller, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Houston Clearlake, Cypress, TX

“Kids don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care!” This well-known cliche in education is actually the cornerstone of being an effective educator with diverse scholars. Building strong relationships in classrooms, specifically classrooms of “at-risk” scholars, is the foundation of ensuring an effective. While many educators hear this and theoretically may understand this, some are not sure what it looks like in practice. The Art of Giving a $#!T provides an opportunity for learners to learn strategies and tools for building strong relationships and see how they are executed in a real-world setting, through heartfelt funny and interesting stories of a former teacher and school leader. The Art of Giving a $#iT: A Memoir and Guidebook for Urban Educators

Sheliah Durham, PhD, Lecturer, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
Noble Edmisten, Doctoral Student, Graduate Student, Clemson University, Clemson, SC
The presenters will provide a brief overview of Information Literacy and the challenge of navigating media bias and propaganda. Hands-on presentation will include sample lesson plans and step-by-step suggestions for facilitating students’ critical inquiry skills to evaluate sources and various forms of digital media as they navigate controversial issues. 

Isara Krieger, Director and Editor, Berkeley, Oakland, CA
Akilah Cadet, DHSc at A.T Still University, MPH at San Jose State University, San Francisco, CA
In our program, Isara seeks to use The Highest Standard documentary film as a conversation starter with educators, educational activists, mental health professionals and students that are part of the film to discuss what tools are available and what tools that should to be created to support students of greater need in the classroom and beyond. 

Candice Washington, School Performance Improvement Specialist, Avery Consultants, Atlanta, GA
Data should be used in the classroom to understand rather than punish—creating a “no blame” culture of data inquiry. This requires a culture shift. One way to shift that culture is to encourage scholars to own their educational path through data inquiry and goal setting. Student Led Conferences help students achieve in a variety of ways including leadership development, organizational skills, public speaking, and goal setting. SLCs encourage students to take ownership, responsibility, and accountability for their learning data and can be implemented in grades K-12. The presenter will provide techniques for improving student and parent engagement by implementing successful Student Led Conferences. 

Abbey Carr, Statewide Director, Community Education, Tar Wars Program
In our session, we will discuss the current statistics among middle and high school students in the state of Georgia as it relates to tobacco, nicotine, and vaping products and their use. We will share the latest info on vaping and tobacco products and marketing trends in an ever-changing, growing, unregulated industry. We will also discuss the importance of educating students at a young age about the dangers of these products and how evidence based programs can meet that need with innovative, interactive programs for students, like Tar Wars, a program sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians. 

Schwartzen Precil, BBA, CEO, Hero Leadership Group, Staten Island, NY
In this engaging, fun, and a-ha-inducing presentation, Schwartzen Precil explains his specific process how any student can go from pain to purpose. This isn’t just a highly research driven presentation, Schwartzen lived. From growing up in the Foster Care system to being homeless and imprisoned. He used the process he will teach to your students to turn his life around, graduate from college, become an award-winning author, professional athlete and national speaker. 

Jo Crosby, MEd, LPC, Clinical Director, Five Stones Counseling, Savannah, GA
The young people we engage and work with have valuable stories to tell. Valuable stories to share. Valuable stories to teach. Coming alongside them, we have an opportunity to invite the conversations and welcome the lessons. Most importantly, we have a front row seat to the moments of healing, hope, courage, and change than can take place when we foster communication in the helping process. This workshop is an exploration and exercise in expressive writing. Designed to be creative, interesting, and applicable, participants will explore a story from their life while gaining insight and resources to help others. All materials will be provided. 

Brian Uriegas, EdD, Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Summer Pannell, PhD, Assistant Professor, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Juliann McBrayer, EdD, Associate Professor, Educational Leadership, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
This session will examine implicit bias and its impact on decision-making in schools and classroom settings. Participants will participate in cultural awareness activities, understand implicit bias and microaggressions that affect teaching and learning, and explore the facilitation of culturally inclusive school environments. 

Derrick Bailey, EdD, Principal, Lovinggood Middle School, Powder Springs, GA
Julia Bullock, EdD, Principal, Lovinggood Middle School, Powder Springs, GA
The presentation will provide guidance on how to set up and conduct an effective restorative conference. It will reflect ways to customize restorative conferences that include but are not limited to addressing discipline. We will cover fundamental questions to ask prior to deciding if a Restorative Conference is appropriate. We will compare typical conferences and restorative conferences and watch parts of an actual conference. I will demonstrate ways to collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of restorative conferencing. Participants will establish goals based on the presentation. 

Anthony Edwards, Youth Speaker, GA State University, Atlanta, GA
The presentation will show that the term “At-Risk” has and continues to have a bad connotation, oftentimes marginalizing certain groups. We must understand that we all as a society have thrown so many scholars (students) to the wayside in some capacity due to being overwhelmed with the incredible influx of cares of life, city/state/parental standards with little to no help from the outside. The familial structure plays a major role in the growth of this egregious label on kids who are caught in the middle. 

Jill Minor, EdD, LSC, Assistant Professor/Director of School Counseling, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
Neil Duchac, DrPH, EdD, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, HS-BCP, CSC, Associate Professor/ Executive Director, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
In schools around the country, students are confronted with crisis-inducing events that they may have difficulty coping with and managing on their own. As such, crisis intervention skills are essential tools for educators working with students experiencing a crisis. Utilizing a standardized model of crisis response may enhance an educator’s helping skills necessary to effectively support and empower impacted students. This interactive, practice-based session will offer a practical approach for addressing a variety of crisis situations in a school setting using Gilliand’s Six-Step Model of Crisis Intervention as a framework of practice.